The night swallowed Eson whole as he sprinted through the jagged ruins, his burning palm throbbing with every step. Behind him, the clash of steel and the roar of magic echoed like a storm unleashed. He didn't dare look back—not when each breath felt like fire in his lungs and his legs threatened to give way beneath him.
The sigil on his hand pulsed erratically, as if responding to his panic. With every surge of energy, tendrils of blue flame flickered at his fingertips, illuminating the shadows around him. But this newfound power offered little comfort. It was wild, untamed—and dangerously unpredictable.
Eson stumbled into a narrow crevice between two crumbling walls, pressing himself against the cold stone as footsteps thundered nearby. The Emberguard's voices were low but sharp, their words clipped with urgency. "Find him. Leave no corner unchecked."
He clenched his teeth, forcing himself to remain still despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins. For the first time, he understood what Noah meant about controlling emotions. Fear clawed at his mind, threatening to ignite the Soulfire within him. One wrong move, one misplaced spark, and they would find him.
When the sounds finally faded, Eson exhaled shakily and emerged from hiding. His body ached, but he couldn't afford to rest. Not yet. Not until he put enough distance between himself and the hunters.
Hours later, Eson collapsed in a shallow cave hidden beneath overgrown roots. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, but sleep eluded him. Every shadow seemed to shift menacingly, every sound like a whisper of impending doom.
Just as his eyelids began to droop, a soft voice startled him awake. "You're not very good at hiding, are you?"
Eson bolted upright, his hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn't there. Standing at the entrance of the cave was a girl—no older than him—with piercing green eyes and hair the color of autumn leaves. She wore tattered leather armor, and a bow hung loosely across her shoulder.
"Who are you?" Eson demanded, his voice hoarse.
"My name is Lira," she said, stepping closer without hesitation. "And you're lucky I found you before the Emberguard did. They've been tracking you since yesterday."
"Why should I trust you?" Eson snapped, narrowing his eyes.
Lira smirked, unfazed by his hostility. "Because I know things you don't. Like why the Emberlords sent their best soldiers after a nobody like you." She gestured toward his glowing palm. "That mark—it's more dangerous than you realize."
Eson hesitated, torn between suspicion and curiosity. Before he could respond, Lira tossed him a small pouch filled with dried herbs. "Here. You'll need it if you plan to survive out here."
Over the next few days, Lira became both guide and teacher. She showed Eson how to mask his presence from trackers and explained the history of the Eternal Flame in greater detail. According to her, the fragments weren't just sources of power—they were keys to unlocking ancient secrets buried deep within the Ashen Wastes.
But mastering the Soulfire proved far more difficult than Eson anticipated. Each attempt left him weaker, his body wracked with pain. Lira watched silently as he pushed himself to the brink, her expression unreadable.
"You're going too fast," she warned one evening as they rested by a makeshift campfire. "The Soulfire isn't something you can rush. If you keep pushing like this, it'll burn you alive."
"I don't have time to wait," Eson growled, glaring at her. "Every second I waste, the Emberlords get stronger."
"And every reckless decision brings you closer to death," Lira shot back, her tone sharp. "Survival isn't just about strength—it's about patience. Learn to control it, or it'll destroy you."
Her words struck a chord, though Eson refused to admit it. That night, as he stared into the flickering flames, he realized she was right. The sigil on his palm glowed faintly, almost mockingly, reminding him of the burden he now carried.
Their fragile peace shattered when a deafening roar echoed through the valley. Both Eson and Lira froze, their eyes darting toward the horizon. A massive shadow loomed in the distance, its silhouette distorted by the crimson lightning streaking across the sky.
"What is that?" Eson whispered, his voice trembling.
Lira's face paled. "We need to move. Now."
Before they could react, the ground trembled violently, sending rocks tumbling down the cliffs. From the chaos emerged a monstrous creature—a hulking beast wreathed in black smoke, its eyes glowing with an unnatural red light. It sniffed the air, then locked its gaze on them.
"Run!" Lira shouted, grabbing Eson's arm and dragging him forward.
As they fled, Eson couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. Whatever secrets lay hidden in the Ashen Wastes, they were waking up—and they weren't happy.