**Chapter 7: The Wounded Guardian**
Najo carefully explored the devastated village, his heart heavy with sorrow at the sight of the destruction caused by the Devil King's army. As he moved through the ruins, he stumbled upon the elder who had survived the attack, but was now lying wounded and in pain.
Najo rushed to the elder's side, his concern evident in his voice.
Najo: "Are you alright? Let me help you."
Elder: "I-I... I don't know if I'll make it. The pain is unbearable."
Najo's flames glowed with healing energy, and he gently placed his hands on the elder's wounds, channeling his fire's restorative power.
Najo: "Hang on, I'll do what I can to heal you."
As Najo's healing flames enveloped the elder, a warm sensation spread through his body. The wounds began to mend, and the elder's breathing steadied.
Elder: "Thank you, young fire mage. Your kindness is a ray of hope in this dark time."
Najo: "You're welcome. Please, rest and regain your strength. We won't let the Devil King's evil deeds go unpunished."
The elder nodded, his eyes filled with gratitude, and Najo ventured deeper into the village, his resolve hardened by the suffering he had witnessed.
As he searched for any survivors, he came across remnants of the villagers' lives—personal belongings, scorched remnants of their homes, and memories forever lost. Each sight fueled Najo's determination to stop the Devil King and protect Emberia from further harm.
Suddenly, a glint of metal caught Najo's eye, and he followed the trail to a hidden cavern at the village's edge.
Inside, he discovered a cache of ancient artifacts, each bearing a symbol of elemental power. The significance of the discovery dawned on Najo—the village had guarded these artifacts, keeping them safe from those who would misuse their power.
Najo's heart sank as he realized the true reason for the Devil King's attack. He had sought these precious artifacts to bolster his own strength and dominance.
Najo: "This village was protecting these artifacts, and the Devil King wanted to claim them for himself."
As Najo emerged from the cavern, he knew he couldn't face the Devil King alone. He needed allies, and one name came to mind—the legendary Momentum User, Gaia.
With a newfound sense of urgency, Najo resolved to find Gaia and convince him to join the fight against the Devil King. Little did he know that their meeting would be the beginning of a friendship that would change the course of Emberia's history forever.
But for now, Najo's priority was the wounded elder and the village's safety. He knew the journey ahead would be perilous, but he was determined to face it head-on. The fires of hope and determination burned brightly within him, and he would not rest until the Devil King's malevolence was extinguished, and the people of Emberia could live in peace once more.