Sorry it's so late folks, I've been busy with the start off of the new year, but I'm back now and ready to get going with the next chapter of Burning Embers. In this chapter, Class VII pushes forward through the old school house. For all of you wondering, next chapter will see the boss fight of the orienteering exercise and the conclusion of the prologue.
Anyway, show on the road time!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Trails Series, like at all. Even one iota.
CHAPTER FOUR: THE INFERNAL PHOENIX
After leaving the girls to continue their journey through the catacombs of the old schoolhouse, Kyutaro returned to his own navigation of the space, his crimson gaze taking in every amount of detail he could into his memory as he advanced back along the route he'd chosen. If his analysis was correct, he had to assume that he was about halfway through the chosen area right now. He highly doubted that the instructor would expect them to navigate the entire place. Thanks to a quick play around with the ARCUS units they'd been given, Kyutaro had mapped out most of the available area.
He doubted he'd have known to do it had it not been for his unique circumstances - he quickly pushed the thought down, not wanting to think about that right now. As Kyutaro continued through the dim corridors of the old schoolhouse, his focus sharpened. The faint light cast long shadows, and he moved with purpose, each step measured. The structure had a strange, almost organic feel—like it wasn't entirely built for its current purpose. The silence pressed in, broken only by the soft hum of the ARCUS unit at his side.
He brought up the map again, taking a moment to review his progress. The holographic display flickered faintly, showing a rough layout of the paths he had traveled. It was incomplete, but it gave him an advantage—something he intended to maximize. The others might still be finding their footing, but he had no intention of wasting time.
His crimson gaze flicked to an unexplored branch of the dungeon. Uncertainty lingered there—a blank spot on the map. "Might as well fill it in," he muttered under his breath, pivoting toward the unknown.
The air grew cooler as he pressed deeper into the passage. He slowed, his senses on high alert as a faint sound reached him—stone grinding against stone. His steps halted, his eyes narrowing. Something was nearby.
A low growl rumbled through the space, and a monstrous figure emerged from the shadows. The creature was massive, its body covered in sinewy muscle. Its claws gleamed in the dim light, and its glowing eyes locked onto him with predatory intent.
Kyutaro's stance shifted subtly, his posture loose yet ready. His gaze remained steady, watching every movement the creature made. "Alright, then," he murmured, his tone calm but laced with challenge. "Let's see what you've got."
The beast charged, its claws tearing at the ground as it lunged toward him. Kyutaro sidestepped, the movement fluid and effortless, leaving the monster to crash into the wall behind him. Dust and debris filled the air, but he didn't flinch. His eyes tracked the creature, calculating its next move.
When the beast recovered and spun toward him, Kyutaro was already moving. His footwork was precise, every step designed to keep him just out of reach while studying the monster's patterns. It swiped again, claws slicing through empty air as he ducked low and darted to the side.
He didn't attack—not yet. Instead, he waited, allowing the creature's frustration to grow with each missed strike. Its movements became more reckless, its focus narrowing in its desperation to land a hit.
Kyutaro's smirk was faint, almost imperceptible. "You're tiring yourself out," he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
It launched itself at him in a final, clumsy lunge. Kyutaro stepped aside with a fluid motion, almost casual, and the creature's momentum carried it into the wall. The impact reverberated through the chamber, and the beast slumped to the ground with a pitiful whimper, exploding into particles a moment later.
As the beast dissolved into particles, Kyutaro didn't even pause to acknowledge its defeat. The victory felt as hollow as the echo of his footsteps down the corridor.
These low-level monsters were a bore, an exercise like this wasn't designed for someone like him; they were playgrounds for amateurs. And yet, here he was, forced to waste his time with it like some...rookie. What in Gehenna was Theo thinking, sending him here? Sighing to himself, Kyutaro's gaze moved back down to the map screen of his ARCUS.
As the monster dissolved into particles, Kyutaro didn't even pause to acknowledge its defeat. It was over too quickly, the creature too predictable. Low-level monsters were nothing more than a nuisance, and he was sick of dealing with them.
This is a waste of time, he thought, his gaze flicking over the dissipating cloud of golden particles. I'm not here to clean up the garbage. I should be handling something more… substantial.
