It wasn't until hours later, as the group made camp in a nearby grove, that Kaelan stirred. His body felt heavy, his muscles aching as though he had fought for days without rest. He blinked against the dim light of the campfire, the faces of his companions coming into focus.
Elara was the first to notice. "Kaelan!" she gasped, rushing to his side.
Kaelan tried to sit up, but his strength failed him. "What… happened?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"You lost control," Orin said, stepping into view,his wound closed but he still hurts."The Soulfire erupted, consuming you entirely. Sylphira was able to subdue you before it was too late."
"You're okay..papa....slypheria??".
"The goddess of nature....boy" Eira emphasized.
Kaelan's gaze fell, shame and confusion washing over him. "I couldn't stop it. I… I wanted to destroy him. To burn everything."
Thorne stepped forward, arms crossed. "You nearly did. Whatever that power is, it's dangerous—not just to your enemies, but to us too."
Elara knelt beside Kaelan, her hand gently cupping his cheek. "We'll figure this out together. You don't have to face it alone."
Kaelan closed his eyes, leaning into her touch. "I don't know if I can control it. What if it happens again?"
Sylphira who was quiet all along and busy admiring nature cut through the moment."It will happen again, Kaelan. This is the nature of your power. But control is possible—if you are willing to face the truth of who you are."
As Kaelan sat up, his gaze moved across the group. Besides Elara, Thorne, Orin, Kain, and Sylphira, two others lingered on the fringes: Draven Nyx and Liora Sylverwind. Both had been quieter than usual during the chaos, but their faces betrayed a mix of concern and unease.
Draven, with his sharp features and piercing silver eyes, stood leaning against a tree, his arms crossed. He rarely showed emotion, but now there was a tightness to his jaw, his usual aloof demeanor replaced with something bordering on worry.
Liora, the serene and enigmatic healer, knelt nearby, her hands resting lightly on her lap. Her pale, moonlit hair framed her thoughtful face, her soft voice breaking the silence.
"I sensed the fire in you long before it erupted, Kaelan," Liora said, her gaze steady. "It is ancient and volatile, a force that defies the natural order. But it is not inherently evil but of evil".
Draven's voice cut in, cool and direct. "Emphasis on of evil boy. You nearly killed us all.That fire? It didn't care who was in its path. If Sylphira hadn't intervened, we'd be ash."
Kaelan flinched at the words, casting an unfamiliar look at him, but Elara shot Draven a glare. "You think he doesn't know that? You think he hasn't suffered enough?"
Draven pushed off the tree, stepping closer. "I'm not saying it to be cruel. I'm saying it because it's true. We're walking into battles we can't win if we don't know how to handle what's inside him."
"Enough," Orin said, his deep voice resonating with authority. "This is not the time for accusations. Kaelan's power is dangerous, yes, but it is also why he will succeed where others have failed."
Draven muttered under his breath and returned to his place, his silence speaking volumes.
Liora leaned closer to Kaelan, her voice gentle but firm. "I can help you, Kaelan. Not to suppress the Soulfire—that would be impossible—but to understand it. To coexist with it."
Kaelan met her gaze, his eyes heavy with exhaustion and doubt. "You really think I can control this?"
Liora smiled faintly. "Control isn't the right word. It is a part of you, Kaelan. Just as much as your courage or your fears. The more you fight it, the more it will consume you. But if you embrace it… perhaps you'll find the balance you need."
Her words lingered in the air, giving Kaelan a sliver of hope as he squinted a "Thanks...girl" leaving others in a cause for laughter.
The campfire crackled as the group settled in. Thorne was sharpening his hammer, his movements methodical. Kain leaned back against a log, playing with a shadow dagger, while Sylphira traced tries to bring the dead, burnt out forest back to life.
Draven remained apart, his silver eyes fixed on the darkness beyond the firelight. Liora sat close to the flames, her calming presence easing some of the tension.
Elara stayed by Kaelan's side, refusing to leave him. Her worry was evident, but so was her resolve.
Orin broke the silence, his tone calm but commanding. "We all have our burdens to bear. Kaelan's is heavier than most, but that is why we are here—to carry it together. If any of you doubt that, speak now."
