The morning air was crisp as Aiden and Elara stepped outside the inn, yawning and stretching. The patrol the night before had taken a toll, and even now, as they relived the flashes of fire and ice that had surfaced in their fight, they could still feel the lingering exhaustion in their bones. But there was also a shared thrill—they'd tapped into their powers, however faintly, and defended themselves against a real threat.
"I still can't believe we did that," Elara said, her voice hushed. Her eyes gleamed with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. "I mean, it wasn't much, but we actually used fire and ice. Who knows what we could do if we can get stronger?"
Aiden grinned, remembering the surge of warmth he'd felt when his blade had ignited. "It's a start. But we're going to need a lot more than a few flickers if we want to be taken seriously here."
As they moved through the square, they noticed people glancing their way—some with curiosity, others with that same, lingering suspicion. Aiden could feel it like a prickling on the back of his neck. He'd hoped that last night's patrol might've changed some minds, but their presence was still a novelty, one that made the villagers uneasy.
They'd barely made it to the market square when the mayor's assistant, Yara, strode up to them. Her usually calm face was set in a serious expression, her thin, wiry figure seeming even more tense than usual.
"The mayor wants to see you," Yara said, not wasting a moment. "Now."
Aiden and Elara exchanged a look, then followed Yara up the path to the mayor's residence. They hadn't seen much of the mayor since they'd arrived in this world; her presence was more of a distant authority, a figure heard about more often than encountered. But now, as they walked up the worn stone steps, they felt a sense of apprehension settle over them.
The mayor's office was modest but well-kept, with shelves stacked with thick, leather-bound books and a large map pinned to one wall. Mayor Rinna sat behind a wooden desk, her gaze sharp as she looked up at them.
"Sit down," she instructed, her voice steady and commanding.
They obeyed, each taking a seat across from her, Yara hovering quietly by the door.
"I understand you both were on patrol last night," the mayor began, folding her hands on the desk. "And that you encountered something… unusual."
"Yes," Aiden said carefully, choosing his words. "We were attacked by a demon on the border of the village. It wasn't an ordinary one—it had claws, sharp enough to slice through armor."
The mayor's gaze flicked to Yara, who nodded slightly.
"We're aware of recent demon sightings," the mayor continued. "Loran informed me that you defended yourselves with some sort of… fire and ice magic?"
Elara shifted uncomfortably. "It was… new for us, too. We're still figuring out how it works. It's not consistent yet."
The mayor's expression didn't soften. "Magic of that nature is rare among humans," she said. "Which raises questions about where you came from and why you were summoned here at all."
Aiden felt a knot tighten in his stomach. "We don't know any more than you do, Mayor Rinna. We're just trying to find our way."
Rinna studied them for a long moment, as if weighing her response. "Regardless, you should know that there are people in this village who will view your powers as a threat. It may be best if you keep a low profile, especially until you gain better control. Do you understand?"
They both nodded, feeling the weight of her words. Despite their small victory last night, the village's unease around them remained.
"Yes, ma'am," Elara replied, her tone respectful but guarded.
"Good," the mayor said, her voice softening slightly. "Yara will show you out."
They rose from their seats, leaving the room with more questions than answers. The walk back to the inn was silent until Elara finally spoke up.
"'Keep a low profile'? Did she really expect us to just hide what we can do?" she muttered, kicking a pebble along the road. "We didn't ask for any of this, and now we're supposed to tiptoe around the people we're supposed to protect?"
Aiden sighed. "I get it. But we don't exactly have a choice, do we? They're worried about us. We're unknowns here, and until we prove ourselves, we'll have to deal with their distrust."
Elara's frustration simmered, but she didn't argue. They returned to the inn, where Loran was waiting for them, his arms crossed.
"Word travels fast around here," he said, giving them a scrutinizing look. "The mayor told you to keep a low profile, didn't she?"
Aiden nodded. "She made it clear."
Loran grunted, nodding toward a table in the corner. "Sit. There's something I need to explain."
They sat down, Loran taking the seat across from them. His usually gruff demeanor seemed to soften, if only slightly.
"You two have stumbled upon something rare," he began, folding his hands on the table. "Humans with elemental magic are practically unheard of. Most who do have magic can only manipulate the world in small ways, like a craft or trade skill. But elemental power… that's different. It's dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Elara echoed. "How?"
"Because it draws attention," he replied, his gaze steady. "There are beings in this world—demons and other forces—that are drawn to those who can wield such power. And there are humans, too, who would want to harness it for their own gain. This isn't just a matter of protecting yourselves; it's about survival."
Aiden and Elara exchanged a glance. The weight of their powers, even barely unlocked as they were, suddenly felt heavier.
"So what do we do?" Aiden asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Loran's expression hardened. "You learn control. You need to make sure your powers don't flare up unexpectedly, especially in front of people who don't trust you."
Aiden clenched his fists. It seemed like every conversation was a reminder of how little control they had—not just over their powers, but over their own lives in this strange world.
"Fine," he said. "But where do we start?"
Loran studied him for a moment, then rose from the table, gesturing for them to follow. He led them out of the inn and down a winding path that eventually led to a small clearing at the edge of the village. There, nestled among the trees, was a simple stone altar, its surface marked with faint, glowing runes.
"This is the Shrine of Novia," Loran said. "It's a place where people come to seek guidance, clarity… even strength. You may find that it helps you focus. Try practicing here—alone, and away from prying eyes."
Elara ran a hand over the rough stone, studying the intricate carvings. The runes seemed to pulse under her fingers, a faint, rhythmic glow that felt both ancient and powerful.
"Thank you, Loran," she said, her voice soft. "We'll make sure no one else finds out about this place."
He nodded, his gaze distant. "Just… be careful. Magic is a powerful tool, but it can just as easily become a curse."
With that, he turned and walked back toward the village, leaving them alone in the clearing. The silence around them felt almost sacred, the faint glow of the runes casting soft, shifting shadows on the ground.
Aiden took a deep breath, feeling the quiet hum of the shrine settle over him. For the first time since they'd arrived, he felt a sense of calm—an invitation to explore the depths of his own abilities without fear or hesitation.
He closed his eyes, focusing inward, reaching for that elusive spark of heat he'd felt before. This time, he let it come slowly, feeling it grow and warm him from within, filling his hands with a soft, tingling warmth.
Beside him, Elara did the same, her fingers grazing the stone as she summoned the cold, letting it spread through her veins like a steady, controlled chill.
The power flickered to life, faint but unmistakable. They practiced in silence, feeling the ebb and flow of their elemental magic, testing its boundaries and savoring the slow, steady progress. Each time they reached for the power, it felt a little more natural, a little easier to grasp.
But just as they began to find their rhythm, a sharp sound broke the silence—a rustling from the edge of the clearing.
Aiden tensed, his hand still faintly warm from his fire magic. He turned slowly, his gaze scanning the trees.
"Elara," he whispered. "Did you hear that?"
She nodded, her eyes wide. "Do you think it's another demon?"
The rustling grew louder, closer, and they both took a step back, their powers fading as they prepared to defend themselves. But as the figure emerged from the shadows, they realized with a start that it wasn't a demon.
It was a young girl, no more than twelve, her dark eyes wide with curiosity as she stared at them.
"What are you doing out here?" she asked, her voice soft but unmistakably clear.
Aiden and Elara froze, caught off guard. The girl's gaze flicked between them, settling on their hands, where the faint traces of fire and ice had yet to fade completely.
"You're… you're not from here, are you?"