My name is Vayujit, but most people call me Kael. I was born into a family of weapon-smiths in the Wind Kingdom—part of the Wind Clan. Our house was just a small tin shelter, but to us, it was home.
I lived with my younger sister, about three to four years younger than me. She, my mother, and father—my whole world—shared that tiny space we called our home.
My mother taught Wind Pathway combat, and my father made weapons—a respected craft in our area. We were poor, yes, but people still looked at us with honor.
That day, I turned sixteen.
In our world, sixteen marks the Awakening Ceremony. All who come of age gather before the High Priestess, who helps awaken our inner Pathway. The ritual reveals the elemental power best suited for our body—like Wind, Water, Earth, or Fire. Rare ones like Sun or Moon appear once in a generation. And pathways like Mind or Time? Only passed through bloodlines, never taught.
Everyone was excited. My friends stood beside me, buzzing with energy. Ridan, strong and always confident, awakened the Earth Pathway. Another received Water. Many, like always, got Wind.
Then came Samaira—my secret love.
She stepped forward and awakened the Sun Pathway. She glowed, literally. My heart skipped. I couldn't breathe watching her.
Then it was my turn.
I stepped up, nervous but hopeful. The High Priestess placed her hands on my head. A hush fell.
I don't know what I did wrong.
I don't know what destiny had planned for me.
My awakening failed.
No glow. No wind. Nothing—just silence.
Then… laughter.
Loud. Cruel. Disbelieving.
No one had ever failed the Awakening before. But lucky me—destiny chose me to be the first.
Whispers filled the air like poison. Even my closest friends laughed. Others looked at me like I was cursed, a joke. I had always been the quiet child—the boy people ignored or mocked—but this... this was different. This hurt.
I tried to stay still.
I told myself my parents would still love me. Even if I joined the Fire Nation—our worst enemy—they'd accept me. That's the kind of people they were.
Then I looked at Samaira.
She had always been the light in my dark world. Her smile was gentler than moonlight. Her voice—softer than any wind.
I walked toward her, praying for a kind word. Just one.
She stepped back.
Then… she turned away. She walked toward a boy who had awakened the Flame Pathway, took his hand, and smiled.
And just like that—
My heart shattered.
It felt like a thousand knives in my chest. My best friend—who had always stood by me—couldn't even meet my eyes. No one did.
So I walked away.
As I left the temple, clouds gathered. The sky darkened. Thunder rumbled, soft but heavy.
I found an old bench under a tree and sat, head in my hands. The wind was cold. The weight in my chest—colder.
Then… it rained.
Heavy, icy drops pounded the earth. I didn't move. I didn't cry. I just sat, letting the rain soak me, hoping it would wash away everything I felt.
After a while, I stood and began to walk home.
The path was muddy. Slippery.
And then it happened.
A loud crack. A massive tree, weakened by wind and storm, came crashing down—right toward me.
I froze.
My legs wouldn't move. My body screamed at me to run, but I couldn't. My mind went blank.
Death was a second away.
Then—
A sudden burst of fire exploded from nowhere. It cut through the rain like it didn't care. The tree was engulfed in flames and turned to ash in seconds.
Don't ask me how the fire survived in the rain. I don't know.
Then, everything faded.
My vision darkened.
And then the pain began.
A sharp, searing burn shot through my forearm—like something was being carved into my skin. I wanted to scream, but I had no voice.
And then...
I fainted.
To be continued in Chapter 2: After the Flames