The lava did not calm after saving Ashmita.
Instead…
It began to move.
At first, it was only a ripple — like a silent breath beneath the molten surface.
Then it rose.
Slowly.
Gracefully.
As if answering an ancient call.
Agni instinctively stepped back, pulling Ashmita slightly behind him. The air grew warmer, but strangely… no longer suffocating.
Before their astonished eyes, the glowing lava gathered itself — stretching upward, shaping into something almost human.
Arms.
A torso.
A face.
Within moments…
A figure stood before them.
Its body shimmered like molten gold and fire, faint blue streaks flowing through it like veins.
Then—
It bowed.
Deeply.
Before Ashmita.
"I am honoured… to have protected you, Ma'am."
Its voice sounded warm. Ancient. Like embers whispering inside a sacred flame.
"I am Dibhakar… Guardian of the Fire Element."
Agni's grip tightened.
Ashmita stepped forward, her voice soft but steady.
"Protector… of fire?"
Dibhakar nodded.
"I was created by Master Pranay himself."
The name echoed heavily in the ruins.
"I was entrusted with a sacred duty… to guard the final spark of Nilagni — the Blue Flame."
Agni's breath caught.
"The prophecy spoke of this night," Dibhakar continued.
"If the seal of Rudy ever weakened… a chosen youth would awaken the flames."
"But Rudy's followers…"
His molten gaze dimmed slightly.
"…hunt flame wielders. They extinguish them before they can rise."
He looked at Agni.
"Yet even if a single spark survives… the flame can be reborn."
Agni remembered the moment the blue flames wrapped around him.
"When you awakened your fire," Dibhakar said,
"You absorbed not only the flames of this ruin…"
"…but the hidden spark of Dev's Nilagni."
The ruins fell silent.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
"The prophecy has begun."
"In one… or two years…"
"…the seal will break."
Ashmita's fingers instinctively curled into Agni's sleeve.
"Then how do we stop him?" she asked.
Dibhakar replied calmly,
"You must weaken Rudy before resealing him."
"You must fight without pause."
"You must never give him time to recover."
"And for that…"
"You must train."
His molten form flickered slightly.
"My duty ends tonight."
"I cannot guide you further."
"But your path is clear."
He raised a glowing hand.
"Go to the Elemental Academy of Japan."
"There you will find two Grandmasters…"
"Descendants of Dev and Pranay's direct disciples."
"One commands the Black Flames."
"The other is a master of the katana."
Agni frowned.
"A sword?"
Dibhakar's voice deepened.
"Rudy is not just a tyrant…"
"He is a master swordsman."
"To defeat him…"
"You must become one too."
The glow around him began to fade.
"My purpose… is complete."
And with that—
Dibhakar dissolved into drifting sparks…
And vanished forever.
---
The Next Morning
After the longest night of their lives, Agni and Ashmita returned home.
The silence of the car ride felt unreal.
Ashmita's house — once familiar and warm — now felt like the last peaceful place before war.
There, they met Rohit.
Ashmita's father.
A renowned martial artist whose calm presence filled the room.
Agni told him everything.
Arthur.
The ruins.
The flames.
The prophecy.
Rudy.
Rohit listened quietly.
Not interrupting once.
Then he stood.
"I will arrange your journey."
By the next morning—
Their flight to Japan was ready.
Before leaving, Rohit placed a firm hand on Agni's shoulder.
"Protect her."
Agni nodded.
Without hesitation.
---
Arrival in Japan
When they arrived—
They were stunned.
Nearly fifteen people stood waiting at the airport.
Ashmita—
Descendant of Pranay—
Was welcomed like royalty.
Some bowed.
A luxury car waited nearby.
Before they entered—
A confident young man approached.
The youngest son of the Elemental Academy.
With a playful smile, he attempted to charm Ashmita.
But—
Agni's silent glare stopped him instantly.
He stepped back.
And said nothing more.
---
The Elemental Academy
The Academy stood like a temple of power.
Ancient.
Majestic.
Alive.
The very air felt different.
At its gates stood the Grandmasters:
Rajesh — wielder of the Black Flames.
Rakesh — master of the Katana.
They welcomed Ashmita warmly.
But soon—
They began arguing.
Over where she would stay.
Before the argument could grow—
A girl arrived.
Confident.
Sharp-eyed.
Graceful.
"I'm Yagnika," she said with a calm smile.
"She can stay with me."
Ashmita asked gently,
"What about Agni?"
Yagnika replied casually,
"He can stay too."
Agni froze.
Blushed.
But agreed.
---
A Hidden Presence
As Agni stepped inside the academy—
Rajesh and Rakesh suddenly went silent.
Their expressions changed.
Shock.
Disbelief.
Concern.
They had sensed it.
His aura.
And within it—
The spark of Nilagni.
To be continued…