Chapter 7: Learning to Burn
The figure led Kaylen through the winding streets, deeper into the abandoned district where the city's shadows were darkest. They moved with purpose, glancing over their shoulder occasionally to ensure Kaylen kept up. The Ember Core in his pocket pulsed faintly, as though aware of where it was being taken.
Finally, they stopped in front of a derelict warehouse. Its windows were shattered, and the walls were lined with graffiti and rust. The figure pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit interior filled with scattered debris and faint, flickering lights.
"This is where we start," the figure said, stepping inside.
Kaylen hesitated. "And who exactly are you?"
The figure turned to face him, their hood still obscuring their face. "You can call me Eryn. That's all you need to know."
Kaylen crossed his arms, his suspicion mounting. "Why help me? What's in it for you?"
Eryn's shadowed face tilted slightly. "Because I've seen what happens to people like you when they think they can handle the Ember Core alone. You won't last a week without burning yourself out. And if the Hunters catch you before then, you'll wish you'd died on your own terms."
The bluntness in their tone made Kaylen's stomach twist. "And you know this… how?"
"I've seen it before," Eryn said simply. "Now, are you going to let me help you, or would you prefer to keep fumbling in the dark?"
Kaylen exhaled sharply. He didn't have a choice, not really. The Ember Core had already changed his life, and there was no going back. "Fine. What's first?"
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Eryn led him to the center of the warehouse, where a wide, empty space had been cleared. They gestured for Kaylen to stand in the middle, then stepped back, keeping a safe distance.
"Take out the Ember Core," Eryn instructed. "Let it resonate."
Kaylen hesitated, then pulled the artifact from his pocket. It felt heavier now, its hum deeper and more insistent. He held it in his palm, and the faint glow began to intensify.
"The Core responds to intent," Eryn said, their voice calm but firm. "It feeds on your energy, but it also amplifies it. If you're not careful, it will take more than you can afford to give."
Kaylen swallowed hard. "So how do I stop that from happening?"
"Control," Eryn replied. "You need to establish a connection with it—a balance. Push too hard, and it will burn you. Hold back too much, and it will consume you anyway."
"That's… not exactly comforting," Kaylen muttered.
Eryn shrugged. "Power isn't meant to be comforting. Now focus. Think of the flame you summoned before. Feel it, but don't force it."
Kaylen closed his eyes, the memory of the flame flickering in his mind. He felt the Ember Core's warmth spreading through his chest, the same energy he'd felt before. Slowly, he extended his hand, willing the flame to return.
A flicker of light appeared, weak and unstable. Kaylen clenched his jaw, focusing harder. The flame grew, but so did the strain. His head throbbed, and his vision blurred.
"Stop!" Eryn barked.
The flame sputtered out, and Kaylen collapsed to his knees, gasping for air. Sweat dripped down his face, and his limbs felt like lead.
"You're pushing too hard," Eryn said, their voice sharp. "You're trying to control it like it's yours. It isn't. The Ember Core is a parasite—it doesn't belong to you. You have to guide it, not dominate it."
Kaylen looked up, frustration etched into his features. "And how am I supposed to do that?"
"By understanding what it's taking from you," Eryn replied. "The Ember Core doesn't just drain your energy. It burns pieces of who you are—your memories, your emotions, your identity. Every time you use it recklessly, you lose a part of yourself."
Kaylen's stomach dropped. "You mean… it can take away who I am?"
Eryn nodded. "That's why control is everything. If you learn to balance the give and take, you can keep the Core's power without letting it consume you."
Kaylen sat back, his mind reeling. He had felt the strain before, but he hadn't realized the full extent of the cost. The Ember Core was a double-edged sword, and every time he used it, he was cutting away pieces of himself.
"Try again," Eryn said, their tone softer now. "But this time, don't fight it. Let it flow."
Kaylen hesitated, then nodded. He closed his eyes once more, focusing on the Core's warmth. This time, he didn't try to force the flame. He let the energy move through him naturally, guiding it like a current.
The flame appeared again, steadier than before. It danced in his palm, warm but not overwhelming. Kaylen's breath caught as he realized he wasn't straining this time. The Ember Core's hum seemed almost… harmonious.
"Good," Eryn said, a hint of approval in their voice. "You're starting to get it."
Kaylen extinguished the flame and opened his eyes, his chest heaving. Despite his exhaustion, a small spark of pride flickered within him. For the first time, he felt like he had some measure of control.
"Don't get cocky," Eryn warned. "This is just the beginning. The Core has more power than you've even begun to tap into, and the Hunters are still out there. If you want to survive, you'll need to be stronger than you ever thought possible."
Kaylen nodded, determination hardening his features. He had already come this far. There was no turning back now.
"Then let's keep going," he said. "I'm not stopping until I can take them on."
Eryn's shadowed face tilted slightly, and for a brief moment, Kaylen thought he saw a faint smile.
"Good," they said. "Because this is going to get a lot harder."