Chương 48: Intense heat

Hearts stared at Ace, his sword resting at his side.

"How do you know my name?" Ace stared back at him.

"So you are him?" Hearts narrowed his eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"I've never seen you in my life" Ace took a step forward.

"It's simple. It's been twelve years since I've seen you, but I'd recognize you anywhere." Hearts' expression changed slightly.

"You're my little brother." Amelia's eyes widened.

"Wait, what?!"

"You have a brother?!" Hearts froze. His eyes widened as well.

"... Brother?" Ace nodded.

"Yeah. You're name is Hearts Decards. We're Decards." Hearts' expression immediately hardened.

"That's a lie. I've never heard of you in my life." Ace looked shocked.

"Hearts, it's me."

"I know you won't remember because you were only just born""To be honest it's the same for me as i was only five back then too.." Hearts scoffed.

"Likely story." He gripped his sword tighter.

"I'm Hearts Xuiren of the Xuiren clan and don't you forget." Amelia looked confused.

"Xuiren?" Hearts glared at Ace.

"The Decards are our enemy." He slowly drew his blade.

"So if you claim to be a Decards..." His eyes narrowed.

"Then you must be eliminated." Ace's eyes widened.

"GET DOWN!" Hearts swung his sword. The trees behind them were sliced clean through in a single stroke. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Amelia ducked beside Ace, staring in disbelief.

"He just cut all those trees..." Hearts calmly lowered his sword.

"So... you got lucky, huh?" Ace clenched his fists.

"Hearts... why are you doing this?"

"I already told you." Hearts raised his blade again.

"The decards are my enemy""I have strict orders to eliminate the Decards bloodline from the boss too." He paused.

"Tell me... can you use the Ranshao Eyes?" Amelia looked at Ace.

"What's he talking about? Ranshao Eyes?" Ace kept his eyes on Hearts.

"From what I know, they're special eyes possessed by the Decards clan. They increase the user's perception and enhance their fire magic." Hearts watched him carefully. Ace continued.

"But I can't use them yet." Amelia blinked.

"Why not?" Ace hesitated.

"Because you have to witness the death of someone you love before they awaken." Hearts landed in front of them, his sword pointed toward Ace.

"So you can't use them." His expression remained cold.

"How disappointing." He raised his blade.

"Then I'll just kill you because you're worthless to me now." Ace tightened his grip.

"We're going to have to fight back." He glanced at Amelia.

"But I still don't understand... why is he acting like this?" Hearts charged forward, his blade clashing against Ace's. Ace blocked the strike and swung back, forcing Hearts to duck underneath it. Amelia rushed in from the side.

"Magic skill: Cracker Bullets!" Several hardened projectiles shot toward Hearts. He twisted between them, deflecting the rest with his blade. Ace immediately followed up, striking from above. Hearts blocked again, their weapons locking together. Ace grinned.

"Well I must say for my little brother. You've gotten strong." Hearts pushed him back.

"Don't you dare compare yourself to me." Amelia joined Ace, the two attacking from opposite sides. Hearts kept up with both of them, blocking and countering every attack. For several moments, none of them could gain the advantage. Ace jumped backward, breathing heavily.

"He's keeping up with both of us..." Amelia nodded.

"Yeah. But we're keeping up with him too don't forget." Hearts suddenly stopped. His expression became completely emotionless.

"Then I suppose I'll have to stop holding back." Red flames erupted from his body, engulfing him from head to toe. Ace's eyes widened. He was pushed back..

"This magic is crazy powerful..." Amelia stared at the flames.

"Yeah... this magic is crazy strong." Hearts raised his hand.

"Now burn!"

"Magic Skill: Burning Flame!" A massive wave of red fire erupted from his hands and raced toward them.

"Magic Skill: Cracker Wall!" Amelia slammed her hands forward, creating a huge defensive wall. The flames collided with it. For a brief moment, the wall held. Then it shattered instantly. Ace's eyes widened.

"Amelia!" The flames engulfed both of them. A massive explosion erupted across the area. Hearts stood motionless, watching the smoke clear. He closed his eyes.

"I don't sense their magic energy." He turned away.

"The task has been completed." As he began walking away, he suddenly paused." But it's still strange..." He glanced back toward the destruction.

"That Decards called me his brother." His expression tightened.

"Have we met before? Have I forgotten something?" He shook his head.

"No... impossible." He turned away again.

"It doesn't matter now. He's dead."

"I'll just ask the boss about it anyways" Hearts raised his hand.

"Magic Skill: Inferno Boost." Red flames ignited around his feet. He crouched slightly before launching himself into the sky, disappearing into the distance. The flames slowly began to die down, leaving the forest covered in smoke and scorched earth. Ace and Amelia lay motionless beneath the wreckage. Then, without warning, a dark figure swooped down from above. The stranger caught both of them before they could hit the ground, carrying them safely away from the explosion.

Moments later, he landed on a nearby tree branch, holding Ace and Amelia securely. He looked down at them before smirking.

"Well... that was a close call, wasn't it?" Ace groaned weakly, barely conscious.

"Wh... who...?" Then he finally passed out"Shhh""Dont waste your energy trying to speak The stranger glanced toward the sky where Hearts had disappeared.

"Would've been a shame if Thomas' guild members were killed out here." He looked back at Ace and Amelia.

"And besides..." His smirk widened.

"I may need your help with something quite important you see" He carefully lowered them onto the ground.

"Something that could benefit both you and me." The mysterious figure shrugged.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not doing this out of kindness."

"I just feel like both of us can benefit from this you see?" He turned toward the direction Hearts had flown.

"I have my own reasons." He smiled.

"But first, we have something to discuss."