Chapter 14 - Chapter 14: The First Flame Collides

📕 Chapter 14: The First Flame Collides

Moon of the Fallen King

The sun had finally risen. Its golden light spilled across the scorched hilltop, casting long shadows behind Lucius and the Master. The air shimmered with heat and tension — the calm before the strike.

> "To carry their pain… I must earn their power," Lucius thought, staring into the distance.

The Master turned to him, placing a hand gently on his shoulder.

"Stay here," he said softly. "You've seen too much… but not enough."

Lucius hesitated. "You said they were coming."

The Master's eyes narrowed as he looked to the forest path. "They're already here."

Dark smoke began to rise between the trees. A low hum of cursed energy rolled across the land like thunder. Two overwhelming presences approached — sharp, ancient, and vast.

> VOOOMMMMM.

From the smoke emerged the Gojo Clan Leader. His white hair glistened in the light, and his glowing blue eyes held a dangerous calm.

"So this is where you've hidden him," he said coldly.

Beside him appeared the Zenin Clan Leader, hands folded neatly behind his back, his aura sharp and unreadable.

"We're not here to talk," Zenin said.

The Master stood tall, unwavering. "You've already killed enough to protect your secrets."

Behind a broken stone pillar, Lucius crouched low, watching.

> "These... are the leaders?" he thought, heart pounding.

The Gojo Leader stepped forward. "You harbor Sukuna's vessel. You defy the clans."

The Master unsheathed his blade — flame etched along its steel.

"No," he said, voice steady. "I protect a child."

Without warning, Zenin raised his hand. The sky above twisted as curse marks spread like cracks through glass.

"Then die with your mistake," he said.

The Master burst forward. Flames lit beneath his feet, scorching the earth in his wake.

> FWOOSH!

In mid-air, his sword clashed with Gojo's barrier technique.

> KA-CHIIIING!

Sparks and cursed fire exploded between them.

Lucius watched, wide-eyed.

> "He's… fighting both of them… alone?"

From Zenin's shadow, a massive cursed construct rose — shaped like a coiling serpent, hissing silently.

"You've lived behind walls too long," the Master shouted as he spun through the air. "Forgotten the fire of real war!"

Gojo released a torrent of cursed energy — a blinding wave of blue light.

> BOOOOM!

The Master dodged, flames flaring behind him, carving searing kanji into the air with each strike.

> "Not yet… not while he's watching," he thought.

He landed between the two enemies and slammed his blade into the ground. Flames erupted in a perfect circle — a blazing ring dividing the field.

Zenin began to chant, raising his hand toward the sky.

> "O wheels of judgment… awaken once more."

Gojo's expression tightened. "You're going to use that?"

"If we wait," Zenin replied coldly, "we lose. It's time."

A summoning circle tore open on the ground. The cursed energy turned wild, screaming into the wind.

> WRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHH!

Lucius stared from his hiding spot. "What… is that thing?"

From the void rose a silhouette — hulking, twisted, and ancient. Its glowing eyes locked forward.

Mahoraga.

The Master exhaled slowly. A drop of sweat slid down his face.

> "So you'd go that far," he whispered, "to erase one boy?"

Lucius's voice trembled. "Master… run…"

But the Master stood tall.

> "No. He must see… how far people fall… when they forget why they fought."

Fire roared behind him as he stepped toward Mahoraga. The wind pulled at his cloak. Lucius screamed after him:

"MASTER!"

The Master didn't look back.

> "Every soul that burns," he said quietly,

"leaves behind a light.

Even if it flickers… it shows the path."

And then he faced them — alone.

Mahoraga.

The Gojo Leader.

The Zenin Leader.

All against one man — and a boy trembling in the shadows behind him.

> "The fire has met the storm… and still stands."

📘 To be continued…

✅ End of Chapter 14