Fifth Gate of Hell – Surface
Dragos stood tall before Aria, flas crackling faintly around him.
"I look forward to learning from you," Aria said with a hopeful smile.
He didn’t respond right away. Then, in a calm voice, he said,
"You already know how to produce and control your flas. Now, I’ll teach you fla compression—ignition core."
"Fla compression... ignition core?" Aria repeated, tilting her head.
"It’s the ability to compress your flas into one single point—your heart, your hands, anywhere," he explained.
"Whoa, that’s cool!" she said, eyes shining.
"Don’t get carried away," he warned.
"Yes, sir," she replied quickly.
"Watch closely," Dragos said.
He took a slow breath in and out. A surge of energy pulsed from him. Wind gusted outward, pushing Aria back. Flas circled his body, swirling tighter and tighter until they vanished—replaced by a glowing core on the right side of his chest.
"This is the core," he said. "It all lies in compression."
Aria’s eyes sparkled. She reached out to touch it—but flas shot up around Dragos instantly. She pulled back.
"I told you," Dragos said sternly. "Don’t touch ."
"Sorry..." Aria said softly.
"Good. Now it’s your turn."
She nodded, focused. Breathing out, pink flas circled her.
"Compress it," Dragos instructed.
She repeated, "Compress it..." and closed her eyes.
Her flas shrank, tighter and tighter. Suddenly, cat ears and a tail ford. Aria bent down like a feline, and a glowing pink core ford in her hands.
Dragos stroked his chin. "Hmm... she compressed it into her hands."
Opening her eyes, Aria asked, "Did I do it?"
"You did," he nodded. "Now, put the core to good use."
"How?"
"Forming a core increases your speed and shortens the casting ti for big moves."
"That’s aweso!" Aria grinned.
"Try it," he said.
Aria crouched low. Her eyes began to glow. In a flash, she dashed forward with surprising speed—then skidded, trying to stop herself.
"You can’t control the speed yet," Dragos said. "Speed without control is reckless. Compression gives you precision... and power that doesn’t ask permission."
"Yes, sir!" Aria responded, and continued running again and again.
Dragos turned and walked away, leaving her to train.
I must master this, she told herself. I will.
---
Drakarth – First Underground Layout
Dragos walked deeper underground. Drakos appeared behind him.
"My lord," Drakos said, "the elders have returned."
"Good," Dragos said. "Let hear how their eting with Lord Azreal went. Though I doubt it did."
"They await in the eting hall."
Together, they walked toward the great hall.
---
Dragon eting Hall
The elders sat silently as Dragos entered with Drakos by his side. They all bowed.
Dragos sat down. "How did the eting go?"
Silence. Then Elder Nythrala spoke.
"It didn’t go as planned. Lord Azreal wouldn’t listen. He’s adamant about training the girl—Aria."
Elder Xaryndor added, "But he promised nothing will happen to Hell or the Dragon Nation. He said we can rest assured. He’ll take full responsibility."
"I see..." Dragos said quietly. "So that’s what happened."
He stood, turning away.
Lord Azreal... why do you always make feel helpless? I don’t need your help. I can handle the Fifth Gate on my own, he thought as he walked away.
---
Fifth Gate of Hell – Surface
Dragos felt a sharp surge of energy and rushed forward. What he saw stopped him in his tracks.
Aria stood with her flas compressed tightly around her. A pink glow surrounded her, humming with energy. She dashed forward—fast. Wind followed her like a wave. She stopped, then turned to Dragos with a proud smile.
"I did it!"
Dragos blinked, coughed lightly. "That’s good. That ans we can move on."
"There’s more?" she asked, surprised.
"Of course." He smiled faintly.
Flas burst beneath his feet, and in an instant, he launched forward at blinding speed. He returned just as fast.
"This is the next technique. You already know compression. Now compress flas under your feet—and detonate them. Like a bomb."
Aria nodded, crouched low, and focused. Flas circled her hands and legs.
"Now... detonate!"
Boom!
She rocketed forward, laughing. "I did it!"
Dragos sighed. "Don’t celebrate just yet. Since you passed the first stage, this should be easy."
"What’s this one called?"
