The indoor training room at the Seraphim Military Compound buzzed with the sounds of warriors grunting, weapons clashing, and instructors issuing sharp commands. Some soldiers moved in unison across the floor, while others engaged in one-on-one sparring matches. Light from the glimmering crystal lamps reflected off an array of weapons mounted on the walls—blades, axes, and spears made of metal, stone, and wood.


    Kamari, Leon, and Elijah were at the far end of the room. They were dressed in fitted black IronSilk uniforms trimmed with gold, proudly displaying the emblem of the Seraphim on their chests. Kamari lay flat on his back. He panted as he stared at the ceiling, still feeling the adrenaline from his sparring match with Leon.


    "You’ve got to stop letting me toss you around like this," Leon grinned as he extended his hand.


    Kamari groaned, grabbing his hand while trying to catch his breath.


    Elijah was lounging nearby and couldn’t resist making a jab. "I couldn''t take that many losses in a row. You’re a better man than I am, Red."


    Kamari shot him an irritated glance. "I''m not just taking losses for fun, Eli. Yesterday, I wasn’t fast enough with the goblins. I need to work on my techniques and improve my skills. If that means Leon throws me around a few more times, then so be it."


    Leon clapped Kamari on the shoulder. "Don’t be too hard on yourself. You were fine yesterday—everyone saw it."


    Kamari nodded but didn’t respond right away. He cherished these moments in the training room; the hours spent improving were what he lived for. Each hit and each fall felt like progress. He had to keep pushing himself to overcome every flaw and every moment of hesitation that haunted him on the battlefield.


    His mind drifted to Malik—a warrior who had mastered his craft in ways Kamari could only aspire to. Malik fought with unmatched power and skill. His dedication was almost inhuman. Kamari wanted—no, he needed—to reach that level. Malik never faltered or questioned himself, while Kamari still carried the weight of his failures. Although every fight brought him closer to where he needed to be, it wasn’t enough.


    "I know, but I need to be faster. Stronger. There’s always room to improve," he finally spoke.


    Leon nodded before shifting his gaze to Elijah, who was casually lying on the floor, unfazed by the conversation. "Speaking of which... you could learn a thing or two from Kamari. How about putting in some effort instead of just lounging around all day?"


    Elijah let out a dramatic groan, threw his arms behind his head, and stretched out lazily on the floor. "Why bother when I can sit here and enjoy the show? Watching Red get tossed around is way more entertaining."


    Kamari rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "One day, Eli, it will be you and me. We''ll see who gets tossed around then."


    Elijah waved a dismissive hand, already halfway to dozing off. "Yeah, yeah. Maybe after my nap, but don’t hold your breath."


    Kamari and Leon exchanged an almost exasperated look.


    "If he put half as much effort into training as he does into being a pain..." Leon paused to sigh, "...he’d probably match his uncle’s power by now. What a waste of potential."


    The words weren’t directed at Kamari, but they hit him like a punch to the gut: <i>what a waste of potential</i>. His mind wandered back to the nightmare. He could still feel the demon''s claws tightening around his throat, the flames consuming his village, and the screams of those he couldn’t save. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was a waste of potential—a failure. No matter how much he trained or how many people he rescued, that feeling clung to him like a shadow. He had achieved victories, of course, but each one felt hollow. They couldn’t come close to erasing the guilt or the haunting memories that lingered in his mind. He would always be the kid who failed, and that failure—like the flames he wielded—would never stop burning.


    Leon noticed the shift in Kamari’s demeanor and nudged him. "Hey, snap out of it. Let’s go again."


    Kamari nodded. However, before they could begin, Byron''s familiar voice echoed through the room. "It''s good to see you two going at it, as always."


    The other soldiers in the room immediately straightened at the sound of his voice. Even Elijah sprang into action, zipping into a perfect push-up position as if his life depended on it.


    "And that makes one thousand!" Elijah grunted. A smug smile spread across his lips as he glanced up at Byron.


    Byron raised an eyebrow, giving Elijah a knowing look, but chose not to call him out. Instead, he crossed his arms and turned to Kamari and Leon. A grin spread across his face. "I’ve got some great news! Your prayers have been answered. I’ve been tasked with creating a new Elite Squad, and you three will be part of it."


    Elijah perked up. He was still in the push-up position. "Does that mean we won’t be babysat by Stormfront anymore?"


    "Think of it as an extension of Stormfront. You’ll still be reporting to me. Another member will be joining you—Imani A’ven. She will arrive by the end of the week."


    Kamari''s face brightened at the mention of the name. "Imani? I know her. We were close during my time in Ahwahl."


    Byron nodded. "She’s a combat prodigy. Her mastery over the Hydra Force is impressive, especially at her age. You’ll find her skills to be... invaluable."


