The flaming beast roared, its molten body shifting with the heat as it towered over Kael. The intense glow reflected in his eyes, but he held his ground. This wasn't just fire—it was living fury, a test designed to break him.
Eldric's voice rang from across the pit. "Control the mark, Kael! Let it guide you, or you will be consumed!"
Kael clenched his fist, feeling the pulse of the mark under his skin. The beast lunged. He barely had time to react before a wave of fire surged toward him. Instinctively, he threw up his arms, and the mark flared—heat clashed against heat.
The flames parted around him.
A surge of power rushed through his veins, but it came with a cost. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, his vision flickered, and for a brief moment, he felt something stir deep within him—something ancient.
The Fireborn beast circled, its body coiling and reshaping itself, waiting for another attack. Kael exhaled, trying to steady himself. If he lost focus now, he would fail the trial. And failure meant death.
Vasra's voice cut through the heat. "Don't just defend. Strike back."
Kael narrowed his eyes. She was right. He couldn't just react—he had to take control.
Summoning the energy of the mark, he took a step forward. The fire beneath his feet flared, but this time, it didn't burn. Instead, it flowed with him. He raised his hand, and the heat around him coalesced into something new—a force, an extension of himself.
The Fireborn lunged again, but Kael didn't back away. With a swift motion, he thrust his hand forward, and a burst of energy erupted. A wave of heat, controlled and focused, struck the beast dead center.
The creature roared, its form distorting, breaking apart. The flames that had once been its body scattered into embers, dissolving into the molten pit below.
Silence.
Kael stood, breathing hard, the mark on his hand still glowing faintly. The pathway ahead was clear. He had passed.
Eldric nodded, his expression unreadable. "You are beginning to understand."
Vasra smirked slightly. "Not bad. But don't get comfortable. There's still more to come."
Kael exhaled and stepped forward. The trial of fire was over.
But the true test had only just begun.