"Fla Step. It’s a mix of movent, evasion, and surprise attack."
"Cool!"
"Don’t get carried away," Dragos repeated. "Now, stage three."
"Yes, sir!"
"This ti... condense your fla into a weapon." He raised a flaming orb in his palm, squeezed it, and it ford a spear. He spun it and slamd it into the ground. A wave of wind blew outward.
"Now you."
Aria tried. Flas ford in her hand, but nothing solid appeared.
She gritted her teeth. "Co on...!"
Dragos narrowed his eyes. "That fla of yours... it’s too soft. Teach it to bite."
"Yes, sir!"
She took a breath.
What weapon fits ? Everything I’ve done today... has been cat-like...
Then it clicked. "Claws."
She focused. A fiery aura surrounded her. As it faded, Dragos’ eyes widened.
Aria stood, crouched like a cat. A flaming jaw ford above her head, leaving her cat ears visible. Flaming claws wrapped around her hands and feet.
"You’re a cat," Dragos said in awe.
"I did it!" she grinned.
"You’ve awakened... Nekomata," Dragos said.
"Neko... what?"
"Nekomata," he repeated.
She smiled. "Is there more training? I feel so pumped!"
Dragos turned away. "That’s all. Your training with is over."
She froze. Her flas faded. "What?"
"I’ve taught you what I needed to. That’s it. Go to your room. Drakos will escort you."
Head low, Aria walked away, sadness in her chest.
Why is he in such a rush to send away...?
---
Drakarth – Aria’s Room
Aria quietly packed her things. Her expression was gloomy.
Arian appeared beside her. "Why the long face? Training’s over, the investigation’s done. Lord Azreal will be proud."
Aria looked up, fire in her eyes again. "I’m not staying in Hell forever. Paradise is still my goal!"
Arian smiled. "Good. Then let’s get moving to the next gate."
"Yeah," Aria nodded.
---
Fifth Gate – Surface
Aria stood at the gate with her bag in hand. Drakos stood beside her. Just before they left, draconoids nearby waved small lamps in the air.
Aria turned and waved back.
An old woman approached, handing her a small pouch.
"Thank you for everything, dear. It’s a sha you have to go."
"I was just doing what anyone would’ve done," Aria replied with a soft smile.
"You’re welco here anyti. Co visit soon."
Tears welled in Aria’s eyes. Drakos stepped up and said, "Before I forget—Lord Dragos asked to give you this."
He handed her a shining dal with a dragon emblem.
"It’s beautiful," she whispered. "Why didn’t he give it to himself?"
"He’s busy."
The draconoids all waved goodbye as Aria stepped through the gate.
---
Royal Palace – Throne Chamber
Azreal sat on his throne. Hulk stood beside him.
Fredrick entered and bowed. "My lord, Lady Aria has returned."
"Where is she now?" Azreal asked.
"Nena went to welco her."
Azreal stood up. Hulk followed.
---
Palace Hall
Aria entered with Nena. The mont she saw Azreal, she ran to him and hugged him tight.
"I’m back!"
"Welco ho, Aria," Azreal said warmly.
Tears filled her eyes. "It’s nice to be ho."
Nena crossed her arms. "Mhm. If this is true, can she eat now?"
"Of course," Azreal said with a smile.
They laughed and walked together to the dining room, where they shared a joyful al.
---
Azreal’s Room
Azreal put on his robe, walking to Aria.
"Well done on completing your first mission," he said.
"Thank you," Aria smiled.
"I’m proud of you."
"I couldn’t have done it without Arian." She looked around. "Arian?"
"I sent him back."
"Oh... right." She pulled out the dal. "Lord Dragos gave this."
Azreal looked at it. "Dragos gave you a dal? Seems he’s gone soft."
He placed it in a glass case beside a painting.
"We don’t want anything to happen to it, do we?" he joked.
He turned to her. "Your mission isn’t over. Next, you’ll train in the Fourth Gate."
Aria grinned. "Alright. I’m hyped."
"You didn’t want to go the first ti. Why the change of heart?"
"People change."
"Good," Azreal said. "Rest now. You leave tomorrow."
"Yes," Aria said, smiling as he tucked her into bed.
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