In the dim, cramped apartment, Era's sharp whisper yanked Aaron awake. He bolted upright, his heart pounding. "What do you mean they're here?"
Era's face was tense, her eyes darting toward the window. "We've been found," she said flatly.
Aaron squinted at the dark shapes outside the thin curtains. They were moving, slow, deliberate figures circling the apartment. He scrambled to his feet, fear tightening his chest. "But you said the ring's signal was hidden! How did they find us so fast?"
Era didn't respond right away. Her eyes dropped to his hand. "The ring," she muttered, her tone dark.
Aaron glanced down. The Phoenix Ring was glowing, a dull red pulse that lit up the room in weak flashes. It wasn't burning him this time, but the steady rhythm felt alive.
Era's jaw tightened. "It's awake again."
"What does that even mean?" Aaron snapped, panic creeping into his voice.
"I told you the ring can act on its own," Era said, pulling a dagger from her coat. "But especially the Phoenix ring. It's strong, stronger than the others. If it's glowing like that, it's decided something. And we're out of time."
Before Aaron could argue, a strange humming filled the room. His hand tingled. Suddenly, a faint, glowing screen appeared in front of him, the letters hovering in the air.
"Master the primordial flames to repel your enemies. Failure will bring death."
Aaron froze. The words hung in his vision and his stomach turned before the sharp message.
"Aaron!" Era's voice snapped him out of it.
She stood by the door, ready to move. "What are you doing? Let's go!"
"The... The ring," he stammered, pointing to the screen. "It's talking to me. It asks me to master the primordial flames."
Before he could explain further, glass shattered across the room. Aaron flinched as the window blew inward, shards scattering on the floor.
A dark figure jumped through, landing lightly on their feet. They rose slowly, their face hidden under a hood, but their glowing eyes cut through the darkness. They radiated danger, filling the room with an icy tension.
Era didn't hesitate. She stepped in front of Aaron, dagger ready. "Stay behind me," she growled.
Aaron's knees felt weak as he stared at the intruder. The screen's words echoed in his head: Master the flames or die.
His fists clenched as he felt the ring stir to life, like it was waiting for him to act.
"Master the primordial flames?" Era repeated sharply, her dagger gleaming in the faint light. "You have to focus, Aaron. What exactly did it say? Is there something else?"
"It said failure would mean death!_ Aaron's voice cracked. "What does that even mean? I don't know how to 'master' flames!"
Era shot him a steely glance. "You need to visualize it. Close your eyes and focus on the flames. Imagine them, feel them."
Before Aaron could respond, the intruder's deep, mocking voice cut through the tension. "Do you think I'll just stand here and let you figure it out?"
The figure raised a hand, and a low rumble filled the room as a blast of crackling energy surged toward them.
"Move!" Era shouted.
Aaron dove toward the door, hitting the floor hard as the attack slammed into Era's raised shield. A burst of light filled the room, casting sharp shadows against the walls. Aaron peered over his shoulder, wide-eyed, as Era stood firm, her shield shimmering with golden energy.
The enemy tilted his head, a cruel smile forming. "So, you're the bearer of the Griffin Ring. How convenient. two prizes in one place."
Era's grip on her dagger tightened. "You won't get either of us."
"Bold words," the figure sneered. "Let's see if you can back them up."
"Go, Aaron!" Era barked, glancing briefly over her shoulder. "Get somewhere safe and concentrate. If you can visualize the flames, you might trigger them!"
Aaron stumbled to his feet, backing toward the hallway. "But I don't even know what they're supposed to look like!"
"You'll figure it out!" Era snapped, her focus already back on the enemy as she braced for another attack.
Aaron turned and fled down the dim corridor, his pulse hammering in his ears. The faint hum of Era's magic and the sound of clashing energy followed him. He muttered to himself, "Why me? I don't even want this stupid ring."
As he neared the end of the hallway, he skidded to a stop. Two more figures stood in the shadows, their glowing eyes locked on him. They didn't move, but their intent was clear. They were waiting for him.
Aaron's breath hitched, and he ducked into the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. He pressed his back against it, his chest heaving.
The faint echoes of Era's fight carried through the apartment, her sharp commands and the sound of magic colliding with force. Aaron clenched his fists. "Why me?" he whispered, his voice trembling. "Why would the ring pick someone like me? I'm not a fighter. I'm not a hero."
The glow of the ring pulsed faintly in the darkness, and his heart pounded as he crouched low, staring at the faint light on his hand. The enemy was out there. Era was risking her life. And all Aaron could think about was how badly he wanted to run.
The sound of footsteps outside the bathroom door snapped him back to the present. His blood ran cold as a low, gravelly voice spoke from the other side.
"There's nowhere to hide, ring-bearer."
Aaron's breath caught. He was trapped. His mind raced and panic clawed at his throat, but then a thought struck him.
Era was a ring-bearer too. She wielded her powers with precision and control. Sure, she was skilled, but didn't she say the Phoenix Ring was stronger? If she could master her ring, why not him? After all, he knew what flames looked like.
His heart hammered as he closed his eyes, trying to drown out the noise. Flames. Just flames, he told himself. He pictured them in his mind, imagining the flickering reds and oranges, the way they danced and crackled. He focused on their heat, their energy, their power.
"You can't hide forever. A gravelly voice sneered behind the door. "Surrender the ring and we might let you live."
Aaron's eyes snapped open. He stared down at his hands and his jaw dropped in shock.. Both were engulfed in fire.
The flames burned brightly, licking up his wrists. "W-what the?" he stammered, panic rising.
Instinctively, he shook his hands, trying to fling the flames off. Instead, the fire surged outward in blazing arcs.
A ball of fire smashed through the bathroom door, slamming into the figure on the other side. The intruder staggered back, their cloak catching fire as they let out a strangled cry.
Aaron stumbled back against the sink, his hands still ablaze.
He shook them again, but this time the fire leapt in all directions. One fireball crashed through the bathroom wall into the hallway, igniting a nearby curtain. Another streaked toward the ceiling, leaving a charred, smoking hole.
Aaron spun wildly, trying to control the flames, but his panic only made it worse. A fireball shot through the apartment's outer wall and struck one of the waiting figures outside. The man screamed as flames engulfed him, flailing wildly before collapsing to the ground.
Aaron's breathing was ragged as he stared down at his hands. The flames were still there, steady and bright, but he realized they weren't burning him. They didn't even singe his clothes.
He blinked, bewildered, as the realization sank in. "It's not hurting me..."
Then the smell of smoke hit him.
Aaron whipped around. The curtains were ablaze, flames licking up the walls. The wooden floor was already smoldering, and thick, black smoke curled toward the ceiling.
"Oh no, no, no," he muttered, his voice shaking. "I have to find Era."