btth 2: the new flame

The air was thick with tension as Xiao Tian faced the two cloaked figures. Their presence alone made the very flames within him quiver. His body still ached from the First Trial, but there was no time to rest. These people had come for him, and they wouldn't leave without a fight.

One of them, the scarred man, took a step forward. His eyes gleamed with an eerie glow, his voice dripping with confidence.

"Young one, resistance is futile. You bear the mark of a Heavenly Flame, and such a gift cannot be left unchecked. Come with us, and we promise you power beyond your imagination."

Xiao Tian clenched his fists, feeling the ember within his core flicker in defiance. The moment he had awakened this flame, his fate had been sealed. He had no illusions—these people weren't here to guide him. They were here to take him, to bind him in chains.

"I refuse." His voice was steady, his stance unyielding.

The silver-haired man let out a soft chuckle. "They always refuse," he said, shaking his head. "Then we'll have to break you."

Before Xiao Tian could react, the two figures blurred, vanishing from sight. A sharp gust of wind followed, and instinct alone saved him. He twisted his body just as a clawed hand slashed through the air where his throat had been a moment before.

Rolling to the side, he felt a powerful force crash into the ground next to him, leaving a deep crater. Xiao Tian barely had time to steady himself before the scarred man appeared in front of him, his fist already descending.

Boom!

Xiao Tian raised his arms in defense, but the sheer force sent him skidding backward. Pain shot through his bones. They were strong—too strong. His only advantage was his flame, but he had yet to master it.

"Your instincts are good," the silver-haired man said, appearing to his right. "But instincts alone won't save you."

A sudden wave of energy erupted from the man's body. Xiao Tian's breath hitched as he felt his limbs grow heavy, an invisible force pressing down on him. He was being suppressed!

No! I can't let them take me!

Summoning every ounce of willpower, he called upon the ember within. The fire in his core roared to life, burning through the suppression like paper. With a shout, he unleashed a torrent of flames in all directions.

The two men leaped back, avoiding the searing heat, but their eyes sharpened.

"So, you can fight back," the scarred man murmured. "Good. It would have been boring otherwise."

Without warning, he vanished once more. Xiao Tian spun around just in time to see a palm heading straight for his chest. He had no time to dodge.

The impact was devastating.

Xiao Tian was sent flying, crashing through several trees before tumbling onto the ground, blood spilling from his lips. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he struggled to rise.

"You lasted longer than I expected," the silver-haired man commented as he walked forward. "But it's over."

Xiao Tian coughed, wiping blood from his chin. His mind raced. He couldn't win—not as he was now. His only chance was to escape.

His eyes darted around the battlefield, searching for an opening. Then, he saw it—a cliffside just beyond the clearing. If he could reach it…

Gritting his teeth, he made his decision. He gathered the last of his strength and surged forward, his flames erupting wildly. The sudden explosion of heat momentarily blinded his opponents.

"Trying to run?" The scarred man sneered, moving to intercept.

But Xiao Tian was ready. Just as the man reached out, Xiao Tian twisted his body and launched a burst of flame directly into the ground. The force propelled him upward, straight toward the cliffside.

His opponents reacted instantly, but it was too late.

With one final push, Xiao Tian hurled himself over the edge—into the abyss below.

The two men skidded to a halt at the cliff's edge, staring into the darkness where he had vanished.

"Did he die?" the silver-haired man asked.

The scarred man remained silent before shaking his head. "No. Someone like him won't die so easily."

The wind howled around them as they turned away. "We'll meet again, boy. And next time, you won't escape."

---

The Depths Below

Xiao Tian plummeted through the darkness, the wind roaring past his ears. He twisted his body, trying to control his descent, but the abyss was unrelenting.

Then, just as he thought he would crash into the rocky depths, a surge of energy erupted from below.

What—?

A blinding light engulfed him, and for a moment, he felt weightless. The air shimmered, and then, just as suddenly as it had begun, he found himself standing on solid ground.

Panting, he looked around.

He was no longer in the forest.

The world around him was different. Ancient. The very air felt charged with power. Towering pillars of stone, engraved with runes long forgotten, surrounded him. Rivers of molten lava flowed through the land, yet they did not burn. In the center of it all, a massive stone gate loomed, pulsing with an eerie glow.

A voice echoed in his mind.

You have been chosen, bearer of the Forgotten Flame.

Xiao Tian's heart pounded.

Where am I?

Before he could even process what was happening, the ground trembled beneath him. The stone gate creaked open, revealing an endless void beyond.

And from that void, a figure emerged.

It was massive, covered in scales of pure fire. Its eyes burned like twin suns, and its very presence made the air tremble.

"A dragon…" Xiao Tian whispered, unable to move.

The beast lowered its head, staring at him with ancient, knowing eyes. And then, it spoke.

"You have taken your first step on the path of flames."

Xiao Tian swallowed hard.

The Trial had only just begun.