Chapter 11: Flames of Discipline

Ren's breath steadied as he sat before the Heartfire, the silver-blue flames reflecting in his eyes. He could feel the warmth burrowing into his very core, a force both foreign and familiar. The presence he sensed within the fire still lingered, watching, waiting.

Lady Kagura's voice sliced through the silence. "The first step in controlling Soulfire is discipline. If you cannot master yourself, you cannot master the flame."

Ren nodded, focusing on the energy within him. He attempted to summon the fire, but as soon as the flames flickered to life, they lashed out wildly. Heat surged through his veins, overwhelming, uncontrollable. His vision blurred, and he clenched his fists to suppress a pained gasp.

A sharp rap on his shoulder jolted him. Kagura stood behind him, a wooden staff in hand. "You're forcing it," she said. "Soulfire is not brute force—it's an extension of your will. You cannot command it like an ordinary flame."

Ren exhaled slowly, centering himself. He let the energy stir within him, feeling its movement rather than forcing it. He reached out with his mind, attempting to shape it, to mold it.

A small, controlled flame flickered at his palm.

Kagura gave a curt nod. "Better. But sustaining it is another matter."

Hours passed, each failure followed by another attempt. Sweat dripped down Ren's face, but he refused to stop. He remembered his duel, the feeling of being on the verge of losing control. That could not happen again. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the flames in his hands remained steady. They flickered, but they did not lash out. They burned, but they did not consume him.

Kagura studied him for a moment before speaking. "Good. Tomorrow, we move on to combat applications. You'll learn what it means to wield Soulfire in battle."

Ren clenched his fist, feeling the energy settle within him. He was one step closer.

But deep inside, he knew he had only just begun.