The FIRE

The first thing I noticed as I opened my eyes was the faint glow of the fire casting shadows on the rough stone walls of the cave. My body still ached from the battle, but I felt a little stronger—enough to sit up slowly. The cool air of the cave brushed against my skin, a stark contrast to the heat that lingered in my core.

Merlin was sitting nearby, leaning on his staff, his eyes fixed on me the moment I stirred. His expression was calm, but the sharpness in his gaze reminded me that he was always thinking, always planning.

"You're awake," he said, his tone steady.

"Barely," I muttered, stretching my sore limbs. "How long was I out?"

"two days" Merlin replied. "You burned through almost all your energy in that fight."

I frowned, memories of the battle against the vampire rushing back. The fire, the destruction—it had all felt like a blur. "I won, didn't I?"

"You did," Merlin said, his tone carrying a mix of approval and caution. "But you fought recklessly. If you keep using your power like that, you won't last long enough to face the Demon King."

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling inside me. "What was I supposed to do? Hold back and let him kill me?"

Merlin stood, the soft tap of his staff echoing as he approached. "No. But you need to understand something, Leo. The other races—the demons, the vampires, even the beasts and other more—they won't wait for you to get stronger. They're already moving, already trying to find you . If you can't control your fire, you'll be as much a danger to humanity as they are."

The weight of his words settled over me, and I looked down at my hands. I could still feel the warmth of the fire coursing through my veins, a constant reminder of the power I carried.

"So, what do I do?" I asked, my voice quieter now.

"You train," Merlin said firmly. "Starting now. You've awakened your power, but awakening it isn't enough. You must master it. Control it. Shape it into a weapon, not a wildfire."

I stood, the soreness in my muscles making me wince. "Alright, then. Show me."

Merlin led me to the center of the cave, where the ground was clear of debris. He planted his staff firmly into the ground, and the runes along its length glowed faintly.

"Fire is both creation and destruction," Merlin began. "It's wild, yes, but it can also be precise. Right now, you let your emotions guide it, and that makes it unstable. Your first lesson is to control the flame without letting it control you."

"Summon your fire," he instructed.

I closed my eyes, focusing on the warmth within me. It wasn't hard to find—the fire was always there, burning just beneath the surface. I held out my hand, and a flicker of flame appeared, but it danced wildly, threatening to expand.

"Focus," Merlin said. "Breath. The fire is a part of you. Command it"

I took a deep breath, steadying my thoughts. Slowly, the flame began to shrink, its movements becoming more controlled.

"Good," Merlin said. "Now hold it steady."

I concentrated, sweat beading on my forehead as I fought to maintain the fire's balance. Every instinct in me screamed to let it grow, to unleash its power, but I resisted.

Minutes passed, and finally, the flame stabilized, a small, steady orb hovering above my palm.

"Well done," Merlin said, a hint of pride in his voice. "This is only the beginning, Leo. You'll need more than raw power to face what's coming."

I extinguished the flame, my hand trembling from the effort. "I'm ready to learn. Whatever it takes."

Merlin nodded, his expression resolute. "Then let's begin. The other races won't wait, and neither can we."

The fire crackled softly in the heart of the cave, its light dancing against the cold stone walls. I was seated on the ground, sweat dripping from my brow after another grueling round of training. The flames I had conjured moments ago still left a faint warmth in the air, but my body was tired, my mind even more so.

Merlin stood nearby, leaning on his staff, watching me with that calm, calculating gaze he always had. For days now, he had pushed me to master the fire coursing through me, to understand the depth of my power. And for days, I had followed his guidance, despite the growing exhaustion.

But tonight felt different. There was a weight to his silence, a tension in the air.

"Leo," he said finally, breaking the stillness. His voice was steady but serious, and I knew immediately that this wasn't about training. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you."

I wiped the sweat from my face and looked up at him. "What is it?"

Merlin stepped closer, his staff tapping softly against the ground. "You are not the only one chosen by the. There is another."

I stared at him, the words sinking in slowly. "Another? What do you mean?"

Merlin gestured toward the mark on the back of my hand—the swirling pattern of fire and water that had appeared the day i was born. "The mark you bear isn't just a symbol of your own strength. It's a bond. You were chosen as the Hero of Fire, but there is also a Hero of Water. Together, the two of you are destined to save humanity and defeat all it's enemies."

I glanced down at the mark, my mind racing. The idea of someone else out there like me, someone with powers tied to water—it was both comforting and overwhelming. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"

"Because you needed to focus on yourself first," Merlin said simply. "Awakening your power, understanding your role—that had to come first. But now that you've started to control your fire, it's time you knew the truth.

I looked back at the mark on my hand, its swirling patterns almost alive. "This mark… it feels like it's trying to tell me something. Like it's pulling me toward them."

"It is," Merlin confirmed. "The bond between fire and water is strong. When the time comes, the mark will guide you. But for now, we must rely on your strength, your instincts, and the will of the gods."

I nodded, determination flaring like the fire in my veins. "We'll find him, Merlin. I don't care how long it takes or how far we have to go. Together, we'll stop the Demon King and save humanity."

Merlin's expression softened, and he placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "Good. Rest tonight, Leo. Tomorrow, we leave this cave and begin the next chapter of your journey. The search for the Hero of Water will be long, and the world will test you every step of the way."

As I lay back against the cool stone floor, the firelight casting flickering shadows on the ceiling, my thoughts were consumed by the unknown hero. Whoever they were, wherever they were, I would find them.

The mark on my hand wasn't just a symbol—it was a promise. And I intended to keep it.

END OF CHAPER.