Although this was Su Zhan's first real battle, he felt no trace of nervousness, even though his opponent was a mutant with a notorious reputation and plenty of combat experience. He glanced back at Skye and spoke in a steady, reassuring tone, "Don't worry, just stand farther back. I'll be fine."
Skye, though clearly worried, knew she couldn't help. She stepped away, putting some distance between herself and the fight, determined not to distract Su Zhan.
Pyro John's flames grew hotter and wilder, swirling and dancing in the air. Su Zhan rolled his shoulders, flexed his wrists, and then, with a sudden burst of speed, surged forward. The distance between them vanished in an instant. Even Su Zhan was surprised by how fast he was-one moment he was dozens of meters away, the next he was right in front of Pyro John.
Caught off guard by Su Zhan's speed, Pyro John lashed out. A torrent of flame erupted from his hand, surging straight for Su Zhan. A wave of searing heat crashed over him. Su Zhan sidestepped, the flames licking past him, and pressed forward, but the fire twisted and followed, relentless as a living serpent. Pyro John's control was impressive; the flames snapped and curled, always cutting off Su Zhan's path, never letting him get close.
Su Zhan darted and weaved, using his enhanced body and speed to stay ahead of the fire. He searched for an opening, but Pyro John's combat instincts were sharp. Every time Su Zhan tried to close the distance, the mutant drove him back with a wall of fire.
"You call that skill?" Pyro John taunted, his voice echoing over the roar of the flames. "You talked a big game, but you're just running away!"
Su Zhan smirked, unfazed. "No rush. You'll see what I can really do soon enough." He wasn't worried. The heat from Pyro John's flames barely registered-his own body temperature, thanks to Extremis, was even higher. The fire couldn't hurt him. He was using this chance to get familiar with his own abilities, to test his limits and get used to the flow of battle. Powers were important, but experience and control were just as vital. He could feel his body growing stronger, adapting, evolving. He realized he hadn't yet fully tapped into the potential of Extremis. His speed was already outpacing Pyro John's flames.
"Keep hiding, little mouse! Let's see how long you can run!" Pyro John sneered, frustration creeping into his voice. Suddenly, he split his flames, sending a branch of fire racing toward Skye.
"Let's see if you can save her!" Pyro John laughed, self-satisfied.
"Damn!" Su Zhan cursed. He hadn't expected Pyro John to stoop so low as to attack Skye. He spun and sprinted, pushing his speed to the limit. He felt as if he was flying, and in a heartbeat, he caught up with the roaring flame. There was no time to push Skye out of the way; all he could do was throw himself in front of her.
"Be careful!" Skye cried, her eyes wide with fear.
But it was too late.
"No!" Skye screamed as the flames crashed into Su Zhan.
The fire hit him like a barrage of bullets, engulfing him completely. Pyro John laughed, the sound cruel and triumphant. "Ha! All for a woman. What an idiot! But don't worry-even if you're dead, your woman won't be far behind!"
He strode forward, gloating, "Yellow-skinned monkey, you-" His words died in his throat.
The flames parted. Su Zhan stepped out, his body glowing like molten magma, the fire swirling harmlessly around him. His clothes were charred and torn, but his skin was untouched, radiating heat and power-a vision of the king of hell rising from the inferno.
"No… Impossible! How are you still standing?" Pyro John shouted, panic in his voice. He hurled more fire at Su Zhan, but it washed over him, useless.
"That's it? Pyro John, I'm disappointed. If you hadn't attacked my woman, maybe I'd have played with you a bit longer. But now… you get to be the first stepping stone on my path to becoming king." Su Zhan's voice was cold, echoing like a judgment from the underworld. Pyro John's bravado crumbled, and he stumbled backward, fear etched across his face.
In a blur, Su Zhan moved. One instant, he was standing in the flames; the next, he was in front of Pyro John, gripping him by the throat and lifting him off the ground.
The searing heat from Su Zhan's hand made Pyro John scream in agony. Though he could control fire and withstand high temperatures, Su Zhan's heat was too much-far beyond anything he'd ever experienced-pure, overwhelming, and without flame, as if it could melt anything.
John struggled desperately, sending flames to Su Zhan with both hands, but it was useless. Only now did he realize how foolish he'd been. Su Zhan hadn't feared his flames at all-he'd just been toying with him.
Terror and regret filled John. He tried to beg for mercy but couldn't make a sound. His strength ebbed, and he felt something being drawn out of him through Su Zhan's hand-his power itself.
With a final, choked gasp, Su Zhan released his grip, and John collapsed to the ground, barely conscious. In a daze, he saw Su Zhan's body return to normal. Su Zhan raised his hands, and a ball of fire danced between his palms, morphing into different shapes.
"This... this is my ability! You... you took my power... you're a devil, a devil!" John screamed hysterically.
Su Zhan glanced at him, raising his palm as the flames flickered wildly.
"No-!"
A voice called out, and Su Zhan paused, turning to see Skye running over.
Skye shook her head. "Don't kill him, or we'll be in even more trouble."
"No, kill me! Kill me!" John wailed. Without his power, he was worthless-even Magneto would abandon him. Losing his ability was worse than death.
Su Zhan clapped his hands, extinguishing the flames, then bent down and picked up John's lighter.
"Let's go," he said.
"Mm."
Skye nodded, and the two of them left the alley, leaving Pyro John lying on the ground, screaming in despair, his voice echoing long after they had disappeared into the night.