Chapter 8: Awakening the Flame
Ilyana stared at Draelen in disbelief. "My… power? I don't have any magic, Draelen. I've told you that."
Draelen's face was set in grim determination, but there was a flicker of something softer in his eyes—hope, or perhaps desperation. "You may not have used magic before, but you are of royal blood from the Kingdom of Fire, Ilyana. The flame runs through your veins, even if it has lain dormant all your life."
She shook her head, her mind spinning. Ever since she was a child, she had been told she was different, that she lacked the magical abilities her family had wielded for generations. Her brother, Talek, had mastered his fire magic at an early age, but for her, there had been nothing. No spark, no flame—just the weight of disappointment in her father's eyes.
"You've seen it yourself, Draelen. I have no gift for fire, no magic to call my own," she said quietly.
Draelen stepped closer, his cold, gloved hand resting lightly on her arm. "Ilyana, the power within you has not been awakened. It's not uncommon for magic to remain hidden until it's truly needed. But now… with everything that's happening, we need every advantage we can get. And I believe you hold more power than you realize."
She looked up at him, feeling the intensity of his gaze. Could it be true? Could she really possess magic after all this time? Or was this just another way to keep her bound to the fate she hadn't chosen?
"What makes you think I can control it?" she asked, a hint of doubt creeping into her voice.
Draelen's jaw tightened. "Because I've seen it before. In you. The day we were attacked by Kaelen's spies in the Frostlands, you reacted instinctively. You shielded yourself from harm with fire."
Ilyana blinked, remembering the moment Draelen referred to. She had been overwhelmed, her heart racing, the world around her in chaos. She remembered the heat in her chest, the strange sensation of warmth that had surged through her, but she had assumed it was just her fear. Could it have been something more?
"That was just adrenaline. Fear," she said, trying to convince herself as much as him.
Draelen's hand squeezed her arm gently. "It wasn't fear. It was fire. You just don't know how to control it yet."
She took a step back, pulling her arm from his grasp, her thoughts swirling. "And what if I can't? What if it's too late?"
Draelen's expression softened. "It's not too late. But you'll need to trust me. There's a way to unlock the power inside you—if you're willing."
Ilyana's heart skipped a beat. She had spent her whole life believing she was different, powerless. The idea that she could possess magic after all this time felt both terrifying and exhilarating. But she had to know the truth.
"What do I have to do?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Draelen hesitated for a moment before answering. "We'll need to perform an ancient ritual. It's dangerous, but it's the only way to awaken your magic. Once we begin, there's no turning back."
"Dangerous how?" she asked, her heart quickening.
"The ritual taps directly into the elemental magic of your bloodline," Draelen explained. "If the fire within you is awakened, it will surge through your body all at once. If you're not strong enough to contain it… the fire could consume you."
Ilyana's stomach churned at the thought. The idea of unleashing something so powerful, something she didn't fully understand, terrified her. But she also knew that Draelen was right. If she had any chance of mastering her magic, she couldn't afford to wait any longer.
She straightened her back, meeting Draelen's gaze with newfound determination. "I'm ready."
Draelen nodded, though she could see the concern in his eyes. "There's a sacred chamber beneath the castle, hidden deep in the mountains. That's where the ritual must take place. We'll go tonight, when the moon is at its highest. The fire inside you is tied to the elements, and the alignment of the moon and stars will help unlock it."
Ilyana nodded, though her heart pounded in her chest. The decision had been made. There was no going back.
The hours passed slowly as Ilyana prepared for what lay ahead. She couldn't shake the sense of unease that had settled over her. What if she wasn't strong enough? What if the fire inside her refused to awaken, or worse—what if it consumed her?
Draelen had left her in her chambers, giving her time to reflect and prepare for the ritual. She paced the room restlessly, her thoughts a whirlwind of fear and anticipation. She wanted to be strong, to prove herself worthy of the title of princess, but doubt gnawed at her. Could she really do this?
As the sun set and darkness crept across the sky, a knock came at her door.
"It's time," Draelen said when she opened it, his face serious but calm. "Are you ready?"
Ilyana took a deep breath, her heart racing. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Together, they descended through the winding corridors of the castle, their footsteps echoing in the silence. The deeper they went, the colder the air became, until they reached a hidden passage carved into the rock beneath the mountain. The walls shimmered with frost, and Ilyana could see her breath misting in the cold.
"This place feels… ancient," Ilyana murmured as they walked deeper into the passageway.
"It is," Draelen replied. "The magic of this place is older than any of us. My people have long guarded these chambers, but few know of their existence."
At the end of the passage, they reached a large stone door etched with symbols Ilyana didn't recognize. Draelen placed his hand on the door, and with a soft hum of magic, it swung open to reveal a massive cavern.
The chamber was breathtaking. A pool of molten lava bubbled in the center, casting an eerie red glow across the room, while jagged ice formations lined the walls, sparkling in the dim light. It was a place where fire and frost met, a sacred space for the ritual that was about to begin.
"This is where the fire in your blood will be awakened," Draelen said softly, leading her to the edge of the pool. "You'll need to stand in the center. The heat from the lava will call to the magic inside you, and once it begins… you mustn't resist."
Ilyana swallowed hard, fear gnawing at her, but she nodded. "I understand."
Draelen took a step back, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'll be here to guide you. You're not alone in this."
Taking a deep breath, Ilyana stepped forward and positioned herself at the edge of the glowing lava pool. The heat was intense, almost unbearable, and yet she felt drawn to it, as though something deep inside her was stirring in response.
Draelen began to chant in the ancient language of his people, his voice low and rhythmic. The words echoed off the cavern walls, and Ilyana felt a strange pull in her chest, a warmth growing in her core.
The air around her seemed to thicken, and the heat of the lava intensified. Her skin prickled with energy, and she felt the fire inside her begin to wake.
Suddenly, a searing pain shot through her body, and she cried out, falling to her knees as the magic surged within her. It was overwhelming—like a wave of molten fire crashing through her veins, burning her from the inside out.
"Ilyana!" Draelen's voice cut through the haze of pain, but she couldn't focus. The fire was too strong, too wild. She could feel it consuming her, threatening to tear her apart.
But then, somewhere deep inside, she found her strength.
"No," she whispered through gritted teeth. "I won't let it control me."
With a surge of willpower, Ilyana reached out to the fire, grasping for control. It bucked and fought against her, but she refused to give in. Slowly, painfully, she began to pull the flames into herself, taming the wild magic that had been awakened within her.
The pain began to subside, replaced by a warm, steady glow. The fire was hers now—her magic, her power.
When she opened her eyes, Draelen was kneeling beside her, his hand on her shoulder.
"You did it," he whispered, awe in his voice. "You've awakened the fire within you."
Ilyana looked down at her hands, still trembling but now glowing faintly with a soft, fiery light. She had done it. The magic of her ancestors was alive inside her.
And for the first time in her life, Ilyana felt powerful.