Kaen 1
[Enma]
A bright red flower shines light onto the treasured childhood memories of a young boy. It is a flower whose shade is not found elsewhere.
He would never forget the exact shade of red in his life. The passionate red radiating with life fueled by the rays of sun, kindled by the twilight orange, and illuminated by the moon's spotlight never ceased to leave him breathless. To be graced by a wondrous flower is a blessing; a blessing the flower itself is ashamed of.
The flower closes its soft fluttering petals from the world. What a waste, he thought. He was sad to see the flower lament its color pigments as though it was a curse; a curse that separates the flower from the rest of the garden.
He sees the flower droop.
How strange. Even when under the constant source of light, the flower has yet to bloom its former glory.
After analyzing potential causes hindering the flower's growth, he understood why.
The flower is isolated by itself in its own expansive yet vacant flower bed.
He frowned. It must be because it's lonely.
It'll be all right, he assured. He'll make the flower open up and show how wonderful the world is. It just needs to be showered with love and care.
The boy protects the single red flower from the harsh weather, be it snow, torrential rain, tempests, or the intense glare of the heat. He waters it and feeds it food.
After some time, the flower blossomed.
He was happy. Perhaps now that it has finally opened up, it can live to be strong and kind with the help of other flowers, this time with a revived mission.
He hears his name being called.
Eyes reflecting the sunlight shining on wet grassy blades of April showers gaze into him with familial love and warmth. Her smile graces her lips as she called out his name.
He jogs up to her. His hand reaches out for her gentle warm one.
Orange embers burn the palms of his hands.
The world around him went up in red flames.
Charred remains of a girl's arm was all that remained in his hand. It was cold, yet the fire dancing around his black hand is hot.
It was then the boy realized...
He crushed the precious red flower he loved with his own hands.
...
Despite the heat of his flames surrounding him, Kaen was cold. His heart, if Infernals still had one, was cold. No matter how much he tried to fan his flames, the heat will never reach.
In the narrow tunnels stood an Infernal the size of a toddler. This Infernal was peculiar in that its husk is not actively burning alive like most. Instead, the flames were behind beady round eye sockets. Otherwise, it would have been a simple black silhouette walking on land. A harmless presence it may seem.
He tried to listen for any source of noise. There was nothing, not even the beating of his heart drumming in his ears. Only darkness, silence, solitude, and flames were his company.
'Sister... Where are you?'
He longed for his elder sister's touch, much less a human's. Yet with his burning vessel, everyone will only avoid him like the plague. Whatever he touches will set itself ablaze and became ashes.
He couldn't even remember what happened on that day. One moment he had his sister in his grip, the next a white light that engulfed him whole.
When he woke up, he had found himself somewhere deep in an underground tunnel. It was a labyrinth of train tracks and forks in the road, yet no trains ran in and out. An abandoned tunnel, perhaps?
Orange beady eyes quivered. He wanted to yowl and cry his tears out, but with a body like his, no tears would come to existence. Only fire, fire, and fire. No one will come over and swipe his tears away. No one will embrace him and rub circles on his back as he continued to sob miserably.
'I'm so scared.'
Kaen never once spoke in the abandoned realm of pitch black. He hated how guttural and almost monstrous his voice was. It was nothing like a child's. What would his big sis think of him now? Would she still want him back? Is she scared of him now that he's an Infernal? Would she hate him for inflicting a scar that will never heal with time?
Kaen was scared of seeing the latter of his sister's reaction. He wanted to see her yet dreads being rejected by his family.
He peered into the black tunnel. What purpose is there to rise to the surface graced by the Sun God's light? People will scream at him and hunt him down. He doesn't want that.
Kaen reverts his gaze from the tunnel to curl himself up into a ball. He wonders what his family is doing right now. Is there a search party on the move for him? Are his parents and sister restless without securing his safety?
He could have searched for them but he doesn't know where he is. He could have been swept to the other side of Tokyo for all he knew.
Kaen has been wandering the abyss for what feels like years. What time of day is it outside? What Solar year is it now?
He had lost sense of time. At this point, he didn't bother. Does it matter to an Infernal creature like him now? He would burn forever while everyone else ages and dies old. Time on his body ceased the moment he spontaneously combusted.
The Infernal wondered if this is what immortality feels like? Loneliness, boredom, exhaustion... Who would want to achieve such unbearable pain?
Kaen's hearing senses perked up. Footsteps. They're coming this way. Fast.
The little Infernal grows bigger in size -an ability he never thought he could do as an Infernal- into an adult man before leaping onto a wall and bounced from the soles of his feet into another wall and flees away in a zigzag. He's grateful having the quirk of immense speed as an Infernal. As a human he would have been caught on the spot.
