The crackling tension between Vill and the man in black stretched like a taut wire, ready to snap. Vill's instincts screamed for action, the Phoenix and Dragon bloodlines swirling within him, ready to unleash their fiery wrath. His eyes narrowed, locking onto the stranger with cold determination. This was the moment he had prepared for—a confrontation with the Black Flame Sect.
The man atop the ledge, unfazed by the intensity in Vill's gaze, raised a hand lazily, and a dark aura began to pool around his palm. It was a deep, obsidian flame that flickered and twisted, sending waves of oppressive heat through the air. The flame seemed unnatural—its darkness swallowed the light around it, almost like an antithesis to Vill's own powers.
"You think your bloodlines can save you from the Black Flame Sect?" the man taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "You are nothing but a pawn in the grand game. But don't worry. You'll make a fine addition to our collection."
Vill's lips curled into a snarl. "I'm no one's pawn," he hissed. "And I'll make sure you regret this."
With a sudden motion, Vill leapt forward, his body a blur as he closed the distance between them in a heartbeat. His fists, infused with the power of his Phoenix bloodline, crackled with intense heat as he struck. The flames from his hands licked the air, a manifestation of his fury and strength, an explosion of raw power aimed directly at his opponent.
But the man in black was faster than Vill anticipated. With a flick of his wrist, the dark flames around his palm coiled into a shield, absorbing Vill's attack with a hissing sound, like a serpent devouring its prey. The shield shimmered for a moment before dispersing into smoke, revealing the man's unscathed form.
"Impressive," the man mused, his eyes glinting with malice. "But your flames are still too weak. The Black Flame burns with true power, something you can never hope to control."
Vill's eyes flashed. He would not be dismissed so easily. He would show this man the true meaning of power. Without hesitation, he called upon the Dragon bloodline that flowed within him, the power of the ancient beast awakening deep within his core. His body surged with strength, and his legs became like springs, propelling him forward once more.
This time, Vill didn't rely solely on his fists. He brought the full might of his Dragon bloodline into his legs, his kicks moving like thunder as he aimed a devastating strike toward the man's chest. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, shaking the ground beneath them.
The man's expression twisted into something darkly amused, and he sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and graceful. With a sudden flick of his wrist, a whip of dark flames lashed out, slashing across Vill's side.
Vill grunted as the flames seared his skin, but the pain only fueled his resolve. With a roar, he summoned a fiery aura around him, protecting his body from further harm. The air around him rippled with the intensity of his Phoenix flames, and the temperature soared to unbearable levels.
"Enough of your games," Vill spat, his voice thick with the fury of his Dragon and Phoenix bloodlines. "It's time to end this."
The man in black tilted his head, seeming amused. "End it? You're not in control here. You never were."
Before Vill could react, the man lunged forward, his hands glowing with dark energy. A blast of Black Flame erupted from his palms, shooting toward Vill in a jagged wave of destructive power. Vill barely had time to raise his arms in defense, but the force of the blow sent him crashing backward, tumbling across the jagged rocks.
Luis, who had been watching the fight intently from a distance, wasted no time. She rushed forward, her hands crackling with the same fiery energy Vill had come to recognize as her own. Her feet flew across the ground, her movements swift and deadly. Without hesitation, she leapt into the fray, her own flames roaring as she struck at the man in black with a flurry of powerful blows.
"Get away from him!" Luis shouted, her voice like a thunderclap as she launched herself at the stranger.
The man in black turned toward her with a scowl, but before he could retaliate, Vill was back on his feet. The power of the Phoenix and Dragon bloodlines surged within him as he called upon the combined forces of both flames. His body crackled with energy, the fire around him growing so intense it seemed to distort the very air. He was no longer just reacting—he was taking control.
"Leave now, or perish," Vill said, his voice a low growl filled with raw authority.
The man in black laughed darkly. "You think you can intimidate me with your fire? The Black Flame is far beyond anything you could imagine."
But Vill's eyes burned with an unrelenting fury. "We'll see about that."
In an instant, Vill gathered his strength and unleashed a mighty kick, imbued with the power of the Dragon bloodline. The force of the strike sent a shockwave through the ground, and with a crack that echoed across the mountainside, the man in black was sent flying, crashing into a nearby cliffside.
For a moment, everything was still.
Vill stood, his chest heaving with exertion, the flames still dancing around his body. His gaze was fixed on the spot where the man had fallen, but there was no sign of movement. The Black Flame Sect's agent had been thrown back, but the battle was far from over.
Luis stepped up beside him, her face set in a grim expression. "That's just one of them," she said softly. "There are more. They won't stop until they have you."
Vill nodded, his mind already shifting to the next step. The Black Flame Sect had just made their move. They had shown their hand. And now, Vill Long Feng would show them what it meant to challenge him.
"I won't run from them," Vill said, his voice filled with the resolve of a warrior who had survived far worse. "Let them come."