The following morning, Elaro woke with a sense of unease. Memories of her vision haunted her and the image of the dark figure was still in her mind. She was beginning to understand that the Red Flames wasn't just a gift, it was a responsibility, a force she had to control, or she would be consumed by it. As she walked out, Eldin greets her. "You've shown remarkable progress, Elaro. But we need to dive deeper if you want to master the full extent of your powers."
Elaro nod with determination hardening her eyes. "I'm ready."
He led her to a deep part of the forest, where long trees created a natural barrier around a small blue pond. "This place is sacred to hunters of Astia," Eldin explains. "The waters are said to reveal a hunter's true essence, and in your case, it may unlock hidden strengths of Red Flames."
Elaro stops by the water's edge, feeling a sense of calm. She closed her eyes, focusing on her inner energy, and a strange warmth spread in her chest. As she opened her eyes, she gasped, the water was no longer still. It was moving, showing her a light and fiery glow under its surface.
"Touch it," Eldin instructed her.
Hesitantly but trusting, Elaro reached out, her fingers touching the water's surface. The moment she made contact, a little power erupted in her body, a fierce yet controlled heat. She felt the Crimson Flame awakening, washing through her veins like liquid of fire.
Her body was trembling, her eyes flashes with scenes she couldn't fully understand. She saw herself, wielding powers beyond her imagination, her enemies were falling before her, but also there was a dark moment when the power threatened her.
Finally, the vision faded, and she stepped back, breathless.
Eldin placed a hand on her shoulder. "This is only the beginning, Elaro. The Red Flame has recognized you as its master. But you must be cautious because it will continue to test you, revealing both your strength and nature." She took a deep breath, feeling the new power within her. She knew that this was no ordinary training. It was a test of her, a challenge that would define her journey in Astia.
As they returned to the camp, Karo was waiting for them with a serious look on his face. "I've scouted ahead," he reported, glancing between Elaro and Eldin. "There's trouble in the nearby village. The shades have been emerged, and they're terrorizing the people."
Elaro's heart clenched. "Then we have to help them." Karo nodded. "These shades are different from the ones we've faced before. They're stronger and more in numbers. Whoever's controlling them must be nearby."
Eldin's face darkens. "If a powerful shade commander is in the area, it's more dangerous than we thought. But we cannot ignore this threat."
They were making their way through the forest towards the village. As they approached, they could see smoke rising in the distance, and the sounds of frightened voices carried in the atmosphere. Elaro's grip on her blade gets hard, the Red Flame coming to life. She could feel the power going within her, eager for a fight. But she knew she had to remain in control.
As they entered the village, shades emerged from every corner, their twisted forms coming through the shadows. The villagers were afraid, and Karo quickly launching himself into battle. Elaro followed, her blade was cutting through the darkness as she merges her power.
The shades shriek, their forms disappearing under the force of her attacks. But the more kept coming, their numbers were seemingly endless.
"Elaro!" Karo shouted, pointing towards a larger shade near the edge of the village. It was unlike any shade they'd faced before. It was taller, with glowing red eyes and he was surrounded by an aura of dark magic.
The shade commander.
Elaro took a step forward. She locked eyes with the creature, sensing its power. It felt her like a challenge and she goes forward, its dark form merging into a solid figure. With a low growl, it raised its clawed hand, and shadows leaped from the ground, coming towards her.
The shadowy tentacles closed in on her, wrapping around her legs and arms, attempting to drag her down. She struggles hard, feeling the darkness attack at her strength. But then she remembered Eldin's words, reminding her of the flame's power.
Closing her eyes, she summoned the Crimson Flame, letting it expand. A bright and fiery aura enveloped in her, burning away the shadows and freeing her. She stood, her body was glowing with the flame, facing the shade commander with a new determination.
The creature let out a loud snarl, its claws slashing towards her. She dodged, countering with a quick strike, her blade moving as it met the creature's dark form. The shade howled and its form wavers as her flames consumed part of its shadow body.
But it didn't retreat. Instead, it struck again, this time faster and harder, its claws feel like a blur as it tried to attack her. Elaro fight back, feeling the strain, but also the excitement of the battle. She was now beginning to understand her powers, feeling how it is responding to her wills.
Just as she gained the right hand, the shade commander unleashed a blast of dark energy, sending her stepping back. She felt a sharp pain on her side but forced herself to stand, her eyes were locked onto the creature.
Before she could attack again, Karo appeared by her side, his own blade was glowing with a silver light. "Looks like you could use a hand," he said with a grin.
She gave him a grateful nod, and together they attack on the shade. With their combined strength, they attacked. The shade commander snarl, its form flickered as their strikes landed, which weakens it with each blow.
Finally, with a powerful swing, Elaro drive her blade into the creature's middle, unleashing a burst of Red Flame. The shade let out a final and piercing scream before disintegrating into the ashes. As the last of the shades disappeared, the villagers come out from their hiding places, offering gratitude. But Elaro could see the fear in their eyes, they were afraid of her.
She turned to Eldin, who had joined them after the battle. "I… didn't mean to scare them." Eldin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "They fear what they do not understand. But with time, they will come to see you as their protector."
Karo stepped forward, his expression was serious. "Elaro, you are powerful, but you'll need to be careful. Not everyone will see you as a blessing."
His words struck deeply in her heart. She was starting to realize the weight of her power, not just the physical strength, but the way it set her apart from others. She knew she would have to make a choice: to embrace the role of a protector, or to walk away from it.
As they made their way back, Elaro feels that she should use her powers to protect those who needed it, even if it is meant to face fear and isolation. Eldin sensed her. "Remember, Elaro. The Flames is as much a test of your character as it is of your strength. You must learn to balance power with wisdom."
She took his words to heart, knowing that her journey has only started. She had faced her first real trial, but she knew that greater challenges await her.
And with every step, her power was growing stronger.
To Be Continued