The journey back from the Shrine of the First Flame was not as arduous as the descent, but Darian felt a strange sense of heaviness with each step. It wasn't the weight of the orb tucked safely inside his satchel, nor the fatigue from facing the trials. It was the realization that their path forward was about to become far more dangerous.
Sumner's wings sliced through the air as they flew toward the small clearing where Oryn waited. They landed gently, and Darian climbed off Sumner's back, his legs still shaky from the events of the shrine.
Oryn's eyes widened as he saw Darian approach, and a smile of pride tugged at the corners of his lips. "You did it," he said quietly. "I felt the surge of power from here."
Darian nodded, pulling the glowing orb from his satchel and holding it up. "The First Flame. It's incredible, Oryn—I can feel its power coursing through me."
Oryn stepped closer, examining the orb with reverence. "You have done what many before you could not. The First Flame is a gift, but it is also a burden. Use it wisely."
"How do we use this to destroy the Beacon?" Darian asked, his mind already turning to the battle ahead.
"There is a ritual," Oryn explained, gesturing for them to sit by the fire. "The Beacon of Avarice is rooted in shadow, and the First Flame is its antithesis. If you channel the flame's power into the heart of the Beacon, it will sever the Shadow Weaver's connection to the darkness, rendering him vulnerable."
Darian nodded, his heart quickening with excitement. "Then that's our next step. We'll head straight for the Beacon and—"
"No," Oryn interrupted sharply, shaking his head. "You are not ready."
"What do you mean?" Darian protested. "We've come this far—we can't stop now!"
Oryn's eyes darkened, and for the first time, Darian saw fear in the old man's gaze. "You don't understand. The Shadow Weaver will sense the power of the First Flame. He will come for you, and he will stop at nothing to claim it for himself."
Darian clenched his fists, frustration bubbling up inside him. "Then we'll face him! We have the power to fight back now."
"There's more to this than just power, Darian," Oryn said softly. "You must learn control. The First Flame is wild, untamed. If you wield it recklessly, it could consume you."
He's right, Sumner agreed, lowering his head to meet Darian's gaze. We've gained strength, but we can't rush into this. We need to be ready.
Darian took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. "Alright," he conceded. "What do we do?"
"You train," Oryn said, a hint of a smile returning to his face. "We'll practice channeling the flame's power, learning to use it without letting it overwhelm you. When you are truly ready, we'll confront the Shadow Weaver."
As they settled into their training, Darian couldn't shake the feeling that time was slipping away. Every moment they delayed, the Beacon of Avarice grew stronger, and the Shadow Weaver's influence spread further across the land.
For days, Oryn guided them through the process of controlling the flame. Darian focused on summoning its power, channeling it through his body, and directing it into his sword. At first, the flame flickered uncontrollably, nearly scorching him, but with time, he began to feel its rhythm, its pulse, merging with his own heartbeat.
Sumner, too, learned to wield the flame, practicing breathing controlled bursts of fire that were hotter and brighter than ever before. Together, they became a force of light, an unbreakable bond strengthened by the power of the First Flame.
But one night, as they rested, Darian awoke with a start. The air around him felt wrong—thick and heavy, as if it was pressing down on his chest. He sat up, squinting into the darkness, and froze.
A shadow moved at the edge of the clearing, shifting and swirling like smoke. Darian reached for his sword, his heart racing, but before he could draw it, a figure stepped out of the shadows. He was tall and thin, with long black hair and eyes that glowed faintly red. A black cloak billowed around him, and he seemed to melt into the darkness with every step.
The Shadow Weaver.
"Darian," the man said, his voice soft and chilling. "I've been looking for you."
Darian leaped to his feet, brandishing his sword. "Stay back!"
The Shadow Weaver laughed, a cold, hollow sound that sent shivers down Darian's spine. "You think that little blade will protect you? You have something that belongs to me."
"The First Flame isn't yours!" Darian shouted, his voice shaking. "You can't have it!"
"Ah, but that's where you're wrong," the Shadow Weaver said, taking another step forward. "The First Flame was mine long before you were even born. And you're far too weak to wield it."
As he spoke, the shadows around him surged forward, reaching out like tendrils toward Darian. He swung his sword, but the shadows wrapped around the blade, extinguishing the flame in an instant.
"Sumner!" Darian cried, and the dragon was by his side in an instant, letting out a roar that sent flames erupting toward the Shadow Weaver.
But the man simply raised a hand, and the fire froze in mid-air before dissipating into smoke. "You are nothing compared to me," he sneered. "You have no idea of the power you're dealing with."
Darian felt a surge of desperation as the shadows drew closer, and he knew that he couldn't defeat this enemy—not yet. "Sumner, we have to go!" he shouted, leaping onto the dragon's back.
We'll come back, Sumner promised, and with a mighty beat of his wings, he lifted off the ground, soaring into the sky.
The Shadow Weaver watched them go, his eyes gleaming. "Run, little rider," he called after them. "But you can't escape me. The flame will be mine."
Darian clung to Sumner's back as they flew higher and higher, the wind whipping past them. His heart pounded in his chest, and for the first time since he began this journey, he felt truly afraid.
Are you alright? Sumner's voice cut through his fear, and Darian nodded shakily.
"We have to be stronger," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "We have to be ready."
As they flew through the night, Darian's resolve hardened. He knew that the Shadow Weaver was coming for them, and that there would be no escape. But he also knew that they wouldn't face him alone.
They had the First Flame, and they had each other. And together, they would find a way to win.
No matter what it took.