He exhaled softly, irritation gnawing at the edges of his mind. He had trained for years, honed his skills on challenges far more difficult than this. And yet, here he was, stuck chasing down weaklings in a dungeon designed for first-year students. Theo probably expected this to be some sort of "lesson." He shook his head. I don't need lessons. I've already been through the hardest training imaginable.
He scanned the corridor once more, the brief flicker of his ARCUS map telling him he was still on track. His eyes narrowed. Why am I wasting my time here?
Another long sigh escaped him. He was here for a reason—he had his mission. But the monotony was grating. His thoughts drifted back to the fight, the way the beast had barreled toward him, the way it seemed to lose its mind after a few missed strikes. He couldn't help but feel the familiar burn of impatience. It's just… too easy. This isn't why I'm here. This isn't the kind of challenge I wanted.
A bitter chuckle escaped his lips. I'm being ridiculous. The others will need me to guide them through this. They'll need to see someone like me get through the obstacles without breaking a sweat. And yet, I'm wasting my energy on this.
He clenched his fist, the calmness of his outward demeanor contrasting sharply with the boiling frustration inside. Why am I letting this get to me?
Kyutaro's gaze turned to the path ahead, eyes hardening. Focus. Finish the job. You can deal with this later.
He straightened, forcing his thoughts back in line. He was here to work, not to indulge in the frustrations of someone who'd already seen too much. Every step forward was another one closer to the finish line, another task completed. If he let the trivial things get under his skin, it would only slow him down.
Dammit Theo, a school of all places? Enough of this. Let's move forward.
The holographic display flickered as it updated, revealing unexplored paths ahead. Kyutaro pressed on, his movements measured, his thoughts guarded. Each step carried him farther from the beast—and from the memories he refused to entertain. He didn't need reminders of the life he left behind, not here, not now.
Kyutaro moved through the corridors of the old schoolhouse, his steps purposeful, each one calculated as he moved deeper into the labyrinth. The low hum of his ARCUS unit was the only sound, casting its faint light on the stone walls.
As he rounded a corner, a figure leaned against the stone, silver hair spilling over her shoulders—Fie Claussell. She had her eyes closed, her posture relaxed as if she were waiting for something, or perhaps simply passing time.
Kyutaro stopped in his tracks. He had expected to be alone—he'd been careful, deliberate. But Fie was already there, far ahead of the others. The faintest noise from his approach caught her attention, but she didn't react, only turning her eyes toward him.
"Claussell," he greeted, his voice cool but not unfriendly.
Fie didn't answer immediately. She simply opened one eye, taking him in with a quick glance before closing it again. "Didn't expect you to be back here," she muttered with a faint shrug, her tone disinterested. "Thought you'd be moving ahead."
Kyutaro tilted his head slightly, the faintest trace of a smile crossing his face. "Same as you, I'm sure. Just doubling back, making sure we didn't miss anything."
"Mm." Fie's lips quirked, her voice dripping with casual indifference. "Sure. That's what they all say. No harm in making sure." She opened both eyes now, studying him with an unblinking gaze, her attention sharp, almost calculating. "You move like someone who's got something to prove, though. Interesting."
Kyutaro didn't flinch, his expression remaining neutral. "I'm here for Class VII's orienteering exercise."
Fie's gaze didn't waver. She shifted slightly, leaning ever so slightly toward him, as if weighing his every word. "Mm. Doubt I'd be fooling you either. You don't seem like the type to get distracted by something like this. Not with... your experience."
Her voice was light, but there was a bite to it. Experience. The word hung in the air between them, like an accusation, something she could see clearly but never fully name. Kyutaro tightened his jaw, but kept his posture cool.
"Whatever you say," Fie added, her voice flat, though there was a slight curve to her lips—more a shadow of a smile than an expression of amusement. "But you know, the way you move... it's obvious you've been through a lot. Nothing about you screams 'rookie.' Not even close."
Kyutaro's fingers twitched involuntarily. He wanted to respond, but something in her gaze held him back. There was no malice in her words—just an observant, almost calculating curiosity. It felt different than the usual suspicion. Different than the curiosity of someone trying to figure out his game.
