The sunlight broke through the forest canopy as Rowen trudged along the dirt path, the faint hum of his footsteps blending with the sounds of the waking wilderness. His body ached, but he was in no rush to get back to Calder's clearing.
Zoreth's voice crackled in his mind. "What's the matter, boy? Afraid Calder will sneer at your shiny new souvenir?"
Rowen rolled his eyes, though a smirk tugged at his lips. "I just fought a fire-breathing fox. I think I deserve a moment to breathe."
"Ah, yes. Stalling for time while you figure out how not to accidentally barbecue yourself. A wise choice," Zoreth quipped. "But why not use this delay to understand what you've just gained?"
Rowen stopped in his tracks, leaning against a sturdy oak. "What do you mean?"
"You absorbed its power, my boy" Zoreth said, his tone suddenly taking on a rare seriousness. "But power without control is a disaster waiting to happen. You'll need to learn to channel it quickly. Sit."
With a sigh, Rowen slid down to sit on the forest floor, letting the cool earth steady him. He closed his eyes, the flickering memories of the fight dancing in his mind. "Alright. I'm listening. What do I do?"
"First, let's address something you don't know. Something most people don't know" Zoreth began, his voice smooth but edged with intrigue. "You've heard of mana, yes? The energy that fuels abilities?"
Rowen nodded. "Sure. Everyone talks about it. It's just... energy in the air, right?"
"Partially correct" Zoreth said, a note of approval in his tone. "But here's the secret: mana isn't just in the air, it's in you. Specifically, at the center of your being. That's your mana core."
Rowen frowned. "Mana core? You mean I have one of those? Like... magical beasts?"
"Exactly," Zoreth said. "Every living creature has a mana core, though most people go through life blissfully unaware of its existence. For the average human, it's little more than a dormant ember, slowly feeding their affinity.
Rowen sat up straighter, his interest piqued. "So... what does that mean for me? And what does this have to do with the Ignivulp?"
"It means that when you absorbed the fire fox's power, its mana attuned itself to your core," Zoreth explained. "Now you have access to its fiery affinity. But here's the catch: if you don't integrate that energy properly, it could either burn out or burn you from the inside."
Rowen's heart skipped a beat. "Burn me?!"
"Relax," Zoreth said, his tone turning amused. "I'm here to make sure you don't turn into a walking bonfire. Now, close your eyes and focus. Picture your mana core. It'll look like a small, glowing orb in your chest."
Rowen hesitated but obeyed, closing his eyes and focusing inward. At first, he felt nothing but the rhythmic thump of his heartbeat. Then, faintly, he sensed it, a gentle, pulsing warmth, like the glow of embers buried under ash.
"I see it," he murmured.
"Good" Zoreth said. "That core is where your power resides. Feel the new heat inside it? That's the Ignivulp's fire. It's trying to merge with your essence, but you have to guide it. Slowly. Gently."
Rowen imagined the warmth spreading through his chest, its glow becoming more vivid with each beat. At first, it was wild and untamed, flickering and flaring like a fire in a storm. But as he focused, the flames steadied, their rhythm syncing with his own.
"There you go" Zoreth said approvingly. "Now, let's see if you can coax that energy into your hands."
Rowen opened his eyes, holding out his palm. He concentrated on the warmth in his core, willing it to flow through him. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a faint hiss, a tiny flame flickered to life, hovering just above his skin.
He stared at it, awestruck. "I did it..."
"Congratulations" Zoreth said dryly. "You've discovered fire. Truly, humanity's greatest achievement."
Rowen snorted but couldn't suppress his grin. He turned his hand slightly, marveling at how the flame danced with his movements.
"Now" Zoreth said, his tone sobering, "extinguish it. Before you accidentally light yourself, or the forest on fire."
Rowen frowned. "How do I.."
"Focus on your core again." Zoreth interrupted. "Imagine snuffing the flame out, like pinching a candlewick. It's a part of you now, so it listens to your will."
Taking a deep breath, Rowen did as instructed. The flame flickered once, twice, and then vanished, leaving his palm warm but unharmed.
"There" Zoreth said. "Not bad for a first try. But don't get cocky. Fire is a tricky element. It's wild, unpredictable, and has a nasty habit of getting out of hand if you're not careful."
Rowen nodded, the weight of Zoreth's words settling in. "Got it. Control the flame, or it controls me."
"Exactly" Zoreth said. "And remember: your mana core is the key to everything. The stronger it gets, the more power you can handle. But strength alone isn't enough, you'll need discipline, too. Otherwise, you'll end up as ashes."
Rowen stood, brushing dirt off his trousers. The ache in his body was still there, but it felt lighter now, as if the fire within him was lending him its strength.
"Alright," he said, his voice steadier. "Let's get this over with. Calder's probably ready to chew me out for taking too long."
Zoreth chuckled. "Oh, he's definitely going to chew you out. But at least you'll have something to show for it. Just don't let him see the fire yet—we wouldn't want him getting too curious."
Rowen smirked, setting off toward the clearing. The ember fang at his belt glowed faintly, a reminder of the power he'd claimed, and the path he'd only just begun to walk.
The sun hung higher in the sky as Rowen trudged through the forest, weaving between towering oaks and dense underbrush. The faint chirping of birds filled the air, but his mind was elsewhere. The warmth from the ember fang at his belt seemed to hum in rhythm with his steps, as if eager to be unleashed again.
