Fight flame with calmness

The evening breeze blew calmly through the forest. The leaves danced gently with the wind.

Kiato walked beneath the full moon, searching for a secluded open field where he could release the anxiety weighing him down. Cold resolve still trickled down his spine from the intense training session with his father. Each word his father spoke replayed perfectly in his mind.

After walking for some distance, Kiato reached an open plain—vast enough to practice his ice technique.

"This should be perfect," he said.

He walked to what he assumed was the center of the field and took a deep breath.

"Patience, calmness, and the mind," he muttered to himself.

Suddenly, he sensed three sharp auras. Footsteps followed. His expression shifted to a mix of caution and curiosity. One hand moved instinctively toward his sword.

His alertness grew as the footsteps became uneven—it seemed his hidden pursuers had noticed him. Kiato concentrated harder, but his opponents moved lightly. The only sounds were the blowing wind and the distant cry of an owl.

Then, a voice echoed in his head: "Don't follow my steps. Follow my aura's intensity."

A small smile crept onto Kiato's face.

"Thanks, Father."

Focusing on the aura energy, he detected two signatures in the air, positioned opposite each other and locking onto him. He waited until the last second, then—flash—appeared behind them.

The figures before him were tall, dark-clad fire ninjas, their bodies covered in flame-inscribed armor, their movements agile and precise.

Kiato's interest piqued. He landed on their backs, twisted midair, and dropped dramatically to the ground. However, the ninjas showed no reaction to his entrance and continued charging at him.

"Let's talk this through!" Kiato shouted, dodging their attacks. But his words fell on deaf ears as they kept pressing forward with relentless aggression.

"Damn it," he muttered. "Flame users never learn."

As they attacked from opposite directions, Kiato positioned himself between them. Cold aura surged through his veins, glowing visibly beneath his skin. He extended both hands and formed a stance.

"Frost Technique: Frostburst Cannon!"

A massive cone of ice erupted from his fingers. The air crystallized as jagged shards and freezing winds surged forth, engulfing the ninjas. The glowing veins dimmed.

Clap. Clap. Clap...

A female figure stood at a distance, applauding—roughly sixteen feet away.

It suddenly hit him. "I completely forgot there were three."

He looked up and saw a striking young woman. Her pale yellow skin glowed like a miniature sun. Though short in height, her posture was confident and firm. Her dark hair was tied up neatly in a perfect bun. She was, by his judgment, stunning.

"That was magnificent. What a dramatic start," she complimented.

Kiato stepped forward, leaving the frozen ninjas behind.

"Hi there, beautiful," he greeted with a friendly grin.

Smiling, the girl replied, "Thanks, Ice Wizard."

Kiato scratched the back of his head. "No big deal, really. Are those your allies?" he asked, pointing toward the frozen figures.

"Yes, they are," she replied, squinting. "So useless."

"Sorry for my impolite approach," Kiato said with a slight bow. "I'm Kiato Kenji, son of the God of Ice—Lord Gundrick Kenji, Head Captain of the 8th Squad."

"My, my. So many titles. I'm terrified," she teased, playfully dramatic.

They both chuckled.

"Nice to meet you, Kiato," she said with a bright expression. "I'm Azura Emberheart, daughter of the Fire Lord—Azurak Emberheart, Captain of Fire Squad 11."

"Pleased to meet you," Kiato said, shaking her hand. Steam rose between them like burning incense.

Without hesitation, Kiato said, "Teach me flame magic."

Azura's face went blank, then turned confused.

"A frost user wants to learn flame magic? Even if you could adapt, where would the flame come from?" she asked, puzzled.

"Think of me as a temperature wizard," Kiato replied confidently.

Azura raised an eyebrow. "Okay, if you say so. But I'll only teach you on one condition."

"Name it!" Kiato beamed with excitement.

Azura's eyes narrowed with resolve. "Fight me."

Kiato sighed. "I don't want to mess up your skin or untangle your hair... but if that's the price, then it's worth it."

"Good," she said. "But don't hold back—unless you want to die."