Fortunately, his pursuers must have abandoned the chase as silence returned. Kaen looked both ways for any surprise attacks before slowly settling on the floor, shrinking back to original size.
During his time in the underground train network, there are strangers in white that sometimes wander around these parts. His instincts, whether born from his human body or an Infernal's body, told him they were people he should not come in contact with. They all possessed some kind of pyrokinetic powers like some people in the Fire Force. Thankfully his speed and instincts allow him to run before they could catch up.
He did encounter some clearly dangerous people who have powers that can place a target on his back, such as the one with a sniping arrow technique and scary masked individuals who seem to be intent on clearing any sign of life that stands in their path. They were all so terrifying! He just wanted to sleep in peace. Was that so much to ask?
Kaen's Infernal presence must have alerted them because there are a lot more booby traps that ward trespassers away from their territory than usual. The first time he learned of them was by pure luck when he almost accidentally tripped on a wire that unleashed arrows from the walls. He supposed his flames could easily burn the traps into a crisp before they could hit him.
The boy looked around and crawled into a crevice perfect for his size. He entered and took shelter underneath some rubble that conveniently formed almost like a house for him.
This may be a good spot to sleep. Infernals may not require sleep to restore energy, but this is the one time he can run away from reality and dive into his dreams. He could also see his family behind them. That's why he has always opted to sleep given the opportunity. His instincts would ring alarm bells when he senses someone approaching.
Kaen closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, an orange and black dimension replaced the tunnel. Black flames gently drifted about the deep orange space.
He looked to his palms. They were no longer black and lit on fire. What he sees are his own two human hands with skin and fingernails.
Reddish brown eyes lift upwards.
"Big sis...?"
A young woman with long cascading scarlet red hair that could almost wrap her entire body gazed at him with a neutral expression, vivid green eyes boring through him with unfamiliarity.
"Wrong. This is simply the form of the person you envisioned. Unfortunately, I'm not the one you're truly looking for."
Kaen crestfallen. "Then who are you? This is a dream, right? Why do you look like my sister?"
Kasai(?) said impassively, "I have no form to assume. Hence, I shaped myself into the person you think of the most. As for myself, I'm no one you should bother remembering. I'm not here to make friends with a human boy."
Kaen blinked. "But I want to know your name at least, since it sounds like we're gonna see each other a lot."
Kasai(?) seemed to ponder about it. "...My name is Enma."
He smiled. "Nice to meet you, Enma. Did you need something from me?"
Enma nodded. "Actually, yes. I have a mission. To do that, I need the vessel of a sentient Infernal who is also free of impurities. You just happened to fit the bill."
Kaen tilted his head. "Does that mean I'm more unique than normal Infernals?"
"Yes. Perhaps a specimen would be the right term..." Enma scrutinized him. A mysterious cloud fogged their eyes beneath long eyelashes before they said, "You roll with this whole thing, huh."
"I do?"
They were quiet. "You don't suspect me, human?"
"My sis tells me to be careful of strangers, but you're not scary like the people in white. I trust you more than anyone here, at least." Kaen said, eyes placing complete trust in the mysterious person.
Enma's eyelids fell. His soul is as gentle as a candle flame. Calm and unwavering. "Your soul is not telling me otherwise. All right. I'll be your company from here on, so deal with having me around."
Kaen smiles widely. "No problem! I'm happy to have a friend to talk to. I was really lonely..."
Enma wondered why this human child was advocated into becoming an Infernal. Already in the first meeting they can tell his heart remains strong from the evils of this hell despite being sadden by the prospect of isolation. Despite his fears, his light is still shining beneath it. What could be the source behind that?
"I told you we're not friends. Your thought process is rather simplistic if you believe friendships are all sunshine and rainbows." Enma told him.
"I just thought we're gonna be together for a while, so we might as well start off as friends than enemies, right?"
Enma's eyes narrowed. He is also optimistic despite his circumstances. How naive. How pitifully naive and innocent the child of man can be. They suppose this boy is spoiled and safeguarded by his family, particularly his sister he speaks so highly of.
Yet, there is also underlying knowledge and awareness hidden beyond the light of his wide eyes. He has seen much yet so little, it astounds them to know this little boy will become a fearsome vessel.
"So what can I do to help? What's your mission anyway?" Kaen asked.
"My mission...is similar to yours."
"Like mine...?"
