No matter what happens in this world, conflict will always exist. Where there is good, there is evil. Light and dark, Lux and Tenebris, two sides of a coin that will always be there to counterbalance each other.

Like Silverain, I am a Wayfarer of the Path of Tenebris. What does that mean? From what I could gather, it is one of the two rarest and most powerful Paths of the Logos, right next to the Path of Lux. However, there is a difference.

Madam Claire was a great and powerful woman who was loved by all. Silverain, on the other hand... She told me that she was always on the run. From who? I have no idea.

So, it can be deduced that Madam Claire was considered 'good' while Silverain was considered 'evil.' I suppose that makes me evil as well, but how can that be when the person standing before me fits that title much more?

"I will ask you again, child," Kain said. "Who are you? And what path do you follow."

"Need I remind you that you attempted to strike me first, Bishop?" I muttered. "That makes us no less than enemies. Is there a reason why I should give myself away?"

"Because if you don't, then you will burn, and I will personally see to it."

"Hah..."

I took a step forward, my fingers tightening around the handle of my sword. If I feel the need to draw my blade, then I must draw it. If I find myself questioning what is right and wrong, then I must trust my own judgment.

This is the path that Silverain set me on. For her sake and my own, I will follow it diligently. That's all I can do anyway.

"They say those who follow the Path of Ignis are driven by passion, determination, and desire to achieve their goals," I said. "You, Bishop Kain, have portrayed that flawlessly. But, did you know..."

I pulled my sword to the side and knelt. With a push, I dashed across the road, pointing the tip of the blade directly at Kain.

Right as it was about to hit, a wall of flames burst into existence, blocking my strike. Immediately, the flames dispersed outwards, forcing me to stumble back to avoid its touch. However, I was not deterred. This man is powerful, but not as powerful as Silverain.

I let out a brief sigh and finished my sentence. "The Paths of the Logos are only as clear as the minds of the person who walks upon its hollowed trails."

His eyes sprung wide open, as if he knew exactly where those words came from.

"You... How do you know that phrase...?" he grumbled.

"Kill me and find out."

In anger, a burst of flame converged on his hand, forming the shape of a staff. Thereafter, he quickly swung it, sending forth a series of fire bolts, all of which were aiming straight at me.

I took a step to the side, narrowly dodging one, before I swung, spun around, and swung again, dispelling another two. I was in no position to dodge or cut the last one, so I raise the face of my blade in front of me. The fire bolt slammed against it, pushing me back a couple of steps.

"Everyone! Run!" I shouted.

Screams and frightened cries quickly filled the air as the surrounding spectators dispersed in panic.

Immediately after, I felt a sudden shift in the wind. I quickly swung my blade just in time to deflect an incoming fire bolt, but instead of cutting through, it flew off and exploded a nearby building.

"How benevolent you are to worry about these useless rats while facing me," Kain chuckled. "Your path... Do you perhaps follow the Path of Lux? Ah..."

He glanced over at the priest whose leg I slashed off.

"No, that would be impossible," he scoffed. "Being able to slash my magic, a power that was granted to me by my lord, and reduce it to nothing. Oh? The Path of Tenebris?"

My hands subconsciously tightened. Did he figure it out that quickly?

"Ahahaha!" Kain suddenly burst into laughter. "Ah, what am I saying? Of course you don't follow the Path of Tenebris. No... You could never. You're far too weak compared to 'her.' Hm... How interesting."

"Her...?"

"Ah, dear me. I'm afraid I've rambled on for far too long!"

From his staff, a spiraling beam of fire shot at me. Given no time to react, I could only hold my sword in front of me as the fire split all around me, pushing me back, and driving me to a wall.

Slowly, the handle of my sword grew hotter, eventually burning my fingers, and yet, I didn't let go. With all my might, I pushed back until I was able to finally cut straight through. A visible disconnection in the center of the pillar of flames formed, propelling right back at Kain and knocking him away.

