The Flamefang Alpha towered above Arhaan, muscles coiled like molten steel, flames licking its mane. Its eyes burned with an intelligence that chilled the disciples to their bones.
"Stand back!" one of them cried, but his voice shook. No one dared to move closer.
The Alpha's roar shook the trees, fire spreading across the ground in rippling waves. The other disciples staggered back, shielding themselves. Darian only smirked, whispering, Burn, stray, burn.
---
Clash of Fire and Chains
The wolf lunged, a comet of flame.
Arhaan planted his feet, the rattling of the chains within him ringing like war drums. He raised his arms—qi surged into his body, pulled from the very air.
BOOM!
The Alpha's fiery fangs met his forearm. Pain seared through him, flesh burning, but he didn't falter.
Instead, he pulled.
The chains within him drank greedily, dragging the beast's flame inward. Sparks whirled into Arhaan's veins, scorching, but not consuming him. His eyes glowed faintly as if starlight had ignited inside.
"Your fire… will be mine."
With a roar, he slammed his fist into the beast's jaw.
CRACK!
The Alpha stumbled, a tooth flying loose, flames dimming for a heartbeat.
The disciples stared, wide-eyed. "He's… devouring the Alpha's power!"
---
The Beast's Wrath
Enraged, the Alpha howled, unleashing a torrent of flame that consumed the clearing. Trees ignited, ash rained, the ground melted.
The disciples screamed, retreating. Darian was nearly caught by the fire, forced to retreat further.
But at the center of the inferno, Arhaan stood unbroken. His robes were charred, his skin blistered, yet the chains inside drank greedily, turning fire into strength.
"Break!"
He launched upward, his fist crashing against the Alpha's chest. Qi rippled outward like shattered glass. The wolf staggered, blood and flame spilling from its maw.
---
The Final Blow
The Alpha lunged again, aiming for his throat. Time slowed.
Arhaan saw the chains within—the first one glowing faintly, trembling as if sensing the moment. He felt something awaken.
Break me…
He roared, pouring every ounce of strength into his fist.
The blow connected—BOOM!—the Alpha's skull shattered, flames exploding outward before dying in embers.
The clearing went silent. Only the crackle of fading fire remained.
The beast fell at Arhaan's feet, its life extinguished.
---
The Vision
As the Alpha's body faded into motes of qi, the Moon Orchid's silver glow flared brighter.
Arhaan reached for it.
The instant his fingers touched the petals, his mind was dragged into a vision—an endless void, a single chain stretching into infinity, glowing like molten iron.
First Chain… The Chain of Devouring.
A whisper curled around him, ancient and cold.
With every enemy slain, with every power consumed, you draw closer to breaking me. But beware—devour too much, and you will not ascend… you will be consumed.
Arhaan's breath caught as the vision faded. When he opened his eyes, the Orchid lay in his hand, pulsing softly.
The disciples stood frozen, unable to believe what they had seen.
Darian's fists shook in fury. He killed… an Alpha…
Arhaan straightened, Orchid in hand, flames still flickering faintly in his aura.
Chains rattled softly within, as though mocking heaven itself.