The Shadow Behind the Flame

Kazuma and the others kept moving forward. The Iron Prison was weird as hell, every corner heavy with silence. Only the faint clinking of chains and drops of water echoed in the distance.

After a while, they came across a massive door. Fully locked. Rusted all over. Looked like it had been sealed for centuries. The thing was huge, like a wall.

Magnus, being the giant-type among them, stepped forward. He thought he could force it open with brute strength. He pulled at it, shoved, slammed his fists, even kicked it. His sweat started dripping, muscles straining, but the door didn’t even get a scratch.

He stepped back, breathing hard. “This won’t budge. It has to be magically sealed. Otherwise, I’d have ripped it open already.”

Ren walked forward without saying a word. He just raised his fist and slammed it straight into the door.

In a single strike, the massive iron slab dented inward like soft clay, cracked, and then completely broke off its hinges, crashing to the ground with a deafening bang.

Everyone froze.

Magnus narrowed his eyes. “What magic are you using?”

Ren stayed silent. Not a word.

Kazuma wasn’t too shocked, just mildly surprised—he already knew Ren was strong, but the others had no clue. Ignis, though, was dumbstruck. He had never seen something like this before.

Magnus’s pride took the hit. A man known for his size and strength… watching someone casually outmatch him like that? It burned. He clenched his jaw.

“Just tell me what trick you’re using. No one can do that barehanded. You think I’ll just let this slide?”

Ren didn’t answer.

Magnus stepped closer, grabbed Ren by the shoulder, trying to turn him to face him.

Ren turned slowly—and drove a fist straight into Magnus’s face. The giant stumbled back, crashing to the ground, blood dripping from his nose.

“Ren! What the hell?!” Kazuma shouted.

Ignis instantly raised his flames in defense, unsure what was about to happen.

Magnus got up, wiping the blood with the back of his hand. “Don’t worry, guys. My balance slipped. I’m fine.” His voice was tight, forcing a grin. Then he locked eyes with Ren. “Come on, brother. You caught me off guard last time.”

He stepped in, grabbed Ren by the collar—

And in the same breath, Ren lifted him with one arm and slammed him hard across the floor. The ground shook when Magnus’s heavy body hit it.

This time, Magnus lay there for a moment, staring wide-eyed at the ceiling like he couldn’t process what just happened.

But he wasn’t done. Rage boiled up. He roared and sprang to his feet, charging Ren head-on like a beast.

Ren didn’t even flinch. He just snapped a kick straight into Magnus’s chest. The impact sent the giant flying back again.

Ren walked up, grabbed him by the collar, dragged him off the ground, and started punching. One. Two. Three. Silent. No words, just his fists hammering down, and a chilling smile across his face.

Kazuma and Ignis rushed forward, grabbing Ren’s arm. “Stop it, Ren! That’s enough—it’s not like you!” Kazuma shouted.

But Ren yanked his arm free and drove another punch into Magnus’s face.

Magnus finally went limp, unconscious.

Ren let go of him, and the giant crumpled to the floor.

Ren stood there calmly, like nothing had happened. Not a single word.

---

Meanwhile in the underground spring…

Rachel and the others were moving forward, still trying to find an exit. Ignis walked at the front, his flames lighting the way. He didn’t say a word, just kept walking, the glow flickering across the damp walls.

As they went deeper, the darkness seemed to grow heavier. Alex, trying to ease the tension, said,
“Hey man, make the flame a little bigger. Looks cool, you know?”

Ignis didn’t answer. Instead, he suddenly flicked a finger and fired a small flame straight toward Alex.

Alex barely dodged it, the heat brushing past his face.

“Dude! What the hell? You trying to burn me alive?” Alex snapped.

Ignis just smiled, silent.

Up ahead, Rachel and Melissa laughed at first, thinking it was some prank.

“Man, don’t do this kind of stuff,” Alex muttered, patting down his clothes to make sure they weren’t scorched.

Ignis tilted his head, still smiling. “Oh yeah? What will you do if I do this?”

He flicked another spark, this one aimed straight at Alex’s hair.

Alex ducked just in time. The humor drained instantly. Everyone froze. This wasn’t a game.

