Eclipse of the Azure Flame

Chapter 5: Inferno of Betrayal

A Brother's Awakening

Lorien staggered, blood dripping from the wound in his back. The Onyx Flames from the assassin's dagger burned through his veins, sapping his strength.

Rael grinned, his Crimson Flames roaring to life.

"You put up a good fight, Phantom." He raised his hand, flames coiling around his fingers. "But it ends now."

FWOOOOOSH!

A pillar of Crimson Fire exploded toward Lorien—

But before it could reach him—

BOOM!

A sudden shockwave blasted through the battlefield.

Rael's attack dispersed instantly.

Lorien and Rael both turned—

To see Riven standing tall, his Azure Flames raging around him.

But this time—

They had changed.

The flames were no longer a simple blue.

They shimmered with streaks of silver, crackling like lightning.

Rael's eyes widened. "What…?"

Even Lorien was shocked.

"That flame…"

Something inside Riven had awakened.

---

Power Explanation: Azure Storm Flames

Azure Storm Flames – A rare evolution of the Kaelstrade bloodline flames, infused with elemental lightning.

Storm Breaker – A devastating technique that erupts in a shockwave, dispersing enemy attacks.

Thunderstep – A movement technique that allows the user to blink forward in a flash, moving faster than the eye can track.

---

The Turning Point

Riven clenched his fists, his silver-blue flames surging around him.

"You tried to kill my brother." His voice was cold, his eyes burning with fury.

Rael recovered quickly, his smirk returning. "So what? You're too weak to stop me—"

BOOM!

Before Rael could react, Riven vanished.

A streak of silver-blue light crashed into him.

BAM!

Rael soared backward, smashing through a ruined stone pillar.

Dust exploded into the air.

Riven landed, his body crackling with electricity.

Rael staggered out of the rubble, wiping blood from his mouth.

"Heh… so you finally got serious." His Crimson Flames flared. "Good. Then I can stop holding back too."

The ground trembled as his flames grew darker, turning a deep crimson-black.

Blood Inferno.

---

The Final Clash

Rael launched forward, his fist coated in crimson-black fire.

Riven met him head-on, his silver-blue flames crackling around his body.

Their fists collided.

BOOOOOOM!

A shockwave ripped through the battlefield, tearing the ground apart.

Both fighters vanished, their movements too fast to see.

Lorien, weakened from his wound, could only watch.

"He's keeping up with Rael…" His lips curled into a small smile. "Not bad, little brother."

---

Unleashing True Power

Rael grinned, spinning midair to unleash a flaming kick—

Riven ducked, his Thunderstep activating—he vanished, reappearing behind Rael—

And slammed his fist into Rael's back.

CRACK!

Rael gasped, blood spraying from his mouth.

But instead of falling—

He gritted his teeth, flames exploding outward.

"I won't lose!"

He grabbed Riven's arm—his Crimson Flames surged, engulfing them both.

Riven screamed as the flames seared his skin.

But instead of retreating—

He tightened his grip.

"Then burn with me!"

Rael's eyes widened.

Riven's Azure Storm Flames erupted, clashing against Rael's inferno.

The two flames merged, creating a swirling vortex of crimson and silver-blue energy—

And then—

BOOOOOOOM!

The explosion shook the entire battlefield.

---

The Aftermath

When the dust settled…

Rael lay unconscious, his body burned and broken.

Riven stood, barely able to stay on his feet, his breathing ragged.

Lorien, still wounded, let out a weak chuckle. "You actually did it…"

Before Riven could respond—

A shadow moved.

The Flame Hunter leader, barely alive, suddenly lunged forward—

His dagger aimed for Riven's heart.

Lorien's eyes widened.

"RIVEN, MOVE!"

SLASH!

Blood splattered across the ground.

But it wasn't Riven's.

Riven stared in shock.

The dagger had stopped… inches from his chest.

A hand had caught it.

Lorien's.

His brother stood between him and the assassin, the dagger piercing his side.

"LORIEN!"

Lorien grinned weakly. "Heh… don't worry. It's just a scratch."

He raised his gauntleted fist—

And drove it through the assassin's skull.

CRACK!

The leader collapsed, dead.

Lorien stumbled, blood dripping from his wounds.

Riven caught him, panic filling his eyes.

"Hold on! You're losing too much blood—"

Lorien grinned, wincing. "Relax, kid… I've had worse."

Riven's fists trembled. "This is my fault. If I was stronger—"

Lorien flicked his forehead. "Idiot. You won. That's all that matters."

---

A New Path Begins

The battle was over.

Rael was defeated. The Flame Hunters were destroyed.

But the real war…

Was only just beginning.

Lorien placed a hand on Riven's shoulder.

"Listen, kid." His violet eyes burned with resolve. "If you want to survive in this world, you need to grow even stronger. Because this?" He gestured at the battlefield. "This was just a small taste of what's coming."

Riven nodded, his fists clenching.

"Then I'll get stronger. No matter what it takes."

Lorien smirked.

"Good answer."

The Kaelstrade brothers stood side by side, their flames flickering in the night.

Unaware…

That in the shadows, someone was watching.

And their true enemy was already waiting.

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End of Chapter 5