No one moved.
Even Zalrik…
stopped.
The shadows around him calmed for a moment.
Because what now stood before them…
was no longer the Ignar who had entered the chamber.
The wounds were still across his body.
The blood still flowed.
But the flames emerging from him…
were not natural.
They were not merely fire.
They were presence.
Heavy.
Ancient.
As though something within his blood…
had finally awakened.
Ignar slowly rose to his feet.
He lifted his head.
And the flames moved around him.
Not outside him.
But with him.
As if they breathed.
As for the man—
he remained still.
But his gaze…
changed.
Then—
everyone turned toward Zalrik.
Even Arkath.
He asked in a low voice:
"How did you do that?"
Zalrik looked at his hand.
At the shadows still circling around his fingers.
Then he smiled.
A calm smile.
But different.
And said:
"There are no limits to the world of shadows."
Silence followed.
But the man—
moved.
Slowly.
Only one step.
Yet the air inside the chamber changed.
The pressure grew heavier.
And the calmness…
vanished.
This time—
he no longer looked at them as obstacles.
But—
as threats.
Because he understood.
If they died now…
he would never obtain the core.
He stood in the center of the chamber.
His calmness disappeared.
Then—
darkness began pouring from him.
Not like before.
But—
like a flood.
It covered the floor.
Climbed the walls.
Even the statues began to tremble.
Arkath's father spoke in a low voice:
"Fall back…"
But no one stepped back.
Ignar stood at the front.
The flames around him burned brighter.
And beside him—
stood Zalrik.
The shadows beneath his feet moved like a living sea.
As for Arkath—
he slowly raised his sword.
His eyes locked onto the man.
For the first time…
the three stood together.
Fire.
Shadows.
And Will.
Then—
the man vanished.
At that same instant—
the battle exploded.
Fire surged forward.
Shadows rose.
And the air itself cracked apart.
The man appeared directly before Ignar.
A strike.
Impact.
The entire chamber shook.
Flames erupted around Ignar.
But the man—
pierced through them.
At the same moment—
Zalrik's shadows appeared behind him.
Dozens of copies.
All attacking at once.
But the man—
turned.
And the darkness around him moved like a storm.
The copies shattered.
But one alone reached him.
A direct stab.
It pierced through the darkness.
For the first time—
the man stopped.
A brief moment.
Arkath seized it.
He charged.
His sword cutting through the air with full force.
A direct strike toward the man's chest.
Impact.
The ground trembled.
The shadows recoiled.
And the flames exploded once more.
As for the man—
he stood firm.
But this time…
he smiled.
A different smile.
Not calm.
But—
the smile of someone…
beginning to enjoy the battle.
Then he said:
"Finally…"
He slowly raised his head.
His eyes moved between the three of them.
Then he continued:
"...this is becoming interesting."
When Fire Awakens
— Auris' Soldiers
His smile did not disappear.
It widened.
As though the battle…
had awakened him further.
He stood in the center of the chamber.
Flames burned around Ignar.
Shadows behind Zalrik moved like black waves.
And Arkath—
still gripped his sword.
His eyes locked onto him.
Then—
the man raised his hand to the side.
Calmly.
As though opening a door he knew well.
And at that same instant—
the air split open.
A black gate appeared.
Not a circle.
Not a crack.
But an open void.
Deep.
Cold.
Then—
they emerged.
Three.
Soldiers.
But they were not fully human.
Black armor.
Bodies marked by ancient scars.
And eyes…
empty of light.
They stepped forward slowly.
Then stopped before him.
And knelt.
At the same instant.
They spoke with one voice:
"Your command… Lord Auris."
Silence filled the chamber.
Everyone froze.
Even Ignar.
As for Arkath—
his eyes narrowed.
The name…
for the first time.
Auris.
The man stood calmly.
Then looked at them.
And said:
"Prepare yourselves."
The three soldiers rose instantly.
Then—
Auris raised his hand.
And pointed.
Directly at Arkath.
Saying calmly:
"Kill him."
At that same instant—
one of the soldiers vanished.
Then appeared directly before Arkath.
A killing strike.
But—
Clang!
Arkath raised his sword at the last moment.
The ground shook beneath his feet.
His eyes widened.
The soldier's strength…
was unnatural.
As for the other two soldiers—
they moved beside Auris.
One to his right.
The other to his left.
As though they were extensions of him.
Then—
all three charged at once.
And the chamber erupted into battle once more.
Flames exploded around Ignar.
Zalrik vanished into the shadows.
And Arkath—
forced the soldier away from him.
But the soldier smiled.
A dead smile.
Then said:
"So… you are the chosen one."
Arkath froze for a moment.
But the soldier gave him no time.
He vanished.
Then appeared directly behind him.
And the true battle began.
When Fire Awakens
— A Shadow Behind the Shadow
The chamber burned with battle.
Flames erupted around Ignar.
Shadows rose like black tides.
And Arkath—
fought against the soldier sent to kill him.
As for the other two soldiers—
they moved alongside Auris.
Fighting as though they were part of his own shadow.
Zalrik paused for a moment.
His eyes moved rapidly.
Watching.
Calculating.
Then he spoke in a low voice:
"Morvan."
The Mist leader turned toward him.
"Handle the two soldiers."
Then Zalrik raised his eyes toward Auris.
The shadows around him began to calm.
In a terrifying way.
Then he said:
"As for him…"
His smile vanished.
"...he's mine."
At that same instant—
he vanished.
Not movement.
Not speed.
But—
he melted into his own shadow.
Auris froze.
For a fraction of a moment.
Then—
the shadow behind him moved.
Zalrik emerged.
From within Auris' own shadow.
A silent appearance.
Extremely close.
And his dagger—
directly toward Auris' heart.
A killing strike.
Even Arkath's eyes widened.
Because that speed…
was not natural.
But—
at the last instant—
Auris moved.
Not with speed.
But with the slightest shift.
As though he sensed the strike before it existed.
The dagger passed beside his chest.
Tearing through his clothing.
And for the first time—
Auris stepped back fully.
Zalrik landed on the ground.
His dagger still raised.
His eyes fixed on Auris.
As for Auris—
he looked toward the place of the strike.
Then slowly lifted his gaze.
For the first time—
his smile disappeared.
He said in a low voice:
"...You were aiming for the heart."
Zalrik answered calmly:
"Because you feared it."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
the shadows moved violently.
Because Auris—
had finally begun fighting seriously.