ZERO SHIFT

The night sky was alight with chaos. The forest, once calm, was now engulfed in spiraling flames that scorched the earth and lit the trees like torches. Josuke, no longer in control, rampaged violently. His claws slashed through the air, his fiery power growing stronger with each passing second. The black marks spread across his body, further transforming him into a demonic figure.

He roared, flames erupting from his hands, reducing everything in his path to ash. "They'll pay! I'll make them PAY!" His voice thundered through the clearing, the words fueled by pure rage. His red, glowing eyes bore into the world around him, searching for anything to destroy.

The Rangers' Arrival

Far off, the Ranger Unit's headquarters had already been alerted. The sudden surge of energy in the forest had caused all sensors to flare up. This was no ordinary incident.

A squad of Rangers—seasoned officers clad in combat gear—drove through the night in a rugged truck, its tires kicking up dirt as it sped toward the scene. Inside, the tension was thick. The squad leader, Lieutenant Raine, briefed his team. "There's a powerful entity at the epicenter of this disturbance. It's already leveled half the forest and counting. Our orders are to restrain it, whatever it is, before it reaches the town."

The truck screeched to a halt at the edge of the flaming woods. "Move in!" Raine barked, and the Rangers fanned out, armed with restraints and suppression gear.

As they approached, the air grew hot. Josuke's flames twisted violently, scorching the earth and melting nearby metal objects. The first wave of Rangers moved in to subdue him. "Restrain him!" one of the officers yelled, launching a specialized net designed to suppress magic. But Josuke, wild and enraged, tore through it like paper, flames exploding outward from his body.

"They'll pay! I'll make them PAY!" Josuke screamed again, his voice shaking the ground beneath him. His strength had grown beyond anything they had anticipated, his rampage uncontrollable. The Rangers pressed on, trying to surround him, but he was too powerful.

Lieutenant Raine, watching from a distance, frowned as he realized just how dire the situation had become. "This kid… he's something else. We can't contain him like this."

The Escalation

Josuke's powers continued to spiral out of control. His flames took on a life of their own, burning brighter, hotter, until they seemed to consume the air itself. With a feral roar, he raised his arms, summoning a massive torrent of black flames that spiraled toward the sky.

"Get back!" Raine shouted, but it was too late. The flames erupted outward, sending the Rangers flying in all directions, their armor barely able to withstand the heat.

Josuke, now covered in black markings from head to toe, looked even more demonic. His horns twisted upward, and his teeth gleamed like razors. His eyes, glowing red, flickered with murderous intent.

Lieutenant Raine called for reinforcements. "We need backup now! We can't hold him!"

The Arrival of Kyle Morningstar

Thirty minutes into the battle, just as the Rangers were reaching their limit, a new figure appeared on the scene. The sound of boots crunching against the dirt echoed in the distance. The Rangers looked up, some of them with hope in their eyes. A tall man, Kyle Morningstar, strode confidently toward the chaos, his long black coat billowing slightly in the heat.

At 6'4", Kyle was an imposing figure. His white hair, tied back into a ponytail, contrasted sharply with the dark battlefield, and his glasses caught the reflection of the flames. His black turtleneck and soldier's trousers gave him an air of calm authority, though his relaxed demeanor seemed almost unfitting for the devastation around him.

As Kyle approached, the Rangers called out in relief. "Commander Kyle Morningstar!"

Kyle raised an eyebrow, a playful grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, well, well," he said, adjusting his glasses. "What do we have here?"

The raging inferno didn't seem to faze him. His eyes, sharp and analytical behind his glasses, took in the scene. His confidence was palpable, the kind that could only come from someone who had seen his share of chaos—and controlled it.

Josuke, still lost in his fury, locked eyes with Kyle. For a moment, something flickered behind his demonic gaze. Recognition? Hatred? It was hard to tell, but the rampage didn't stop.

Kyle smirked, rolling his shoulders in preparation. "I've seen plenty of messes in my time, but this…" His voice trailed off as he stepped forward, unphased by the flames that licked at his boots. "This is going to be fun."

Josuke let out another roar, his power spiking once more. The black flames surged forward, aimed directly at Kyle.

But Kyle didn't flinch. With a swift motion, he raised his hand, and the flames parted as if they'd hit an invisible barrier, harmlessly dispersing into the night.

"Alright, kid," Kyle said, his voice calm yet commanding. "Let's see what you're made of."