RUH: Volume 1 Chapter 4
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The fireball erupts from my palm in an unexpected explosion, shattering the peaceful morning air. Heat and light engulf me in an instant, turning the world into a chaotic whirl of fire and debris. What was once a warm flicker now rages like a beast set loose, devouring everything in its path.
"NO!" Claire's scream cuts through the blaze as she lunges forward, but before she can reach me, Felix is already in motion.
His body morphs, muscles rippling as familiar orange and black stripes streak across his skin. In seconds, he's transformed into a massive, powerful tiger, his frame larger than life, his long white hair flowing like a mane. With a ferocious roar, he plants himself between me and the flames, shielding Claire and me from the fire's wrath.
The heat is intense, but my father's presence radiates protection. I stand, trembling, watching him unleash his Talent—a display of strength I had only heard about in stories. With one powerful swipe of his paw, he dispels the flames in front of us, the sheer force of his movement filling me with awe.
"Stay behind me!" Felix commands, his voice deep and unwavering. "Claire, get Enoch to safety!"
Claire grabs my hand, her face tight with worry. "Come on, Enoch! We have to go!"
I hesitate, glancing back at our home, the place I'd felt so safe now marred by flames. My heart sinks as the weight of what I've done settles over me. I've awakened a Talent, but at what cost?
Together, we rush toward the door, the fire snapping at our heels. My father holds his ground, his tiger form a barrier between us and the inferno. The crackling of the flames fills the air, and a knot of guilt tightens in my chest.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" I shout, my voice barely cutting through the roar.
Felix looks back, and for a brief moment, his fierce tiger eyes soften. "It's alright, Enoch! Just focus on getting to safety!"
We stumble out into the fresh morning air, and the coolness hits me, a stark contrast to the heat of the flames. I catch my breath, a mixture of exhilaration and dread churning inside me. The moment that began with discovery has spiraled into something terrifying.
"Stay here," Claire instructs, casting a glance back at our burning home. "I'll go help your father."
"No!" I shout, panic flooding my voice. "He needs us! I can help!"
But even as I say it, I know the truth—I've only just touched the edge of my Talent. I don't fully understand it yet, much less control it.
"Enoch, listen to your mother!" Felix's voice booms from within the flames. "Stay safe! This is my responsibility!"
But the energy within me pulses with defiance. I can't leave him to face this alone. I don't want to be helpless. I take a steadying breath and reach for that ember inside me, the warmth I'd felt when the fire first flared.
"Please, let me try!" I plead, my voice raw with urgency.
Closing my eyes, I focus inward, recalling the feeling of the flames in my hand. I summon that ember, calling it forward, willing it to listen to me. "Fire, hear me!" I whisper, my voice steadying as I feel the energy respond.
To my surprise, a surge of warmth rises in my chest, flowing down my arms to my fingertips. I extend my hands toward the fire, envisioning it bending to my will, taming its fury.
Slowly, almost reluctantly, the flames begin to shift, responding to my intent. The fire that had been raging so wildly softens, swirling into controlled patterns around us. I feel its heat, but instead of fear, a sense of purpose fills me as I guide it away from our home.
"You're doing it, Enoch!" Claire's voice echoes with a mixture of pride and shock.
Felix, his tiger eyes flickering with surprise, glances back at me. "Hold it steady, Enoch! Keep control!"
Their words fuel my determination. I push harder, concentrating on the flow of energy within me. The flames twist and spiral, bending to my command. The roar of the fire quiets, and its wild energy settles into a steady, controlled burn.
With a final, focused push, I coax the flames back into a single ember in my palm. The inferno retreats, leaving only a small, warm glow—a flickering reminder of what I hold within.
I look up at my parents, breathless and overwhelmed by both the relief and thrill of what I've accomplished. "I did it," I whisper, my voice filled with wonder. "I controlled it."
Felix's towering form shrinks as he reverts to his human shape, his face still shining with amazement. "Incredible, Enoch. That was—"
"Dangerous," Claire cuts in, her eyes full of both pride and caution. "Fire can be a gift, Enoch, but it can also be a curse if you don't control it wisely."
I nod, the weight of her words pressing on me. "I understand, Mother. I'll learn. I promise."
.
.
Besides my Awakening—and nearly burning down our house—this past year has been anything but uneventful. Yet even with all that's happened, I'm barely scratching the surface of what I can do. Mastering my Talent has been a constant dance of progress and setbacks: two steps forward, three steps back.
Learning to read was surprisingly smooth. My mother would joke that I took to it like a fish to water, proud that her little boy was a natural. Sicily, my older sister, however, never lets me live down that my first "discovery" nearly burned our house to the ground. She teases me about it every chance she gets. Reading came easily, but writing? Writing was another story. Each letter felt like it fought me, refusing to take shape. It took months of stubborn practice before I managed a legible scrawl, but Sicily still laughed at my efforts, reminding me that penmanship wasn't my only challenge.
