Moonlight Flame

Ryn's ears caught the desperate scream of a girl from deep within the mines. Without hesitation, he vanished with a burst of fire, his speed leaving only embers in the air. As he arrived at the scene, his eyes locked onto a monstrous figure—Aqua, a towering brute holding the girl up by her hair, his laughter echoing through the cavern.

"Cry, cry as much as you can... you look so cute in this angle," Aqua sneered, his voice laced with cruelty.

Ryn's blood boiled at the sight. He didn't hesitate—his body moved on its own, appearing in front of Aqua within a blink. With a swift motion, he snatched the girl from Aqua's grip, cradling her unconscious body in his arms.

"Who the hell are you, little rat?" Aqua growled, clearly unfazed.

Ryn didn't even look at him. "Wait. Just give me three seconds, piggy."

With another burst of speed, he dashed outside, placing the girl in the arms of a villager. "Take care of her. I'll be back in a few moments." His voice was sharp, unwavering.

"Please, stop this!" one of the villagers pleaded.

Ryn ignored him and turned back, his eyes burning with unrelenting fury. He stormed back into the mines, his flames casting eerie shadows on the cavern walls. Aqua stood there, arms crossed, amused.

"I didn't see you in this village before. Where've you been hiding?" Aqua chuckled. "Maybe your—"

Before he could finish, Ryn was in front of him, his fiery aura illuminating his face like a devil's grin. Aqua barely had time to react before Ryn grabbed his throat and slammed him into the stone wall, flames erupting upon impact.

Aqua coughed, a small smirk forming. "Heh... I think it's time for a little warm-up. Be ready, kid."

Ryn stepped back, his lips curling into a smirk. "I came here to clean up some dust."

Aqua cracked his neck, his body pulsing with power. Ryn's eyes narrowed. Something's off. Aqua's body shimmered, and the air around him chilled.

Ice.

Then, without warning, Aqua lunged, his arm coated in thick ice. Ryn dodged, but barely. His mind raced. So that's why my flames didn't leave a mark earlier… Ice spirit.

Ryn retaliated with a blast of fire, but Aqua's wind barrier deflected it. Before Ryn could react, two unseen blades of ice struck him from behind, sending him sprawling to the ground.

"What the hell…?" Ryn gritted his teeth, feeling the sting of his wounds.

Aqua's laughter echoed. "You think I'm just a low-rank goon? I am the right hand of Jox Renter! You can't beat me with low-grade flames!"

Aqua spread his arms wide, revealing his secret. "I have two spiritual powers—ice and wind! AHAHAHA!"

Ryn's eyes widened. Two spiritual powers?! He had always believed a person could only possess one.

Aqua swung his ice blade again, but this time, Ryn saw it coming. He minimized his flames, dodging at the last second.

"You can't escape me with those weak flames!" Aqua mocked.

Ryn clenched his fists. "You haven't even seen my real flames yet, idiot."

Their battle intensified, fire clashing against ice and wind. Aqua was strong—stronger than Ryn had anticipated. But Ryn refused to back down. With a sudden burst of power, he unleashed his first true attack—

Flame Roar.

A massive inferno erupted from Ryn's both fists, engulfing Aqua in a torrent of fire. The cavern walls glowed bright as the flames swallowed Aqua whole.

When the fire subsided, Aqua lay on the ground, his body severely burned, steam rising from his wounds. He coughed, struggling to comprehend what had happened. "T-this... this can't be real…"

Ryn stepped forward, his fiery aura casting an ominous glow. "Playtime's over."

Aqua gritted his teeth, his body suddenly encased in ice. "I'm not done yet!" His wind barrier surged to life, encircling him like a cyclone of blades.

Ryn smirked. "Time's up, moron."

Aqua lunged, his attack aimed at Ryn's left. Ryn blocked. Aqua struck from the right. Ryn dodged. Then, Aqua went in for the final blow—

But Ryn was gone.

Aqua's eyes darted around. "Where—?"

Ryn appeared behind him, his hands ignited in flames, gripping Aqua's throat and stomach. "Game over."

A final surge of fire erupted, incinerating Aqua on the spot. His screams echoed as his body turned to ash.

Ryn exhaled, his flames dimming. He stood in silence for a moment before turning toward the exit.

Outside, the villagers were waiting in tense silence. When Ryn stepped out, their eyes widened in disbelief.

"H-he's alive!"

"Where is Aqua?! What happened?!"

Ryn's voice was calm, unwavering. "I killed him."

A wave of silence swept over the crowd before erupting into cheers and tears. Some wept, unable to believe their nightmare was over.

"We're free… We're finally free…"

But then, one voice rose among them. "No… one monster is still alive… The real monster… Jox Renter."

The mood shifted, fear creeping back into their faces. Ryn met their gazes and spoke, his voice resolute.

"Tonight… is his last night."

The villagers gasped. "No! It's too risky! Jox Renter is a real monster! You must leave before he finds you!"

Ryn clenched his fists. "My sister wanted this village to be free. I will see it through."

Without another word, he walked toward the mansion.

That night, Jox Renter arrived in Goldengrave.

He walked through the village, approaching his mansion. The streets were silent, eerily so. No guards greeted him. He frowned, stepping inside—

And his breath caught in his throat.

Lined up against the walls were the bodies of his men, lifeless, their corpses twisted in horror. The smell of blood filled the air.

His hands clenched into fists, his face contorted in rage. What the hell happened here?!

He stormed toward the mayor's chamber. The door creaked open. Inside, the mayor lay on the floor, barely conscious. 

The mayor stirred, his lips curving into a weak smile.

"He will come," the mayor whispered.

Jox's eyes narrowed. "Who?"

The mayor's smile widened, despite his weak state. "The one which i told you about ."

Jox's jaw tightened. His hands trembled. The room felt colder.

And for the first time in years…

Jox Renter felt fear.