Max's fingers tapped across his device, the screen's glow dancing in his eyes. Lines of code shifted. Numbers updated. Still, his expression didn't change.
Ash stood beside him, arms folded, watching the battlefield. Heat shimmered in front of them. Flames curled around Jov's fingers, twisting with each movement.
That sight stuck in Ash's mind. Something felt wrong. 'Weren't all other fire veinflow users wiped out?'
Max didn't look up. "The Burns family was supposed to be all dead, leaving Dad's as the only survivor. Did Apex mess with something?"
Ash didn't answer. He didn't need to. The ground made the next move.
A low crack split the silence.
The earth tore open beneath Kael.
Stone burst upward, jagged and sharp. It wrapped around Kael's arms and legs, locking in place like shackles.
Kael's flames surged. Heat poured from his hands—but the rock didn't budge. He strained against it. Nothing. His breath hitched. "What—?"
Laughter echoed through the haze.
Jov stood still, fire pulsing at his side. "I bet you weren't expecting that."
Max froze mid-swipe. "Another ability?"
Jov raised one hand. Fire gathered. Not wild or loose—shaped, thick, burning hotter by the second. It twisted into a ball of heat, light bleeding from its surface. The air warped.
"Now die."
The orb shrieked through the sky. A burning trail carved the space between them.
Silver flashed.
The fireball split in half, torn down the center. Sparks sprayed outward. Smoke rolled past the battlefield.
Ash stood in front of Kael, sword still raised. The edge hissed, smoke curling off its surface. His stance stayed locked. His blade didn't move.
Jov's smile wavered. "Oh?"
Ash didn't lower his sword. His eyes locked onto Jov. "You talk too much." His voice was calm. Clear. "You good?" he asked without turning around.
Kael stretched his fingers. Heat rolled off his arms, his skin pulsing with fire. "Yeah. He just caught me off guard." He glanced toward Max. "But that—what he did just now—shouldn't be possible, right?"
Max didn't blink. His eyes ran across the screen. "Fire and Earth can exist together… but not like this." His fingers paused. "A person shouldn't be able to wield both unless they're born with two Veinflow."
Kael stared at Jov, mind racing. "Then is this hybrid Vein?"
Max shook his head. "No. Hybrid Vein happens when two Veinflow fuse at birth. It's seamless. But this? It's forced. Artificial. Unstable."
Ash narrowed his eyes, grip tightening on the hilt. "Then how's he handling two Veinflow at once?"
Max swiped again, lines of data shifting as he zoomed into Jov's energy readout. The screen pulsed red. "His Vein signature is pure Fire. If he had true hybrid Vein, Fire and Earth would blend evenly. But look—" He turned the screen. "The Earth flow's weaker. Broken up. It's not natural. It's being shoved through his system."
Ash stared at the screen, face unreadable. Then his voice dropped. "I've heard of this… Mom told me about someone once. A man who used almost four Veinflows. Maybe more."
Max's hands paused. His eyes narrowed. "Yeah… during the war." He pinched the screen, zooming closer to Jov's stone-wrapped arm. The image sharpened. "That arm… it's not his."
Kael's body went still.
Max's voice barely rose above the hum of static. "It belonged to a Master Earth user. Apex must've taken it—grafted it onto him. Now his body's pretending it's natural."
Heat pulsed off Kael's skin. He clenched his fists, eyes fixed on Jov. "So he's cheating."
Max didn't blink. "Not exactly." He tapped another command. The scan deepened, color waves blooming across the display. "The arm is fused with him now. He's using its Veinflow like it's his. But his own energy hasn't changed."
Ash shifted slightly, his sword still lowered. "Fire and Earth don't mix. If he's forcing both—his body's probably a mess inside."
Max gave a short nod. "Exactly. His system's constantly fighting to stay balanced. That's where we hit him."
Ash's stance adjusted, his blade ready. "What's the plan?"
