Lightning webbed across the steel skies above the G.O.D. Arena. The storm hadn't stopped since Genji Takashima's return, as if nature itself was locked in suspense. But beneath the clouds, deep in the spiraling command tower of Mishima Corporation, the true storm had only just begun.
Shin Mishima sat in his office—a temple of cold chrome, glass, and surveillance feeds. The glow of Genji's confrontation with Rin still pulsed on the center monitor.
Behind him, the reinforced doors opened with a hiss.
Genji entered.
Still wrapped in his torn black coat, soaked in rain, eyes burning with a fury quiet and unrelenting.
"You called me a fire without direction," Genji said.
Shin didn't turn. "I also called you a flame that must burn freely."
He turned now.
The resemblance was undeniable.
Genji didn't blink. "Tell me the truth. Who am I?"
Silence. Then:
"You are Naomi Takashima's son," Shin said softly. "And mine."
The words echoed like thunder.
Genji's breath caught, fists trembling.
"You abandoned her. You let Mishima hunt her. Why?"
Shin closed his eyes. "Because I was weak. Because I let this corporation define the terms of my life. Naomi rejected that. She chose exile to protect you."
"So what now?" Genji spat. "You want to parade me as your heir?"
"I want you to survive," Shin replied. "I want you to decide if you're a weapon or a legacy."
Before Genji could reply, the chamber doors burst open again.
A woman strode in—tall, regal, clad in imperial red and gold. Her eyes were ice. Her lips pressed thin.
Lady Kirika Mishima.
Behind her walked a boy—no older than seventeen. But he moved like a coiled blade. Crimson scarf, obsidian hair, and a branded gauntlet flickering with Mishima seals.
Raizar Mishima.
"What is the meaning of this, Father?" Kirika's voice was sharp steel. "You speak of survival, yet welcome a bastard into our bloodline?"
Genji stepped forward, face stone. "I'm not here to take your throne. I'm here to end your chains."
Raizar sneered. "Chains? You think you're the only one who bears burden? I've trained since birth for this tournament. For the Mishima legacy. You show up with a broken pendant and some sob story?"
"I didn't come here for your approval," Genji said.
"Good," Raizar growled. "Because you won't get it."
Lady Kirika glared at Shin. "If you claim this child, then you end the balance. My son is the Mishima heir. You always promised—"
"I promised peace," Shin said quietly. "But war has already come."
Raizar stepped forward.
"I challenge him. Right here. Right now."
Gasps echoed through the tower's comms. In the Arena below, the screens flickered, relaying the feed.
"I win," Raizar declared, "and this whole tournament ends. Genji's fire dies with him. No more 'Trial of Phoenix.' No more rebellion."
Genji met his half-brother's gaze.
"And if I win?"
"You won't," Raizar said coldly. "But if you do, Mishima bends the knee. My mother leaves. I forfeit the tournament. You get your path."
Shin stepped between them. "This is madness—"
"No," Genji said. "It's destiny."
Lady Kirika raised her hand. "So be it. A Trial by Bloodline. Initiate Phoenix Clause: Duel of Legacy."
Lights flared red across the tower.
Sirens pulsed.
Shin bowed his head.
"It's begun."
---
The Arena once more blazed to life.
Not with spectators.
Not with fanfare.
But with ancient fire.
Two platforms rose—one beneath Genji, the other under Raizar. Both surrounded by sigils of flame and pact, circling in the rain like floating embers.
Announcers scrambled to make sense.
"Unscheduled match… Priority Code: Crimson Trial. What we're witnessing is unprecedented—a clash between the two rightful heirs of the Mishima Flame Project!"
Juliet Carl watched from her hidden chamber. Rin of Ashes stood beside her.
"It's happening," Juliet whispered. "And only one will leave the ring."
Rin closed his eyes. "Let the dragon choose."
---
The match began in silence.
No countdown.
No rules.
Raizar struck first—moving like lightning, his gauntlet releasing bursts of condensed energy. Genji dodged barely, coat scorched, breath short.
"This is my fire!" Raizar shouted. "You don't get to steal it!"
Genji's pendant burned hotter. The dragon within stirred, whispering with each strike.
"You were born in chains," the voice said. "But I was born in flame."
Genji roared—light surging through him as the arena shook.
Red lightning burst from his foot as he launched a Thunder Phoenix Kick, catching Raizar mid-spin.
The crowd watching on stream howled.
"Impossible! That move—it shattered the old scoring matrix!"
Raizar hit the ground, but rolled, rising with a sneer.
"Nice trick. But I'm the one they built. You're just her mistake."
Raizar clenched his gauntlet—and unleashed a nova burst.
The stage cracked.
Genji flew back, slamming into the arena's boundary. Blood leaked from his mouth.
"You done?" Raizar asked.
Genji coughed—and smiled.
"No. I haven't even begun."
He stood.
And the pendant shattered.
Not from damage—but by choice.
From the ruins, a red aura surged upward—taking the form of a great serpent-like dragon with blazing wings.
Vilerasa.
The spirit roared—and Genji was consumed in fire.
Raizar shielded his eyes.
When the light faded, Genji stood reborn.
Armor of flame. Crimson-green eyes glowing. Wings of molten wind behind him.
A true heir.
Raizar lunged again—this time with a blade of plasma.
But Genji caught it.
Barehanded.
The blade fizzled.
And Genji struck.
One blow.
A punch laced with fire, memory, and rage.
Raizar flew back—across the arena—into the wall. Cracks webbed through the stage.
He didn't rise.
---
Silence.
Then the match-seal glowed red.
Winner: Genji Takashima.
Shin stepped onto the stage, eyes wet.
Kirika vanished without a word.
Raizar lay unconscious, medics rushing in.
But the people? The feeds? The factions?
They knew.
The flame had chosen.
Genji looked at the sky.
Rain still fell.
But now—it hissed on the fire rising from within.
---
TO BE CONTINUED...