Suddenly, the sharp shouts of their allies fighting the Wobra broke through the night, echoing ominously through the trees. Lara's eyes widened. "I have to go help them!" she urged, ready to leap into action.
"No!" Jack insisted, his voice firm. "You stay here and protect Master Kai. I'll go."
"Jack, what are you saying? You'll get killed!" Lara protested, her voice shaking with concern.
"I don't care anymore," Jack replied, determination hardening his features. "I won't run like I did before. I will face this. I will protect those I love—like I didn't before."
Without another word, he dashed into the shadows, leaving Lara speechless.
As Jack sprinted toward the sounds of battle, adrenaline surged through him. He drew his sword, its blade gleaming in the dim light, and leaped into the fray against the monstrous Wobra. The creature swiped at him with its claws, and Jack barely managed to deflect the blow, saving himself from major injury. In that brief moment, he forged a dual contract with the wobra.
He launched into a series of attacks, but the Wobra dodged each one with uncanny agility. Frustration welled within him as the beast countered, hurling a massive rock that sent Jack tumbling back toward the campfire.
Fueled by desperation, he reached for the flames, drawing them into his hands. With intense focus, he transformed them into the White Flames of Eternity, channeling their power. He launched a fireball at the Wobra, the heat radiating through the air. The attack hit true, weakening the creature's poison and giving Jack a small boost of experience.
In that moment of vulnerability, Jack's allies rallied around him. They combined their attacks, pouring every ounce of strength they had into defeating the Wobra. With a final, coordinated strike, the beast fell, its reign of terror ended.
As silence fell, everyone turned to Jack with curiosity. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, breathless.
One hunter stepped forward. "It's just… learning a spell bounding isn't easy. Only one in a hundred can summon the element."
Jack shook his head. "It wasn't summoning. I just transformed the flames properties into a summoning elements properties."
Before anyone could respond, a shout echoed from the camp. "Master Kai!" Lara's voice rang out, filled with urgency.
They all rushed back to where Master Kai lay, gravely injured. Panic surged as they carried him back to the village, Jack feeling the weight of guilt pressing heavily on his chest.
When they arrived at the guild hall, Master Kai was barely breathing, each breath a struggle. "Wait," he whispered, his voice weak but insistent. "It's time to go."
"Don't push yourself!" Jack urged. "We'll find a way to save you!"
"Don't stop me from being with my friends," Master Kai replied, his tone final.
A somber silence fell over them, each member of the team grasping the gravity of the moment.
"Listen carefully," Master Kai began, his voice trembling. "I'm going to tell you my story—the one I've always wanted to share." He paused, gathering strength. "Long ago, there was a tale about a wish dragon that could fulfill any wish. I embarked on a journey, made many friends, and lost them along the way. I was left alone, wounded in a frozen place. An old man and woman found me, took me in. I became their son and wanted to repay their kindness."
He continued, "I started hunting rare animals, and in time, I transformed that tent into a city—Frosthaven. I'm proud to die for this city."
Tears brimmed in Lara's eyes as she listened. "Now, I'm giving it to you, Lara. Protect it. Lead the guild and take my place. And Jack… there's a box in my room. Can you bring it to me?"
Jack nodded, a sense of urgency swelling within him. He rushed to retrieve the box, returning quickly to Master Kai's side.
"This box will give you all the answers you need, Jack," Master Kai said, his voice fading. "Goodbye, my friends."
With those final words, Master Kai closed his eyes, his breath coming to a halt.
A heavy silence enveloped the room. Shock and sorrow washed over them, and Jack felt the world tilt beneath him.
"Why couldn't I save him?" Jack whispered to Myth. "He died because of me. I'm so useless. Why can't I protect those I love?"
Myth's voice was steady but filled with empathy. "It's not your fault, Jack. You fought bravely. You have the potential to become stronger. Master Kai believed in you. You must honor his legacy."
But in that moment, all Jack could feel was the weight of his failure, and the haunting reality of loss.