Secret Route: Villain Unlocked

Inferno didn't wait this time.

The instant Julien moved, the ground split beneath him, a burst of molten stone and spiraling flame shooting up like a trap. He darted sideways, one gauntlet raised to shield his face as the heat scorched across his armor. His boots scraped against solid stone just before a second blast ripped apart the tiles behind him.

Inferno's voice cut through the chaos. "You're getting slower, Kirios. Maybe all that righteousness is dragging you down."

Julien didn't reply. He slammed his palm into the ground. Light pulsed outward in a clean purification wave. The flames around him dimmed. They weren't gone but weaker.

Temporary gap created. I've got to move now.

He surged forward through the smoke.

Inferno met him halfway.

Their weapons clashed in a sharp crack that echoed across the plaza. Flame-whip twisted around the blade, fire coiling tight. Julien didn't back down. Each strike drained him--mana, breath, blood--but he held.

[Mana: 1440 / 7000]

[Sun Slash Cooldown: 0.6s]

[Burn Resistance: 58%]

"You always hide behind fire," Julien said, voice tight. "You never fight fair."

Inferno snorted. "That's why you'll never win."

Julien dropped low and swept upward. Light followed the arc of the sword, catching Inferno off-guard and carving across his shoulder. He hissed and staggered back.

Julien stepped in. One more slash. Then another. The next came close.

"You're not untouchable," he said. "You bleed like anyone else."

Inferno grinned. "Do I? Then go ahead, prove it!"

He snapped his fingers.

A wave of heat slammed out. Julien was flung across the broken plaza, armor scraping against the shattered stone.

[Impact Damage Sustained -- Fracture Level 2]

[Mana Stabilization Failing]

[System: Recommend Withdrawal]

Blood welled in his mouth. He spat it out, shoved himself back up.

Ignore it. You're still conscious. Keep going.

His ribs screamed. His vision blurred.

But he hadn't fallen.

Inferno stepped closer, his smirk sharpening. "How much longer before you fall, Kirios?"

Julien's fist tightened. "You don't get to ask that."

Flames curled at Inferno's fingertips, twisting into shapes. "Let's say you kill me. Then what? Hang around the Marked Guild hoping someone claps?"

He's shifting tactics. Trying to stall and distract me. Stay focused.

"I don't fight for fame," Julien said.

"Then why?" Inferno stepped forward, sparks dancing around him. "To prove you're better than me? To erase everything I've worked for?"

Julien didn't blink. "I'm doing it so no one else has to watch their friends burn."

Inferno let out a harsh laugh. "Nice little dream you've got there. Shame I'll be the one to crush it."

Flames surged. The plaza burned red.

Julien stepped in without slowing, blade glowing with a clean edge of light.

"I'm not afraid of your fire," he said. "And I'm sick of your voice."

"Then shut me up," Inferno snarled--and the ground exploded beneath them both.

Julien burst through the shockwave, cape trailing in tatters, sword glowing as it cut through the firestorm. His blade met resistance mid-swing--Inferno's flame-whip snapped upward, intercepting with a crack of heat and steel. Sparks scattered into smoke.

[Sun Slash Ready]

[Burn Resistance: 54%]

[Mana: 940 / 7000]

Ugh… Mana's dropping. I can't keep this up for long.

The heat wasn't just external anymore. It clawed at his insides--slow, relentless.

Still, he held steady, locked in. Focus. He's a mage. No matter how strong his shields are, his body will only withstand a few perfect hits from me.

He lunged--a high feint, then a sharp drop. Sun Slash activated mid-swing. A blade of light tore upward through the haze, straight at Inferno's side.

Inferno twisted just in time. The beam tore through his cloak, seared across his ribs. He staggered, teeth clenched.

Julien didn't give him room. He pressed forward.

Every swing came faster, tighter. No flourish. No waste. Light and flame collided in rapid succession, each strike ringing louder than the last.

"You act like this is some noble crusade," Inferno spat, wiping blood from a fresh gash. "But you're no different than me."

Julien's next swing nearly knocked the whip from his grip. "Then clearly you don't know me."

Another flurry, sword against flame, pressure building.

And then--

Inferno's palm slammed into Julien's chest. Point-blank.

A blast of fire erupted. It consumed him.

The air ignited in waves. The earth cracked beneath the force. Smoke surged up in a thick wall, hiding everything inside.

Julien didn't scream. He didn't have the breath.

[System: Damage Threshold Breached -- Overheat Imminent]

Get up. Get up! GET UP! Julien's mind screamed.

Inferno stood still, arm extended. His breathing was uneven now. His eyes stayed focused on the blaze, not blinking.

Something made a sound. There was movement.

Through the fire, a shape emerged--staggering forward, barely upright.

Julien stepped out of the smoke.

His armor was glowing red-hot, the chestplate was warped and cracked. His cape was gone. His sword arm trembled.

