**Deep Space – Void of the Inferno Clan's Ruins**
The stars burned cold and distant, indifferent to the ashes drifting in the black. Once, this sector had roared with life—flame-wreathed worlds, proud dragons, the eternal fire of the Inferno Clan. Now only silence remained, broken occasionally by the faint crackle of dying embers.
A low, echoing laugh rolled through the void—deep, cruel, triumphant.
The red-tailed member of the Inferno Clan was no ordinary survivor.
His power could burn mountains to glass in seconds, reduce fleets to cinders with a thought. He was one of the strongest who had escaped the genocide. And his name was Uren.
His laughter faded into the dark, leaving only the promise of vengeance.
---
**Paras City – Sai's Dojo Courtyard, Late Afternoon**
Sunlight slanted golden across the courtyard, catching on the fresh wood Sai was hammering into place. The wall Blu had destroyed days ago was slowly coming back together—nails biting wood, Sai's movements precise but weary. Sweat beaded on his brow; every strike of the hammer echoed the quiet frustration he refused to voice.
Inside the dojo, Yuki sat cross-legged on the engawa. Astra perched happily on her lap, cheeks puffed as he chewed a large mochi she'd torn into pieces for him. His small hands barely wrapped around the treat, but he managed with determined "Nom! Nom!" sounds that made Yuki giggle uncontrollably.
She squeezed his cheeks gently, thumbs pressing into soft skin. "You're so soft… and you're a dragon, right? If I'm not wrong?"
Astra nodded, mochi still in his mouth. "Yes."
Yuki's eyes sparkled behind her blindfold. "Awww… you seem so peaceful even after being a dragon. You don't even have a tail! From now on, I'm your big sister, okay?"
Astra blinked up at her—then blushed bright red, ears burning. He ducked his head shyly, but didn't pull away.
Yuki hugged him tighter, like he was a plush toy she never wanted to let go. "You're mine now. No one's gonna hurt my little brother."
Astra's blush deepened, but a tiny, happy smile crept onto his face.
Sai paused mid-hammer, watching them with a soft expression he rarely showed. For a moment, the weight on his shoulders lifted—just a little.
Then—
A rush of wind.
Blu appeared at the courtyard gate—white cape settling, powder-blue skin catching the light. Behind him, a squad of guards fanned out—tense, hands near weapons.
One guard stepped forward, voice sharp. "They're the ones who dared lay hands on our President!"
Blu raised a hand—calm, commanding. "Quiet."
The guards froze instantly.
Astra peeked out from Yuki's embrace, silver eyes wide. He clutched her sleeve tighter.
Yuki narrowed her eyes behind the blindfold, body tensing protectively.
"Why are you here?" she asked—low, dangerous.
Blu bowed.
Deeply.
Everyone froze.
Sai's hammer slipped from his hand, clattering to the ground. The guards' jaws dropped. Even the wind seemed to pause.
Blu straightened slowly. His glowing blue eyes met Yuki's blindfold without flinching.
"I want to apologize to you," he said quietly. "I only wanted Paras City to stay the cleanest forever. I overreacted. I'm sorry."
Yuki stared for a long moment.
Then—her expression softened. A small smile curved her lips.
"You're forgiven," she said simply.
Blu exhaled—relief flickering across his face.
Suddenly—
A crackle of heat split the air.
Fire erupted on the street outside the dojo—slow at first, then roaring upward. Flames licked the walls, igniting another section of Sai's carefully repaired barrier.
Sai spun. "No wayyy!! My… my wall!"
The flames parted.
A figure stepped through—red dragon tail swaying lazily behind him, scales gleaming like fresh blood under the sun. Shiny blue armor caught the light, sharp and regal.
Uren.
His eyes—burning crimson—swept the courtyard.
"Well… my name is Uren."
His gaze locked on Astra.
Vines of tension popped along his neck.
"Oh?" A slow, predatory smile spread across his face. "So you—Prince of all Inferno—take shelter here? You survived Dano's genocide? Very well… Son of Queen Monika."
Uren began walking forward—each step scorching the stone beneath his boots. Heat waves shimmered around him. The air itself seemed to bow.
Yuki's breath caught.
**Inner Monologue**
*Wait… he's a prince? Son of a queen?*
The street burned beneath Uren's feet—cracks spreading like veins of fire.
Astra clutched Yuki tighter, small body trembling.
Yuki's arms wrapped around him like steel—sweating, but voice steady.
"Don't worry," she whispered fiercely. "I'm here. He won't touch you."
Blu's fists clenched—knuckles cracking. "I can't let you destroy my city like that, predator."
Uren licked his lips, cracking his knuckles with deliberate slowness. "Well… weaklings."
His blue armor glowed brighter—alive, humming with power.
Sai gripped his sword tighter, stepping forward. "I wouldn't let you hurt anyone."
Yuki rose—still holding Astra close—standing in front of the boy like a shield. "I'll do anything to protect him."
Blu floated upward slightly—energy crackling around him. "For the discipline of the city… I must move. You've broken the rules. You must take the punishment."
Uren's crimson eyes gleamed.
"Oh? So you three are coming to fight me?"
He shifted into a relaxed fighting stance—tail swaying, armor pulsing.
"Then bring it on."
"What are you waiting for?"
The air thickened.
Flames licked higher.
The city held its breath.
And the courtyard—once peaceful—became a battlefield waiting to ignite.