Chapter 3 — Ember Training Begins
Kael barely had time to brace before Rhyne swept forward, striking with the flat of his blade. The blow rattled Kael's arms and nearly knocked him off his feet.
"Too slow," Rhyne said. "Again."
Kael gritted his teeth, raising the silver-handled training blade. The Ember markings on his arm flickered with faint light—reacting to his pulse, his fear, his frustration. Rhyne circled him like a wolf sizing up prey.
"Your power responds to emotion," Rhyne said. "Useful. Dangerous. Show it you're in control."
"I'm trying!" Kael snapped.
"Try harder."
Rhyne lunged again. This time, Kael moved on instinct—ducking beneath the strike, sweeping his arm upward. Blue fire flared from his palm, uncontrolled but powerful. The blast scorched the ground between them.
Rhyne didn't flinch. "Better. But you're wasting energy. An Ember wielder who loses focus burns out within minutes."
Kael panted, sweat running down his brow. "How do I stop that?"
"With discipline." Rhyne tapped Kael's forehead. "And calm."
Kael wasn't sure he'd ever been calm a single moment since the sky broke.
Rhyne stepped away and tossed a small sphere onto the ground. It burst open, releasing a holographic-like creature formed of shimmering light—a training simulacrum shaped like a wolf with four glowing eyes.
Kael tensed. "That looks like a Riftspawn."
"It's only a projection," Rhyne said. "But the movements are real enough. Show me what you can do."
The creature lunged with supernatural speed. Kael rolled aside, lifting his arm, letting the Ember surge. Blue fire spiraled outward, slicing across the wolf's form. It flickered but kept moving. Kael dodged again—faster this time, his instincts sharpening.
He struck with a focused burst.
The wolf shattered into sparks.
Kael stumbled backward, panting but exhilarated. "I… I did it."
Rhyne allowed a small nod. "A beginning. Nothing more."
Kael looked up at the crack in the sky, now pulsing like a heartbeat.
"Then let's keep going," he said. "Because that thing is getting bigger."
Rhyne's expression hardened. "And the world is getting closer to falling."