Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls

The roar of the flames echoed like a hellish chorus. The fire had no master, no mercy—and Kael knew he couldn't control it for long. But for now, he was the wall.

The heat seared his skin even through his bloodstained armor. Sweat dripped down his face, mixing with the dust and dried blood. He raised his sword and took a deep breath, letting the heat seep into his lungs until it nearly burned them.

On the other side, through the firelit trees, figures appeared. Men running, shadows with torches and raised weapons. The roar of the fire drowned out most of the sound, but Kael could still hear the shouted orders:

"Catch him! Don't let him escape!"

The first ones rushed through the smaller flames, coughing in the smoke. There were three men, armed with spears.

Kael didn't wait. He advanced on them like a unleashed beast. The first tried to stab him in the chest, but Kael dodged to the side, grabbed the spear, and pulled the man forward. His sword gleamed in the reflection of the flames before piercing the enemy's neck. Hot blood gushed out, mixing with the smoke.

The second screamed and lunged forward, but Kael met him with a brutal kick to the stomach, throwing him into the fire. The rags of his clothes caught immediately, and the man became a human brazier, howling in despair.

The third tried to attack from behind, but Kael swung the sword in a wide arc, severing his arm. The limb fell to the ground, still clutching the spear. Before the man could scream, Kael thrust the blade into his mouth, piercing his skull.

He drew his sword, gasping. Blood flowed, but his amber eyes remained steady, shining brighter than the fire itself.

Others approached. At least a dozen, their faces illuminated by the orange glow of the flames. Some coughed, others tried to shield their faces from the smoke, but none hesitated.

Kael smiled bitterly.

"Come on, then."

He reached out and conjured another sphere of fire, hurling it at a dry tree. The trunk burst into flames, falling and blocking part of the path. The men retreated for a moment, but two threw themselves over it, determined to reach him.

Kael met them with fury. The first fell straight onto his blade, which pierced his chest. The second attempted a sideways thrust, but Kael used the impaled enemy's body as a shield, feeling the impact of the blade slam into his flesh. He dropped the corpse on top of his attacker and, in a single downward blow, tore them both to pieces.

Behind, more screams echoed.

"Spread out! Surround him!"

Kael knew he couldn't hold them all off. The fire helped, but it also forced them to advance more quickly, before they were engulfed.

He backed away a few steps, his face illuminated by the blaze. He was breathing heavily, blood trickling from his split eyebrow, but his presence was still imposing, almost superhuman.

The flames continued to spread, illuminating miles around. Smoke rose like a signal to the sky—a mark that would betray his position to any distant enemy.

But that didn't matter. He just needed to give the girls time to escape.

Another group advanced, this time five men armed with swords and makeshift shields. The heat made them sweat, but they shouted like demons, trying to encourage each other.

Kael swung his sword, preparing himself.

They came together, like a wall. The first blow hit the shield, the impact reverberating in his arm. The second attempted a low slash, aiming for his legs, but Kael leaped back and countered, slashing at his exposed arm.

One of them tried to come at him from the flank. Kael spun, kicking him in the knee. The crack of broken bone echoed above the roar of the flames. The man fell, screaming, and Kael finished him off with a swift blow to the throat.

The other three surrounded him. One blow came from above, another from the left. Kael blocked the first with his blade, but felt the second slice through his armor and tear his skin. Blood spurted hotly, but he didn't flinch. With a roar, he shoved the enemy forward and plunged his sword into the other's heart.

Now there were two left. They hesitated, taking a step back. But before they could regroup, Kael raised his hand and summoned fire again. Flames enveloped his palm, and with a crack, he unleashed a blast that struck both of them, setting them ablaze. Their screams mingled with the crackling of the trees.

Kael fell to his knees for a moment, breathing heavily. The magic was draining his energy, and the blood trickling down his side was too profuse.

But there was no time to rest.

More men were coming, dozens. He could hear them shouting through the trees, trying to get around the fire, trying to surround him.

Kael looked up at the night sky, tinted red by the flames. He felt the weight of his decision. He had burned part of the forest—children of the World Tree, as Sylphie would call them—just to buy a few minutes.

"I'm sorry..." he thought again, before getting to his feet.

He ran between the burning trees, using the fire as a screen. The thick smoke made it difficult to see his enemies, but his amber eyes cut through the veil like blades.

An archer emerged from the smoke, weapon raised. Before he could fire, Kael struck him in the stomach with his sword. Another advanced from the right, but was met with a fireball in the face, turning him into a brazier.

