Chapter 6 – Embers and Instinct

The morning after her dream came with no sun just a cold, rust colored sky hanging over the ruined city.

Jackie stood barefoot in the middle of an abandoned park, surrounded by cracked stone, twisted swings, and a crooked slide swallowed by roots. Her hoodie hung loosely over her back, the hood barely covering the nubs of developing horns. The air was sharp with ash.

Kael stood a few feet away, arms folded.

"No fire this time," he said. "You need to learn control first. Movement. Awareness."

Jackie grunted "You make that sound easy."

"It's not. But you've already survived what kills most people. That means you're either gifted or dangerous."

"Maybe both," she muttered.

Kael raised a brow. "We'll see."

He moved faster than she expected closing the gap and swinging his blade toward her shoulder in a quick, practiced arc. Jackie yelped and ducked too slowly. The flat of the blade tapped her ribs.

"Dead," Kael said calmly. "Again."

She growled under her breath and dropped into a defensive crouch, tail flicking in frustration.

Kael backed away. "Your instincts are strong. But you still think like a human."

She stood up straight. "I am human."

"Not anymore."

His words stung more than she expected.

She turned away, jaw clenched. The scales along her arms shimmered faintly, like heat rippling under her skin.

"Try again," he said.

---

This time, she didn't wait.

She rushed him low and fast her claws striking with awkward momentum. Kael parried easily, spinning her momentum against her and knocking her to the ground with a sweep of his leg.

She hit the dirt hard, groaning.

"Better," he said. "But you're still thinking too much. Dragon instinct doesn't hesitate. It responds."

"I don't want to be a dragon," she snapped, getting to her feet. "I didn't ask for this."

Kael's expression didn't change. "Want has nothing to do with it."

---

They trained for what felt like hours.

Jackie's body adapted quickly even when her mind lagged behind. Her jumps were higher. Her reflexes sharper. When Kael moved to strike, she dodged without thinking finally letting her body take the lead.

She began to feel it: the rhythm, the strength, the pull. Not just in her muscles, but in her soul. It was like a low growl in her chest, something ancient pacing just beneath her skin.

Then, without warning, Kael leapt forward faster, harder.

Jackie roared and released a blast of flame from her mouth.

It wasn't controlled.

The fire was massive.

It scorched the trees behind him, sent Kael flying back, and knocked Jackie to her knees.

When the smoke cleared, Kael was still standing armor singed but unharmed. He raised a hand, silently telling her to stay down.

Jackie's hands were smoking. Her mouth burned. But she didn't feel pain.

She felt power.

And terror.

"I-I d I-didn't mean to" she stammered.

Kael approached slowly, his eyes unreadable. "You're waking up faster than I thought."

Jackie looked down at her hands. "I didn't feel like myself for a second. It was like something else took over."

He crouched beside her. "That feeling? That thing inside you? That's the dragon. And the more you use its power, the harder it will be to separate where it ends and you begin."

She swallowed hard. "And if I can't?"

Kael looked her dead in the eyes. "Then you'll become one of them."