The Primordial Flame burned brightly within Kaelen, but the weight of its power was still something he struggled to comprehend. His training under Thalor had just begun, and already, he felt the immense pressure of his inheritance bearing down on him. The elder had not lied. The flame was both a gift and a burden, and mastering it was no easy task.
"Today," Thalor's voice echoed in the quiet of the cave, "you will face the Trials of the Ancients. These trials were set by the first Primordial Guardians to test the worth of those who inherited the flame. Many have failed. Some have died. But you, Kaelen, are destined for greatness. It is time to see if you are worthy."
Kaelen's heart quickened, his palms tingling with the familiar warmth of the flame inside him. "What are these trials?"
Thalor gestured for him to follow. "They are not trials of brute strength or magical skill. They are tests of character, will, and the balance of power within you. Only by mastering your own heart can you hope to control the Primordial Flame."
The cavern before them opened up into a massive, ancient temple. Kaelen could feel the energy of the place, a heavy, almost oppressive aura that seemed to pulsate with the echoes of countless ages. The walls were covered in intricate carvings, and the air was thick with dust and time. It was as though the very stones held secrets waiting to be revealed.
As they entered, Kaelen's eyes were drawn to the central altar, where a glowing crystal rested in the center of an intricate circular pattern. The crystal pulsed with an eerie light, casting strange shadows across the room. It was beautiful, yet Kaelen felt a chill in his spine as he gazed upon it.
"This is the Trial of the Heart," Thalor said, his tone more serious than ever. "You will approach the crystal. It will show you the darkest parts of your soul. The fears, the regrets, the hatred buried deep within. Do not falter. Do not let the darkness consume you."
Kaelen swallowed hard. He had faced his own fears in the previous trial, but this felt different. He had already battled ghosts from his past, but this… this was a test of his very soul.
Taking a deep breath, Kaelen stepped forward. As he approached the crystal, the air seemed to thrum with energy, and the ground beneath him seemed to shift. The crystal's glow intensified, and suddenly, a vision filled his mind.
He was standing in a burning village—his village. The flames licked at the sky, and the screams of his people echoed in his ears. In the distance, he saw his parents, both warriors, fighting fiercely against the invaders. His mother, a woman of unmatched strength, clashed with an enemy that seemed far too powerful. His father stood beside her, a protective force in his own right. But Kaelen could see the outcome before it even unfolded.
The invaders were too many, too powerful. His parents fell. His home was consumed by the flames.
Kaelen's heart pounded in his chest. He tried to move, to help, but his body refused to obey. He was frozen, trapped in the vision, watching as the life he had known burned to the ground. The flames seemed to rise higher, until they engulfed everything in their path—his family, his home, his future.
A voice echoed in his mind. This is your weakness, Kaelen. You are too attached to the past. You are afraid to let go.
The words cut deep. He had always blamed himself for his parents' deaths, feeling he was too weak to protect them. But now, standing in this vision, he realized it wasn't his fault. It wasn't anyone's fault. It was fate. The darkness in his heart had always been this guilt—this weight he had carried with him, believing that if he had been stronger, he could have changed the outcome.
As the flames surged around him, Kaelen fought against the panic rising in his chest. He couldn't afford to be consumed by this guilt anymore. He had to move forward, for his parents, for himself. He clenched his fists, feeling the Primordial Flame within him respond to his resolve.
"Enough!" Kaelen shouted, his voice strong and sure.
The flames in the vision began to recede, the burning village fading away. Kaelen felt a sense of release, as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The guilt, the regret—it was still there, but it no longer controlled him. He could feel his heart steadied, his mind clearer.
The vision shattered, and Kaelen found himself standing in the temple once more. The crystal before him dimmed, its light fading away.
"You have passed the Trial of the Heart," Thalor said, his voice approving but still solemn. "But this is only the beginning. The trials are not simply tests of power; they are tests of your ability to overcome the darkness within you. Only by mastering yourself can you hope to control the flame."
Kaelen nodded, feeling a sense of pride in his accomplishment. The flame within him burned brighter now, but there was still much to learn. His journey was far from over.
"Now," Thalor continued, "you must face the Trial of the Mind. It will test your intellect, your cunning, and your ability to think beyond the physical realm. You must be ready."
Kaelen's eyes narrowed, determination rising within him. "I'm ready."
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End of Chapter 7