The forest hummed with life as dawn broke over the horizon, scattering rays of sunlight through the dense canopy. Aiden stood in the clearing, his arms stretched outward as the morning light bathed his skin. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, and felt the fire stir within him.
"Focus," he murmured to himself.
With a snap of his fingers, flames erupted from his hands, curling and twisting like living creatures. This time, he didn't let them flare wildly. Instead, he concentrated, bending the fire to his will. He envisioned the flames forming a narrow arc and sent them flying toward a makeshift target—a tree trunk scorched with previous attempts.
The fire struck true, leaving a smoking scar on the wood.
"You're getting better," Cara called from where she sat on a fallen log, sharpening a small blade she had scavenged.
Aiden grinned, lowering his hands. "It's about time."
Cara stood and walked toward him, the morning sun catching the green in her eyes. "What happens next?" she asked.
Aiden wiped his hands on his tunic, thinking. "I need more control. This is just brute force. If I'm going to take on the kingdom, I have to be precise—and stronger."
Cara tilted her head. "Do you have a plan? You can't exactly march into the castle alone and set it on fire."
"I'm not going alone," Aiden said, his gaze steady.
Cara blinked, her expression caught between surprise and curiosity. "You're planning to recruit people?"
Aiden nodded. "The kingdom's hurt more people than just me. Villages like mine, towns that have been raided, people like you… There's no shortage of those who've suffered under their rule. If we can find them, we can fight back together."
Cara tapped her chin thoughtfully. "That's a bold plan. Risky, too."
Aiden stepped closer, his voice firm. "What other choice do we have? I've seen what the kingdom does to people who resist. If we don't stand together, they'll crush us one by one."
Cara sighed, slipping the blade into her belt. "All right, firestarter. Let's find ourselves an army."
---
The next few days were spent preparing. Aiden honed his powers, focusing on precision and endurance, while Cara worked on gathering supplies for their journey. They knew the forest wouldn't shield them forever; eventually, they would have to venture into the world and face whatever dangers awaited them.
On the third day, Cara returned to their camp with news.
"There's a village a few miles east of here," she said, setting down a bundle of dried herbs and berries. "Small, but it's on the edge of the kingdom's territory. If we're going to find allies, that's a good place to start."
Aiden frowned. "And if the kingdom has soldiers stationed there?"
Cara shrugged. "Then we keep our heads down. Or you light them on fire. Your choice."
Aiden smirked despite himself. "Let's try the subtle approach first."
---
They set out at dawn, the forest giving way to rolling hills and open fields. Aiden felt exposed without the cover of the trees, but Cara's steady presence beside him kept him focused.
By midday, they reached the outskirts of the village. Smoke rose from chimneys, and the faint sounds of life—children playing, merchants haggling—carried on the breeze.
"Looks peaceful enough," Cara said, adjusting the hood of her cloak.
"Too peaceful," Aiden muttered. His eyes scanned the village, noting the watchful gazes of a few townsfolk who lingered by their doors.
They approached cautiously, keeping to the edges of the main road. As they passed a small market, Cara tugged on Aiden's sleeve.
"Look," she said, nodding toward a poster nailed to a wooden post.
Aiden stepped closer, his blood running cold as he read the words:
WANTED: AIDEN OF THE SUN.
FOR TREASON AND THE MURDER OF ROYAL SOLDIERS.
REWARD: 500 GOLD PIECES.
Beneath the text was a crude sketch of his face.
"Well, that's flattering," Cara said, her tone light but her expression tense.
Aiden's jaw clenched. "They're hunting me already."
"They will be hunting both of us if anyone here recognizes you," Cara said. She glanced around, lowering her voice. "We need to be careful."
---
They found a small inn at the edge of the village, its weathered sign creaking in the wind. Inside, the common room was dimly lit, filled with the smell of stew and damp wood. A handful of patrons sat scattered at the tables, their conversations quiet.
Cara approached the innkeeper, a stout man with a thick beard. "Two rooms," she said, sliding a few coins across the counter.
The innkeeper glanced at them suspiciously but took the money without comment.
Once they were upstairs, Aiden sat on the edge of his narrow bed, staring out the window at the village below.
"This place feels wrong," he said quietly.
Cara leaned against the doorframe, her arms crossed. "Because it's a kingdom outpost. These people aren't free, Aiden. They're just surviving."
Aiden turned to her, his eyes alight with determination. "Then we give them a reason to fight."
Cara sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Not everyone wants to fight. Some people just want to live."
"I'm not asking them to be heroes," Aiden said. "But they deserve a chance to stand up for themselves. To take back what's theirs."
Cara watched him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she nodded. "We'll see who's willing. Just don't get your hopes up too high."
---
That evening, they ventured into the village square, blending in with the small crowd gathered around a storyteller. The man's voice rose and fell with the cadence of his tale, weaving a story of ancient heroes who had risen against a tyrant king.
Aiden listened intently, his heart stirring at the parallels to his own journey.
As the crowd began to disperse, he spotted a young man lingering near the edge of the square. The boy couldn't have been older than sixteen, his clothes threadbare and his eyes hollow with exhaustion.
Aiden approached him cautiously. "You look like you've seen better days."
The boy flinched, his gaze darting to Aiden's face. "I don't want trouble."
"I'm not here to cause trouble," Aiden said gently. "I'm looking for people who've had enough of the kingdom's cruelty. People who want to fight back."
The boy hesitated, then glanced around to make sure no one was watching. "If you're serious," he whispered, "meet me at the old mill after dark. But be careful—there are spies everywhere."
Aiden nodded, his heart pounding. "We'll be there."
---
As the sun set over the village, Aiden and Cara prepared for their meeting.
"This could be a trap," Cara warned as they made their way to the mill.
"It's a risk we have to take," Aiden replied.
The mill loomed ahead, its wooden structure silhouetted against the darkening sky. Aiden stepped inside, the faint scent of sawdust and decay filling his nose.
The boy was waiting for them, along with two others—a wiry woman with sharp eyes and a burly man who looked like he could crush a boulder with his bare hands.
"You're the one they're hunting," the boy said, his voice steady despite his youth.
Aiden met his gaze. "I am. And I'm going to bring them down. Will you help me?"
The woman stepped forward, her expression hard. "If you think you can take on the kingdom, you're either brave or a fool. Maybe both."
"Maybe," Aiden said. "But I can't do it alone. Together, we can change everything."
The woman studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"I'm in."