WARRIOR OF LIBERATION

"When you leave the forge, you expect the world to be colder.

But sometimes… it's already on fire."

— Mina

📍 Location: Sector D – Outer Ring, Surface Districts

When Sei and Mina stepped back into the light, they expected ash and silence.

Instead…

They saw flags.

Dozens of them.

Tattered banners made of rags and old cult robes, painted with the symbol of a burning chain.

Their symbol.

Their flame.

People crowded the streets, chanting in rhythm.

Torchlight danced in their eyes.

"Chains Break, Flames Rise!"

"Follow the Flame King!"

"The Ash-Crowned rules the fire now!"

Mina whispered, "They're… chanting for you."

Sei didn't smile.

He just stepped forward and grabbed one of the banners.

The symbol was wrong.

Too sharp. Too stylized.

And written underneath in blood-red ink were the words:

"BURN TO OBEY."

Sei's eyes narrowed.

"This isn't liberation."

Suddenly—a scream.

From the east street, a boy ran, limping.

"Help! The Flame Guard said my father didn't kneel fast enough—he—he—"

The kid collapsed.

People rushed over.

Sei and Mina looked at each other—and ran.

They reached the alley where smoke still lingered.

A group of figures in mismatched armor stood in formation.

Their cloaks bore flame marks, yes… but they weren't glowing with soulfire.

They carried whips made of fake ember wire.

And one of them wore a burned, half-melted mask shaped just like Sei's crown.

System Warning: Forged Flame Signatures Detected

These individuals possess no true flame lineage. Risk of corruption: High

Designation: "Flame Guard of the Ash-Crowned" (False)

Mina's fists ignited.

"They're faking your mark."

Sei's voice was ice.

"No. They're enslaving in my name."

BATTLE ENGAGED 🔥

Sei & Mina vs. False Flame Guard

The nearest fake charged—swinging a chain spear.

Sei didn't dodge.

He caught it mid-air, crushed it, and sent a soul-ignited elbow strike straight into the man's chest.

CRACK!

The armor snapped in half.

Mina dropped into a low stance—then exploded forward with a Flame Pulse Smash, knocking two more into a wall.

Soul-Link Active – Boosted Coordination: +15% evasion

No Liberation Detected – These are not bound, but willing oppressors.

The last fake Flame Guard fell to his knees.

"S-spare me! I just follow orders—!"

Sei stepped forward, flame flickering from his eyes.

"You chained innocents. Under my name."

The man trembled.

"We—we only followed him!"

Sei stopped.

"Who?"

The man pointed behind him.

Down the street.

Toward a black carriage drawn by soul-burnt horses.

On top of it stood a tall figure—

Wearing a pristine red cloak, half-mask, and a glowing chain-wrapped staff.

The crowd gasped.

The figure raised both arms and declared:

"I am SEI. I have ascended from the Forge."

"Kneel—or burn."

Mina stepped forward. "You've gotta be kidding me—"

Sei raised a hand, calm.

His voice carried, low and sharp:

"Take off the mask. Or I will."

The fake Flame King paused.

Then smiled.

"Try me."

NEW TARGET IDENTIFIED: "The Ember Pretender"

Status: ??? | Flame Origin: Artificial | Soul Signature: Obscured

Threat Level: Moderate–High (Unknown Enhancer in Use)

The crowd murmured.

Two "Seis."

Two flames.

One about to burn the lie away.

TO BE CONTINUED…

Chapter 17 Tease: Fire vs. Fire

The Ember Pretender's flames aren't real — but they're fueled by something unnatural.

As the city watches, Sei must expose the fake without destroying the fragile hope his name represents.