I drove my sword into the ground and fell to my knees, letting out heavy gasps. This is dangerous. Silverain trained me to withstand moments like these. I could mess up as much as I wanted, and she would stop to correct me.

However, to experience the real thing firsthand is something entirely different. There is no mercy. There is no holding back. There are no second chances. Whatever happens here will leave a lasting impression.

The realization hit me harder than I thought it would. If I mess up here... I could actually die.

"Well, well..." Kain smirked. "You might actually turn out to be a challenge. Then... Shall I get serious for just a moment?"

The surrounding atmosphere became obscured by invisible waves as the air grew extremely hot. Kain's emerald eyes suddenly sprung aglow with a bright hue of deep red. His blonde hair was swept by the wind, the tip of every end flowing like flames.

"I call upon the source of my determination..." his raspy voice chanted. "Take me as your vessel and pierce through the heavens of those who dare to stand against us. Ignite my heart against all odds, O' ambitious Logos of Ignis!"

His entire body was set ablaze as he slowly lifted from the ground. Strands of fiery bolts whisked around him like a vortex. The earth scorched beneath him, turning dirt to blackened sand.

"Witness the power of my god, knave!" Kain shouted at the top of his lungs.

With his hands raised, a massive orb of fire took to the skies above him, growing larger with each passing second. Eventually, it exploded, revealing an intimidating phoenix. Each time it flapped its wings, a heavy gust of wind pushed away the heat, only for it to come back two times hotter.

What the hell...? Silverain taught me how to cut through the magic of the Logos, but never one that large.

Nonetheless, I lifted my sword and held it steady, though my body... As much as I hate to admit it, it was shaking.

"I gave you a chance, and you refused to take it, just like Madam Claire," Kain said. "Then you will suffer the same ultimate end as she did!"

He lowered his hand, and the phoenix soared through the air, before plunging right from above me. I lifted my sword, turning the blade to face the sky.

As soon as the beak of the bird touched it, I was instantly overwhelmed. Its devastating power forced me to my knees. The ground beneath me crumbled, forming a crater. The flames from its blazing body cascaded and burned my skin as they went.

Such power... I had my doubts, but I'm starting to wonder... Is he really stronger than Silverain? She was always my opponent during our sparring sessions. I know she took it easy on me, but never once have I been this deterred.

It hurts. It hurts so much... but I can't let go. I can't die just yet! I want to see Silverain again, but more than anything right now, I have to protect Blanc. If I die here, then there will be no one left to protect her, and she'll have to go through that hell all over again.

No... I can't let that happen.

"I refuse!" I shouted at the top of my lungs.

When I opened my eyes, the village had disappeared, replaced by an infinite space filled with the brightest stars. A crack split open right in front of me, followed by another one to the left. They opened at the same time, and it became clear that those cracks were eyes. Gleaming red like a newly born nebula, they glared at me for a moment.

Before I could even think, the eyes blinked once, and the colossal figure erupted from the deepest red flames. There stood a burning titan with hair flowing like a sea of fire. His hand, gloriously blazing, floated beneath me. Those piercing eyes, still ablaze, were squinted as if peering into my soul.

I couldn't even fathom it. The books I've read were but a simple depiction of what the Logos looked like. This is... He's...

My vision cleared. The titan was gone, and the village was back. Suddenly yet so swiftly, the phoenix cried out, before it exploded into a violent firestorm.

What heat was there before was now a warming sensation upon my skin. The pain in my body quickly subsided, allowing me to stand up straight once more. My grip around the sword was tighter than ever before, and from it, a trail of fire arose, yet it served no purpose but to welcome me back to the battlefield.

My attention turned back to Kain, who merely stood there was a dumbfounded expression. His eyes were trembling, and his teeth were gritting.

"You... Why...?" he muttered, but that quickly turned to psychotic wails. "Why... Why, why? Why?! Why has my lord set his eyes upon you?!"