The night wind swept through the forest, carrying the scent of damp earth and freshly fallen leaves. Amidst the dense foliage, a young man clad in ragged hunter’s garb moved cautiously, his sharp eyes scanning every movement around him. Elden, a simple village hunter, gripped his bow tightly. He had spent hours in the forest, yet his prey had not appeared."Just one deer is all I need…" he muttered under his breath, almost as if speaking to himself.Life in his small village on the kingdom’s edge had always been simple—rising before dawn, hunting for food, and returning before nightfall. But tonight was different. The air felt heavier, denser, as if unseen eyes were watching him from the shadows of the trees.Suddenly, the bushes ahead rustled violently. Elden swiftly raised his bow, nocking an arrow, and aimed toward the source of the sound."Hrrr…"A low growl sent chills down his spine. Emerging from the darkness of the forest was a wolf—but not an ordinary one. Its body was larger

Elden was still staring at his palm, his breath ragged after what had just happened. He had never experienced anything like this before. He had always thought of himself as just an ordinary young man from a small village, not someone who could wield fire.Kaelar, sitting across from him, gave a slight smile. "This is just the beginning, Elden. If you don’t learn to control it, that power could become your weapon… or your downfall."Elden swallowed hard. "How do I control it?"Kaelar crossed his arms. "Just like controlling your breath. You can’t force it, but you can guide it. You must understand the power, not fight against it."Elden furrowed his brow. He wasn’t sure he could do it. When the fire had erupted from his hands earlier, it felt uncontrollable, an untamed explosion bursting from within him. If he wasn’t careful, he could burn himself… or worse, the people around him.Kaelar seemed to sense his unease. "Don’t fear your own power, Elden. Fear will only make it wilder."Elde

Elden and Kaelar rushed through the tavern’s back door, following Merida toward the secret passage. Merida lifted a floorboard in the corner of the room, revealing a dark and narrow underground tunnel.“Get in,” Merida whispered. “This tunnel will lead you out of the village. Don’t stop until you reach the end.”Kaelar nodded and jumped in first, followed by Elden, who still felt uneasy. Once Elden was inside, Merida replaced the floorboard above them, leaving them in darkness.“Elden, stay behind me,” Kaelar murmured. “Don’t make a sound.”Elden could only nod in the dark. He heard the sound of royal soldiers entering the tavern above, making his heart pound faster.“Search this place! They’re around here somewhere!” a soldier’s voice commanded.Elden held his breath, trying not to make a sound. The tunnel was narrow and smelled of damp earth, but he couldn’t stop now. They carefully moved forward, distancing themselves from the danger above. Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the end o

Elden stood in the center of the ritual circle, panting heavily. Sweat trickled down his temples, and within his chest, he could feel something different. No longer was he shackled by fear. The fire within him was no longer just a wild force, it was a part of him that he had to accept.Vaelis observed Elden closely. "Good. You have passed the first trial, but this is only the beginning. The dragon's fire within you has now merged more deeply with your soul, but to master it fully, you must learn to control it."Kaelar, who had been silently watching, crossed his arms. "What’s the next step?"Vaelis raised his wooden staff and tapped it against the stone floor. "Training begins now."Immediately, flames erupted around Elden, forming a blazing ring. The heat was so intense that he could feel his sweat evaporating instantly."Maintain your control!" Vaelis commanded. "If you cannot tame these flames, you may burn yourself alive!"Elden struggled to remain calm, but this fire felt differe

The footsteps of Elden, Kaelar, Vaelis, and Renard echoed along the narrowing stone corridor. The air around them began to change, growing colder and heavier, as if something unseen was pressing down on them. The dim light from the torch Vaelis carried cast long shadows on the walls, creating the illusion that they were not alone.After walking for several minutes, they finally arrived before a massive gate made of intricately carved black metal. The engravings depicted a great dragon with outstretched wings, its eyes appearing to watch anyone who stood before it.Kaelar placed his hand on the gate. "So, this is Ardent Fortress?"Renard nodded. "This is the entrance. But getting inside won’t be that easy."Elden stepped forward, sensing something strange about the gate. "Why not?"Renard looked at him seriously. "This gate will only open for those with the blood of a true dragon. Without it, anyone who tries to enter will die on the spot."Elden felt his heart beat faster. "So, I have