Draven glanced back at the group, his expression unreadable. "I don't doubt it," he said finally. "But if we're going to follow him, we need to know he won't lose control again."
Kaelan's voice, though weak, held a note of determination. "I don't want to hurt any of you. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn't happen again."
Liora nodded approvingly. "Then we will stand with you, Kaelan. Through fire, storm, and shadow."
Elara placed her hand over Kaelan's, her voice soft but unwavering. "We'll face this together. All of us."
"Unfortunately, mortals my abode needs my attention there are only a few gods who bears no hatred to people like him..... remember to....never give up" sylphira said as she was lifted off by strong roots towards the sky.
"Thank you for your act of kindness".Elara proposed as the goddess faded from sight.
The group trudged through the woods, the earlier tension somewhat dissipating as the immediate threat of danger seemed to fade. The thick canopy overhead let through scattered rays of sunlight, creating a serene, almost peaceful atmosphere that contrasted sharply with their recent battles.
Thorne's heavy footsteps broke the silence as he walked beside Kaelan, his hammer slung casually over his shoulder. "So, Kaelan," Thorne began, a sly grin creeping onto his face, "what's the deal with that fire of yours? You always save the dramatic flaming rage for the gods, or can we expect a barbecue next time we camp?"
Kaelan frowned, his cheeks reddening slightly. "It's... complicated," he muttered, scratching the back of his head. "And no, I don't cook with it."
Kain, leaning against a tree a few paces ahead, chimed in. "Pity. A walking bonfire would've made you more useful on cold nights."
"I'll remember that the next time you're freezing in your shadows," Kaelan shot back, earning a chuckle from Elara, who was watching the banter unfold with an amused smile.
Liora, busy examining some unusual plants growing along the trail, looked up and smirked. "I think we can all agree it's a blessing Kaelan didn't burn us in the process. Though I wouldn't mind him roasting Thorne's wild boar catch—it's always either raw or charcoal."
Thorne feigned offense, clutching his chest dramatically. "Liora, my cooking is a gift! A rugged delicacy born of years spent in the wilderness."
"It's a stomachache waiting to happen," Elara interjected, her laughter lightening the mood even further.
The group's conversation was interrupted by a loud squawk, followed by a flurry of feathers as a large bird swooped down, narrowly missing Orin, who had been walking silently at the rear. The beastmaster tilted his head, his eyes narrowing as he examined the creature now perched on a branch overhead.
"What kind of bird is that?" Draven asked, raising an eyebrow. "It looks like it lost a fight with a tornado."
The bird, with its scruffy plumage and mismatched eyes, let out a shrill caw before hopping awkwardly on the branch. Orin's lips twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smile. "It's called a scruffwing. They're... peculiar."
"Peculiar is putting it lightly," Liora said, tilting her head to mirror the bird's jerky movements. "Why is it staring at us like that?"
Thorne snorted. "Maybe it's impressed by my hammer. Or terrified. Either works."
Without warning, the scruffwing launched itself into the air and dive-bombed Thorne, its claws tugging at his little beard
"Hey! Get off me, you overgrown feather duster!" Thorne roared, swatting at the bird as the rest of the group burst into laughter.
Even Kaelan, still recovering from his earlier ordeal, couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of the usually stoic Thorne spinning in circles, trying to fend off the scruffy attacker.
Finally, Orin stepped forward, raising a hand. "Enough," he said calmly. The scruffwing immediately ceased its assault, perching obediently on Orin's outstretched arm.
"Why didn't you do that sooner?" Thorne grumbled.
"Because it was amusing," Orin replied, the faintest hint of a smirk playing on his lips.
As the group continued their journey, the laughter lingered, a rare moment of levity amidst their trials. It was a reminder that, despite the gods, the challenges, and the looming dangers, they were still human—or close enough—and sometimes, a scruffy bird and a bit of humor were enough to lighten even the darkest path.
Moments later, the group fell back into a comfortable silence, readying themselves for whatever lay ahead. The peaceful mood wouldn't last, but for now, it was enough.