Chapter 168: Flame Rebellion
"I will kill you too, then," Equa Rome growled, steel in his voice, ready for the next clash.
The battlefield crackled with lightning, fire, and tension — a storm of wills colliding, threatening to tear Emka apart.
Equa Rome's eyes glowed, black flames spiraling around his arms. "You enslaved me. You tried to take away my dreams. You must pay!" He leapt into the sky, flames trailing like a comet.
"Fire Fist!" he roared, hurling himself toward Morgan Tarek, who sidestepped gracefully, sword ready. Rome snapped his fingers, and black flames engulfed his entire body. Morgan paused, stepping back, eyes narrowing. "You're… good, aren't you?"
Rome's expression darkened, a storm of memories flickering in his mind.
{Backstory – Equa Rome}
Green hills stretched endlessly under sunlight, the grass vivid and alive. Laughter and cheers from friends echoed as young Rome sprinted forward, chasing his dream of joining the greatest pirate crew in the world.
"Wait, Rome!" one friend called, struggling to keep pace.
"If I stop now, I'll never reach it," Rome replied, pushing himself harder.
Gasping for breath, he stumbled to his knees, rolling onto the sun-warmed grass. "It's… good, isn't it?" he murmured.
"Yes," one friend nodded. But as others walked past, their laughter cut sharply.
"What are you talking about? Ryuta Konan is long dead," they mocked.
Rome's lips curved into a determined smile. "Not Ryuta… someone else."
They grinned, shaking their heads. "There's no way they'll let you in."
Rome's eyes burned with resolve. "You'll see."
A stone flew past, missing him by inches. "What's your problem?!" he shouted, rising to his feet, flames of ambition burning brighter than ever.