The heat was already unbearable. His throat burned, his lungs burned, every breath was torture. But he didn't stop.

Behind him, the screams continued. Men coughed, suffocated by the smoke, some retreating. Others, more stubborn, still advanced.

Kael drew them like bait, keeping them occupied, trapping them in the hell he'd created.

And for a moment, amid the screams, he thought of the girls. He imagined them running through the dark woods, heading for the cave near the river. If they could get there, they would be safe—at least for tonight.

He smiled, a bitter smile, stained with blood.

"It's worth it."

A roar echoed behind him. A larger group, perhaps ten men, emerged from the smoke, running toward him. Kael gripped his sword tightly, raised his free hand, and summoned the last flames he could muster.

His body burned from within, every muscle crying out for rest, but his determination was relentless.

Flames surged, intense, and he hurled them at the group. The impact was devastating. The entire ground exploded in flames, consuming the men in a blinding flash.

The heat of the explosion hit him hard, knocking him backward. Kael fell against a charred root, coughing blood. His vision darkened for a moment, but he forced himself to his feet.

The forest was in ruins. Burning trees, scattered bodies, choking smoke.

And yet, some enemies survived, closing in.

Kael raised his sword once more, even as his body screamed for him to give up.

He would not fall. Not yet.

If he had to be consumed by the flames, let it be standing, like a blade raised against the darkness.

The forest swallowed the sound of his footsteps, but the roar of the fire behind them never ceased. Every gust of wind brought the suffocating smell of smoke, and sometimes sparks even flew between the branches, reminding them that hell was still near.

Irelia ran ahead, holding her short sword in one hand and the princess in the other. With each twig that snapped beneath her feet, her heart raced, fearing it was the sound of enemies. She knew Kael had stayed behind for them—but that only made the weight on her chest heavier.

Behind her, Amelia carried Sylphie almost in her arms. The golden-haired mage was pale, her skin glistening with cold sweat. Each step seemed to take years off her life. Her lips murmured disjointed words, as if she were still trapped in the trance of the blessing.

"Hold on, Sylphie…" Amelia whispered, desperation seeping into her voice. "Just a little longer."

The princess walked steadily, even as Irelia pulled her along. Her face was dirty, her silk skirt torn and stained, but there was a cold calm in her eyes. It was as if she were observing the situation from the outside, like a general surveying the war board.

The silence was broken when a dull thunderclap boomed in the distance—it wasn't thunder. It was magic.

The ground beneath their feet shook slightly, and red light reflected off the treetops. The girls stopped instinctively, turning around.

"He's still fighting…" Irelia murmured, panting.

Amelia's face tightened. "He's going to kill himself!"

"No…" the princess said, her voice calm, almost cold. "He's going to delay them. That was the implicit agreement."

Irelia stared at her, her blue eyes flashing. "A deal? You think his life is just a piece on your board?"

The princess didn't look away. "I think without his sacrifice, we would all be dead already."

Silence fell heavily. Only Sylphie was breathing heavily, leaning against Amelia's shoulder.

Irelia gritted her teeth and resumed pulling the group through the woods. "Then it's best not to waste what he's paying for in blood."

They advanced, avoiding the road that glowed in the distance with enemy torches. The pursuers were scattering, shouting orders, some trying to skirt the fire.

Sylphie suddenly groaned, her eyes half-open, still glowing with the golden remnants of the blessing. "They... they're coming... again... many..."

Amelia squeezed her hand, trying to comfort her. "Don't talk now, keep your strength."

But Sylphie insisted, her voice trembling like a breath of wind. "They've seen the smoke... they're closing... all directions."

Irelia stopped, squinting. She could hear the distant echo of screams and footsteps in the woods. The pursuit was already spreading beyond the fire.

"Damn it..." she muttered. "If we keep this up, they'll corner us."

She looked at Amelia. "Can you use anything? Illusion? Barrier?"

Amelia snorted, almost laughing nervously. "After the carriage crash? I'm exhausted, Irelia. If I try to conjure something big, I'll fall with Sylphie."

The silence was filled only by the distant sound of more explosions—Kael was still alive. Fighting.

Irelia made a decision. "Let's go to the river. It'll give us cover."

"But it's more open…" Amelia protested.

"Open, yes, but the roar of the water could hide us. And if he pointed to a cave there, there must be a reason." Irelia spoke firmly, but inside her chest burned with anguish. Each distant scream could be Kael's last.