Aaron stumbled out of the bathroom, the thick smoke stinging his eyes and burning his throat. He almost tripped over something. Looking down, he froze. It was the body of the enemy, burned, blackened, lifeless. Aaron's stomach turned, bile rising in his throat.
The apartment was falling apart. Flames climbed the walls, eating away at everything they touched. The heat was unbearable, and Aaron's mind raced. Suddenly, the fire on his hands went out, leaving his skin unharmed but his nerves on edge.
A glowing screen appeared in front of him again.
"Level 2
Primordial Flames successfully triggered.
Reward for mastering the primordial flames: total immunity to heat, flame attacks and all their effects and consequences."
Aaron's heart pounded as another line appeared.
"Project barrier flames to repel your enemies' attacks."
The fire around him seemed to grow wilder, hotter. The air felt alive with it. He yelled into the chaos, "Era! Where are you?"
No answer. Just the sound of burning wood and crackling fire. The heat pressed down on him, making it hard to think. His legs felt weak, and he collapsed to his knees, coughing hard.
The screen came back, the words sharp and cold.
"Absorb fragments of life energy from your enemies to regain strength."
Aaron stared at the message, confused and horrified. His eyes darted to the charred body by the bathroom. Absorb energy? Was the ring serious?
The heat around him was suffocating. He didn't have time to argue with himself. Shaking, he leaned toward the body and held the ring out.
A faint, blue smoke started rising from the corpse. It swirled, moving toward the ring. Aaron felt something strange as the energy flowed into him—warmth, strength. His lungs felt clear, and the exhaustion faded.
Just as the process ended, he heard coughing from behind him.
"Aaron!"
He spun around to see Era stumbling toward him. She looked a mess, soot-covered, her hair singed in places, but she was alive.
"I got the guy," she said, her voice rough from the smoke. "He didn't go down easy. But you…" She glanced at his hands, then the destruction around them. "You're learning fast. Looks like you've got the primordial flames under control."
Aaron shook his head. "I don't know what I'm doing. The ring—it's making all the decisions."
Era grabbed his arm, her grip firm. "Doesn't matter. If it's working, we're getting out of here. This place is coming down."
They ran through the burning apartment, the floor groaning beneath them. When they finally burst outside, Aaron sucked in the cool night air, doubling over as he tried to catch his breath.
"We made it," he panted.
"Not yet," Era muttered.
Aaron looked up and felt his blood go cold. A crowd of enemies waited for them, circling the building. They didn't charge, just stood there, their glowing eyes locked on him and Era.
Aaron's chest tightened. He could feel the Phoenix Ring humming, almost like it was alive. Then the screen appeared again, as if on cue.
"Project barrier flames to repel your enemies' attacks."
Era stood next to him, dagger in hand, her face tense. "Got another trick up your sleeve?"
Aaron clenched his fists, fear and frustration bubbling inside him. "I don't know. But I'll try, or die trying."
The enemies started moving closer, their steps slow but deliberate. Aaron took a deep breath, the heat of the ring stirring again.
He felt the air shift. The enemies surrounding them raised their hands, murmuring in unison, weaving their power into glowing, crackling arcs of energy. The air shimmered as blazing orbs began to take shape above their palms.
"Era!" Aaron yelled, panic rising in his chest.
"I… I can't," she gasped, stumbling to the ground, her dagger slipping from her fingers. Her face was pale, her breaths shallow. "I'm at my wit's end, Aaron."
He froze, his hands trembling as he looked at the advancing enemies and the fiery projectiles aimed at them. His mind raced. Then, almost instinctively, he closed his eyes and shouted, "Barrier flames!"
As the enemies unleashed their attacks, a radiant wall of white flames erupted around him and Era, encircling them in an impenetrable barrier. The enemy fireballs slammed into it but fizzled out on contact, leaving Aaron stunned.
"It worked," he muttered, his voice shaky with relief. The barrier burned bright, its light reflecting in his wide eyes.
Era coughed weakly, glancing at the flames. "You… actually did it. Guess you're not as hopeless as you think."
Aaron felt a flicker of pride, but it was quickly replaced by determination. The ring was still pulsing with energy, urging him forward. An idea formed in his mind.
He stepped closer to the barrier, raising his hand. Behind the protective wall, he channeled the primordial flames, molding them into fireballs of his own. With a fierce cry, he hurled them one by one at the enemies.
Each fireball streaked through the air, leaving fiery trails before slamming into the attackers. They screamed as the flames consumed them, their bodies disintegrating under the sheer force.
The enemy leader barked orders, trying to rally his troops, but it was no use. None of their attacks could pierce the barrier flames, and Aaron's relentless assault left them in disarray.
Finally, the leader raised a hand, signaling retreat. The remaining enemies scattered into the darkness, their leader glaring at Aaron one last time before vanishing.
The adrenaline drained from Aaron's body, leaving him weak. The barrier flames flickered and faded as he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.
Era crawled to his side, her voice hoarse but laced with concern. "Aaron… Are you okay?"
He looked at her, his face pale. "I'm… exhausted. I thought I was done for…" His words slurred as his vision blurred. "I almost cracked…"
Darkness consumed him as he lost consciousness.
---
When Aaron opened his eyes, he found himself lying on a bed, the rough texture of stone surrounding him. The ceiling above was carved rock, and the air smelled of earth and faint herbs. He groaned, sitting up slowly.
He glanced down to see that his clothes had been changed. He was now wearing a simple tunic similar to the one Era had worn earlier. The Phoenix Ring still rested on his finger, its surface dull but warm.
Getting to his feet, Aaron approached a nearby window. Sunlight streamed through iron bars embedded in the stone frame. Beyond the bars, an endless expanse of forest and mountains stretched to the horizon, bathed in golden light.
As he gazed out, trying to make sense of his surroundings, a familiar voice startled him from behind.
"Finally awake, are we?"
Aaron spun around, his heart leaping to his throat. His eyes widened in disbelief.
Standing there, smiling softly, was a face he thought he'd never see again.
"Mom?" he whispered, his voice trembling.