Hellfire

It was the fourth day of his visit to Athar's tower.

In the early morning, as the sun rose, they practiced fire spells.

Only those Val was able to cast, and Athar emphasized the importance of focus.

"Focus now," Athar said seriously. "I'll show this only once."

Athar focused deeply, closing his eyes for a moment. His mind became one with the magic around him, as if the very air in the tower had thickened, and energy flowed toward him. Glimmers of light began to gather in his hand, flickering like beams of light that swirled around his fingers.

Then, as if the magic itself was brought to life by his will, a blue flame appeared on his palm. It was cold yet burning, as though at the very heart of the flame lay a mysterious force, unlike any fire known to the world.

Athar spoke the words, which sounded like echoes from forgotten times:

"Rhu na me rha..." He continued repeating them few times.

fire erupted from Athar's hand with a sudden, forceful intensity. Three times, the flames shot outward in quick succession, each burst forming a swirling spiral that expanded rapidly. The air crackled with raw energy as the fire flied, creating a shockwave that rippled through the very ground beneath them.

The first wave tore through the air, a vivid spiral of blue flames, lighting up the sky with an eerie, unnatural glow. The second blast followed quickly, swirling in the opposite direction, its heat rippling through the air like a tangible force. The third and final explosion detonated with deafening force, sending a shockwave that rocked the entire area. The ground beneath them trembled violently, the earth cracking as the flames carved through the landscape. A massive crater formed where the fire had struck, stretching another ten meters wide, the jagged edges smoldering with residual heat.

The shockwave pushed the surrounding plants back, their leaves quivering with the force of the blast. The air grew heavy, thick with the scent of burnt earth and the lingering heat. The temperature was unbearable, but the ground was still intact.

Without hesitation, Athar raised his other hand and murmured a few words under his breath. A rush of cool, damp air spread around them, the magic of water flowing from his fingertips in a protective barrier. Within moments, a mist settled over the area, coating the plants and earth, ensuring that no remaining flames could ignite the surrounding foliage. The scene, though scorched and damaged, began to cool as the water magic took effect, keeping the golden plants safe from the destructive power of the fire.

Val, still shaken by the power of the spell, looked at Athar, his face a mix of awe and seriousness. "You must use that spell wisely," he said, his voice calm but filled with warning. "And remember, you need to find the right moment for it, or it could destroy you."

He fell silent for a moment, watching as Athar studied the spot that had just been obliterated. "Now, try the spell," he added, moving toward the door. "I'm going to get some rest..."

He disappeared through the door, leaving Athar in silence, still feeling the weight of the magic lingering in the air.

"How was it again?" Val whispered to himself, his voice barely audible as he pondered the moment.

"Na ma what?" Val muttered, his brow furrowing as he tried to recall the incantation. "I forgot what he said," he groaned, frustration creeping into his voice. "Shit," he added, running a hand through his hair.

"Okay, I got it!" Val shouted, his voice filled with determination. "Rhu na me rha!!!!!!" he screamed, his arms raised, his entire focus on the incantation.

But nothing happened. The air hung still, and the ground beneath him remained untouched. His breath caught, a mix of frustration and disbelief washing over him. He stood there for a moment, waiting, but he heard the silence only....

Val paused, staring at the empty space before him, the frustration still bubbling inside. His eyes then shifted toward his sword, resting at his side.

"Maybe I should do it with my sword?" he muttered to himself, the idea slowly forming in his mind. He had seen Athar wield magic with such precision—perhaps the sword could be the key to channeling the spell more effectively.

His grip tightened on the hilt, the weight of the blade familiar and reassuring. With renewed determination, he raised it in the air, ready to try once more.

This time, Val stood still, his mind cleared and focused. He took a deep breath and began to pull half of his mana from his body, channeling it into his sword. The blade shimmered with a soft, green light, as if the magic was responding, the energy flowing in the right direction. A sense of certainty washed over him.

He began the incantation, his voice steady, "Rhu... n... me rha..." Slowly, deliberately, the words flowed from his lips. As he spoke, a blue flame began to materialize along the length of the sword, a glowing aura that pulsed with power. Val's eyes remained closed, his focus absolute. He continued, repeating the words, feeling the magic build within him.

With a swift motion, he sliced through the air. The flame followed, slicing through space with pinpoint accuracy. It didn't explode like before. Instead, it cut through every plant in its path, leaving a trail of burned and severed greenery behind it. The fire continued, traveling unyielding for a hundred meters before it finally fizzled out, its power exhausted.

Val stood still, eyes still closed. Athar, who had been silently watching from behind, stepped forward. Val opened his eyes slowly, still processing what had just happened.

Athar didn't say anything at first. He simply moved closer, his expression unreadable. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his tone calm but firm.

"Unfortunately, I don't think you have enough mana for this spell," he said. "Let's try something different later."

Val nodded, feeling both the weight of his failure....

"Let's go sleep," Athar said, his voice softer now. "Tomorrow is your last day here. You need to sleep well."

Val, still feeling the lingering effects of the spell and his drained mana, nodded quietly. The weight of the day was catching up with him. He followed Athar, eager for rest. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, but for now, all he could do was close his eyes and prepare for whatever came next.

the morning arrived, and five days had passed like a fleeting arrow. Valen knew it was time to continue his journey. The sky was clearer than ever, the stars twinkling brightly, with the moon visible in its full glory and there a sun beneath horizon.

Athar, standing by his side, gave him one last piece of advice. "Just be careful, and when you return, I'll teach you more about fire magic."

Valen, already preparing to leave, responded with a smile. "I'll definitely come back. You still haven't told me about that friend of yours... who was she"

With that, Valen set off toward the rising sun, the wind carrying him forward.

Athar watched him go, his eyes narrowing as he gazed up at the clear sky. "He really turned into a good man," he whispered softly. "You should be proud, Lucia."

The wind carried Valen forward, but in that moment, it felt as if the world itself had paused, waiting for the next thing to unfold.