Enma nodded. "Like you have your sibling, I have my kin to protect. Considering your vessel as it is now, you need to become strong. To become stronger, I'll need you to feed off the flames of lust this world's inhabitants are emitting constantly."
Flames of lust? Kin? They've been going on about "vessels" that he assumed he would be their host to replace his conscience. What would they accomplish from that?
Despite the several questions floating in his mind, Kaen's brows rose. "I don't get it but how exactly do I do that?"
"It's simple. To put it straight, eat fire. I prefer for you to consume different kinds of flames of each and every humans. Eating the same kind for a while will be weak...experience points. It's not productive." Enma explained. "Fortunately, this underground is the perfect site swarming with those humans in white."
Kaen paled a little. "I thought I wouldn't have to get involved, but now I have to..."
As an Infernal, he can absorb flames and make them his own. He's capable of that. However, he can get killed by those scary people.
As though they read his mind, Enma assured him, "You need not to engage in combat. Simply keep a safe distance. Let them come to you and you'll be able absorb their flames."
"But I don't know how to defend myself. I'm only good at running away..." Kaen hung his head, ashamed.
Enma continued patiently, "Do not worry. If you surrender your consciousness to me, I will take the reins. You will not have any memory during that period, but know that I cannot guarantee you will come out unscathed. I cannot feel pain in your vessel, but you will afterwards."
They frowned. "Unfortunately, I am incapable of givng you healing powers. It is not in my nature. Are you still willing to lend me your assistance despite the pain and suffering soon to come?"
Kaen was quiet.
"I understand... but to eat fire, though? I've never done that before." Kaen grimaced. His digestive system is just charcoal now. He doesn't need to eat or drink to survive.
The last thing he ate was an apple before he fell victim to the flames. He'll never get to eat his favorite fruit ever again.
Enma stared. "You may hate fire, you may fear them, but know for certain that these flames are your powers now. Instead of lamenting the evil fire brings, make your flames the way you wish to use. Project your resolve into them, and they will be used to protect instead."
A sudden weight loomed over Kaen as he felt his eyelids droop.
"Fire is the origin of life. It creates yet destroys; a double-edged sword. Wield the sword and swing the blade you wish to use with your ideals. Your might will be stronger than any that dare to sever your bonds."
He closes his eyes.
"That, is the lust you will pursue to the ends of hell..."
...
Random Trivia Corner - Kaen's favorite animal is reptiles, particularly chameleons.
Name Trivia Corner
Enma means "true flame" in Japanese.
I'll take advantage of this rather short chapter to answer some review questions and other things.
Q and A Corner
Q: Will Kasai use her powers similar to how Bakugou from My Hero Academia uses his explosion quirk?
A: Yes and no. Kasai is not discount Bakugou, in terms of powers. She uses her flames to fly and shoot them from her palms, but she can't exactly create a blast like Bakugou. And yes I'm aware both have sweaty palms but that is not intentional.
You know what character should be used as an example in place of Bakugou? Tsunayoshi Sawada aka Tsuna from Katekyo Hitman Reborn. Dude is flighty and fights with his gloved fists lit on fire. In fact, I was inspired by this character's abilities more so than Bakugou. Freaking Bakugou.
(Also KHR is super underrated please give it a watch if you haven't. It requires patience for the first 20 something episodes as they introduce characters and are just gags, but the manga was originally created with that intention until the shonen genre potential was discovered that the author changed directions at that point. Story picks up a lot from there. Also character development.)
There's also Rekka we have to discuss about, but that's a story saved for the near future.
Q: Will Kasai and/or Kaen get Adolla burst and Adolla Link?
A: I can't say. I don't want to add another Pillar to the list as it is since I feel that's putting too much spotlight on my OCs. I intend to write them with the thought process of "This is the OC's story, not a mere 'what if' story" where you simply slap an extra character into canon plot and have them replace other character's dialogue. This is a new approach for me so I try not to make things scripted word for word in the plot. I realized that's a dangerous thing to follow, especially in OC fics.
Basically, there will definitely be Adolla Links since that was unavoidable for my OCs. With bursts, I don't know, honestly. I hope not.
Q: Any arcs/characters we should expect will have interesting developments/interactions with Kasai (or Kaen)?
A: I think this goes without saying, but... I have a bias for Akasuka and Company 7, particularly Shinmon, just as much as the next guy. So yeah, do look forward to that in the near future.
Q: Are the lengthy chapters (at least for Kasai's side of the story) guaranteed to be 5k plus words for every update?
A: Ha, funny since 5 is a magic number for this fic. I'd like to write that much since I as a reader hate short chapters with little context or anything new to provide, so I would like to keep it above that range.