Chapter 7: Trials of Flame and Ice
The sky turned a shade darker as the trio moved north, the red line in the sky now more visible than ever — like a wound in the heavens that refused to heal.
They camped at the edge of the forest that night. Yuna had hunted a small boar-like creature, its fur blue and eyes glowing, while Akio tried (and failed) to start a fire without magic.
"I still don't get how you figured out your powers so fast," Ren said, watching the flames dance as Yuna stirred the pot.
"I didn't," she replied flatly. "I almost died three times in that forest. The magic didn't come because I wanted it to. It came because I had no choice."
Ren leaned back, staring at the glowing mark on his hand. "Do you think we'll all have different kinds of magic?"
Yuna nodded. "The voice in the mark… it called me 'Flame of the Wild'. Maybe it's like that for everyone."
Akio grinned. "If I'm the Flame of Jokes, I'm gonna burn the world with sarcasm."
They all laughed. The first real laughter since their strange journey began.
That night, Ren dreamed.
He stood in a temple — vast and ancient — with crystal walls and floating glyphs. In the center was a statue of four faceless figures holding different orbs: flame, storm, stone… and frost.
A voice echoed.
> "To awaken the Fourth, you must prove your will. Each path is guarded. Each flame must face their trial. Begin where frost does not melt — in the ruins of Lysdara."
He awoke with a jolt.
"We need to move," Ren said. "I saw it again — the voice gave me a vision. There's a trial waiting for us. One that will test if we're worthy of the last."
Yuna stood, already packing.
Akio groaned. "We can't even get breakfast first?"
As they traveled, the environment changed. The land became colder, the trees thinner. Eventually, snowflakes began to fall, and frozen ruins appeared along the cliffside.
They had reached the southern edge of Lysdara.
A massive door blocked their path, carved with symbols in a language they couldn't read — except for one.
On the center of the door was the same mark on their hands, but it was split into four segments — only three of them glowed.
Yuna placed her hand on the flame symbol.
Ren touched the storm mark.
Akio hesitated, then placed his hand on the wind.
The door trembled, letting out a deep, echoing hum.
A whisper filled the air.
> "Three flames stand. One remains. Let the Trials begin."
The ground cracked beneath them — and the trio fell into darkness.
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