“Hey—just stop it!” Rachel said sharply.

“You could seriously hurt someone,” Melissa added, voice tense now.

Ignis’s smile only widened. His eyes glinted unnaturally. He raised his hand again and hurled another flame—this one much bigger—straight at the group.

Before it could reach them, a wall of blooming flowers erupted in midair, like a living shield. The fire slammed into it and scattered harmlessly. It was Sakura’s magic—she could bend plants just like Alex could shape earth.

“Thanks, Sakura,” Melissa breathed, relief washing over her.

Rachel drew her sword. Steel flashing in the dim glow.
“Alright, who are you? And what did you do to the real Ignis?” Sakura demanded.

Ignis tilted his head, still grinning. “What do you mean? I am Ignis.”

“No,” Sakura cut in, her tone firm. “Ignis isn’t like this. The moment you showed up, I knew something was wrong.”

The fake Ignis didn’t deny it. Instead, flames erupted across his body, roaring high, swirling around him like a living inferno. The heat in the room spiked instantly, suffocating, almost unbearable.

Alex clenched his fists, stepping forward. “He’s gonna attack—get ready!”

And then the flames came, a massive wave roaring down the tunnel toward them.

Alex slammed both palms to the ground. Mud walls rose up, Sakura’s flowers twined through them for strength. The barrier shuddered as the flames hit, the sound of burning and cracking echoing like thunder. The shield held—but barely. The heat pressed against them, sweat dripping, mana draining fast.

“Damn it—we can’t keep this up forever,” Rachel shouted, gripping her sword.
“If we don’t do something, we’ll be roasted alive in here!”

Rachel signaled sharply, and they broke into a run, bolting down the tunnel. Behind them, the fake Ignis just stood, smiling in the inferno, flames licking higher and higher as if he was enjoying the hunt.

"Who is he, if he’s not Ignis?" Alex asked, his voice sharp.

"I don’t know whatever that thing is," Sakura replied, her breath ragged. "But I know for a fact it’s not him. I thought I was hallucinating at first, but… his flames—none of them ever gave him a shadow."

They kept running until their feet carried them into an open space. The air shifted—it felt wrong, like a trap. The walls stretched high around them, cold and unyielding, but there was no way forward. No exit. The only path left was the one they had come from.

And then he appeared.

Ignis—or rather, the thing that looked like him—entered with his body wrapped in swirling fire, a walking pyre. His flames licked the stone walls, illuminating his twisted grin.

"Why aren’t you running anymore?" the fake Ignis taunted, his voice dripping with malice. "It was fun chasing you down. Don’t stop now."

Sakura and Alex exchanged a glance. They were cornered, but they weren’t helpless. Both of them steadied their stances, ready for whatever came next.

With a sudden roar, Ignis thrust both arms forward, summoning a hellish wave of fire. It wasn’t a simple spell—it was the kind of flame that could consume everything in the chamber in a single breath.

Alex stepped forward, teeth gritted. He slammed both palms into the ground, pouring every ounce of mana he had into it. His magic exploded outward, forming a dome-shaped earth barrier of pure energy. In an instant, they were sealed inside.

The flames hit like a storm. The walls of the barrier trembled as fire slammed against them, over and over, trying to crush through. The heat was suffocating, pressing in from every direction. Sweat dripped down their faces, but inside the barrier, they were safe—for now.

"Nice one, Alex. You made it strong enough to hold." Sakura’s voice was calm, but her eyes showed relief.

"It’s… so dark in here," Melissa whispered, her voice barely audible in the oppressive blackness.

Then, out of nowhere, a small flame flickered to life.

It burned unsteadily at first, dancing above Alex’s palm, fragile but real. His eyes widened—he had done it without even realizing.

"I… I think I’m getting the hang of it," Alex said, unable to hide the excitement creeping into his voice.

The faint glow reflected in Melissa’s eyes. "Wow, Alex. You did it," she said, a soft smile spreading across her face, her words filled with genuine joy.

People always grew when they were pushed against the edge—when the world demanded they rise or be consumed. And in that darkness, surrounded by fire and fear, Alex’s spark had finally been born.

To be continued...