Chronicles of Forgotten Extra

"You were supposed to be finished," he frowned. "You couldn't even stand!"

Aziel didn't respond. His whole body was covered in golden green flames.

The ground was scorched with each of his steps.

Even when he had fallen, his sword had not left his hand.

He raised his sword.

Two minutes. I have only that much time.

His new skill was powerful, but it has a time limit.

I need to end this before that.

With that thought, he vanished with a burst of flames at his heels.

Before Dain could even react, Aziel was in front of him.

Dain's eyes widened. His mind just couldn't comprehend how a guy who had been at death's door was moving like this.

Aziel didn't care about the internal turmoil of Dain as he swung his katana covered in the same majestic flames as his body.

Dain's corrupted mana reacted as a protective shield formed in front of him.

Aziel's sword collided. But unlike before, his attack didn't just disperse. It left a large crack in Dain's shield.

Crack!!

The shield did buy enough time for Dain to get away. He jumped back, barely managing to dodge Aziel's attack.

As soon as he dodged, he lunged forward again with bloodlust.

But Aziel didn't flinch.

His hand rose—and Flameforged Armament responded.

A green-gold shield of translucent flame erupted into existence, effortlessly absorbing the blow with a metallic clang.

Dain's affinity was metal. He has coated his hands in metal.

The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but Aziel didn't even budge.

Dain's eyes widened. "What—?!"

Aziel's eyes burnt with quiet fury.

He swung his arm, and the flame shield changed mid-motion into a blazing spear.

He thrust forward.

Dain barely dodged, the spear grazing his cheek. He stumbled back. "That flame—what are you?!"

Aziel stepped forward, "I'm the one who protects."

Dain roared and charged again. Punches rained down from every angle, each one meant to kill.

But the Sacrificial Flame Aura flared with each blow. Sparks flew. Some attacks landed—but Aziel didn't back down. His defence only grew thicker, faster.

Every injury boosted Guardian's Resilience—his body regenerating and his strength returning, his movements only became sharper.

He was no longer fighting for survival.

He was fighting to end this.

Just then one of Aziel's strikes connected with Dain, as blood spilt out.

But Aziel didn't celebrate. His heart pounded in his chest.

The warmth of his skill–Emberheart increased, but he could feel it — the flames were already flickering.

Two minutes. That's all the skill had given him.

One minute left.

Dain staggered to his feet, his blood spilling down his chest.

His face was twisted in disbelief and rage. "You think you've won just because you got lucky?"

He roared and activated a final burst of his own power. He had long since understood that he couldn't win against Aziel.

So he started burning his life force now. A blood-red energy exploded from his body. "Then burn with me."

The world exploded in chaos as Dain charged, unleashing a flurry of frenzied, brutal strikes.

Aziel raised his flame-forged blade, blocking the first and parrying the second — but a third slipped through.

He didn't flinch. Pain only fed the fire.

Guardian's Resilience surged. His defence spiked, wounds sizzling as they closed. His flame only grew brighter.

Thirty seconds left.

Aziel's grip tightened around his blade. "This is for Cecilia," he whispered.

He leapt forward.

Their attack met midair in a final, desperate clash. Sparks flew. Dain screamed, his aura surging wildly. "Why won't you just fall?!"

Aziel's voice was low. "Because I'm not fighting for myself."

He twisted his body mid-swing. The flame around his sword expanded violently, changing into a massive greatsword.

With a roar, Aziel brought it down.

Dain raised his mana shield to block—too late.

The blazing edge cleaved through his shield.

A blinding eruption of golden-green fire engulfed the field.

When the flames cleared, Dain lay broken on the ground, unmoving.

Ten seconds.

Aziel dropped to one knee. The flames around him began to flicker.

The warmth was leaving him, fast.

He forced himself to walk towards Cecilia.

A pained smile crossed his lips.

His vision blurred. The fire finally began to die. The pain which had been numbed started to come back again.

He finally arrived in front of Cecilia. His wounds had closed due to the effect of his skill. But his whole body was covered in dry blood.

He knelt in front of her.

Her eyes were filled with tears.

He gently reached out his hands, wiping it with his bloodied hand.

Some of the green flames on his hands latched onto the chains binding Cecilia.

The chains began to vanish, crumbling into glowing light.

"W–why… dummy… why? You should have just run away." Cecilia's voice came muffled through her tears.

"Don't cry. I'm okay," he muttered, trying to reassure her with a smile.

"I'm not crying… dummy." She whispered.

"Say, Cecilia... The moon is really pretty tonight, isn't it? ..."

His voice was barely a whisper.

And with that, Emberheart faded— his body fell in front of Cecilia.

__

Cecilia looked at the unconscious body of Aziel in front of her.

The chains binding her body have completely vanished.

Her hands trembled as she reached out, brushing his bloodied hair from his face.

His skin was cold. Too cold.

She quickly held Aziel in her embrace, as if trying to give him warmth.

"Dummy," she whispered, choking on the word. "Why… why would you do this… for me?"

Tears welled up again, blurring her vision.

She tried to blink them away, but they kept falling—faster now.

She quickly took out a healing potion and poured it in his mouth.

"Please… Wake up."

A part of her was breaking. He had fought for her. Bled for her. Almost died for her.

And she had been powerless to stop it.

For a brief moment, she thought he might never open his eyes again.

She pressed her hand against forehead.

Her voice came out as a broken whisper.

"I don't want to lose you."

Just then—

Clap! Clap! Clap!

A clapping sound came from their left.

Cecilia's body stiffened.

"Bravo. I must say, that was quite the show."

A figure cloaked in tattered robes appeared out from the shadows, as if he had been there all along.

"I was on the edge of my seat the whole time."

Advanced Apprentice Rank.

Cecilia felt the power oozing out of the man.

Her mana, which was sealed by the chains previously, hadn't completely returned yet. And even if it had, she was no match for him.

She has a way to run away. But Aziel was unconscious. She couldn't do that.

Aziel also had a one-time-use escape artifact — just like she did. But he hadn't used it. Because of her.

The man's voice turned low, amused. "For your performance, I'll grant you a painless death."

A sphere of inky black energy began to swirl in his palm, crackling with malevolence.

He didn't wait. He released it towards them without warning.

No… I need to save him. At least him.

Without hesitation, she pushed Aziel against the ground and threw herself over him, using her body as a shield.

She held him with her arms tightly, sheltering him with everything she had left.

Even if it meant her death.

In the intense situation, she didn't notice the shadow behind her shift slightly.

Cecilia shut her eyes, bracing for impact.

But—

Silence.

No pain came.

A faint, unnatural breeze stirred her hair.

She opened her eyes—

The attack was gone.

Instead, another figure stood between them and the robed figure.

A boy with jet-black hair and crimson eyes.

His right hand was raised calmly.

The very air seemed to bend around him, like reality was holding its breath.

The robed man's smile faltered. "...You caught that?"

Alden didn't answer.

Cecilia's breath caught in her throat. He wasn't angry.

He was calm. Too calm.

And that made it even more terrifying.

"I'll handle him," Alden said without looking back. "Take Aziel and run."

"But—" Cecilia began, but he cut her off.

"I'm not asking."

"I have my own way out. I'll hold him off."

Cecilia looked at Aziel… then nodded reluctantly.

She lifted him, her expression fierce.

"I'll be back. With help."

Alden didn't respond. His eyes were locked on the robed figure—every thought consumed by the fight ahead.