The silence stretched between them. Then Fie broke it, her voice as casual as before, but now laced with something sharper, more pointed.
"You're the Infernal Phoenix, aren't you?" she said, her eyes narrowing, a subtle shift in her tone that didn't go unnoticed. Her gaze slid down his figure, sizing him up like a predator.
Kyutaro froze for the briefest moment. Her words struck a nerve, but he didn't let it show. She had recognized him, and not just as another student. His past, his title—it was something that had followed him, even here. His gaze shifted, but his posture didn't change.
Fie's smirk grew ever so slightly, the faintest sign of amusement. "I wasn't born yesterday," she said, her voice flat as she pushed off from the wall, making a casual motion to continue down the corridor. "Keep that in mind."
Kyutaro stood motionless, watching her walk away into the shadows, her steps silent and purposeful. The weight of her words lingered in the air, and he exhaled quietly, his thoughts racing.
She knew. Not everything, but enough.
He could feel the weight of her gaze on him even now, but for a moment, he allowed himself to pause. So much for flying under the radar. With a quiet sigh, he resumed his path through the catacombs, the uncertainty of her words echoing in the back of his mind.
[x][x]-[x][x]
Meanwhile, at a different place within the catacombs, Rean, Elliot and Gaius maintained their advance through the network beneath the old schoolhouse, while not moving as quickly as some of the other groups they were still making steady progress. Rean privately thought that the three of them had a good dynamic. They'd not really talked about placement but he and Gaius naturally drifted toward the front while Elliot offered support from the rear. The three of them had sort of naturally slotted together and given how difficult things had been ever since he'd arrived at Thors today something falling into place nicely felt like a reprieve.
Rean had no delusions that the rest of this orienteering exercise was going to be easy but the fact the three of them worked together so well felt like an unexpected boon when you looked at how some of the others in the class functioned. Machias and Jusis had clashed, their issues with each other impacting how they interacted with the exercise and the mysterious red-eyed young man who hadn't even given a name going off on his own like this entire activity was beneath him.
Rean, Elliot and Gaius pulled infront of their next challenge, A gleaming, golden-hued beetle with a hard, coin-like carapace. Its chitinous body glistens with metallic luster, giving it an almost treasure-like appearance. The creature's sturdy build and sharp appendages suggest resilience, while its intricate, angular wings hint at latent agility.
Rean, Elliot, and Gaius pulled up in front of their next challenge—a gleaming, golden-hued beetle with a hard, coin-like carapace. Its chitinous body glistened with metallic luster, giving it an almost treasure-like appearance. The creature's sturdy build and sharp appendages suggested resilience, while its intricate, angular wings hinted at latent agility.
"An insect monster, huh?" Rean asked, tightening his grip on his sword. "Looks like that shell can take a beating, too. Might be tough to take it down."
"Agreed," Gaius said, his spear ready as he stepped into position. "We'll have to keep our wits about us with this one."
"We've gotta give it everything we have—arts and crafts included—and see what works," Elliot voiced, his orbal staff humming faintly with energy.
The beetle clicked its mandibles and charged, moving with startling speed.
"Spread out!" Rean commanded. He darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the beetle's sharp forelegs as they slammed into the ground, sending a spray of dirt into the air.
Gaius moved in from the other side, aiming a precise thrust at one of the creature's legs. His spear connected, but the attack barely fazed the beetle, which skittered sideways and retaliated with a swipe of its clawed limb. Gaius jumped back just in time. "Its armor is thick—attacking the legs might slow it down!"
"Got it!" Rean replied, raising his hand. "Let's try this—Fire Bolt!" A fiery projectile shot from his palm and struck the beetle square in its center. The flames erupted on impact, causing the creature to screech and stumble. "Looks like fire works! Elliot, back us up!"
"On it!" Elliot channeled his energy into an art. "Aqua Bleed!" A concentrated stream of water surged toward the beetle, striking its side. The attack didn't deal as much damage as Rean's fire, but it managed to knock the beetle off balance. "It's not as effective, but I'll keep it distracted!"
