CHAPTER 293: BLACK FLAME JUDGMENT

The pillar of fire faded, and through the smoke, Zain appeared, standing tall and calm.

"Was that all?" he asked quietly.

Vorthar trembled mid-air, eyes wide.

His arms were raised as if still controlling the flames.

Zain smirked.

"Now I’ll show you the true power of a god."

He raised one arm, fingers curled tight.

Vorthar blinked. His chest tightened.

He gasped as though something invisible pressed against his throat.

He looked at Zain, panic in his eyes.

Zain’s gaze stayed cold.

Vorthar had a sinking feeling as he began to move forward, drawn by an invisible force.

Zain didn’t even flinch as Vorthar came near.

The vice-leader’s legs shook in mid-air.

Zain spoke softly.

"All ether in this place... now belongs to me."

He smiled. His chest glowed faintly black and red.

"So turning it into extra arms is... child’s play."

His fist ignited with black flame, a corrosive and dark flame.

"Let me give you a taste of [Heavenly Demon Flame]."

He struck once. First blow to Vorthar’s face.

The black fire ate through skin like acid.

Vorthar’s scream tore through the echoing chamber.

Zain held him steady.

The black flame seared deeper.

Vorthar’s eyes watered, blood mixed with ash.

"Please stop!" he choked.

"I surrender! I’ll leave! I won’t challenge you again!"

Zain chuckled, voice dark.

"Now you want to run?" He tilted his head. "How pathetic... for a Flame God."

Vorthar tried to speak, but the flames licked over his lips.

Zain stepped closer, his hand still burning.

"And this? This is just the warm-up."

He raised his hand again. Black flame surged.

"No! No more!" Vorthar screamed as the fire kissed his face again.

Zain laughed, louder this time.

"How does it feel, oh mighty Flame God?" He leaned in.

"This flame doesn’t burn. It corrodes. It breaks you down, piece by piece."

He didn’t wait for a response.

His fist drove forward again.

Then he stepped in and slammed his knee into Vorthar’s gut.

Smoke burst from Vorthar’s mouth as his body folded.

Zain moved without pause. Each strike was fast, precise, merciless.

Black flames surged along his arms, trailing behind every blow.

A punch to the ribs. An elbow to the face. A forearm to the throat. Another knee to the chest.

Every hit carried [Heavenly Demon Ether], warping the air around them.

Vorthar’s body twisted with each impact, bones cracking under divine force.

But still, he gasped. Still, he breathed.

Zain stood over him, calm and steady.

His eyes didn’t blink.

His breathing never changed.

He looked down and spoke in a calm, low voice.

"This isn’t torture, Vorthar."

"This is a gift."

Vorthar coughed blood, his vision shaking.

Zain smiled, just slightly.

"You hurt the woman I claimed. You used her. Caged her. Turned her into a tool."

He raised his hand. A sphere of black flame gathered, silent but hungry.

"I should’ve ended you cleanly."

"But instead, I’ll thank you."

Vorthar’s body trembled. His mouth moved, but no words came out.

Zain tilted his head.

"This gift... is for protecting Savra."

The flame expanded. It hissed as it reached for Vorthar’s body.

"No... no... stop!" Vorthar gasped, crawling back.

Zain stepped forward.

"Time to join something greater."

The black fire surged, coiling around Vorthar like chains.

Vorthar screamed as his body began to burn.

Not with heat, but with corrosion. His essence melted.

Zain opened his palm.

The fire shrank and flowed into him.

"Now be proud," Zain said. "You’ve become part of a god."

---

Zain walked toward the last tube.

It had the letter "Z" glowing on it.

He stood in front of it for a few seconds.

Then, without speaking, he raised his hand and summoned a black blade.

With one clean strike, he shattered the glass.

Red liquid spilled out fast.

A body slid forward and softly landed on the metal floor.

It was a woman.

Long dark hair. Pale skin. Sharp eyes, still closed.

Zain’s eyes narrowed.

"So it really was you..."

He crouched beside her and touched her cheek.

"Zelia."

Even asleep, she looked fierce. Her body was strong, but graceful.

Her breathing was steady.

Zain smiled.

"You’ve become even more beautiful."

He stood up and turned back to Savra.

She was still unconscious on the ground. Her hair spread out like flames.

Her body was unmoving but untouched by the heat.

Zain moved between them and looked at both.

He nodded.

"Let’s take you both home."

With one hand, he picked up Zelia and rested her gently over his shoulder.

Then he knelt and lifted Savra in his arms.

Both women, both part of his life.

Both taken, twisted by others.

And now... both his again.

Zain looked around the ruined lab one last time.

The machines sparked. The tubes were cracked. Ash filled the air.

He walked through the fire without slowing down, as if the flames weren’t even real.

He stepped onto the teleportation platform at the center of the ruined lab.

With a flick of his fingers, the crystal lit up.

In the next moment, his figure vanished in a flash of light, returning to the branch base without looking back.

---

He appeared back at the branch base near the volcanic region.

The one He and Velra had taken over.

Zain landed gently in the center of the courtyard.

Velra was already there, leaning on a wall with her arms crossed.

She saw Zain appear and raised an eyebrow.

Her eyes went wide when she saw who he carried.

"Master..."

Zain walked past her, his voice calm but low.

"Where’s the main room?"

Velra nodded quickly. "Follow me, Master."

They moved through the base in silence. Moments later, they arrived at the main chamber.

Zain stepped in and gently lowered both unconscious women onto the bed.

Velra looked at them closely, then turned to him.

"Are these... Savra and Zelia? The ones you’ve been searching for?"

Zain gave a small nod. "Yeah. They’re the reason I came to the Supreme Island."

Velra’s eyes lingered on them for a moment, then she simply said, "I see."