Chapter 5: The Rival’s Trap

Chapter 5: The Rival’s Trap

The forest beyond the sect was quiet, its silence broken only by the rustle of leaves and the faint glow of moonlight. Arion walked alone, his aura suppressed, his mind still echoing with Selene’s sharp words. She saw through me… yet she did not expose me. Why?

A shadow moved. From the trees stepped Daren, his smirk venomous, his blade gleaming with spiritual energy. Behind him, several disciples emerged, eyes filled with malice.

“Cripple,” Daren spat, blocking Arion’s path. “You humiliated me before the sect. Tonight, I’ll remind everyone what you truly are — nothing.”

Arion’s gaze was calm, his voice steady. “You should walk away.”

Laughter erupted. “Walk away? From a cripple who can barely spark a flame?” Daren lunged, his blade slicing through the air.

Arion moved with fluid grace, parrying with a broken branch he picked from the ground. The clash rang out, shocking the disciples. Daren pressed harder, his strikes fueled by rage. Arion’s eyes glowed faintly crimson.

The Emperor’s voice whispered:
“Test the flame. Let them taste fear.”

Arion’s branch ignited with a flicker of forbidden fire. When it struck Daren’s blade, crimson sparks erupted, devouring the steel. Daren staggered back, his weapon scorched, his wrist burned.

The disciples froze, terror in their eyes. This was no cripple. This was something else — something dangerous.

Arion lowered the branch, its flame dying as quickly as it had appeared. He stepped forward, his voice cold.
“Leave. Or next time, I won’t stop at sparks.”

Daren’s smirk vanished, replaced by trembling fear. He fled into the forest, his followers scrambling after him.

Alone once more, Arion stood beneath the moonlight, crimson aura swirling faintly around him. He exhaled slowly, the ember of vengeance burning brighter.

They will learn. One by one, they will kneel.