He unleashed the Crimson Rain, a forbidden lava-fire technique that scorched the sky and burned the Suran army from within their armor.
The Phoenix screamed overhead, raining molten judgment.
By nightfall, 700 Suran warriors were dead.
This isn't going to be the last war.
And the true Hashi kuru… were returning.
—Palace:
2 months later Astraeus stood before the great volcano palace of Emberak, heart pounding as he stared at the seat of his father's power. Lava flowed like blood through the city's veins. The sky glowed orange, and the air was heavy with the cries of fire spirits.
"This is it," Astraeus whispered. "He's inside."
The palace doors Opened, not with magic, but with Will. Flames bent Away from Astraeus as he stepped in. The fire. Acknowledged him now—not as a challenger, but as a rightful heir.
—Father of betrayal:
On a throne of obsidian and eternal fire sat King Rugo, the Flame king. His presence crackled with embers. His eyes were pure betrayal.
"You dare return?" Rugo growled. "After abandoning your House? After betraying your people?"
Astraeus clenched his fists.
"you burned villages. You destroyed Houses. You don't deserve to rule."
Rugo stood, his cape flowing with fire symbols that seemed to pulse ancient Devil power.
"Then prove it," he thundered, "with flame, not words!"
A massive shockwave of flame erupted from the throne. Astraeus barely held his ground.
The challenge had begun.
—Battle:
The throne room shifted into a trial arena. Lava surged in rings. Runes etched onto the walls awakened with seal broken.
Astraeus summoned his flame, but not Like his father's — his eruption mod.
tinged with Eternal Flame.
Their clash was apocalyptic.
Rugo wielded Flame Manipulation Supreme, summoning Molten weapons, fire spirits, and scorching storms.
Astraeus countered with Flame Reversal, absorbing fire and redirecting it — something no fire wielder was meant to do.
Rugo snarled, "You stole the Phoenix's gift!
That power was supposed to be mine!"
"No," Astraeus shouted, "it Chose me.
Because I burn for justice — not domination!"
Their final clash ignited a firestorm that shattered the obsidian walls.
—Throne ash and General:
As the flames cleared, Astraeus stood tall, smoke rising from his body. Rugo kneeled, weakened.
"End me," the king rasped.
"No," Astraeus said, stepping back. "A throne built on fear will never rise again."
He turned his back and walked away.
The throne crumbled behind him.
"You think your father was the final trial?" a new voice sneered.
A massive figure Approached — cloaked in Black flame armor with a crimson crown.
"I am General Vurnak of Suran. I kill kings."
Vurnak was not an ordinary soldier — he was a Flame General fused with Suran Technology, wielding magma blades that shifted form and strength. His right hand was molten obsidian, enhanced with ancient runes.
He struck without warning.
Astraeus was flung across the ruined throne room, coughing up blood.
"You're not a King," Vurnak hissed, "you're a spark waiting to die."
From the floor, Astraeus grabbed a shard of broken palace stone.
Vurnak moved to finish him—
But Astraeus threw the shard into the general's eye.
Screaming. Stagger.
Then, with nothing left, Astraeus pushed up, fire trailing behind one final punch—
He struck Vurnak in the throat.
(Crack)
The general fell.
Dead.
Astraeus fell next to him.
Not victorious.
Just… breathing.
—Walking alone:
He crawled back to the old district — alone. his childhood home stood in ruin.
He stepped inside. No one greeted him. No one called his name.
He sat on the floor, back up against the wall, looking at the flame in his palm. It was a weak flickering.
I'm still alive," he whispered.
No throne. No Mai. No army.
Just a boy who had nothing.
Except the fire that refused to go out
End of arc the hero of tomorrow
More war to come,