The beetle reeled, shaking off the water as two more golden beetles scuttled into view. Their metallic bodies reflected the light as they clicked their mandibles, ready to attack.
"More of them?" Gaius frowned, taking a defensive stance. "We'll need to stay sharp."
"Elliot, focus on supporting us!" Rean said, charging forward. He swung his sword in a wide arc, slashing at one of the new arrivals and forcing it back. "Gaius, let's handle the front line!"
Gaius nodded, thrusting his spear into the underbelly of the second beetle as it lunged. His attack landed with a sickening crunch, causing the creature to stagger before collapsing. "One down!"
The first beetle, still burning from Rean's Fire Bolt, twitched erratically before charging Elliot. "Elliot, watch out!" Rean called.
Elliot stepped back, narrowly dodging the attack. "I'll keep my distance!" He cast Aqua Bleed again, the water attack striking the beetle's legs and slowing its movements. "It's all yours!"
Rean dashed in, his sword glowing faintly with residual fire energy. "This ends now!" He unleashed a precise downward slash, splitting through the weakened carapace of the flaming beetle. The creature screeched one final time before collapsing, its golden luster dimming.
The last beetle lunged at Gaius, its claws swiping furiously. Gaius dodged to the side and drove his spear into its exposed flank, pinning it to the ground. "Now, Rean!"
"Right!" Rean charged forward, delivering a finishing blow that ended the fight. The beetle spasmed before going still, its body joining the others on the ground.
The trio caught their breath as silence returned to the battlefield.
"Whew, that was intense," Elliot said, lowering his staff. "Good thing we figured out its weakness."
Gaius nodded, examining the fallen creatures. "A tough opponent, but teamwork carried the day."
Here's an improved version of that section, enhancing emotional depth, pacing, and tension without altering the dialogue:
Rean sheathed his sword, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Nice work, everyone. Let's keep moving—we're not out of this yet."
As he turned to his companions, his smile quickly faded. Elliot had dropped to one knee, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. His trembling hands gripped his orbal staff tightly, using it to steady himself.
"Elliot, are you okay?" Rean asked, concern cutting through his earlier confidence.
"I don't see any obvious injuries…" Gaius observed, his tone calm but his eyes scanning Elliot for any signs of harm.
"I-I'm okay," Elliot assured them, though his voice was shaky. "I was just so relieved the fight was over, the strength just kinda… left my legs. I'm amazed how calm you two are. You don't seem tired, or worried, or… anything!"
"I guess I'm just used to fighting monsters like this," Gaius stated simply, his grounded demeanor contrasting sharply with Elliot's visible exhaustion.
"You need a hand?" Rean asked, stepping forward with a hand outstretched.
"N-no," Elliot stammered, forcing a smile as he adjusted his grip on the staff. "It was just a momentary lapse on my part. I can get up. Aaaaaand… there we go!"
With a grunt of effort, Elliot managed to pull himself back to his feet, though his movements were unsteady.
"Look out!" Gaius suddenly shouted, his voice sharp and urgent.
"Elliot!" Rean's alarmed cry echoed as the golden glint of another beetle's carapace burst from the shadows, the creature charging straight toward the unsteady healer.
"Look out!" Gaius suddenly exclaimed, his voice sharp and urgent.
"Elliot!" Rean shouted as a golden blur leapt from the shadows. The beetle soared through the air, its mandibles snapping viciously as it hurtled straight toward the unsteady Elliot.
Before it could strike, a sharp crack rang out. A precise shot tore through the beetle mid-flight, and the creature crumpled to the ground, skidding lifelessly just inches from Elliot's feet. Its golden sheen dulled as it lay motionless.
Without hesitation, Rean darted forward, his tachi gleaming in the dim light. With a single precise stroke, he cleaved the coin beetle in two, its pieces scattering before dissolving into shimmering particles. His gaze snapped up, scanning the direction of the shot.
A faint glint of movement caught his eye. The soft crunch of boots against stone followed, and a familiar figure emerged from the shadows. Machias lowered his orbal gun with practiced ease, his expression as stern as ever.
"Thank Aidios I made it in time," he said, his tone clipped but carrying a hint of relief.
End Chapter