The forest outside the Hidden Library was unnaturally silent. Even the wind seemed to hesitate, holding its breath. Kael's chest pulsed with the ember, steady but aware—something dangerous was near.
"Stay close," Liora said, staff glowing faintly as they moved along a narrow path. "The shadows you encountered before were scouts. These are hunters."
Kael swallowed. The thought of scouts was one thing. Hunters were… different. More intelligent. Faster. Deadlier.
Pyra leapt from a tree branch, tail sparking like fireworks. "They've been waiting for you. Can't say I like the look of this. Fun, though!"
Kael scowled. "Fun? You call getting hunted fun?"
"The thrill," Pyra replied with a grin. "It's all part of being Emberborn. Live through it, learn from it."
Suddenly, the shadows struck. From the trees, dozens of black forms shot toward them with terrifying speed, clawed hands glowing faintly red, eyes molten like tiny suns. Kael barely had time to react, raising his hands as the ember flared.
Flames erupted, twisting into arcs that struck the nearest attackers, sending them tumbling back. Sparks scattered across the moss, illuminating the scene in a flickering glow.
"Keep moving!" Liora shouted. "Do not let them surround you!"
Kael's sister clung to his arm, eyes wide, and Kael tightened his grip. He focused the ember, letting it pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. The fire responded, forming whips that lashed at approaching shadows. Some hissed and fled; others twisted, adapting, testing his control.
Pyra darted around him, leaping from shadow to shadow, distracting them with bursts of flame. "Watch their movements! Anticipate, don't just react!"
Kael nodded, sweat dripping down his face. He raised both hands, forming a sphere of flame around himself and his sister. The sphere expanded as the shadows pressed closer, but he kept it steady, controlled.
One shadow, larger than the rest, emerged from the treeline. Its molten eyes glowed brighter, its shape more defined, more menacing. Kael's chest tightened. He had faced many shadows, but this one… felt different.
Liora stepped forward, staff glowing like a beacon. "This is the strike. Observe, adapt, and survive. Emberborn, let your fire flow!"
Kael felt the ember respond, hotter, alive. He thrust his hands forward, and the sphere burst into streams of fire, arcing toward the giant shadow. The creature shrieked and twisted, but the fire wrapped around it, forcing it back.
Pyra landed on Kael's shoulder, sparks flying. "Focus! It's testing you—learn from every movement!"
The shadow surged again, faster, smarter. Kael's sphere flared violently, his arms burning as he controlled the flame with every ounce of will. The ember pulsed like a living thing, as if cheering him on, lending strength to his resolve.
Kael pivoted, directing the fire precisely. A whip of flame struck the shadow's side, causing it to howl and stagger. Another stream of fire forced its limbs back, finally driving it to retreat.
The remaining shadows scattered, fading into the trees. Kael's chest heaved. The ember pulsed warmly, steadying as he lowered his arms.
"You did well," Liora said, voice calm but approving. "Not only did you survive, Kael, but you adapted. The shadows respect power, but they fear control. That is the lesson of this strike."
Kael looked at Pyra, who winked and flicked sparks into the air. "See? Fun, right?"
Kael groaned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Fun is not the word I'd use…"
Liora turned her gaze to the forest. "This was only a taste of what is to come. The main force behind these shadows is awakening. Soon, the Emberborn legacy will be tested on a scale far greater than this. You must continue to grow stronger—faster."
Kael clenched his fists, ember flaring brighter. "I'll be ready."
Pyra's tail flicked with sparks. "That's the spirit. Now… rest a bit. The next challenge won't wait for your tired legs."
Kael nodded, though he knew he would never forget this first real battle outside Ashfall. The ember pulsed in his chest, alive, powerful… and eager for the trials yet to come.
And somewhere, deep within the forest, eyes glowed red. Patient. Hungry. Waiting for the right moment to strike again.