    "That sounds like Imani, alright."


    Elijah smiled. "An Ae’wa, huh? I look forward to meeting her."


    Excitement crackled between Kamari and Leon as their eyes met, and almost immediately, the debate began.


    “So...” Kamari smirked, “...who’s going to lead? I mean, we all know I’m the level-headed one.”


    Leon chuckled and shook his head. "You? Level-headed? You must be confusing yourself with someone else."


    "What are you trying to say?"


    "Oh, nothing," Leon replied with a sly grin. "Besides—"


    Byron intervened, raising a hand to interrupt them. "All right, you two, calm down. We aren’t deciding leadership today. I have something more immediate for you."


    Kamari straightened his posture and asked, "A mission?"


    "Correct. Your first mission as a squad will be to serve as a merchant escort to Zernel. It’s relatively low-level, but it’ll allow you to figure out the new dynamic before we throw you into anything major."


    Elijah sat up, wiping imaginary sweat from his brow. "A merchant escort? That sounds easy enough."


    Byron narrowed his gaze. "Don''t underestimate the simplicity. Recent reports indicate increased Infernal and bandit activity in the vast forest surrounding the village. People have been going missing more frequently—"


    Elijah interrupted him with an exaggerated raise of his hand. "Alright, alright. We get it. Things can go south."


    "Prepare yourselves; you leave in half an hour."


    <hr>


    A few hours later, the trio navigated through the dense forest, where a narrow path wound like a serpent between towering trees. The rustling of branches, the occasional snap of a twig, and distant growls from unseen creatures brought the forest to life.


    Kamari’s hallion led the way, its fiery mane and tail casting a soft glow as it trotted confidently alongside the caravan. With each step, its hooves left tiny embers on the ground that briefly flickered before fading into the earth. With its gaseous mane flowing like a gentle breeze and a tail resembling soft clouds, Leon''s hallion moved effortlessly as if carried forward by the air. Behind them, Elijah rode his hallion, which had an electric blue mane crackling with sparks, leaving lightning trails in its wake. Each steed was a reflection of its rider, imbued with their abilities—a unique trait of the Seraphim''s favored mounts.


    The caravan they were escorting was sturdy and well-crafted. Its wood creaked softly under the weight of its various goods. At the front sat an old man, his hands gripping the reins of his hallion—a gentle creature with a mane and tail that glowed faintly white. He glanced to his right at Kamari and then to Leon on his left. They both maintained a steady pace beside him.


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    "I can’t thank you enough for escorting me through these woods," the old man said. "My granddaughter''s birthday is approaching, and I wouldn''t want to miss it for anything."


    Kamari gave a reassuring smile. "There''s no need for thanks. We’ll make sure you get to Zernel safely."


    Leon nodded as his eyes continued to scan the dense forest.


    Kamari pressed a finger to the small crystal device in his ear, activating his comms. "How’s it going back there, Sparky?"


    Elijah''s voice crackled through the crystal. "Oh, I''m having a blast—just me, the trees, and even more trees. And I told you not to call me that."


    Leon chuckled. "Just make sure you''re watching for any lurking threats. No naps on the job."


    Elijah yawned dramatically. "I’m wide awake back here. Totally alert."


    Kamari refocused on the path ahead. The shadows appeared to close in as the trail narrowed. Then, something caught his attention—a massive fallen tree lay across the path. He tightened his grip on the reins.


    "Leon," he said softly.


    Leon’s gaze snapped to the obstacle, and his instincts flared. It was too large and too deliberate. His eyes narrowed.


    "It’s a trap."


    Kamari urged his hallion forward, pulling ahead of the caravan as he signaled to the elderly man. "Stay behind us!"


    Leon pressed his comms. "Eli, we’ve got something up ahead. Be ready."


    "Oh, great. Here we go."


    The trio scanned the dark forest around them, but the thick silence offered no clues. A heavy stillness hung in the air as if the world itself had stopped breathing. Then, it shattered.


    From deep within the forest came the sound of pounding footsteps—hundreds of them—accompanied by the snap of branches and the crash of trees. The ground trembled as a cacophony of growls and shrieks erupted from the shadows.


    Goblins.


    A massive horde burst from the trees. Blood-curdling snarls tore from their throats. They charged toward the caravan, their crimson eyes gleaming with primal hunger as they closed in from both sides of the path.


    "Look alive!" Leon shouted.


    Kamari turned to the old man, whose face had lost all color. "Get inside the caravan and stay there!"


    The old man nodded frantically, scrambling into the wagon as the first wave of goblins surged closer.


    Leon surveyed the advancing horde. "Just goblins—nothing we can’t manage. Eli, take the right flank. Kamari and I will handle the left."


