Emberfall

As Azare Opens his eyes he is greeted with the view of a barren landscape - a forest of dead trees stretching endlessly toward the dark red sky. There was no sun, only a suffocating gloom hanging overhead. In the distance, a mountain spewed streams of molten lava, its fiery glow illuminating the desolation.

Boom!

"What is that sound?"

To his right, a collosal being loomed- a terrifying amalgamation of molten rock, obsidian and hellfire. It's very presence radiated dread.

Azare soon came to the realization that he could be in hell.

But i didn't die , did i? How could i be in hell he thought to himself.

He remembered the warnings of the altar that Edmond always used to tell him.

The Colossal being sent shockwaves through the ground with each step. To Azares horror, each shockwave brought the being of terror closer to him.

The giant spat lava towards him. Azare had no choice but to run.

As he was running he strangely saw a black cat in the direction he was running.

"A cat? Here?Why would a cat be here?"

But there was no time to question it.He kept running ignoring the cats existence. He decided to hide in between the thick dead trees in hopes that the giant would not find him.

"No. Why me?" Azare started to cry.

"Edmond i am scared."

He buried his face in his hands, trembling.

"I am sorry. I am nothing but a coward. All i can do is run. I left you. I left you all alone. Now this is the price i pay for it" He said with tears dropping from his face.

Boom!

The footsteps of the Giant draws closer, shaking the ground beneath him.

As Azare looked up he saw the black cat looking at him with glowing red eyes.

Azare was even more terrified. The cat walked closer towards him with it's tail high up in the air, exuding an air of authority.

"Do you want strength?" The cat asked, its voice smoth and unnerving.

Azare's heart sunk to his feet as he heard the cat speak.

"I can give you strength."

"But in return you have to give me your soul."

Azare's lips trembled.

"Y-yes! Give me the strength to kill my enemies." Azare said.

The cat jumped towards him. The cat seemed to phase through him like a phantom.

A searing heat erupted in Azare's chest, spreading through his veins.He screamed as flames engulfed him, though they did not burn.

When the flames subsided , Azare stood clad in red and black samurai armor. A flaming sword rested in his hand, it's heat radiating a strange sense of comfort

He was filled with a sense of confidence.

Boom!

The ground shook and the trees reverberated. The ground trembled beneath Azare's feet as the Hell Titan emerged from the scorched earth. Towering nearly fifty feet tall, its body radiated searing heat, its molten veins glowing like rivers of lava. The titan's eyes burned with relentless fury, and its roar echoed across the barren wasteland, shaking Azare to his core

Azare gripped his sword, his breathe ragged as he faced the behomoth.

The giant swung its arm, massive slab of molten rock the Azare barely avoided.

The titan roared again and raised its foot, preparing to crush Azare where he stood. His body instinctively dove to the side, rolling just as the foot slammed down creating a fiery crater. Azare realized that his reflexes have become sharper amd his body much swifter and agile than before.

"Calm down." Azare heard a voice in his head almost like a whisper.

"To use the power within you, you have to stay calm." The voice said in his head.

Azare focused on his breathing and lifted his blade. The blade engulfed in flames. The flames were unstable and weak.

"Focus"

Azare took an offensive stance and the flames started to burn brightly and strong.

The giant advanced, it's molten eyes locked onto him. Azare could see a orb of fiery energy in the centre of the beasts chest. If i can destroy that maybe i can win, he thought.

The giant roared raising both fists to deliver a devastating blow. Azare sprang into action, the flames around his sword glowing brighter. He sprinted toward the colossal being of terror, dodging falling debris as the massive fists slammed into the ground behind him.

With a burt of speed, Azare leapt onto the beast's arm. He climbed the beast thrashing and roaring in anger.

Reaching the chest Azare locked eyes with the pulsating core. Summoning every ounce of power he had, he slammed his flaming sword into the core, unleashing a wave of fire. The beast let ot a deafening roar, its body convulsing as cracks spread across its molten form.

The core shattered and the titan's massive frame crumbled, falling into a heap of smoldering rock and ash. Azare tumbled to the ground, landimg hard. His flames flickered and died, leaving him exhausted and gasping for air.

The black cat faded into existence from his body. It's red eyes glinting with approval. "Not bad" it purred.

Azare managed a weak smile.

"I did it."

He stood, staring at the ruins of the titan. His victory had come at a cost, but for the first time he felt strong.

His new found flames, a skill to be mastered.

"Hey cat? What are you and where am i? Is this Hell?"

"I am what you would call an Anima.

I am now fused to your soul for the rest of your life. We are one. As for this place... this isn't Hell. This is Oblivion's Cradle, a realm where yokai and other Anima reside. You are currently located in Kryos."

Azare had to take his time to process the information.

Anima? Oblivions cradle? Kryos?

But the thought burned brighter then the rest.

With this power, i can get revenge on the king.

"I swear", Azare muttered, his voice filled with resolve. "I, Azare Vespera, will avenge my village. I will kill the king with my own two hands."