Chapter 2: The Village Burns
The morning calm shattered like glass. Smoke rose not from chimneys, but from flames that licked the edges of the village. Villagers screamed, rushing to save their homes as Gravos and his bandits stormed through the streets.
Kael froze for a heartbeat, then ran. His stomach knotted. Riven's End… destroyed?
"Kael! Lyra!" Bram's voice rang above the chaos. He wielded his staff, guiding frightened villagers to safety. "Protect the children! Don't let them touch the crops!"
Lyra sprinted toward Kael, her expression fierce. "We can't let them get away with this!"
Kael's fists clenched. His training, playful duels, and secret experiments had led to this moment. Now, he would see if his Aure Fusion could save lives—or if it would destroy him first.
A bandit swung a crude axe at a terrified farmer. Without thinking, Kael raised his hands. He drew upon a spark of fire he had practiced yesterday and fused it with a gust of wind. A swirling torrent of flames erupted, pushing the bandit backward and knocking him off his feet.
Kael stumbled, exhausted already. The spell was far stronger than he had intended—Level 4 at best, and he was only Level 2 in experience. Sweat dripped down his forehead.
"Kael, careful!" Lyra shouted, conjuring a shimmering shield to protect a group of fleeing villagers. Her magic flared brilliantly, bright enough to rival the morning sun.
The bandits regrouped. Their leader, Gravos, stepped forward, eyes gleaming with malice. "So… these are the children who ruined my last raid. Let's see if you can survive this!"
Kael and Lyra exchanged a quick glance. They had fought side by side before, but never against killers like these.
The fight began. Kael fired fusion spells rapidly, combining small fireballs, gusts of wind, and fragments of earth. Each successful spell left him drained, shaking, but the bandits faltered. Lyra's precise magic cut through their ranks, pushing them back.
But Gravos was clever. He dodged their attacks, setting fire to barns and blocking escape routes. Kael's heart pounded. He wanted to end it quickly—but pushing beyond his limits could kill him.
"Kael! Use everything you've got—no holding back!" Lyra cried, facing a bandit ready to strike a trapped villager.
Kael hesitated, then focused all his energy. He fused multiple elemental techniques: fire, wind, and earth, creating a swirling vortex of scorching, cutting flames. The spell slammed into the bandit group, throwing them into a burning barn.
Kael collapsed, gasping for breath. Every muscle ached, his vision blurred. Lyra rushed to his side, helping him to his feet.
The bandits fled, leaving destruction in their wake. The village was battered—smoke, fire, and despair—but lives were saved.
Bram approached, placing a steady hand on Kael's shoulder. "You have power, Kael. More than I've ever seen. But power without control… it will destroy you before it destroys others."
Kael nodded weakly, determination burning in his chest. This was only the beginning. One day, he would not only protect his village—he would reshape the world.
And Kael knew, deep down, that Gravos would return.