Kaelith nodded, his golden eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Very well. Produce a controlled flame, no larger than your palm."
Liria stepped forward, her mismatched eyes narrowing slightly as she focused. A deep breath steadied her, and she extended her hand. She didn't need to concentrate much; fire responded to her almost instinctively. Heat stirred around her fingertips, and within seconds, a small flame flickered to life.
Only it wasn't normal fire.
The flame that bloomed in Liria's palm wasn't the traditional orange or red but black as the void. It shimmered faintly with a silver edge, as if outlined in moonlight. The entire room went silent, the crackle of her magic the only sound.
Kaelith froze. His golden eyes widened briefly before narrowing into an intense, calculating gaze. "Impossible," he murmured under his breath.
The whispers began, cascading through the room like wildfire:
"Black flames? But isn't that…"
