As Ken journeyed toward the Land of Fire, he turned to the elemental ring.
"Can you sense the presence of the sword from here?" he asked.
The ring responded solemnly,
"No. In this place, space and time twist in such a chaotic way that not even Professor Rex can pass through it. I cannot sense anything. You must go alone from here."
With a nod, Ken pressed forward.
The Land of Fire stretched before him — a world of endless burning. The ground was scorched black, rivers of molten lava weaved through broken hills, and the air was heavy with smoke and sorrow.
As he stepped into the wasteland, a deep sadness overwhelmed him. He could feel it — the pain, the loss, the despair. This land had once been full of life. The people here had revered the elemental dragons as gods. But then came the Dark Dragon and his army, bringing fire, ruin, and death. The people perished. The elemental dragons were twisted by grief. What was once sacred had become scorched.
Ken felt tears sting his eyes as the memories of what was lost flowed through him — the screams, the silence that followed, and the endless burning.
Suddenly, a wave of heat surged before him, forming a blinding aura of flame. From within it, a mighty creature emerged — the Fire Dragon. Its eyes burned with sorrow more than fury.
"Human," the dragon said, voice echoing like a flame-wind, "why have you come here? Are you yet another who seeks to claim what is no longer yours?"
Ken's voice was calm, filled with empathy.
"I came not to destroy, but to save. I seek the sword... and I will defeat the Dark Dragon."
At the sound of that name, the Fire Dragon's flames roared higher, not out of hatred, but from the pain the name carried.
"The Dark Dragon…" the dragon said with a tremble. "It was his army that turned this sacred land into ashes. The people who lived here… they worshipped us, trusted us, loved us. And still… they were burned."
Ken bowed his head, "I'm sorry for what happened. I can feel the pain of this land. But I promise, I will end the Dark Dragon's reign — for all the realms, and for all of you."
The Fire Dragon stared at him, the sorrow in its eyes slowly shifting into something else — determination.
"If that is truly your will," the dragon said, "then prove it. Reach for Infinity. Show me your flame."
The battle began.
The Fire Dragon released a wave of Fire Breath, scorching the land. Ken dodged, but the heat was so intense it singed his shoulder. Still, he didn't stop. He charged forward with a Flame Punch, landing a direct hit — but the dragon barely flinched.
Ken unleashed Fire Hurricane and Flame Blasts, but the dragon countered with its mighty Fire Claws and the swift, blazing Fire Sky Dance.
As flames clashed with flames, Ken summoned his last hope — the Sunflare Sword, forged from the pure fire of will. It burned with the brilliance of unshakable spirit.
The Fire Dragon rose high, wings spread wide.
"Then take everything I have! Divine Flame of the Fire Dragon!"
An inferno like none before rained from the skies, threatening to consume all.
But Ken stood firm. Channeling every memory, every ounce of sorrow and hope, he struck forward with the Sunflare Sword. The flames parted. The dragon cried out as Ken's will sliced through the storm of divine fire.
With the last of his strength, Ken summoned the Fire Prison, sealing the dragon in a respectful confinement — not as a conqueror, but as a protector.
As the battlefield cooled, the Fire Dragon, though weakened, gave a slow, respectful nod.
"You… truly carry the will of flame. Perhaps… hope is not lost after all."
The path to the Land of Water now opened before Ken, glowing gently in the distance.
Ken turned to the scorched land one last time.
"I will finish what you started. I'll end the darkness… for everyone."
And so, with fire in his heart, he stepped toward the next trial.