It had been a few days since Violet and Helen arrived at the dark elf village. The dark elves had proven to be gracious hosts, welcoming Violet with open arms. However, their reception of Helen was markedly different—polite but tinged with wariness. Violet had spent considerable effort convincing them that Helen didn't share the animosity many elves held for their kind. Over time, the suspicion directed at her companion began to fade, replaced by cautious acceptance.
One of the elders from the council, a man named Rauski, had taken a particular interest in Violet. He visited her frequently, always with a calm, reassuring demeanor. He would inquire about her well-being and occasionally share insights about the village and its people. Violet found him to be kind, if not a bit enigmatic.
Her guide, Sitra, had also been eager to show Violet around the village. Through her, Violet discovered the depth and diversity of dark elf magic—magic she had never seen before. It ranged from future sight to necromancy and even the manipulation of miasma. The spells they cast were both awe-inspiring and terrifying, their raw power beyond anything Violet could have imagined.
One day, during one of his visits, Rauski surprised her with a request.
"Violet," he said, his tone gentle yet firm. "Would you show me the magic you are capable of?"
Eager to demonstrate, Violet nodded and conjured a display of her water and ice magic. Streams of water danced around her hands, freezing midair into intricate patterns. When she finished, Rauski smiled and offered her praise.
"You have remarkable control," he said, his deep voice filled with genuine admiration. "But I would like to see something more. Can you perform fire magic?"
The words struck her like a bolt of lightning. A cold sweat broke out on her forehead as an overwhelming sense of dread bubbled up from within. The fear was visceral, as if embedded in her very soul. Images of uncontrollable flames consuming everything in their path flashed through her mind.
Rauski seemed to notice her unease. "Child," he said softly, his gaze steady. "Do you fear your fire magic?"
"I..." she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
"The moment I mentioned it, your entire demeanor changed," he observed.
"It's not hatred," she admitted finally. "I'm just... afraid. Fire magic is destructive. It consumes everything."
Rauski nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, so you see it as a raging beast—wild, untamable, and destructive."
"That's all it has ever been for me," she confessed, her voice trembling. "It's caused nothing but pain. It got me exiled from my kingdom. My father hated me for it. I've hurt people with it. Fire magic is a curse I never wanted."
Her words spilled out unbidden, each syllable laden with anguish. Violet's chest tightened as if the weight of her emotions had become too much to bear.
Rauski let her speak, then folded his hands thoughtfully. "I understand your pain," he said at last. "But you see only one side of fire. It is not just destruction. Fire is warmth, light, and life. It cooks our meals, shields us from the cold, and illuminates the darkness when the sun and moon cannot. It is the heart of every forge, the energy that powers all living things. Without fire, there would be no life at all."
Violet looked at him, her tears slowly subsiding.
"Your fear," he continued, "is what gives fire its monstrous shape. But if you accept it, if you learn to wield it without fear, it can become your greatest strength. So, I ask you, will you try to use it?"
She hesitated, but his words stirred something deep within her. "I'll try," she whispered.
Violet closed her eyes, centering herself as she envisioned the essence of fire. She focused on its nature—flames born from burning gases. To create fire, she reasoned, she needed to ignite the air around her. Concentrating deeply, she sought to sense the air molecules, to feel their presence.
She tried again and again, reaching out with her magic to set the air ablaze. But no matter how much effort she poured into it, nothing happened. Frustration grew, tightening her chest. Why couldn't she succeed?
Then, suddenly, a shift occurred. A different energy stirred within her—light and fluid, swirling with momentum. Her concentration broke as gusts of wind whipped around her. Violet's eyes snapped open in surprise. She had tapped into the element of air instead of fire.
Rauski placed a hand on her shoulder. "It seems your body isn't ready yet. But don't be discouraged—you've discovered another element you can wield. For now, focus on accepting your fire magic. When the time is right, it will come to you."
She nodded reluctantly.
"Tomorrow," he added, "we will present you before the Almighty Qliphoth. If you possess dark magic, we will learn of it then. Rest well, child."
The next morning, Sitra woke Violet early and dressed her in ceremonial robes. They walked together to the ancient tree where the council of dark elves awaited, Helen standing off to the side with a watchful eye.
The Darach, a dark druid, stepped forward. "Miss Violet, please approach the Great Qliphoth and place your hands upon it."
Violet did as instructed. As soon as her palms touched the bark, a radiant nymph appeared, her form shimmering with an otherworldly glow. The nymph examined the royal symbol on Violet's hand and then added a second mark atop it. She whispered something to the Darach before vanishing.
The Darach immediately knelt, his head bowed low. "Your Majesty," he said reverently. "The Great Nymph has proclaimed you to be the one—the Queen who will unify the realms."
Violet's heart raced. "What? I don't understand."
"You will, in time," the Darach assured her. "But first, let us see if you possess dark magic."
He reached out and touched the newly inscribed symbol. A surge of energy coursed through her, and his eyes widened in awe.
"The Queen's magic is unlike anything I've ever seen," he announced. "It is ever-changing, ever-evolving—a true marvel. With time, she will master all forms of dark magic."
Suddenly, flames erupted around Violet, encircling her in a blazing inferno.
"Darach!" one of the elders shouted. "What is happening?"
"I don't know," he admitted.
"What is happening to my Princess!..." Helen shouted in panic
The fire consumed her vision, drowning out the world around her. She felt unbearable heat, saw ash-choked sky, and beheld a hellish landscape of molten lava and volcanic peaks. Creatures with crimson skin roamed the desolate land, and in the distance, a massive city of brass loomed.
Before she could move, the flames surrounded her again, and she was back before the Qliphoth.
Panting, Violet looked around in confusion. "Where was I?"
The Darach's expression was grave. "It seems you have more gifts than we imagined. The journey ahead will be unlike anything we've ever witnessed."