The fresh ocean breeze battered the coastal rocks, causing the waves to crash forcefully against the rugged formations. Ryuu watched from the top of a hill, his fingers intertwined around a leather cord holding his mother's medallion. His breathing was uneven, not from physical exertion but from the constant feeling of teetering on the edge of an abyss. The wind, which had always been his companion, seemed to disobey his will, playing around him, tangling in his hair and clothes. That same wind, which should have been his ally, was the source of his nightmares.
"Ryuu! Get down from there!" his aunt's voice called from the cabin at the base of the hill. It was tinged with concern yet firm, as always.
Ryuu sighed and, after a lingering glance at the horizon, decided to head back. The coastal village of Zephir, where he had been born and raised, lay still in the distance. A small settlement between the sand and the sea, known only to those who lived near the ocean. No one important—or so he thought.
When he reached the cabin, his aunt stood in the doorway with her arms crossed, observing the wind still swirling around him.
"Still having trouble with the wind?" she asked, unsurprised. She had learned to recognize the moments when her nephew was on the verge of losing control. With a gesture, she motioned for him to come inside. "Let's talk about what you found."
Ryuu approached the wooden table, where a letter lay atop a pile of scrolls and dried herbs. It was an unusual letter, sealed with golden wax that no one in the village had seen before.
"Who...?" Ryuu began, but his aunt interrupted.
"I know. It's in your hands now." The healer's tone was more serious than usual. Her eyes, typically warm, now reflected a concern Ryuu had never seen before.
The young warrior picked up the letter cautiously. The envelope was made of high-quality parchment, and the golden wax seal gleamed under the dim lamplight. Breaking the seal, he found a message written in impeccable calligraphy:
"You are invited to participate in the Tournament of Elements. The event will take place on the Eternal Isle, where warriors from around the world will compete for the power of the Lance of Aether. This is a unique opportunity to prove your worth. Do not reject this destiny."
The wind surged stronger as he read the final words. The medallion hanging from his neck seemed to vibrate. Ryuu clenched his fists, feeling the pressure in his chest build. It was the same sensation he felt whenever the wind spun out of control, as though his entire being was about to explode.
"I… I can't go." His words came out as a whisper, but inside, a small spark of doubt ignited a flame of anxiety.
His aunt didn't move. She only looked at him in silence, as though she had already anticipated his response.
"This is the destiny that belongs to you, Ryuu." Her voice, soft but filled with determination, cut through the tension in the air. "It's not just a tournament. It's an opportunity for you to learn to control your power. To find your true purpose. I can't tell you not to be afraid because I know you are, but if you don't do this, you'll always live with that question in your heart. And you'll always be feared, not respected."
Ryuu turned his gaze away, unable to meet his aunt's eyes. He knew she was right. For as long as he could remember, his ability to control the wind had been more of a curse than a blessing. The villagers feared him, his aunt tried her best to teach him control, but it was never enough. The wind always betrayed him at the worst moments. Living with the sense that his power controlled him, rather than the other way around, was his worst nightmare.
"I'll… think about it," he finally said, though even he wasn't convinced by his own words.
His aunt nodded slowly, knowing the decision was far from easy. After a long silence, she added:
"The wind is a reflection of you, Ryuu. Only when you stop running from it will you find your true path."
The young warrior looked at the medallion again, recalling his mother's stories. She had been a warrior in her time, one of the best at controlling the wind. But all of that had been lost, erased by the tragedy that had taken her life when he was just a child.
"And what if I can't control it?" Ryuu asked, more to himself than to his aunt.
She smiled softly, as if she had been expecting the question.
"The wind is uncontrollable only for those who fear their own power. If you learn to accept it, to flow with it, you'll find it's not so wild after all."
Her words echoed in his mind as the storm outside the window grew stronger. Finally, Ryuu took a deep breath, as if making an internal decision.
"I'll go," he said simply.
His aunt smiled and, without another word, handed him a bag of provisions. The journey would begin at dawn. Deep down, she knew this journey would not only change him but also the entire world around him.