    Elijah dismounted his hallion with a groan. "Why can''t a mission go smoothly for once?" He stretched his shoulders, and sparks danced up his arms as he cracked his neck. He glanced at Kamari with a mischievous grin. "Try not to burn the forest down, Red."


    "Hilarious." Kamari shot him a dry look as he slid off his stallion.


    Leon couldn’t help but laugh as he dismounted. "He’s got a point, though. Let’s try to keep the forest intact, okay?"


    Kamari sighed. "Please, guys, don''t insult me. It''s time to get to work."


    The trio prepared as the horde approached. Kamari’s hands ignited with bright yellow flames, Leon’s wind blades hovered around him, and sparks danced around Elijah.


    <hr>


    After several grueling minutes, the squad had already taken down nearly a hundred goblins each. However, despite their relentless efforts, the horde appeared to be endless. For every goblin that fell, more emerged from the forest, their red eyes gleaming as they charged forward without hesitation.


    The situation was quickly becoming dire.


    Leon’s wind blades sliced through the air, each gust tearing into the green-scaled creatures like a knife through paper. He moved like a whirlwind. Yet, despite his efforts, the goblins continued pouring in as if the forest itself were spitting them out.


    Elijah fared better. His crackling lightning bolts leaped between the goblins, frying entire clusters simultaneously. Blue arcs of electricity danced among the trees, illuminating the forest in brief flashes and leaving behind smoking corpses. However, for every group he electrocuted, a dozen more emerged from the shadows, undeterred.


    Unlike the others, Kamari was struggling. Although his fire had the potential to decimate the horde, he held back due to the risk of starting a wildfire. As a result, he had to rely on quick bursts of flame with each punch and kick—small explosions that sent goblins flying but weren''t sufficient to stop the overwhelming tide. After ten minutes of intense close combat, his muscles ached, and sweat dripped down his face. His arms felt heavy, making each strike slower than the last.


    Leon''s voice crackled through the comms. "This is pointless! We need to locate the source and eliminate it!"


    Kamari ducked under a goblin’s swipe and delivered a fiery punch that instantly reduced the creature to ash. He grunted as he kicked another goblin away, sending flames spiraling from his heel. "I agree," he panted, "but—" Just then, another goblin lunged at him, and he quickly dispatched it with a swift strike. "—we''re drowning in these things! It''s hard to focus on anything else!"


    Elijah''s voice came through. "What exactly are we dealing with here?"


    Before anyone could answer, the temperature plummeted as dark energy swept through the forest. Kamari felt it instantly. His spine went rigid, and his eyes widened as the familiar chill of Nether Energy seeped into his bones. The goblins’ frenzy stilled, pausing in eerie silence. Then, without warning, a massive ball of shadowy energy shot toward him from the depths of the forest, whistling like a warning from the abyss.


    He barely had time to react. Instinct took over as he coated his arms in Enre, a shimmering silver aura enveloping them just as the shadow ball collided with him. The impact felt like a freight train. His boots dug into the dirt as he slid backward, bracing himself against the sheer force of the attack. The dark energy sizzled and crackled against his Enre-coated arms, slightly burning through the barrier before dissipating into the air.


    He lowered his arms, and his heart raced as he struggled to catch his breath.


    Then, it appeared.


    Emerging from the forest''s depths, cloaked in swirling Nether Energy, was a figure he knew all too well. The memories flooded back, hitting him like a punch to the gut. Although the figure appeared human, Kamari knew better. It was no human.


    It was a demon—Zaire—<i>the Angel of Death.</i>


    A dark aura surrounded him like a suffocating fog. Two jagged horns protruded from his forehead, and his black wings unfolded behind him, casting an imposing shadow over the forest floor. His pitch-black eyes fixed on Kamari, and the world seemed to shrink.


    Kamari''s body froze. Every muscle and nerve was locked in place, refusing to move. Fear gripped him, tightening like a noose around his neck. Before him stood the demon from his nightmares—the one he had sworn to defeat but had never truly believed he could face again. And yet here it was, as real as the flames he conjured.


    The forest, the goblins, Leon—they all faded into the background. It was just Kamari and Zaire now, reminiscent of his darkest memories. He wanted to run—no, he wanted to fight. He wanted to do anything but stand there.


    Zaire’s expression remained unchanged as he stepped closer. He was a predator, and Kamari was his prey. When it came, his voice was smooth and dark—like poisoned honey.


    "We finally meet again, Young Phoenix."


    The words sent a shudder down Kamari''s spine. His hands trembled at his sides, and his fingers twitched as if desperate to ignite into flame. His mind drowned in memories of the past. He felt like a boy again, lying helpless as Zaire stood over him. The thoughts pierced his mind, twisting like a knife. He could hear Leon calling out to him, but his pounding heart muffled the words.


    "Still so fragile, I see,” Zaire said.