A Spark in the Shadows

Cynus trudged back to the old training grounds at the break of dawn, his body sore but his mind sharper than it had been in weeks. Kael's words about control and conviction echoed in his head, urging him forward despite the growing fatigue. Today, he resolved to prove that he wasn't just a "Candle-boy."

When he arrived, the clearing was empty. The sun cast long beams of golden light across the crumbling stone pillars, illuminating the faint scorch marks left from the day before. Cynus glanced around, expecting Kael's familiar, gruff presence. But the mentor was nowhere to be seen.

"Kael?" Cynus called, his voice uncertain.

No response. The wind rustled the grass, carrying with it an eerie silence.

Cynus frowned, stepping further into the clearing. The air felt heavier than usual, like a storm was brewing, though the skies were clear.

Then, out of nowhere, a bolt of lightning struck the ground a few feet away, the flash blinding him. Cynus stumbled back, shielding his face from the shockwave. When the dust cleared, a figure stood where the lightning had struck—a tall, cloaked man, his face hidden beneath a deep hood.

"You're not Kael," Cynus said, trying to keep his voice steady.

The stranger chuckled, his voice low and menacing. "Observant. You must be Cynus."

Cynus's fists clenched. "Who are you?"

The stranger didn't answer immediately. Instead, he raised a hand, and arcs of lightning danced between his fingers, crackling with deadly energy. "I'm here to test your fire, boy. Show me if you're worthy of the name Kael keeps whispering about."

Cynus's heart pounded. This wasn't a training exercise—this was a threat. He stepped back, summoning a flame to his hand. It flickered weakly, mirroring his unease.

The stranger laughed again, his voice dripping with mockery. "That's it? No wonder they call you Candle-boy."

The taunt ignited something in Cynus. His flame grew brighter, steadier. "You'll regret underestimating me."

The Clash

Without warning, the stranger lunged, his hand crackling with lightning. Cynus barely had time to react, dodging to the side as the bolt struck the ground where he'd stood. The force of the impact sent him sprawling, but he rolled back to his feet, summoning another flame.

He hurled it at the stranger, but the man swatted it aside effortlessly, his cloak rippling with the motion.

"Pathetic," the stranger said, his tone laced with disappointment. "Kael sees potential in you? I see a child playing with sparks."

Cynus gritted his teeth, his frustration mounting. He raised both hands, summoning a larger flame, one that burned hotter and brighter than anything he'd managed before. The fire roared to life, surging toward the stranger in a wave of heat.

This time, the attack landed. The stranger grunted, stumbling back as the flames scorched his cloak. For a moment, Cynus thought he'd gained the upper hand.

But then the man straightened, brushing soot from his cloak. "Better," he admitted, his voice tinged with something that almost resembled approval. "But you're still holding back."

Before Cynus could respond, the stranger raised both hands, unleashing a barrage of lightning bolts. They came fast and relentless, forcing Cynus to dive for cover behind a broken pillar. Each strike sent shards of stone flying, the ground trembling under the assault.

"Is this all you've got?" the stranger called, his tone taunting. "No wonder Kael's training you—he loves lost causes."

Cynus's frustration boiled over, mingling with a deep-seated anger he couldn't fully explain. He stepped out from behind the pillar, his amber eyes burning with determination.

"You don't know anything about me," he growled.

The fire in his hand flared again, but this time, it felt different—hotter, wilder. The air around him shimmered with heat, and the flames turned a deep, almost golden hue.

The stranger's smirk faltered. "Interesting..."

Cynus hurled the golden flame with all his might. It streaked through the air like a comet, slamming into the ground at the stranger's feet. The explosion sent a shockwave rippling through the clearing, engulfing the stranger in a blinding flash of fire and smoke.

When the smoke cleared, the stranger stood in the center of the destruction, his cloak tattered and his hood blown back to reveal a sharp, angular face. A long scar ran down his left cheek, and his piercing blue eyes locked onto Cynus with renewed intensity.

"Well, well," he said, his voice quieter now. "Maybe Kael was right about you after all."

Cynus's legs buckled, the last of his energy draining away. He collapsed to his knees, his breathing ragged.

The stranger stepped closer, his expression unreadable. "You've got power, boy. Raw, untamed, and dangerous. But power without control is a double-edged blade. Keep that in mind."

Before Cynus could respond, a familiar voice cut through the tension.

"Enough."

Kael emerged from the trees, his expression dark. He strode into the clearing, placing himself between Cynus and the stranger.

"What are you doing here, Thalion?" Kael demanded, his tone icy.

"Testing your little protégé," Thalion replied casually. "You talk about him like he's something special. I wanted to see for myself."

Kael's jaw tightened. "He's not ready for you."

Thalion smirked. "He survived, didn't he? That's more than I expected." He turned to Cynus, inclining his head slightly. "We'll meet again, boy. When you're stronger."

With that, he vanished in a flash of lightning, leaving only the faint smell of ozone behind.

Kael knelt beside Cynus, his expression unreadable. "You alright?"

Cynus nodded weakly. "Who... who was that?"

"Thalion," Kael said grimly. "An old... acquaintance. He's dangerous, Cynus. Stay away from him."

Cynus hesitated, his mind racing with questions. "Why did he call me dangerous?"

Kael's gaze hardened. "Because he sees what I see. That flame of yours—it's not normal. And if you don't learn to control it, it'll burn you alive."

Cynus swallowed hard, the weight of Kael's words sinking in.

"Get some rest," Kael said, standing. "Tomorrow, we double the training."

As Kael walked away, Cynus stared at his trembling hands, the faint warmth of his flame still lingering on his fingertips. For the first time, he felt a glimmer of something more than fear or frustration.

He felt power.