Kael didn't sleep that night.
He sat by the cold forge, holding the glowing emberstone in his hand. It was warm, like holding a tiny flame, but it didn't burn him.
He had so many questions.
Where did the stone come from?
Why did the fire speak to him?
And… where was Master Ren?
In the morning, Kael left the forge and stepped into the streets of Emberreach.
The sky was still grey from the storm. People walked quietly, heads low.
No one smiled. Life in this town was always hard.
He walked to Ren's house. The door was open. Inside, everything was cold and still. Ren's tools were there. His coat was on the chair. But the man was gone.
Like he had vanished.
Back outside, Kael heard something.
"Hey, blacksmith boy!" shouted a voice.
Kael turned and saw Jarin, one of the city guards. He wore armor and always acted like a bully.
"You're coming with us," Jarin said. "By order of the king's men."
"Why?" Kael asked, heart racing.
"Don't play dumb. Someone reported magic in your forge last night. Dangerous magic."
Kael stepped back. "I didn't— I don't know—"
Jarin raised his hand. "Grab him."
Two more guards moved in. Kael turned to run.
And then—the emberstone flared.
A wave of heat rushed from his chest. Fire shot out from the stone, pushing the guards back.
They screamed and fell to the ground. Kael looked at his hands. His skin glowed again for a second… then stopped.
"What… what am I?" he whispered.
He ran.
Through alleys. Past the market. Out of Emberreach.
He didn't stop until the city was far behind.
Kael reached the woods, shaking and out of breath.
He sat by a tree, the emberstone still glowing.
He was alone now.
Hunted.
But deep inside, something had changed.
He wasn't just a blacksmith's apprentice anymore.
He was something more.