different Landon

Chapter 4: Into the Fire

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The night was unusually quiet for the Salvatore School. The moon hung high above, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Landon sat on the edge of the stone steps, his mind racing. His hands still felt warm from the explosive training earlier, and the familiar burning sensation inside him hadn't dulled. If anything, it was stronger now—more insistent, like it was clawing at the edges of his control, waiting for the right moment to break free.

He could still hear Hope's words echoing in his mind: You're tied to a demon's bloodline, Landon. You need to control it.

But how? How was he supposed to control something that felt like it was both inside him and completely out of his control?

Landon stared into the dark, gripping the edges of the stone step. He was stronger than he had been before, but that didn't mean he understood what was happening to him. The Phoenix fire was wild and powerful, yes, but it was nothing compared to the darker side of him—the side Hope had warned him about. His father's bloodline. Something old, something twisted.

He jumped when he heard footsteps behind him. Rafael appeared, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

"You good?" Rafael asked, settling beside him.

Landon didn't answer right away. The weight of the day, the constant battle for control, it all felt like it was crashing down on him. But he forced a smile anyway. "Yeah. Just thinking."

"About what?"

Landon hesitated before shrugging. "Everything. All of this. My powers. My dad. Just… trying to make sense of it."

Rafael nodded, giving him a knowing look. "I get it. But you don't have to figure it out all at once, you know? We've got your back. Hope's got your back. You're not in this alone."

Landon looked at him, feeling a sense of gratitude. Rafael was right. He wasn't alone. Not here, at least.

Before he could respond, the peaceful night was shattered by a distant roar. The ground beneath them vibrated slightly, and Landon's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't the kind of noise they heard every day. This was bigger. Stronger.

"Not again," Rafael muttered, already on his feet.

Landon followed him, his instincts kicking in. He didn't know what was out there, but he could feel the fire inside him stir, as if it sensed the threat before they did.

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They reached the front gates in record time, and there it was. A towering, monstrous figure lumbered through the trees—a gargantuan, twisted beast with obsidian scales and glowing red eyes. Its breath came in ragged bursts, each exhale sending plumes of smoke into the air.

"That's no ordinary monster," Rafael said, his voice tight with concern.

"No kidding," Landon replied, stepping forward. His hands were already heating up as the power surged to the surface. The darkness inside him, the part of him tied to the demon bloodline, stirred restlessly. He pushed it down, focusing on the fire instead.

"Get behind me," Hope ordered as she appeared at the front of the group. She was flanked by two other students, both armed with magic.

But Landon wasn't about to hide. Not this time.

"I've got this," he said, stepping forward.

Hope turned to him sharply. "Landon, you need to stay back—"

"I'm not staying out of it," Landon said, his voice firm. "I can help."

Hope's eyes narrowed, but she didn't argue. "Fine. But don't do anything reckless."

Landon took a deep breath, the warmth inside him burning brighter as he called the fire to his hands. The flames flared, crackling with raw power. The beast snarled, its massive jaws opening wide to reveal rows of jagged teeth.

Without warning, it charged.

Landon barely had time to react before the creature was upon him. He raised his hands just as it lunged, a torrent of flames blasting toward the beast. The fire collided with its chest, pushing it back for a moment. The creature screeched in pain, but it didn't stop.

It lunged again, faster this time.

Landon was ready. He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the creature's claws, and rolled to his feet. The fire surged again, hotter than ever. But something wasn't right. His flames weren't just fire—they were alive, twisting with an energy that felt darker, more destructive.

He could feel it. The demon side of him was awakening, urging him to release everything. To give in.

But Landon fought it, forcing his focus back to the Phoenix fire.

"Landon, focus!" Hope shouted from behind him.

He nodded but didn't take his eyes off the creature. The flames in his hands crackled louder, his heart beating faster. He had to do this.

With a roar, Landon released the fire again, the heat erupting from him like an inferno. This time, it engulfed the creature completely, the fire swirling around its body as it howled in agony.

For a moment, it seemed like the beast might be done for. But then, with a final, desperate effort, the monster swiped at the fire, knocking Landon back. He hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of him.

Before he could recover, the creature was on top of him, its claws slashing down. Landon barely managed to raise his arms in time, the fire bursting from his skin in a protective shield. The creature's claws scraped against the shield, sparks flying as it tried to tear through.

Landon's pulse raced. He could feel the darkness creeping in again, but this time, he didn't fight it. He let it in—just a little.

The shield around him expanded, becoming a wall of fire that pushed the creature back. The flames blazed hotter, the temperature rising to an unbearable level. The creature staggered, retreating from the intensity of the heat.

But Landon wasn't done yet. He was tired of holding back. He wanted this. He needed it.

He raised his hands high, and the flames exploded outward, consuming the creature entirely. It screeched one last time before crumbling into ash.

The air was thick with smoke, and the ground was scorched black. Landon stood in the center of the clearing, panting heavily, his heart still racing.

Hope approached him slowly, her eyes flicking between him and the ashes where the creature had been.

"You did good," she said, her voice soft but with an edge of warning. "But that wasn't just Phoenix fire."

Landon looked down at his hands, which were still glowing faintly. The warmth in his chest hadn't faded. The darkness inside him, the demon side, still simmered beneath the surface.

"I know," he said quietly. "It's not just fire. It's something else."

Hope's gaze hardened. "You need to get a handle on that. We can't afford to lose you to it."

Landon nodded, the weight of her words sinking in. He wasn't just fighting monsters out here. He was fighting himself.