Speed Villian: Fugitive from the stars

In the heart of the Fire Energy Beings Clan, where molten rivers flowed like veins beneath the ground and the air shimmered from sheer heat, a pair of ancient, blazing eyes abruptly opened.

At that same moment, the clash between the Fiery Lizard Clan and the Fire Energy Beings reached its peak — flames colliding, scales cracking, embers bursting into the air like fireworks.

Then —

In an instant.

Every flame in the entire territory extinguished.

A suffocating silence fell.

The intense heat vanished, replaced by a surreal, divine aura so overwhelming it made even the earth tremble. Lava cooled into obsidian. Sparks froze mid-air. Warriors from both clans paused mid-strike.

They all knew.

Something far above them had awakened.

"Leader!"

The fire beings immediately bowed, their bodies half-kneeling despite no figure being visible yet. Their reverence was instinctive, absolute, as though their souls recognized an eternal hierarchy.

A fragment of pure flame origin — burning with primal brilliance — materialized high above them, circling lazily. It drifted toward the Fiery Lizards, as though this was always the reason their clan had dared to intrude in the first place.

Then, slowly — the leader revealed himself.

He did not emerge with thunder or pressure.

His presence was effortless — like the embodiment of flame simply deciding to take form.

Fire clung to him like silk, wrapping his silhouette in a way that made him look impossibly cool — elegant, refined, untouchable. Every movement he made was smooth, controlled, as though he dictated the rhythm of heat itself. He looked less like a being of chaos and more like a sovereign character straight out of a movie — fire made regal.

Elsewhere in the territory, Kael-X was still wandering, tracking ripples of flame energy for the fragment he was searching for. Then—

Something approached him.

Fast.

Very fast.

But without killing intent. Without hostility. Without aggression.

Like a greeting.

The leader appeared before him quietly, flames flowing off him like a cloak. There were no introductions, no titles exchanged, no ceremonial respect.

"You are from the Venerable One, right?" the leader asked, voice light — yet it carried an ancient weight.

Kael blinked. "Yo, what are you even talking about?"

The leader didn't answer.

Instead — he raised his hand and revealed a Jade Slip.

A familiar one.

The same type as the one Kael had been given by that mysterious old figure earlier in his journey.

Except—

This one glowed with a deep, fiery gold radiance.

Kael felt something shaking violently inside his subspace. Before he even consciously responded, his own Jade Slip flew out.

The two slips resonated —

Then merged into one.

And when they did —

The entire territory was engulfed in blinding, divine flame light.

The merging light from the two jade slips flared into a towering column of golden flame, spiraling upward like a beacon that wanted the heavens themselves to bear witness. The fire energy beings bowed deeper, their forms flickering like respectful embers before a sacred wildfire. Even the fiery lizards—creatures known for their arrogance and volcanic temper—lowered themselves, though their gestures were rougher, driven more by instinctual fear than reverence.

Kael squinted against the radiance, the blazing glow casting long, dancing shadows across his face. His speedforce instinct stirred—not out of danger, but because something ancient was being invoked. The heat did not burn him. Instead, it washed over him like a familiar presence, as though it recognized him, acknowledged him, and accepted him. He found that unsettling.

When the light finally dimmed, the merged slip hovered in the air between him and the flame-born leader. It no longer looked like jade. It resembled condensed fire, molten yet solid, an ember of creation.

Kael stared at it.

"Okay… I'm definitely not paying for whatever that was."

The leader's gaze flickered—not exactly amusement, but close. "You hold the second key."

Kael raised a brow. "I hold a lot of keys. Most of them I didn't ask for."

"The venerable one arranged your path long before you stepped onto it," the leader replied, flames shifting around him like a robe. His voice held no superiority—only certainty, the tone of one repeating a truth of the world. "What you carry is not just inheritance. It is a summons."

Kael clicked his tongue. "He really likes dragging me into things, huh?"

This time, a faint ember-like laugh flickered from the leader's aura. "To carry destiny is to be chased by it. To reject destiny is to draw it closer."

Kael folded his arms. "Yeah, yeah. Cryptic wisdom. I'm getting used to it."

The leader didn't press him. Instead, he lifted a hand toward the fiery lizard clan, who were still frozen in wary stillness. A wave of gentle flame washed over the battlefield. Wounds closed without scars. Flames reignited in patterns of peace, not aggression. The ground restored itself, as though the fight had never happened.

Peace did not come often in these lands. But authority could shape reality when the one wielding it was powerful enough.

The lizard warriors exchanged glances, still unsure whether to flee or kneel. The fire beings remained composed, knowing their leader's decisions were never made lightly.

Then the leader spoke again, his gaze returning fully to Kael.

"You should leave this place soon. Others have sensed your presence. Some will seek alliance. Others… will seek advantage. And at least one will seek your end."

Kael shrugged lightly. "That last part is pretty normal for me."

"Perhaps. But this is different." The leader's flame dimmed slightly, becoming more solemn. "Something old is stirring. Something that remembers your pace—your speed—and has not forgotten the war."

Kael's expression shifted. Just a little. A rare seriousness surfaced beneath the playful exterior.

"…So they're waking up too."

The leader said nothing. He didn't need to.

The merged flame-slip floated forward and pressed itself into Kael's chest. There was no pain. No heat. Just a sensation like a heartbeat gaining a new rhythm—like another pulse joining alongside his own.

For a moment, Kael felt… connected.

Then it faded, settling deep within him.

Kael let out a slow breath. "Alright. Guess I'll see what kind of mess I'm supposed to walk into next."

The leader inclined his head. "The path will reveal itself. And when it does, we will burn beside you."

"…Wait, that sounded cool," Kael said, pointing lightly. "See, that's how you make an entrance and exit line. Frost guys should take notes."

A flicker—this time, undeniably amusement—passed through the leader's flame.

And then, just as silently as he had appeared, he dissolved back into firelight—gone.

The battlefield was calm.

The flames crackled softly.

The world felt like it was holding its breath.

Kael stood alone again… though now, not empty-handed.

He pocketed his hands.

Stretched slightly.

Rolled his neck.

"…And here I was just trying to walk."

He sighed and started moving forward again, knowing full well.

"Wait, now for the main reason I came. I need your..." Kael could not complete his sentence.

"Origin fragment? I know. You were the one going around collecting origin fragments. You want to create a divine weapon right? But you can't with your strength." The fire beings leader said.

"Don't lecture me. Just give me." Kael replied.

A fragment that looked like a puzzle piece flew towards Kael. He caught it and put it in his subspace. "Thanks man."

"Go to other ancient clans to get the other slips. That's when your divine weapon will be completed."

Kael was puzzled. "Ancient clans?"

"Yeah. So far I am the only ancient clan you've met. You will still have to meet others."

"Hmmm, that's why those peeps are week. And, give those lizards what they want and they should leave. And....... I haven't find a Compound-X mine here."

The fire beings leader stopped. "Compound-X, mayanium......phew. You mortals don't know how to use the divine Qi stone. You guys absorb it to fill your Qi but any other qi filling treasure can do so."

"So how am I going to use it?" Kael said.

"Why should I tell you? Find out yourself. That's the thriller. But know that Compound-X is a god tier treasure."