Raze

The city burned.

Kairos and Aeris sprinted across the rooftops, the chaos of the Hunter’s Trials raging beneath them. Warriors clashed in the streets, elemental powers illuminating the night. They had no destination — only survival.

And then he appeared.

A wall of black steel crashed into their path. Aeris spun, blade drawn, but the figure barely moved. Slowly, he stepped forward, the moonlight catching his features.

Raze.

He stood tall and broad, his dark hair falling across his face. A scar ran down his left cheek, and his eyes burned with quiet intensity. He wore the armor of the Zenith Guard — dark, intricate, and ancient. His gaze locked onto Kairos.

“So,” Raze said softly, “you’re the one.”

Kairos felt a chill run down his spine. “Who are you?”

Raze tilted his head. “No one important.” His hand drifted toward the hilt of his blade. “But if you’re the bearer of the Eclipse Flame… then I have no choice.”

He drew his sword. The air grew cold. Aeris stepped forward, but Raze raised his hand. “Stay out of this.”

The fight began in an instant.

Raze moved like a shadow, his blade a blur of black steel. Kairos barely dodged the first strike, feeling the air ripple past his cheek. He countered with a blast of flame, but Raze sidestepped effortlessly, slashing through the fire as if it were mist.

Kairos stumbled, eyes wide. He’s… faster.

Raze struck again. Kairos barely raised his arm, black flames igniting just in time to catch the blade. The two powers clashed, sparks flying. Raze’s eyes narrowed.

“You have no control.” He pushed Kairos back, sending him skidding across the rooftop. “The Eclipse Flame is more than power. It’s a curse.”

Kairos gritted his teeth, flames roaring to life once more. “I don’t care.”

He lunged forward, black fire trailing behind him. Raze met him head-on, blade and flame colliding in a burst of power that shattered the rooftop beneath them. They stood locked in combat, neither giving ground.

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Then Raze whispered, “If you don’t master it… it will consume you.”

The flames surged. The city trembled. And in the heart of the chaos, Kairos roared.