The flames surrounding Agni slowed.
Then transformed.
From raging red—
To deep, royal blue.
A silence spread across the Ruins of Crimson.
Arthur staggered back.
Because history feared this fire.
Only two beings had ever awakened and mastered Nilagni — the blue flame.
Dev.
Pranay.
Even Rudy had once touched it with Dev's help…
But he could never control it.
Because blue fire did not obey strength.
It chose its bearer.
---
The cult members looked toward Arthur in confusion.
"Master… why are you afraid?"
Arthur's voice trembled slightly.
"There are five elements — Earth, Air, Water, Space… and Fire."
"For most, Space is considered the strongest."
"But Fire…"
He looked at Agni.
"…exists beyond comparison."
"There are seven stages of flame."
Yellow — the weakest.
Orange.
Red.
Beyond that—
Black — where fire rivals Space itself.
Then comes—
Blue — Nilagni.
White — Shwetagni.
And finally—
The fusion of both.
Shwelagni — the sky-colored flame.
The most powerful fire ever known.
"Only Dev mastered Shwetagni and Shwelagni."
"And only Dev and Pranay mastered Nilagni."
Arthur whispered—
"And now… he stands before us."
---
Agni suddenly clutched his head.
The power surged violently.
The blue flames spiraled out of control, tearing through the ruins.
Stone cracked.
Air warped.
Ancient pillars collapsed.
Arthur reacted instantly.
A massive summoning circle ignited beneath him.
From it—
A dragon emerged.
A creature born not from life…
But from hatred.
Its scales were shadow.
Its breath carried decay.
Its roar shook the ruins.
The beast lunged.
Agni was thrown across the ground.
Claws carved deep marks into stone.
The dragon overwhelmed him again and again—
Until it transformed.
Taking humanoid form.
Faster.
Deadlier.
Agni struggled.
Fell.
Rose again.
And again.
Until—
A whisper echoed within him.
Control it.
Fire moves with your will.
Agni focused.
The flames listened.
He moved—
And they followed.
A spiraling inferno formed around him.
A Firestorm.
The dragon faltered.
Because it was born from negativity…
And Agni's flame was not.
The battle raged for hours.
Heat clashed with darkness.
The ruins trembled beneath their power.
Until—
With one final surge—
Agni consumed the creature in pure blue fire.
Ash drifted into the air.
Silence followed.
---
Arthur knew he could not win.
So he chose escape.
With a sudden spell—
Ashmita's chains melted.
And beneath her—
The ground split open.
Lava surged.
If Agni saved her—
He could not chase Arthur.
Agni chose instantly.
He chose her.
Arthur vanished.
Ashmita fell—
Into the molten abyss.
"Ashmita!!"
Agni's heart shattered.
But the lava did not burn her.
Instead—
It shimmered.
Its violent glow softened into a warm golden radiance.
Rather than consuming her—
It held her.
Gently.
Like an embrace.
The molten waves cradled her body.
Her wounds healed.
Her strength returned.
She rose slowly from the glowing surface…
Untouched.
Alive.
Agni rushed forward and pulled her into his arms.
The warmth of her skin wrapped around him, carrying the faint scent of lavender that had always brought him comfort.
She clung to him tightly.
Her quiet sobs trembled against his chest.
Around them, the lava glowed softly — its golden light flickering across their faces like a blessing.
Agni felt her heartbeat.
Alive.
Steady.
Against his own.
For a moment—
The world faded.
There was no war.
No destiny.
Only—
The two of them.
Refusing to let go.
---
Then—
The lava behind them began to rise.
To be continued…