Kael blinked, surprised by her sudden seriousness. "What kind of place?" he asked cautiously.
Sephina's gaze was distant, as if her thoughts were already far ahead.
"A place where fire truly comes to life. It will challenge you, break you, and teach you its essence. If you wish to master your element, Kael."
Amelia, standing to the side, tilted her head with a playful smirk.
"Ooh, sounds mysterious. Should I come along to hold his hand if he gets scared?"
Kael shot her a glare, his cheeks heating slightly. "I can handle it, Amelia," he muttered.
Sephina raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "This is something he must do alone."
Kael nodded, feeling the weight of her words settle in his chest.
As Sephina walked away, her silhouette fading into the soft hues of twilight, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of both anticipation and unease.
Amelia leaned in closer, grinning mischievously. "So, are you ready for your secret fire training, Mr 'Masked Prodigy'? Don't burn your eyebrows off."
Kael rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a small smile. "I'll be fine. You'll see"
__________
As the first light of dawn began to creep through the curtains, Kael rose, his heart pounding with anticipation.
He dressed quickly, donning a simple outfit that would allow for movement—loose trousers and a fitted shirt.
At precisely 5:00 AM, Kael made his way through the lush gardens of the island, the air still cool and crisp.
The world around him was waking up, birds chirping and the gentle rustle of leaves filling the silence. He arrived at the designated meeting spot.
Sephina stood there, her figure silhouetted against the rising sun. She turned as he approached, her golden eyes reflecting the light with an otherworldly glow. "You're on time," she noted, a hint of approval in her voice.
She stepped closer, her golden eyes studying him intently. "Good."
"Let's go," she said simply.
Without warning, two magnificent, fiery wings unfurled from her back, their golden and crimson feathers shimmering with an otherworldly radiance.
Kael couldn't help but gape in awe, momentarily stunned by the sheer beauty of her transformation.
Then, with a flick of her fingers, he felt a sudden rush of wind surround him.
In the blink of an eye, Kael found himself lifted off the ground, suspended in the air as if cradled by an invisible force.
"What the—?" Kael's voice wavered, his arms flailing for a moment before he steadied himself.
Sephina glanced back "Relax. I've got you," she said, her voice calm but firm.
With a powerful beat of her wings, they took off, soaring through the sky at an incredible speed.
The wind roared in Kael's ears as the world below blurred into a tapestry of green forests and blue rivers.
For nearly One hour, they traveled at breakneck speed, the horizon shifting and expanding with each passing moment.
Finally, Sephina began to slow down, descending toward a secluded island surrounded by a winding river.
They landed atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the river, the morning sun casting golden hues over the landscape.
Kael stumbled slightly as his feet touched solid ground, still adjusting to the sensation of flight.
Kael stumbled slightly as his feet touched solid ground, still adjusting to the sensation of flight.
"This," Sephina said, gesturing to the river below, "is where your trial begins."
Kael looked around, his curiosity piqued. "What is this place?"
"A place where fire is born and tested," Sephina replied cryptically. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, her usual stern demeanor softened.
"Kael, before you go, there's something you need to understand."
She placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice steady but filled with an uncharacteristic warmth.
"If you feel that you can't do it, don't hesitate to turn back. This trial isn't about pride or proving yourself to anyone. It's about growth. You can return another time if you need to, but don't push yourself beyond your limits."
Kael nodded, absorbing her words. "I understand."
"Good," Sephina said, releasing his shoulder.
She stepped back, folding her wings neatly against her back. Her gaze turned toward the river, her expression unreadable once more. "Now, go."
Kael took a deep breath, steeling himself. Whatever lay ahead, he was determined to face it.
He stepped toward the edge of the outcrop, the sound of the rushing river growing louder as he prepared to descend into the unknown.
"Remember," Sephina called out, her voice carrying over the rush of the water, "trust in your instincts. The fire within you will guide you."
He turned back to her, his heart racing. "What exactly am I supposed to do?"
As then after Gathering his courage, Kael dove into the river, the cold water enveloping him as he swam downward.
At first, nothing happened. The river was calm, with no sign of anything extraordinary.
Kael swam back up to the surface and looked toward Sephina, his confusion evident.
"Mom," he called, treading water. "Nothing's happening!"
Sephina's face broke into a fit of laughter, her voice carrying down to him.
"Oh, I completely forgot to tell you," she said between chuckles. "You need to dive into the deepest part of the river. Not here, silly!"
Kael groaned, shaking his head. "You could've mentioned that earlier," he muttered before taking another deep breath and diving again.
The further he descended, the colder and darker the water became.
His lungs began to burn, urging him to resurface, but he pushed on, determined to see what lay below.
The weight of the water pressed against him, and his vision blurred slightly from the strain.
Three minutes passed, then four. Kael's chest ached with the desperate need for air, but just as he thought he couldn't hold on any longer, he spotted something—a faint glimmer in the murky depths.
It was an opening, a circular hole at the very bottom of the riverbed, illuminated by a soft, fiery glow.
With the last of his strength, Kael swam toward it, his heart pounding as he squeezed through the narrow gap.
The moment he emerged on the other side, Kael gasped for air, his lungs greedily filling with oxygen.
He wiped the water from his face and looked around, his eyes widening in awe.
He stood in an enormous cavern, its vast expanse illuminated by the molten red glow of lava streams that carved paths across the stone floor.
The air was thick with heat, and the walls of the cavern shimmered with crystalline formations, glowing faintly with hues of orange and gold.
At the far end of the cavern loomed a towering volcano, its peak shrouded in smoke and fire that crackled ominously.
The ground beneath his feet was rough and warm, and the air carried a faint sulfuric tang.
It was a place of raw, untamed power, and Kael could feel the fire element pulsing all around him, almost as if the cavern itself were alive.
"This…" Kael whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the distant roar of the volcano. "This is incredible."
He stood there, taking it all in, his heart racing with both fear and excitement...