Road to the Control

Ren was in the center of a training ground that was derelict, the Blue Flame dancing in his hand.

The night had been restless. Knowing Veyron's sordid history, one thing had become painfully obvious — Ren wasn't prepared.

This wasn't just some random opponent Veyron. He was a human disaster, a man who had set entire cities ablaze and left only smoldering ruins in his path. If Ren had any hope, he had to master the Blue Flame—soon.

Sera stood on the sidelines, arms crossed. "You sure about this?"

" Ren drew a breath and opened his fingers. "If Veyron really has his sights set on me, then it's just a matter of time before he returns. I can't afford to be weak."

Sera nodded. "Then let's not waste time."

She drew her blade, the moonlight catching it. "If you want to tame your flames, you have to drive them out of their range of control."

Ren smirked. "So you're going to kill me, then?"

Sera grinned. "Something like that."

And then—she attacked.

Ren narrowly avoided the slash of Sera's sword, it sliced through the air and missed him by inches. He responded by calling upon his Blue Flame and flinging a blast of fire at her.

But Sera was faster. She turned her body, the flames skimming over her skin like water, and lunged again.

Ren barely had time to react. He raised his arm to block—

Slash!

Her blade cut through the sleeve of his jacket, leaving a protuberance of skin. A sting shot up his arm, and Ren bit his teeth.

"You're holding back," Sera said, retreating. "That question is going to get you killed."

Ren clenched his fists. She was right. He was the one with the power — but wasn't wielding it correctly.

The Blue Flame was not a force to be feared. It was something to be managed.

Ren took a deep breath. And this time he didn't just conjure the flames — he concentrated.

The blaze all-but-inextinguishable around his hands did not flicker madly like before. It became steady, precise.

Sera's eyes lit up in approval. "Better. Now show me what you can do."

She bolted forward again — but this time Ren was prepared.

Rather than dodge he took the attack head-on, sheathing his arm in Blue Flames before he caught the blade directly in his bare hand.

Clang!

The instant Sera's sword contacted the fire, an explosion of blue energy radiated outward, throwing her skidding back.

She fell to her feet, gripping her sword tight. Her eyes were shining with excitement. "Now we're talking."

They fought fiercely. Sera's blade was a silver blur, slicing through the air at terrifying speed, but Ren countered each of her strikes.

He challenged himself more with every attack—

Dashing faster.

Striking harder.

Burning hotter.

The Blue Flame started to shift.

It was not merely destructive — it was adaptive. With every blow he landed, the flames responded, conforming to his motions.

"This time Ren wasn't fighting his power. He was becoming one with it.

Sera lunged again, this time for his throat.

Ren was on him in an instant — ducking, twisting, and driving a flaming fist into her gut.

BOOM!

A blue fire shockwave released and Sera went flying backwards.

She hit the ground, rolling before she righted herself. She coughed, shook her head, and then erupted with a breathless laugh.

"Damn… that hurt."

Ren blinked, looking at his own hand. The fire encircling his fist started to dissipate.

He had done it.

He had mastered the Blue Flame.

They were about to celebrate when a presence touched the air.

Ren's flames flared instinctively. Something was wrong.

"Up to her feet quickly, Sera snatched her sword with dancing eyes about the training ground. "Did you feel that?"

Ren swallowed hard. He didn't just feel it.

He knew what it was.

A presence that is too strong, too big.

Then—

From the shadows there was a muffled laugh.

"Not bad."

Ren turned sharply.

Looming just outside the perimeter of the training ground—Veyron.

His golden eyes shone in the dark, glinting with mirth.

Ren's heart pounded. How long had he been observing?

Sera moved forward, sword up. "You again."

Veyron smirked. "I wanted to see how much you would have improved. I've got to give props… I'm impressed."

Ren clenched his fists. "What do you want?"

Veyron took a few steps, casually, with his hands in the pockets of his coat. "Relax. I'm not here to fight."

Sera scoffed. "Then why are you here?"

Veyron's smirk widened. "To give you a warning."

Ren tensed. "A warning?"

Veyron's gaze turned sharp. "You're not the only one going after the Blue Flame, Ren."

The air grew heavier.

The pitch of Veyron's voice wavered a bit. "I wasn't kidding when I said others would come for you."

Ren's mind raced. Others?

"Who?"

Veyron's smugness faded a little bit. "Let's say… the ones hunting you aren't as patient as I am."

The way he said so skittered a chill up Ren's spine.

Sera frowned. "Why tell us this? What's in it for you?"

Veyron let out a slow breath. Because I'd rather kill you myself than let them take you."

Ren stiffened.

Sera gritted her teeth. "You—"

But had Veyron not turned away before she could finish.

"I'll be watching, Ren." His voice was steady but it had an edge to it. "Just hang on, and maybe we'll have our real fight."

With that — he vanished into the darkness.

The training ground went deathly silent.

Ren took a sharp, breath, his hands still shaking from the confrontation.

Sera glanced at him. "So… what now?"

Ren clenched his fists.

Veyron's warning wasn't a bluff; Someone was coming.

And if Veyron had of them worried —

They had to be worse than what Ren had faced before.

Ren had no choice.

He had to get stronger.

No matter what it took.