Kael's dreams were filled with fire.
He stood in a vast, endless desert, the sky above him a swirling maelstrom of crimson and gold. The ground beneath his feet was cracked and dry, and the air was thick with the scent of burning sulfur. In the distance, a massive figure loomed, its form shifting and indistinct, like a mirage.
"You are the spark..." the figure whispered, its voice echoing in Kael's mind.
He tried to speak, but no sound came out. The figure raised a hand, and the ground beneath Kael erupted in flames. He stumbled back, the heat searing his skin, but the fire followed him, surrounding him, consuming him.
"Embrace your power..."
Kael woke with a start, his heart pounding, his body drenched in sweat. The room was dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of the crimson crystal on his desk. He sat up, running a hand through his damp hair, and tried to steady his breathing.
The dream had felt so real, the heat of the flames still lingering on his skin. He glanced at the crystal, its pulsing light casting eerie shadows on the walls. It was as if the crystal had a life of its own, as if it were watching him.
Kael shook his head, trying to clear the lingering unease. He couldn't let himself be consumed by fear. The crystal had given him power, and he needed to understand it.
He got out of bed and dressed quickly, pulling on his boots and a loose tunic. The house was still quiet, the faint light of dawn filtering through the windows. Kael grabbed the crystal and slipped it into his pocket, then crept downstairs and out into the cool morning air.
The streets of Pyralis were mostly empty at this hour, the city still waking up. Kael made his way to the outskirts, where the volcanic plains stretched out in a barren expanse of black rock and ash. It was the perfect place to practice without being seen.
He found a secluded spot, a small hollow surrounded by jagged boulders, and sat down cross-legged on the ground. The crystal felt warm in his hand as he held it up, studying its smooth surface.
"What are you?" he murmured.
The crystal didn't answer, but he felt a faint pulse of energy, like a heartbeat. Kael closed his eyes and focused, trying to summon the flame he had created the day before. At first, nothing happened, but then he felt a spark, a tiny flicker of heat in his palm.
He opened his eyes and saw the flame, small but steady, dancing above his hand. A smile spread across his face, but it quickly faded as the flame grew larger, its heat intensifying. Kael's hand began to tremble, and he tried to extinguish the flame, but it only grew stronger.
"No, no, no," he muttered, panic rising in his chest.
The flame spread, engulfing his hand and crawling up his arm. Kael cried out, the heat searing his skin, but he couldn't stop it. The whispers returned, louder now, more insistent.
"You are the spark..."
"Stop!" Kael shouted, his voice echoing across the plains.
The flame suddenly extinguished, leaving his arm unharmed but his mind reeling. He sat there, breathing heavily, his heart racing. The crystal felt heavier in his hand, its glow dimming.
Kael stared at it, his hands trembling. He had never felt so out of control, so powerless. The crystal had given him power, but it came at a cost. He needed to learn how to control it, or it would consume him.
The sun was fully risen by the time Kael returned to the city. The streets were bustling with activity, merchants setting up their stalls, children running through the alleys. Kael kept his head down, avoiding eye contact as he made his way home.
He was almost there when he heard a familiar voice.
"Kael! Where have you been?"
He turned to see his brother, Dax, striding toward him. Dax was everything Kael wasn't—tall, confident, and powerful. At twenty-two, he was already a respected Mage in the Flame Court, his control over fire unmatched.
"I was just... out," Kael said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Dax raised an eyebrow, his sharp features etched with suspicion. "Out where? You've been acting strange lately."
Kael shrugged, avoiding his brother's gaze. "Nowhere important. Just needed some air."
Dax studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Look, I know things haven't been easy for you, but you can't just disappear like that. Mother and Father are worried."
Kael felt a pang of guilt. His parents had always been supportive, but he knew they were disappointed in him. He was the weak link in the family, the one who couldn't live up to their expectations.
"I'm fine," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Dax didn't look convinced, but he didn't press the issue. "Just... be careful, okay? The Ember Caverns are dangerous, and you're not ready to handle that kind of power."
Kael's heart skipped a beat. Did Dax know about the crystal? No, he couldn't. Kael had been careful, hadn't he?
"I'll be careful," he said, forcing a smile.
Dax nodded, then clapped him on the shoulder. "Good. Now come on, let's get breakfast. You look like you haven't eaten in days."
Kael followed his brother back to the house, his mind racing. He needed to be more careful. If Dax or anyone else found out about the crystal, they would take it away. And he couldn't let that happen.
Breakfast was a quiet affair. Their parents were already at work, leaving Kael and Dax to eat in silence. Kael picked at his food, his appetite gone. He could feel the crystal in his pocket, its weight a constant reminder of the power it held.
"So," Dax said, breaking the silence, "what are your plans for today?"
Kael shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe practice in the training yard."
Dax nodded. "Good. You need to keep working on your control. Maybe I can give you some pointers later."
Kael forced a smile. "Thanks."
He finished his meal quickly and excused himself, claiming he needed to run an errand. Dax didn't stop him, but Kael could feel his brother's eyes on him as he left the house.
He made his way to the training yard, a large open space where Adepts and Mages practiced their skills. The yard was already busy, the air filled with the sound of crackling flames and shouted commands. Kael found a quiet corner and began to practice, focusing on controlling the small flame he could now summon.
But his mind kept wandering back to the crystal. He needed to learn more about it, but he didn't know where to start. The Flame Court's archives were off-limits to him, and he couldn't risk asking anyone for help.
As he practiced, he noticed a group of Adepts watching him from a distance. They were whispering among themselves, their eyes darting in his direction. Kael's stomach churned. He knew what they were saying—he was the weakest Adept in Pyralis, the one who couldn't even light a candle.
But not anymore.
He clenched his fists, the flame in his palm growing larger. The Adepts' whispers grew louder, and Kael felt a surge of anger. He was tired of being mocked, of being treated like he was nothing.
The flame in his hand flared, its heat intensifying. Kael's vision blurred, and the whispers returned, louder now, more insistent.
"You are the spark..."
"No," Kael muttered, trying to extinguish the flame.
But it only grew stronger, spreading up his arm. The Adepts were staring at him now, their eyes wide with fear. Kael's heart raced, his breath coming in short, shallow gasps.
"Stop," he whispered, his voice trembling.
The flame suddenly extinguished, leaving him standing there, his arm unharmed but his mind reeling. The Adepts were still staring at him, their whispers now filled with awe.
Kael turned and fled, his heart pounding. He couldn't let them see him like this. He couldn't let anyone know about the crystal.
But as he ran, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was losing control. The crystal's power was growing stronger, and he didn't know how much longer he could keep it hidden.