Then came essence manipulation. My father, Felix, is a master of his powerful Tiger Hide Talent, a gift that's transformed him into a local legend for his strength and resilience. He says I'm a natural at controlling essence for my age, and I can feel it—the energy flows through me like a river I can guide but not own. Fire, though... Fire's wild, barely tethered, and completely unwilling to bend to my will. It flares to life only when I lose control, and Sicily takes full advantage of this, conjuring little flames around my head just to see my frustration spark.
One evening, after a long and exhausting practice session, my parents called me into the sitting room. My father, always so confident and sure, looked hesitant for once, and my mother's hands were clasped tightly in her lap.
"Enoch," my mother began gently, her voice soft yet serious, "we think it's time you had a teacher."
"A teacher?" I stammered, caught off guard. Tutors were rare in Elderwood, our quiet town nestled in the heart of Igris City within the Verdantia Kingdom. Most families here wouldn't even think about bringing in professional trainers.
"Yes," my father said, his brow furrowed thoughtfully. "You're beyond what we can teach you at this point."
My mother nodded. "There's someone who could help—my mother, Cecilia."
I'd heard of my grandmother, Cecilia. She was renowned, even legendary, for her Talent and rigorous training. Her husband, my grandfather Fran Necron, was notorious in his own way, although for different reasons. Whenever my father mentions Fran, it's usually with a scowl—apparently, Fran had tried everything he could to stop my parents' marriage, calling my father a "no-good bastard." Family bonds, it turns out, can be complicated.
When we arrived in Igris City, it felt like stepping into another world. Towering structures, bustling markets, and an endless hum of life filled the streets. I couldn't stop staring, wide-eyed, at the bustling scene before me.
The moment Cecilia saw me, her stern face softened into a warm smile. "Well, aren't you a sight, little Enoch!" she beamed, pulling me into an unexpectedly tight hug. Her embrace was warm, melting away any nervousness. "You've grown so much! Look at those big eyes of yours!"
I felt my cheeks flush as she fussed over me, patting my hair and laughing softly. She then turned to Sicily, pulling her in as well, squeezing us both like we were her most precious treasures. "You two are absolutely adorable!" she exclaimed, her voice bright with love. Sicily rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smirk—she loved the attention.
Then, my grandfather entered, and the room shifted. Fran's gaze hardened the moment he spotted my father. With a low grunt, he gave Felix an icy look, not even bothering with a greeting. My father simply returned the stare, unphased. It was as if two unmovable mountains were squaring off, each determined to outlast the other in silent defiance. Before the tension could build any further, a soft thud sounded as Cecilia smacked Fran on the back of the head.
"Fran! Say hello properly, you old bear!" she scolded, her tone hovering between irritation and amusement. Fran's rough exterior cracked as he muttered something under his breath, but the tension in the room evaporated as we all burst into laughter.
Over the following weeks, Cecilia put me through rigorous training, her sharp eyes noting every detail. She assessed my abilities with a meticulousness that was both intimidating and inspiring. Then, one afternoon, she made a discovery.
"Enoch," she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement and caution, "you're not just an Elemental Talent. You possess a State Talent."
I blinked in surprise. State Talents were rare, almost mythical abilities that granted unique, powerful enhancements far beyond basic elemental control. For me, this Talent was tied to fire, a potential that Cecilia warned would only grow more potent—and more challenging.
"Mastering this won't be easy," she warned. "I can guide you through the basics, but for true control, you'll need to attend Nen Academy."
The very mention of Nen Academy sent a thrill down my spine. The academy sat atop a mountain plateau, known as the pinnacle of Talent training. Students from all four kingdoms sought its teachings. Verdantia, my home, was a land of vast forests where humans, elves, and dwarves lived together. Abyssalis was the underwater realm, its people capable of shape-shifting and breathing underwater. Aetheris, the kingdom above the clouds, commanded the winds and storms, while Nekronis, the shadowed land below, remained cloaked in mystery and fear.
Later that night, as we gathered by the fire, I noticed Sicily sneaking glances at me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don't get too used to all this special treatment, 'Firecracker,'" she teased, her voice dripping with playful condescension. She'd given me the nickname after the nevermind.
I rolled my eyes, trying to ignore her, but she wasn't done. "If you can't even control a little flame, how are you going to handle the big leagues?"
My father chuckled, reaching over to ruffle my hair. "He'll figure it out, just like I did. Right, kid?"
My mother joined in, her tone amused but affectionate. "Let's just hope he doesn't burn down Cecilia's library while he's at it."
Everyone laughed, even Sicily, who tried to hide it behind her hand. For the first time in ages, I felt a deep warmth settle in my chest—a warmth that came from being surrounded by family, even if they loved to taunt and tease me.
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