The disciples stumbled out of Ashfang Woods at dawn, battered, scorched, and bloodstained.
At the center of the group walked Arhaan, the Moon Orchid glowing faintly in his hand. His robes were torn to ash, his arms scorched black, yet his eyes burned with an inner fire.
The others whispered, casting furtive glances at him.
"He slew the Alpha…"
"No outer disciple should have that kind of strength."
"Is he even human?"
Darian trailed behind, silent, his face twisted in hatred.
---
The Sect's Eyes
At the gates, elders waited. Their eyes swept over the returning disciples—lingering on the one who carried the Orchid.
Elder Seriya's cold expression faltered for the first time.
"You… killed the Flamefang Alpha?"
Arhaan bowed slightly. "It fell before me."
Murmurs rippled through the disciples. Some glared with envy, others with awe.
But the elders' gazes were different—sharper, calculating. Power in a rootless stray was not a blessing. It was a threat.
---
Jealousy Ignites
That night, as Arhaan rested, the sect buzzed with whispers.
"A rootless killing an Alpha? Impossible."
"He must have used a forbidden art."
"Mark my words—he won't live long."
Even in the outer disciple quarters, eyes burned holes into him. His name spread like wildfire—both honor and curse.
Darian clenched his teeth until blood dripped from his lip.
I'll see him broken… even if I must crawl to the Inner Court for aid.
---
The Price of Power
Alone in his quarters, Arhaan sat cross-legged, the Moon Orchid glowing faintly beside him. His chains rattled softly, their echoes filling his veins.
At first, he felt strong—qi flowed through him like a river of fire. But then…
Pain.
His hands trembled. Flames flickered across his skin unbidden, scorching his arms. His breath grew ragged, his body searing from within.
Devouring gives… but it also burns.
The whisper from the vision returned:
Devour too much… and you will not ascend. You will be consumed.
Arhaan gritted his teeth, blood dripping from his mouth as he forced the chains to suppress the raging fire.
At last, the flames dimmed. He sat in darkness, sweat pouring, his body shaking.
"…So this is the cost."
But his eyes hardened.
"If heaven dares chain me, I'll burn… and burn… until the chains themselves turn to ash."