Tension thickened in the air as they stepped apart, preparing for battle. For the first time, frost and flame would clash—driven by Azura's thirst for combat and Kiato's desire to learn.

Azura acted first. Drawing her blade, she roared:

"Sear my foes and ignite with fury—Homuraken!"

The air fell silent—too silent. Then, like a breath held too long, it shattered.

Flames burst into a swirling storm around her. Her eyes burned like twin embers, alive with rage and strength. Homuraken materialized in her grip—black steel engulfed in fire.

Kiato smiled to himself. Even her sword activation is beautiful.

He drew his sword, his expression turning serious.

"Unleash the dragon's fury—Hinoyuki!"

The temperature dropped instantly. His dark hair flushed frost-blue. His cloak transformed into dragon-scale armor, shimmering with ice. A powerful aura burst from him, compressing the earth beneath his feet. The sky rippled. From above, Hinoyuki descended—cloaked in black light and frost, absorbing even shadows as it landed in his grip.

"Where were you hiding all that aura?" Azura muttered, alarmed. Who is he really?

Kiato gave a soft smile.

Azura stood ready. "Whatever it is, I'll just have to beat your pride into humility."

They both launched forward, meeting mid-air. The clash of their blades sent shockwaves across the field. Azura swept a powerful kick upward, but Kiato evaded with ease. Fire and snowflakes filled the arena.

"Fire Technique: Hellfire!"

Flames erupted from the ground, spreading across the grass like wildfire.

"Too low," Kiato reacted.

"Frost Technique: Cryo Thorns!"

A wave of ice surged from beneath him, dousing the flames. Spikes of ice shot upward, forcing Azura to leap high with a burst of flame from her feet, perching on a nearby tree.

"How dare you back me into a corner, refrigerator!" she snapped. Her flame aura surged with anger.

Kiato clenched his teeth. First lesson: don't anger a flame knight.

Azura shot forward, her blade a blur of fury. Kiato blocked every swing with calm precision, though each strike pushed him back.

If she's fueled by rage, I'll counter with calm. Let her burn out, then strike.

"Hinoyuki," he whispered.

"I thought you were used to fighting alone," the blade's spirit said.

Kiato sighed. "This is my first real fight, not a training session. Still, we're in battle."

"Watch your tongue. This may be a battle for you, but it's barely a warm-up for me."

"That's why I need to merge."

"Who are you talking to?" Azura snapped. "Are you ignoring me?!"

She growled as her aura turned murderous. Flame consumed her form like a living inferno.

Hinoyuki spoke: "Do as you wish."

Kiato pointed the blade at his chest. It melted into his body, fusing with his blood. His physique changed—muscles hardened, aura amplified, awareness sharpened.

Azura looked up and saw him—bladeless, stronger, glowing with unmatched presence—but her rage blinded her to the change.

"You think you can beat me without a blade? What an insult!" she roared. "I'll show you your place—in the dust!"

She charged. Kiato defended with ice-covered hands, unreadable expression on his face. Ice shattered with each blow, but reformed instantly. Calmly, he countered—light strikes to her sides, slowly freezing her body.

Her stomach began to ice over.

Kiato stepped back.

"Frost Technique: Frostburst Cannon!"

The glowing veins in his arms lit once more. A wide cone of ice blasted forward, engulfing the field.

Azura's eyes widened—it was too late to dodge.

"Enough!" she cried.

"Icy Flash Step!"

Kiato caught her just in time, wrapping her tight in his arms and shielding her from the blast. They landed hard. He lay over her, breath steady.

"So... do I get to learn now?" he asked gently, looking into her eyes.

Her cheeks flushed. She stammered, "You... You're too close."

Realizing it, Kiato quickly stood, scratching the back of his head. "Sorry! I didn't realize."

He offered her a hand. She took it, still shy. "Thanks," she muttered, eyes fixed to the ground.

"You have my acknowledgment," she said softly. "Training begins tomorrow at sunset."

"Yes!" Kiato spun in excitement.

Then he noticed Azura dash off into the woods.

"She's weird. What do you think, Hinoyuki?"

"Don't ask me. I'm a spirit, not an intuitive. "