Max's lips curled, eyes never leaving the screen. "The arm isn't fully connected to his core Vein. That's his weak point." He tapped once more, readings flickering. "Let him keep using both. His energy won't last. Hybrid users are born with expanded Vein energy. He's not. He's burning through it fast."
Kael's hands lit with flame. "So we burn him out." His legs still locked in stone, but the heat around him surged.
Max glanced up. "Push him till his Vein collapses. That's when we strike."
Kael's flames curled higher. "Fine by me."
Across the battlefield, Jov let out a laugh, low and sharp. "You brats done chatting? I'm still here, y'know." He rolled his shoulders, stone cracking beneath his feet. "Since you interrupted my duel, might as well let my boys return the favor."
A sudden whine filled the air.
The sky lit up—red beams pouring down like rain.
[Activating skill: Storm Vein.]
[Activating skill: Static Surge.]
Ash was already moving. He dashed forward, blade slicing through the air. One, two—each swing knocking away a beam before it touched ground. Sparks burst around him, his movements clean, his footwork tight. He stood between Kael and the attack, his sword a blur of steel.
Max didn't blink. His hand lifted. A glowing barrier blinked into place, hex-shaped light panels forming around him. The lasers slammed into it, flaring against the surface before dying out. The shield held.
Jov watched them with a wicked grin. "Let's see how long you can keep that up."
Kael's breath came slow, steady. Heat shimmered around him. His body tightened, power crawling under his skin. Fire danced at his fingertips, the ground beneath him turning black from the rising heat. "I'll make you pay for this."
Jov laughed, casual, as if he'd seen it all before. "Oh? Still got some fight left in you?"
Kael smirked, not looking back. "Max, Ash—you two go find whatever Apex is after. I'll handle this guy myself."
Ash's brow twitched. 'Is this guy trying to play hero right now? I know he's strong, but can he handle all of them?'
Max stepped forward, unsure. "You sure?"
Kael rolled his shoulders. Fire surged, answering his call. "Of course."
The air shifted. Heavy. Like something ancient was waking up.
Max groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Damn, I knew you'd pull this." But his lips twitched. "Good thing I came prepared."
Then it began.
Kael's fire pulled close, curling around him like it had a will of its own. His muscles swelled, fibers straining as strength exploded through him. That red streak in his hair spread fast, flooding every strand in glowing crimson.
His suit responded. It didn't tear. It fell apart—piece by piece, it broke into fragments that hovered like burning ash in the air.
His hands clenched. Red fur broke through skin, thick and rough, striped with black. His legs bent the wrong way, bones realigning, becoming heavy, beast-like. The earth cracked under his feet. Claws punched through the ground. Arms grew longer, thicker—fur mixing with fire-hardened flesh, shaping him into something wild.
Then his face twisted.
A sick crack. His jaw stretched, bones shifting until it wasn't a human face anymore. His mouth filled with long, sharp teeth. His eyes lit up like molten steel, glowing red in the haze.
Steam rolled off him as he breathed.
The broken suit pieces shot back in, snapping into place over his fur-covered body. They formed tight, dark armor that clung to him like second skin—layered and sharp like flame-forged steel.
Ash's fingers tightened on his sword. His stance dropped, eyes locked on Kael. 'He fully transformed… Is he gonna lose control… like last time?'
Jov's grin grew wider. "Now that's more like it."
Kael let out a slow breath. Heat rose from his lips. His voice rumbled from deep within. "Haha… now, let's see if you can handle this."
Jov's face twitched. His stance lowered. "I've heard about this form… but I thought only Flame could do it."
Kael bared his teeth. Fire lit his smile. "Like I said… I'm the son of Flame. If you want him, you go through me first."
The world held its breath.
Heat rolled off Kael in waves, warping the air. Then, his jaws opened.
Fire exploded out—loud, wild, alive.