"So," Rowen began, his voice breaking the relative quiet. "How exactly do we go about this? You know, showing everyone I have an ability… without them figuring out the whole truth."
Zoreth's voice coiled through his mind like smoke. "Ah, the delicate art of deception. A favorite pastime of mine. You'll want to keep it simple, no need to start breathing fire or anything equally dramatic. Just a small display of your newfound affinity should suffice."
Rowen frowned, ducking under a low-hanging branch. "You're forgetting the part where I've been a total nobody my entire life. If I suddenly come out of nowhere with fire powers, people are going to ask questions. Lots of questions."
"True" Zoreth admitted, his tone thoughtful. "But that's where the beauty of timing comes in. People love a good underdog story. Tell them Calder's training pushed you to your breaking point, and voilà! Your latent power awakened. Sprinkle in some grit, determination, and dramatic pauses, and they'll eat it up."
Rowen snorted. "You make it sound easy."
"It is easy" Zoreth said. "Humans are simple creatures. They'll believe what they want to believe, especially if the story flatters them. Calder's reputation will lend credibility to your tale. He's known for pushing people beyond their limits, after all."
Rowen kicked a pebble along the path, his expression pensive. "I guess that makes sense. But what about my family? They'll know something's up. My mom's way too sharp to just accept it at face value."
"Ah, Zenora" Zoreth mused. "Yes, she's a formidable one. You'll need to tread carefully there. Play the part of the confused but determined young man who's just as surprised as everyone else. She might probe, but as long as you stick to your story, she won't push too hard. She'll want to believe in you."
Rowen sighed. "And my siblings? Ryland especially, he's been waiting for this moment for years."
"Ryland will be thrilled" Zoreth said dismissively. "He'll be too busy celebrating your 'awakening' to question it. The twins? They're children; they'll accept whatever you tell them. The real challenge will be Calder."
Rowen frowned. "What about him?"
"Calder isn't stupid." Zoreth said, his tone sharpening. "He'll notice if you're hiding something. Keep your display minimal, just enough to prove you're not useless anymore. Let him assume you've only just scratched the surface of your abilities. That should keep him satisfied without raising suspicion."
Rowen nodded slowly, his mind turning over the plan. "So… what? I just conjure a little flame and act surprised?"
"Exactly." Zoreth said. "Show enough control to look convincing, play it humble, and they'll fill in the gaps with their own assumptions."
They walked in silence for a while, the forest alive with the rustling of leaves and the occasional call of distant birds. Rowen's grip tightened on his sword hilt, his thoughts circling back to the fight with the Ignivulp.
"Zoreth," Rowen said suddenly, breaking the rhythm of their footsteps.
"Yes, my dear host?" Zoreth replied smoothly, his voice curling into Rowen's thoughts like smoke.
Rowen hesitated, his fingers brushing the ember fang at his belt. "Never mind," he muttered.
"Ah, a mystery" Zoreth said, a playful edge to his tone. "Careful, boy. You're starting to think like me. Always questioning, always second-guessing. But don't worry. Whatever's gnawing at you will come to light in time. For now, focus on playing your part. The last thing we need is the kingdom sniffing around because someone noticed you're... 'different.'"
Rowen frowned. "Why would the kingdom care about me? I'm nobody."
Zoreth's tone shifted, growing darker, more serious. "You're nobody now. But if anyone catches wind of what you truly are, or worse, what you could become, 'nobody' will be the last thing they call you."
Rowen's footsteps slowed, his chest tightening. "What do you mean?"
"The kingdom fears what it doesn't understand, and you, my dear host, are a shining beacon of mystery wrapped in fire and secrets. Multiple powers? Unheard of. A mortal who can take abilities as easily as you breathe? Even more so. If they find out, they'll see you as a threat to their control. To their hierarchy."
Rowen swallowed hard. "But I haven't done anything to them."
"That doesn't matter," Zoreth said sharply. "It's not about what you've done, it's about what you could do. The rulers of this land cling to their power with iron fists. They'll hunt down anything or anyone who challenges their order, whether it's a rogue mage, a rebel faction, or... a boy with powers he shouldn't have."
The weight of Zoreth's words pressed on Rowen's shoulders. He glanced at the faint scars on his palms, reminders of countless hours spent training with swords instead of powers he didn't even know existed until now. "So, what do we do?"
"We lie." Zoreth said simply. "We show them just enough to satisfy their curiosity. No more, no less. A single fire affinity is believable. But if word spreads of your... other talents, it won't just be the kingdom you'll need to worry about. Others, stronger than you can imagine, will come sniffing, eager to take what you have for themselves."
Rowen's grip tightened on his blade. "Like Lucian?"
Zoreth's silence was answer enough.
Rowen exhaled slowly, forcing himself to push the fear aside. "Alright. One power. Fire. No one needs to know about anything else."
"Smart boy." Zoreth said, his tone lightening again. "Stick to that, and you might just live long enough to enjoy your newfound fame. Now, shall we rehearse your big reveal? I could play Calder. You grovel and beg for approval. It'll be just like the real thing."
Rowen rolled his eyes, the tension in his chest easing slightly. "You're impossible."
"And you, my boy, are entirely too easy to tease. Now, on to the performance!"
As they neared the clearing, Rowen's steps quickened, a mixture of nerves and anticipation coursing through him.