My room was a mess of tangled sheets and discarded clothing, the air thick with the scent of my anxious sweat. I paced furiously, my bare feet slapping against the wooden floor, unable to quiet the storm in my mind. The gods had gone into the woods to find my twin brother, and in doing so, they had put my training on hold. I felt useless and powerless, like a leaf being tossed about in a raging river. The silence of the forest, once a comforting balm, now felt like a suffocating blanket pressing down on me, trapping me in this state of helplessness.
I stopped abruptly, my fist clenched tightly around a strand of my unruly hair. There was no use in dwelling on the past; I needed to focus on the present. I crossed the room and flung open the shutters, letting the warm sunlight stream in. The familiar scent of pine and earth filled my lungs, reminding me of the countless hours I had spent training with the gods. Despite everything, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to continue my training and become stronger, faster, and more capable of protecting myself and the gods I started to care about.
I rummaged through my belongings, searching for any clues that might lead me to control the fire element. I took out a journal; it was a gift from one of the gods, a place where I had recorded my thoughts and experiences during my training. Flipping through the pages, I felt a sense of comfort and familiarity wash over me. As I read, memories flooded back, each one more vivid than the last: the first time I had summoned a wild tornado and a fire spark, the gruelling hours of training in the pouring rain, the triumphant moment I had bested the wind elemental in our first spar. The kisses.
I closed the journal, my fingers lingering on its worn leather cover. Perhaps it was time to begin a new chapter. Setting aside any doubts or fears, I gathered my strength and stepped further into the woods, determined to find a way to continue my training on my own. The air grew cooler and the trees more dense as I ventured deeper into the forest, eventually coming across a small clearing surrounded by towering ferns. Further from the clearing lay a warm cave, its entrance beckoning to me like a glowing ember in the darkness. Intrigued, I walked over and peered inside.
The cave was surprisingly large, its walls adorned with ancient runes and flickering tongues of flame. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I spotted a glint of gold nestled among the rocks. Curiosity getting the better of me, I reached out and carefully picked up the object. It was a small figurine, intricately carved with the image of a dragon. As I turned it over in my hands, I felt a strange tingle run up her spine. Suddenly, the air grew warm, and a rush of hot air filled my lungs. Startled, I looked up, expecting to see a dragon soaring overhead. Instead, I saw nothing but the endless expanse of the cave's ceiling.
"Silly me." I chuckled, carefully putting the object back in its place.
I felt a mixture of confusion and excitement coursing through my veins. I had never encountered anything like this during my training with the gods. Perhaps it was a test or a challenge for whoever lived in these parts. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and concentrated on my connection to the element of fire. As I did so, the flames flickering around my fingertips grew brighter and hotter. I extended a hand, focusing my energy on the figurine and willing it to come to life.
"Hot, hot, hot." I thought as the burning sensation took over me. I could not stop. I had to keep going.
The air in the cave grew even warmer as the figurine began to glow with an ethereal light. Slowly, it seemed to twist and contort, becoming more defined and more real. I held my breath as the dragon took shape before me, its scales shimmering like polished gold and its wings unfurling with a mighty roar. It was immense—larger than any dragon I had ever seen in my training. Its eyes glowed like embers, fixed on me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.
"Who disturbs my slumber?" The dragon's voice boomed, its words echoing through the cavern. My jaw dropped, but my legs stepped forward on their own. My voice was steady despite the fear coursing through my veins. "I am Kyla, a student of the gods. I seek your guidance and your aid."
The dragon regarded me with its glowing amber eyes, its gaze piercing through my very soul. After what seemed like an eternity, it dipped its head in acknowledgment. "Very well, Kyla. I am Q'arvaal, the last of my kind. I have been asleep for far too long, but it seems that fate has brought you to me. What is it that you desire?"
I took a deep breath, my heart racing with excitement and trepidation. "I wish to learn more about the element of fire and how to control it as you do. I seek your guidance and your wisdom." I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should reveal more.
The dragon regarded me for a long moment, its golden eyes sparkling like embers. Finally, it nodded its massive head. "Very well, Kyla. I see your determination and hear the magic stirring within you. I will train you in the ways of fire, but be warned: this path is not for the weak-hearted. It will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine."
As if to illustrate this point, Q'arvaal reared its head and let out a mighty breath of fire. The flames engulfed me, burning my clothes to ash. I screamed in agony, feeling as though the flames were consuming my very soul. But instead of succumbing to the pain, I fought through it, focusing my energy on the lessons I had learned from Zane. Slowly, I managed to push the fire back, forcing it to dissipate around me. When the flames had cleared, I stood before the dragon, my body covered in soot and ash, but my spirit unbroken.
The dragon's eyes gleamed with approval. "Very well, Kyla. You have passed my first test. Now, you must prove yourself worthy of my time and my teachings. You must learn to control the fire within yourself—both the pain and the power it brings. You must master not only its destructive capabilities but also its capacity for creation and transformation. This will not be easy, but if you are willing to put in the effort, I will be your guide."
I nodded, my resolve strengthening with each word from the dragon. "I am ready," I said, my voice steady despite the tremor in my chest. "I will not let you down."