The flames tore across the field, straight into the Apex ships. Metal screamed as it melted. Explosions shook the sky. The ships broke apart, pieces flying like burning leaves. Smoke swallowed everything.
Kael turned toward Max and Ash. His eyes still burned. "Go. I'll hold them off." He opened his claws. Fire pulsed with every heartbeat. "Right now… they're nothing to me."
Max didn't speak. He ran a hand through his hair, then turned. "Fine. I've pinpointed the object they're after. Just keep them busy until we secure it." He moved fast, no hesitation.
Ash stayed a second longer. He looked at Kael. Said nothing. Just a small nod—then he followed Max into the smoke.
Jov stepped forward, sneering. "You really think I'd just let you walk away?" Fire shot from his hands. He launched forward, chasing after Max and Ash.
A flash.
The world buckled.
BOOM!
A blur crossed the space. A shockwave slammed the ground. Jov didn't even see it coming—just the pain, sudden and sharp, as something massive struck him. He flew sideways, hit the dirt hard. The ground split beneath him.
Coughing, he lifted his head. His vision cleared.
Kael stood there. Towering. Fur burning. Red eyes locked on him.
A paw lowered.
"You want them?" Kael's voice rumbled deep. "Go through me first."
Jov spat, fire flashing in his eyes. He rose slowly, glaring past Kael.
The Apex troopers behind him tensed.
"What the hell are you waiting for?! Get after them!"
The soldiers froze. Their grips tightened on rifles. Eyes darted. None moved.
Then the wind changed.
A breeze cut across the field—unnatural, sharp, cold. It carried pressure.
The hesitation vanished.
Weapons raised.
They charged.
Kael grinned, teeth gleaming. "Oh? So you're ready to die?"
He inhaled. Heat rushed into his chest. Fire built in his throat, ready to burst.
Then—
CRACK!
A column of stone shot from the ground, smashing into his jaw.
Kael staggered, head jerking back. The fire in his mouth fizzled, smoke spilling out.
He caught himself, growled low. His claws flexed. Shoulders rolled. "Great," he muttered. "Earth. This is gonna be a pain."
————
Max and Ash darted through the ruined battlefield, ducking low under fallen steel beams and leaping over scorched wreckage. The ground shook beneath their feet. Gunfire echoed, closer with each step.
Then it hit—a flash of light behind them.
Lasers screamed past, slicing through the air. The blasts chewed into the dirt and rubble around their heels. Each impact threw up clouds of dust and burning metal.
Max raised his hand. A blue shield burst to life, thin and flickering but strong enough to block the hits. Sparks scattered as the lasers slammed into it.
Ash gripped his blade tighter, jaw set. "I'll cut them down." He stepped forward, ready to strike.
Max grabbed his arm. "No. There's too many." His eyes locked onto the enemy closing in—fast-moving soldiers, armor gleaming, steps sharp and timed. "Elites."
Ash's eyes narrowed. "So what? You think I can't take them?"
Max slipped a device into his palm. "You can fight. But this mission isn't about fighting. You are the fastest. get to the target." His voice didn't shake. "I'll hold them here."
Ash looked down at the device. His grip tightened. 'He still think am weak. I can handle all of them… just give me a chance.' The thought burned in his chest, but after a short pause, he let out a breath and turned.
"Don't die," he said without looking back, then vanished into the smoke.
Max faced the incoming troopers, his expression calm. A small smirk tugged at his lips. "Well… I guess it's about time I showed off a little."
He rolled his shoulders. Sparks danced over his fingers as he tapped a switch on his wrist.
Metal shifted.
Click. Click.
Mechanical arms snapped out from his back, each one lined with glowing circuits.
One trooper slowed. "Tch… Combat enhancements?"
Another raised his rifle. "Doesn't matter. He's just a support guy. Overwhelm him!"
They fired. A wave of red lasers screamed toward him. The explosions lit the field, smoke swallowing the space where Max stood.
Everything went still.
Then—
BZZZT!
