Jack Riven-
As I stepped out the portal, I felt the biting wind hit me immediately. Master Nora said we were going somewhere with snow to fight beasts. She failed to mention that the cold was more likely to kill us before we even saw one.
Apparently, the portal was set up and hidden miles and miles out from a city called Murmansk in Russia. I had no idea what any of that meant or where we actually were—but I quite like snow, and I definitely liked the idea of being able to let loose a bit.
"I think my hand's going to fall off. Can one of you idiots who can use fire just turn me into a bonfire?"
I didn't need to look to know the words came from Ellie. My abnormally tall friend—frustratingly tough and able to mess with momentum. Meaning she was really hard to hurt, but hit even harder than that. I swear I have a scar somewhere from when she punched me.
Me, Alex, and Amy all looked at each other. The three of us could generate fire—though each in wildly different ways.
My best friend Alex could conjure elements from thin air, as long as he understood their properties and usage. Logical, structured. A scholar with the power of a god, basically.
Then there was Amy—our silver-haired menace—who just smiled sweetly and held out her hands like she was warming them over a campfire. Her flames weren't normal. Soft, pinkish-orange, with edges that shimmered like petals. Pretty. Almost delicate.
Until they touched something.
Then? Gone. No smoke. No ash. No warning. Just gone. Like the world politely stepped aside for whatever she wanted erased.
I never asked what kind of fire it was. Something about the way she smiled when it consumed things told me I didn't want to know.
But she also had this ability to heal with it. We could all heal with mana, sure—but she was especially good at it. I once humored the idea that her flame had something to do with souls or life force... but that was even worse to think about.
Her flames resembled my violet flames when I embedded fire with destruction.
As she extended her hands, Ellie jumped to hide behind a tree.
"On second thought, I'll manage."
I just rolled my eyes and spread my presence outward. Apparently, the camp was just ahead—where we'd be meeting some sorcerers we'd be staying with for a while.
I sensed the camp. But before that, there was a stray beast between us and it.
My eyes lit up, and a treacherous grin spread across my face.
I was going to tear the beast limb from limb.
Moments later, the rest of the cohort caught on. Some worried, others calm and composed. A few excited.
I pulled out my sword. A beautiful longsword—definitely not fit for a five-year-old. Engraved and ornate, etched with beautiful symbols, runes, and artistry. Made from Velmira steel. A metal only found in the other realm. Strong, fast, powerful, lethal, and deathly sharp.
But more importantly. This sword wasn't enchanted with the remains of a mana beast.
Its technique wasn't some rudimentary one stolen from a fallen creature.
It was bound to my soul.
It would grow as I did.
And, most importantly, it could take my full output.
I intended to use it at such a level.
The beasts I'd fought before were always ruined by the fact my family was close by.
Now it was just us.
Us and a beast.