But he still held the blade.

Inferno's eyes narrowed.

Julien wiped blood from his mouth with a shaky motion. His lips were cracked, jaw blistering. His hair was singed at the edges, half-stuck to his face. But his grip on the sword kept firm as ever.

[Warning: Heat Exposure Critical]

[Pain Suppression: Fading]

[Mana: 410 / 7000]

[Sun Slash Cooldown: 2.1s]

Body's failing. I need to end this soon. Even if I die, I have to take him with me.

Inferno was unlike any opponent Julien had ever faced. Strength alone wouldn't cut it; no predictable pattern could possibly work against him. He was cautious, cunning, and patient. But worse, Julien felt his own limits closing in.

Inferno exhaled slowly. "Unbelievable. You're actually still alive. I guess they call you a hero for a reason."

There was a hint of respect in his tone.

Julien coughed, then managed a half-smile. "No way I'd make this easy for you."

"Whatever. When I rule all of Meraline Continent," Inferno said, "I'll make sure they write songs about this moment. The hero, burned to the bones, too stubborn to stay down. And me, their amazingly powerful king, the one who effortlessly defeated him."

Julien said nothing. Every breath cut sharper than the last, but the smile stayed.

Inferno tilted his head. "You finally seeing how funny it all is?"

Julien met his gaze, eyes dull but steady. "No. I just think you love the sound of your own voice."

Then Julien moved. Not fast nor clean. But steady.

Every step felt like it could be his last but he kept moving. He raised his blade again. His body shook under the weight, but he didn't stop.

Inferno's grin returned. "You seriously think you've got one more miracle in you? I really hate to break it to you, but whatever luck you had left is looong gone."

Julien wiped his face with his sleeve, smearing ash and blood. "I don't care. I won't need it."

He took a step forward again.

Then another step, and another. The armor now felt like a mountain pressing down, but his blade stayed up.

[Mana: 390 / 7000]

[Sun Slash Cooldown: 1.2s]

[Warning: Muscle Fatigue Threshold Passed]

I'm really pushing past the limits now. Even if I get him now, I might not live any longer than he will.

Inferno raised an eyebrow. "You're always saying things like that. Isn't it exhausting? And nobody's impressed."

Julien didn't flinch. "Good. I'm not here to perform for you."

He swung.

Inferno met it with a flick of his wrist, fire twisting tightly around the steel. The clash screamed through the air. Julien's hands burned on the hilt, his legs nearly giving out.

Inferno leaned in, voice low. "You know, you really could've ruled beside me. I'd've welcomed you. We could've burned this continent clean."

Julien forced his blade forward, jaw clenched. "No way in hell!"

"Shame," Inferno said softly. "I think we would've understood each other. In another life."

"Never!" Julien snapped, eyes locked on him. "I'd rather die standing right here than become a psychopath like you!"

Their weapons clashed again. Light against flame, sparks flying between them. Julien pushed forward, running on pure willpower. Sweat and blood streaked his face. Breath came in sharp bursts through reddened teeth. He was slower now, less precise. But no less deadly.

Inferno parried and stepped back--not retreating, just calculating. Watching for his next move.

"Is this really what you're dying for?" he asked, voice casual, almost bored. "A crater no one will remember, for people who aren't even around to see it?"

Julien's voice was hoarse. "It's for the ones who are still here. Who have to live after you're done with your senseless rampages."

He swung again. Wild and angry but it hit. A thin line of gold scraped Inferno's arm, burning through the edge of his coat.

That was it.

Julien's eyes flared. Weak, but I'm getting close. He's got to be as low on mana as I am now. He can't keep casting those spells forever.

"You think I'm just flailing? Every second I'm still breathing, you're losing ground."

Inferno laughed. "You've got dozens of burns and almost certainly no mana left. What exactly am I losing?"

Julien said nothing.

[Sun Slash: Ready.]

He shifted, faking left. Inferno moved to intercept but the real strike came low. A sudden upward slash flared with golden light, cutting through haze. The blade shone brighter than it had all fight, a wave of power tearing toward Inferno's core.

Inferno's arms snapped up. Twin flame-barriers flared.

The beam crashed into them, and a shockwave rippled outward. The first barrier cracked and shattered. The second barely held.

Julien dropped to one knee, chest heaving.

[Mana: 80 / 7000]

[Sun Slash Cooldown: 9.9s]

[Status: Critical]

Everything hurt. His vision blurred. The world tilted.

Come on, body. Don't give up on me now!

Across the plaza, Inferno's cloak was half-destroyed. One sleeve hung in scorched ribbons. His right shoulder steamed, the skin beneath blistered and raw. Even his hair was singed.

He wasn't smiling anymore.

He stared at Julien, breathing hard. Silent for once.

"Why won't you just die?" he asked.

Julien raised his head, shaking with effort.

"Because you're still alive."