As dawn broke horizon, they all made their way out of Solmia, following a narrow and a windy path through the mountains. The air was cold and a gentle fog covers the forest below. Elaro feels unease, the shadows of her inner trial were still fresh in her mind. She gripped her weapon tightly, feeling the warmth of the Red Flame in her, its presence was both comforting and demanding.
They traveled in silence, each lost in their thoughts. But as they rounded a turn in the path, a sudden tension fills the air. Eldin slowed down, his eyes thinning as he scanned the surroundings.
"Something is not right," he whispered. "We're being watched."
Karo drew his sword, his eyes sharpening as he moved to stand protectively beside Elaro. "Show yourselves," he called out, his voice echoes through the silent forest. For a moment, there was no response. Then, figures come out from the shadows, surrounding them. They wore dark clothes, their faces were hidden, but Elaro could sense a familiar power radiating from them, a power that vibrated with her flame.
One of them stepped forward, his hood was falling back to reveal a man with piercing eyes and a smirk that sent a jolt through her. "Elaro," he said, his voice was arrogant. "We've been waiting for you."
Elaro feels her heart pounding hard, her instincts were warning her of the danger. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice was steady despite the fear in her.
The man's smirk widens. "We are the Order of Ash, a society dedicated to connecting the power of the Red Flame. And you, my dear, are the key to unlocking its true power."
The man took a step closer; his eyes were fixed on her. "You don't understand the power you possess, Elaro. The Red Flame is a force unlike any other, and if it is in the right hands, it can change the fate of entire world."
Karo moved in front of her, his eyes were fierce. "She doesn't need your guidance. Whatever you're planning, stay away from her." The man snickers, his eyes glowing with amusement. "Ah, the knight in the shining armor. How old-fashioned. But this isn't about you, boy. This is about power and only Elaro has the power to become unstoppable."
Elaro clenched her fists, anger boiling in her. "I'm not interested in your plans. The flame is my responsibility, not yours."
The man's jaw clenched, his smirk fading. "Very well. If you refuse to join us… then we'll simply take what we need." On his gesture of hands, and shadows gather around them, the air becomes thick with dark energy. The other members of the Order advanced, their weapons drawn and their eyes get cold and sharp.
Eldin moved to Elaro's side, his expression was grim. "We are surrounded. There's no easy way out of this."
Elaro took a breath and feels the flame in her roaring to life. She could sense its hunger and its desire to be released. But she hesitated at first, knowing that if she lost control, she could destroy everything around her.
Karo squeezed her hand, his composure steady. "Trust yourself, Elaro. You're stronger than them.". She nodded, allowing the flame to flow through her, its warmth was filling her with a fierce, unbreakable strength.
The Order members attacked, their movements were swift and coordinated. Elaro feels the flame was guiding her movements as she blocked their strikes, her blade burning with a brilliant red glow. She moved with a speed that surprised even herself, each strike was more powerful than the last.
Karo and Eldin fought side by side with her, their movements were perfect. They were outnumbered, but together they hold their ground, pushing back the attackers with every strike. But the leader of the Order was persistent, his dark energy clashes with her flame in a powerful display. He smirked. "You think you can resist the flame's true nature? You're nothing more than a puppet. A power you can't even begin to imagine."
Elaro grit her teeth, feeling the flame burning hotter, fiercer, as if responding to his taunts. She could feel its raw strength coursing in her body. But she knew that if she gave in, she risked of losing control. She remembered the story of the Red Knight and the warnings of Solmia's elder.
Taking a deep breath, she focused on the flame, controlling its power with precision, guiding it with her own will. She strikes with her blade slicing through the dark energy surrounding the leader, her flame was burning away the shadows.
He staggered back, his expression was filled with shock and rage. "Impossible… no one has ever resisted the flame's call like this."
Elaro meet his gaze, her voice was steady. "I'm not just a puppet. I am the master of my own power." With a final and powerful strike, she defeated him, her flame was engulfing his form. The remaining members of the Order fell back, their determination shattered.
As the Order retreated, Elaro feels exhaustion washing over her. She collapsed to her knees, the flame in her was flickering as it settled.
Karo and Eldin rushed to her. "You did well. You stood up to them… and you won." She smiled weakly, feeling a sense of satisfaction. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Eldin looked around, his expression was tense. "We need to move. The Order won't give up that easily. They will come back, and they'll be stronger."
Elaro nod, but her mind was stuck with a question that refused to be silenced. The Order's leader had spoken of the flame's true nature that its power was beyond her understanding. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the Red Flame than she had been told.
As they continued their way back. Elaro though to herself that she would uncover the truth of her power at any cost. But as they made their way through the forest, a new person appeared on the path ahead, a man she recognized all too well.
Lucian stands before them; his gaze was calculating.
"Elaro," he said, his voice was soft but filled with a tension. "We need to talk."
To Be Continued