KING OF STIGMA

An Old Friend

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Blaze wasted no time in seizing the opportunity to catch up with the hunting group ahead of him.

But even as he pressed onward, his thoughts lingered on the strange string of energy that had surged forth from his tattooed hand.

"I should examine the tattoo later, joining the hunting party comes first."

Blaze decided to postpone his investigation until he was done with the hunt.

The Nine-headed dragon mark stopped glowing as Blaze's speed dropped down. However that didn't bother him.

"There they are!" He cheered spotting them a few meters ahead. "I can reach them with my usual speed now."

His excitement was cut short when a giant boar suddenly pounced out from the bushes. It was twice as tall as Blaze. The beast let out a massive roar as it's eyes was fixed on Blaze.

"Yep, I really am the most misfortunate soul in two universes."

Blaze was frozen in fear, his mind went blank as his body refused to listen to him. That was until the beast charged at him.

On pure instincts, Blaze darted forward desperately trying to outrun the oncoming threat.

"Now I wished the stupid mark didn't stop glowing, glow you damn dragon!" He yelled at his left hand while running for his life.

However, without the speed buff from earlier, Blaze couldn't outrun the massive boar as it easily drew closer.

"Move, move!" Blaze urged himself, as he pushed his frail body to their limits, every single fiber of his being focused on the singular goal of escaping the beast's deadly grasp.

"Huff, huff. I can't make it." Blaze was already tired, after all, he doesn't possess a strong body.

"Woah!" Blaze tumbled, rolling over the ground and hitting his back against a tree. The boar paused a few meters from him. There was no more need to run, it's prey has already been trapped.

"I guess this is it, from one lousy life to another..."

Blaze had lost the will to survive.

Just as he esigned himself to his fate, an arrow flew right past him with lightning speed, embedding itself deep into the beast's heart.

The giant boar wailed in pain as it collapsed to the ground mere inches from where Blaze stood frozen in shock.

Breathless and bewildered, Blaze's gaze shifted to the figure who had intervened with such precise accuracy.

He met the crimson red eyes of his savior, Blaze didn't know which was scarier, the boar or the man.

"Why did you stray away from the hunting party?" The man scolded

Blaze stood frozen in shock, his breath catching in his throat as he struggled to find the right words to express his gratitude.

With a deep sense of relief flooding over him, he bowed towards his savior, "Thankyou for saving me."

The man who had come to his aid brushed off Blaze's gratitude with a cold stare.

"Don't thank me," he muttered, his voice was devoid of any warmth.

Blaze nodded hastily, his eyes downcast. He knew he had been careless, and the consequences could have been dire.

"Come on, we're falling behind," the man snapped impatiently, gesturing for Blaze to hurry up and catch up with the group. His voice was stern, leaving no room for argument.

"And if you ever fall behind again," the man warned sharply, his gaze piercing, "don't expect anyone to come to your rescue."

"Yes!" Blaze saluted. Suddenly, he felt a jolt of pain rush through his head, more memories of his host body flash through his head.

He saw several memory images of the man who just saved him together with his father.

Blaze breathed heavily as the pain subsided.

"You're Adrian Blaze!"

"And you're just remembering that now? Jeez, I don't know what it is with you and your father, you're both a pair of clumsy idiots."

Blaze noticed a faint smile on the face of the man. He thought that everybody in the clan hated his father. Turns out there were still a few who believed he was innocent.

Adrian's voice broke through Blaze's thoughts, his tone firm yet welcoming.

"Come help me cut up the boar," he instructed, a hint of anticipation lacing his words. "It'll be our dinner tonight."

Blaze smiled gratefully and nodded, "Yes sir!"

"And wipe that smug look on your face."

"Yes sir."

They started working together in silence as they skinned the fallen beast before cutting it's limbs. After cutting up the boar, Adrian packed the meat in his bag before carrying it.

"Now, we've wasted enough time, make sure you keep up."

With that, they walked together towards the hunting party.

After half an hour, Blaze and Adrian had finally reached the others. Prowler, the leader, noticed them. He looked at Adrian for a moment, trying to figure things out.

"You slowed us down," Prowler accused, his voice sharp with irritation. "Going back for him was a mistake."

"I don't believe in leaving anybody behind."

"Even the child of a traitor?"

Adrian's jaw clenched, but he remained silent, he had nothing more to say as he looked over at Blaze.

Prowler's attention also shifted to Blaze, "You're useless," he spat, his tone dripping with disdain. "Talentless and good for nothing."

Blaze's heart sank as he lowered his gaze, unable to meet Prowler's accusing stare.

Adrian stepped forward, his voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air.

"He's still a child, he managed to trace our tracks and outrun a wild boar for so long. He's learning," he defended, his tone firm. "We all start somewhere."

"He's the son of your friend," he asserted, his gaze steady as he met Prowler's incredulous stare.

Prowler scoffed dismissively, his lips twisting into a sneer. "Your so-called friend was a traitorous bastard," he spat, his words laced with venom. "And his son is no different. He's not worth saving."

Blaze felt a knot form in the pit of his stomach at Prowler's harsh words, 'I still don't know why I keep getting triggered when he's not even my real father.'

"We can't leave him behind," he insisted, his voice firm. "We're all in this together."

Prowler's expression hardened, his gaze flickering towards the darkening sky.

"We need to hurry," he warned, his tone urgent. "If we don't reach the shelter point before nightfall, even the most skilled Stigma warriors among us will be at risk."