Chronicles of Forgotten Extra

Aziel's Pov [First Perspective]

I was always like this, wasn't I?

Weak. Pathetic. Coward.

My eyes were heavy. My body was broken. I couldn't even feel my hands now.

It all had numbed.

The last punch had done too much damage.

My body ached from everywhere.

But I didn't care about that…no.

I just want to save Cecilia. The one I love.

Am I going to fail even now?

Am I going to lose someone dear to me again?

Everything around me went dark. I recalled my memories.

Memories.. deeply buried behind my careless and aloof attitude. The one I never wished to remember again.

A woman.. with navy blue hair and bright brown eyes.

My mother.

I vividly remembered her smile. Not the usual warm one she always gave me.

No.

It was the one…she gave me at her last moment…just before she was shredded to pieces by demons.

I couldn't even utter a single sound as I watched her die.

That was all my fault.

I wanted to show my sister how mom loved me more. I cried for her to take me to an amusement park.

She heard my request and took me to an amusement park.

Just then demon's attacked. We had bodyguards with us. But the demons were stronger.

She didn't care about her life. She had a single artifact which could have hidden her.

But instead she used it on me.. hiding me under a bench…with a single reassuring smile.

Close your eyes.

Everything's going to be ok…Az

Just stay here okay.

Mom's gonna be fine.

She wasn't even much stronger…still she tried to distract the demons as far as she could.

But before she could go any far.. demons found her. They ripped her heart out right in front of me.

I couldn't understand what was happening ... .but even under such conditions…her face held the same reassuring smile, as if to say: Close your eyes Az.. everything is going to be fine.

I tried to scream but my sound was also affected by the artifact. I couldn't even move.

My father arrived too late. He killed all the demons. But even he couldn't bring her back.

I was too weak back then…but I had grown strong enough to protect my loved ones now.

Back then, I couldn't move. Now? I'm standing. I'm fighting. And still—it's not enough.

Can I only watch my loved ones suffer?

Why am I so powerless?

Why?

I heard my mother's voice in my head again.

Close your eyes, Az… she said.

I wanted to follow her words…close my eyes.

But I can't close them now. If I do… I'll lose Cecilia too

No more. I won't watch. I won't hide. Not this time

Even if it means sacrificing myself…. I'll not watch my loved ones suffer…

I would rather die than let something like that happen again…

I need to get up. I need to save her.

Just then—

The void surrounding my body lit up. The cold feeling vanished, replaced by warmth.

I felt strength rising within my body.

"I like your will, kid," A deep voice echoed within my mind. It was calm yet fierce.

"Even broken and bloodied, you chose to rise. Even powerless, you chose to protect. I've watched your heart."

A soft glow began to bloom in my chest, it was warm and pulsing.

"I am Ignis Virel — the Flame of Sacrifice. I burn not for glory… but for love. For those we would die to protect."

The warmth spread like wildfire through my limbs.

"If you accept me… I shall lend you my flame. Not to destroy… but to shield."

I gritted my teeth.

Then I saw it–a giant humanoid figure completely made up of green coloured flames.

It's face was not visible. I felt an unbelievable amount of pure flame mana pour out of it.

I didn't know what it was…nor did I know who it was.

But that didn't matter.

I needed to save her.

And even if I have to sacrifice myself. I'll do it without even blinking an eye.

"I accept." I answered, no voice came out of my mouth .. but the spirit understood me.

"Then rise, Aziel… bearer of Emberheart — the Flame That Protects."

As soon as I heard this voice…my heart started pounding wildly.

My whole body burned..but it was not painful. I felt my strength rise.

"May you burn brightly for the ones you love."

With the last voice…the spirit vanished, leaving me alone within the void.

[CONGRATULATIONS]

[ANCIENT SPIRIT OF FLAME AND SACRIFICE–IGNIS VIREL HAS BLESSED YOU]

[SKILL: EMBERHEART IS BEING ADDED]

[TITLE: CONTRACTORS OF ANCIENT SPIRIT IS ADDED]

[AFFINITY: FLAMES OF SACRIFICE IS ADDED]

Many status windows appeared in front of me. But I ignored them, except for one.

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[SKILL]

Name: Emberheart – The Flame That Protects

Rank: Ancient Spirit-Blessed

Origin: Contract with Ignis Virel, Spirit of Sacrifice

Duration- 2 Minutes. (Increase with user's strength)

Cooldown - 6 Hours.

[Effects]

Sacrificial Flame Aura:

Generates a protective aura of green-gold flames. Absorbs damage aimed at allies and redirects it to the user. Protection scales with emotional intensity.

Guardian's Resilience:

Converts pain into power. The more the user is injured while protecting others, the faster his regeneration and the stronger his defense becomes.

Flameforged Armament:

Summons spirit-forged weapons or barriers. Their strength reflects users emotional state and intent to protect.

Immunity to Fear & Mind Control:

Flame-born conviction shields the mind from fear-based or manipulative effects.

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[AFFINITY]: Flames of Sacrifice

[TITLE GAINED]: Contractor of the Ancient Spirit – Ignis Virel

__

And now… I had one purpose. To stop Dain. To protect her.

Emberheart

I muttered.

As soon as I activated the newly received skill, my body became light…My vision started to clear up.

I could feel my injuries getting healed.

I slowly raised to my feet.

I saw Dain standing close to Cecilia. His dirty fingers tracing her cheeks.

I took a step forward.

The ground beneath my feet cracked from the sheer heat radiating off me. My whole body was covered with pure golden green flames.

My body felt light, but every heartbeat thundered with power.

My once-broken limbs now moved with strength I didn't recognize as my own—but it was mine.

Dain's head snapped toward me, eyes wide.

"You were supposed to be finished," he frowned. "You couldn't even stand!"

I didn't respond. Only one thought repeated itself in my mind.

It's not time for me to close my eyes yet, Mom… I still have to save her.