Immediately after the 7 sages asked to speak about the strategy to protect the ritual, Ignira stepped forward confidently. Before speaking she took out her fiery whip dancing like a living flame around her, her red hair coiled tightly like a dancing flame.
“Revered Sages, there is no one alive who can match the speed and precision of my fire spells. With each wave of my whip, I can summon an unending torrent of fire spells that will rain down on the demons. Not a single foul creature will come within a hundred feet of the sacred fire.
My pets, evolved in the heart of the Eternal Volcano, will guard all four directions with impenetrable vigilance.” She announced in a confident tone.
She then turned her sharp gaze to Kent, smirking. “I will take my place in the skies, wielding my power as a daughter of the Fire God. While I’m in the sky, who can approach the ritual? My name alone strikes terror in the hearts of demons. Who better to defend your sacred ritual?”
The Seven Eternal Sages murmured softly among themselves, impressed by her confidence.
The second sage with a beard as white as snow, turned toward Kent. “And what of you, Kent? What methods will you use to protect the ritual?”
Kent looked at Ignira in the eye before addressing the sages. “My methods may lack the flash of a fire whip, but I promise you they will be more effective.”
He paused, drawing a breath. “I will construct an arrow roof in the sky, above the entire sacred area, a protective barrier that no demon can breach. Each arrow will be imbued with nirvanic flame energy to neutralize any approaching threat. The divine chakra given by war god will stand sentinel over the ritual fire, ensuring no harm comes to it.”
Kent’s hand moved to the quiver strapped to his back, a faint golden glow emanating from it. “This quiver contains unlimited asthra, celestial arrows capable of overwhelming even the strongest demon forces. I swear to you, revered sages, on my life, I will protect the ritual. Not a single mistake will be made under my watch.”
The sages exchanged glances, their expressions solemn. Clearly, both Ignira and Kent were formidable in their own ways.
Before they could speak, Ignira stepped forward, her voice laced with mockery. “Bold promises, mortal,” she sneered. “But have you considered the consequences of failure? If even one demon breaches your so-called ‘arrow roof,’ you’ll face not just defeat but the eternal curses of these 7 sages. Are you prepared for such a price?”
Kent smirked, unfazed by her words. “You seem awfully worried about failure for someone so certain of their superiority. Perhaps you fear the old gods will favor me over you.”
Ignira’s eyes flared with fire, literal sparks dancing around her. “You insolent—”
“Enough!” The booming voice of the 3rd sage silenced them both. “This bickering serves no purpose. Both of you have proven your capabilities in words, but words alone cannot protect the ritual.”
Another sage, seated beside him, nodded. “We shall conduct a test to determine who is truly worthy.”
Kent and Ignira turned to the sages, their expressions shifting from irritation to curiosity. The eldest of the sages gestured toward a large wooden door at the edge of the sanctuary. “Follow us.”
The group moved silently through the sanctuary. Behind the door lay a vast hall bathed in a golden glow. Thousands of lotus-shaped fire lamps floated in the air, their soft light illuminating the intricate carvings on the walls and ceiling. The lamps swayed gently, as if alive, their flames flickering in unison.
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“This is the Hall of Sacred Fire. Each of these lamps contains a fragment of the old gods’ blessing. Your task is to light as many lamps as possible using your own unique fire. The one who controls the most lamps will be chosen as the protector of the ritual.”
The 1st and old sage stepped forward, his expression grave. “But be warned, these flames are delicate. If even a single lamp is broken, the culprit will be cursed with misfortune that spans lifetimes.”
Ignira smirked, her confidence evident on her face. “This will be over quickly,” she declared, uncoiling her fire whip. The weapon hissed as it ignited, its flames burning with an intensity that made even the air around her shimmer.
Kent, however, remained calm. He extended his hand, summoning a small, ethereal flame. Unlike Ignira’s fierce fire, this one burned quietly, its color a radiant gold tinged with white. It was the Original Nirvanic Flame, a fire so pure it could cleanse the soul.
The nirvanic flame is the life giver like how it appears. Even the sages were surprised to see origin nirvanic flames on the fingertips of a human. Only a righteous heart can cultivate nirvanic fire.
The sages stepped back, giving them space. “Begin,” the eldest sage commanded.
Ignira wasted no time. With a flourish of her whip, she lashed out, her movements precise and fluid. Each strike of the whip released a spark of fire that leaped onto a lamp, igniting it in a vibrant blaze. In mere moments, dozens of lamps fire was replaced with her fiery light.
“Impressive,” one of the sages murmured.
Kent, however, did not rush. He raised his hand, and the Nirvanic Flame expanded, a shimmering wave of gold washing over the lamps. Unlike Ignira’s aggressive method, Kent’s approach was measured and deliberate. The flame seemed to dance gently over the lamps, lighting them with a serene glow.
The contrast between the two methods was stark. Ignira’s fire was ferocious and commanding, a testament to her lineage as the daughter of the Fire God. Kent’s, however, was tranquil yet unyielding, a reflection of his inner resolve.
The sages observed in silence, their expressions unreadable. Ignira’s whip cracked again and again, her fire spreading rapidly. Kent continued his steady advance, his Nirvanic Flame lighting lamp after lamp with a quiet efficiency.
Soon, Kent’s flame began replacing Ignira’s fire also. She gritted her teeth angrily and tried to replace Kent’s fire. But her time wasted and Kent’s progress was rapid.
As the test progressed, the tension in the room grew. Ignira glanced at Kent out of the corner of her eye, her smirk fading. Despite her speed, Kent’s method was catching up to hers and dominating her, the Nirvanic Flame illuminating more lamps with each passing second.
“Getting nervous?” Kent asked, his voice calm but laced with subtle mockery.
“Do want to die?” Ignira snapped, lashing her whip with renewed vigor. “Let’s see if your delicate flames can keep up.”
The Nirvanic Flame surged forward, igniting another wave of lamps. The room was soon filled with a mesmerizing display of light—the fierce red of Ignira’s fire clashing with the serene gold of Kent’s.
Finally, the last lamp was lit. The sages stepped forward, their faces reflecting the glow of the flames. “Enough,” the elder sage said. “We shall now tally the results.”
Both Kent and Ignira stepped back, their breaths steady but their gazes locked in a silent challenge. Both Gold and red lights seemed equal. As the sages began their count, the Ignira held her breath, awaiting the final verdict.
–
Thank you…