A single beam tore through the smoke. It shot in a perfect line, slicing through the soldiers, then erupted far behind them.
The dust faded.
Max stood alone in the blast zone. His exo-suit gleamed under the flickering light. The shield at his side pulsed, still active, heat rolling off its surface. The arms on his back twitched like they were alive, following every movement around them.
A soldier stepped back, eyes wide. "What… what the hell is this guy?"
Max grinned. "You thought I was the weakest? Might wanna rethink that."
The arms shifted again. His hand snapped forward.
BOOM!
An energy blast fired from his palm. It ripped through the field, burning a path into the ground. Bodies flew, smoke trailing behind the impact. A black trench stretched out before him.
But the fight wasn't done.
New shapes moved through the haze. Their steps were sharp, tight. A tall figure in reinforced armor pointed forward and shouted, "Surround him! Focus fire on one point—overload the shield!"
The next wave came fast. All shots aimed for a single spot. The shield shuddered, its edges cracking with thin lines of light.
Max clicked his tongue. "Smart. But not smart enough."
The mechanical arms turned down. Two of them flared, releasing bursts of energy into the ground.
BOOOOM!
Dust and broken concrete shot up like a wall.
Smoke filled the air.
The soldiers paused.
That was all he needed.
From Max's suit, small drones burst out, slipping through smoke and fire like insects in the dark. In seconds, identical figures darted through the haze, each one moving like the real thing.
"Multiple contacts!" A trooper's voice cracked.
"Which one is real?!"
Panic followed. Lasers tore through the battlefield, carving through smoke, illusions vanishing in flashes of light.
Max's voice drifted from somewhere unseen. "For an elite force, you guys sure fall for simple tricks."
Then—
BOOM!
An energy grenade landed in the middle of their group. Light flared. Soldiers flew backward, armor scraped and limbs tangled.
The officer snapped. "Tch… Don't fall for it! Switch to thermal vision!"
Max's smile deepened. "Yeah, about that..."
A wave pulsed out from his suit. In a blink, visors lit up—then burned out. White light filled their lenses. Thermal sensors gone.
Shouts filled the air. Boots scraped as they staggered. Rifles swung in every direction, but none pointed the right way.
Max launched upward, his arms gripping twisted steel as he pulled himself to the wreckage above. He crouched in the shadows, flames dancing beneath his silhouette.
"Find him! Now!"
A scanner rose. "I—I don't see—"
A sharp shot cracked through the air. The device shattered in the trooper's hand.
Max's voice echoed above them.
"Tracking me? Nice try."
Bright lines cut down from the sky—lasers, each one aimed with care. Weapons sparked and fell. Armor sizzled. The troopers dove for cover, but their pattern fell apart.
He kept moving. One strike at a time. They couldn't regroup fast enough.
Smoke closed in again.
The officer stood stiff, hands clenched. "This guy… He's not just some engineer, is he?"
————
Ash ran, weaving past metal and dust. His blade swung low at his side. The device in his hand blinked, steady and cold.
His eyes locked on the display. Thin red lines shifted with every step. One dot stayed still, glowing brighter the closer he got.
"Tch..." He squeezed the hilt of his blade. 'How far is this thing?'
Behind him, fire roared. The sky flashed with bursts of red and blue. Max was still in the fight. But the sound felt distant now. Faint. Like thunder on the edge of a storm.
Ash didn't slow. His feet struck hard ground, boots sliding across scorched steel. Every corner, every shadow, he moved through without pause.
Then—something changed.
The screen twitched. The map glitched.
He hit the side with his palm. A warning appeared:
[WARNING: UNKNOWN ENERGY SIGNATURE DETECTED NEAR TARGET LOCATION]
Ash stared. His jaw set. Fingers curled tighter around the device.
'Unknown energy...?'
He looked ahead. Smoke twisted across the horizon.
He thought, 'i don't know what i'm getting, but i must retrieve it and get back to them'