An old wizard, his appearance like petrified tree roots, emerged from the ruins of an ancient temple that appeared out of nowhere. He explained everything in a raspy voice that sounded like the scraping of stones: The Demon King, Malazar, had risen. And we, five young people chosen by a mystical power, were the only ones who could stop him.
The ancient temple felt strange, filled with an unusual, cold energy. In the midst of the ruins, there was an altar made of black stone, adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to be moving. The old wizard, who called himself Maester Eldrin, explained that the altar was the center of magical power, and Malazar was trying to take control of it. If he succeeded, the world would fall into the clutches of darkness.
Maester Eldrin taught us about the history of Malazar, about the evil power he possessed, and about the tactics we could use to defeat him. He also warned us about the dangers that lurked, even from within our own group.
The five of us, with our newfound magical powers, were divided into two groups: me, Lyra, and Kaelan, and Ardan and Rhys. Lyra, with her gentleness, turned out to have extraordinary healing powers. She could quickly heal the most severe wounds, even revive withered plants. Her ability became our savior many times during the intense training. Kaelan, with his shadow powers, was unpredictable. He was like a ghost, appearing and disappearing without a trace. His combat skills were mesmerizing, his shadows dancing like snakes ready to strike. There was something mysterious about him, something that intrigued me.
Ardan, with the burning fire in his hands, was the opposite of the cold Rhys. Ardan was full of energy and enthusiasm, always cheerful and entertaining. But behind his smile, I saw sparks of tension when he was near Rhys. They were like fire and ice, always at odds, but also complementary. Rhys… Rhys was an enigma. His ice powers were so freezing, but he himself seemed like an isolated man. He rarely spoke, his gaze always cold and distant. However, I saw tenderness behind those blue eyes when he looked at Lyra.
Our training wasn't just about mastering magical powers. We also learned about the meaning of friendship, about the importance of trust, and about the strength that arose when we worked together. We practiced hunting, fighting, and using our powers to help others. We also learned about the history of the world, about forgotten legends, and about the approaching threat.
In the midst of the grueling training, I felt something else… a strange vibration among us. An unexpected attraction. I saw it in Kaelan's eyes, a look that was more than just friendship. Was this just an illusion? Or was there something deeper, something more than just the fight against the Demon King? Perhaps, fate had brought us together not only to save the world, but also to find love in the midst of the storm.