The cave was dry and warm, lit by a small campfire Merlin had summoned with a flick of his wrist. The flames danced on the stone walls, casting long shadows.
Kael stood in the center, hands at his sides. The fire in his veins hummed, responsive to his every thought.
"Let's start simple," Merlin said, sitting on a rock. "Summon the flame. Slow. Steady. No rush."
Kael closed his eyes. He focused on the warmth in his chest, letting it rise to his palms. When he opened them, a small orange flame flickered in his hand.
"Good," Merlin nodded. "Now, hold it. Don't let it fade. Don't let it burn too bright."
Kael gritted his teeth. The flame wavered, growing bigger, then smaller.
"Breathe," Merlin said. "Dragon fire is like a river. You don't fight it—you guide it."
Kael took a deep breath. The flame stabilized, burning calmly in his palm.
"Better," Merlin smiled. "Now, move it. From hand to hand."
Kael tried. The flame jumped to his other hand, but it sputtered, nearly going out.
"Focus," Merlin said. "Feel the fire as an extension of yourself. Not something separate."
Kael tried again. This time, the flame moved smoothly, dancing between his hands.
"Perfect," Merlin said. "Now, let's try something harder. Hit that rock." He pointed to a boulder in the corner.
Kael aimed, then launched the flame. It hit the rock, leaving a small black mark.
"Weak," Merlin said. "Put more of yourself into it. Your anger. Your resolve. Dragon fire feeds on emotion."
Kael thought of Julian. Of Isabella. Of the way they'd laughed at him. The fire in his veins roared.
He summoned the flame again, bigger, hotter. He launched it at the rock.
BOOM.
The flame exploded on impact. The boulder cracked, pieces flying across the cave.
Kael stared, shocked. "Whoa."
"See?" Merlin said. "Emotion is your fuel. But it's also your weakness. If you lose control, the fire will consume you."
Kael nodded. He could feel the heat fading, leaving him tired.
"Rest," Merlin said. "Magic takes energy. Especially dragon fire."
Kael sat on the ground, leaning against the wall. "How did you know about the seal? About my blood?"
Merlin sighed. "I was the royal mage for King Alden. Years ago, I found ancient texts about the Ember Dragon Emperor. About his bloodline."
He paused. "Then Julian came to me. He said you were a threat. That your blood would destroy the kingdom. He paid me handsomely to seal your magic."
"Why did you agree?" Kael asked.
"I was naive," Merlin said. "I trusted Julian. Thought he had the kingdom's best interests at heart. Then I found out about the Soul-Eating Lord. About his plan to free him."
He shook his head. "I tried to break the seal, but Julian had me arrested. I escaped, but I've been on the run ever since. Watching you. Waiting for the seal to break."
Kael frowned. "Why didn't you just come to me earlier?"
"Too risky," Merlin said. "Julian has eyes everywhere. If he knew I was helping you, he'd send his best men to kill us both."
A noise echoed from outside the cave. A branch snapping.
Kael tensed. "Did you hear that?"
Merlin stood, staff in hand. "Stay alert. Could be monsters. Could be Julian's men."
They walked to the cave entrance, staying in the shadows. Outside, the moon was high, casting silver light over the gorge.
A group of men stood at the edge of the path, torches in hand. Their armor glinted in the moonlight—royal guards.
"Julian's men," Merlin whispered. "They found us faster than I thought."
One of the guards shouted: "Kael Voss! Come out! The prince wants to talk!"
Kael stepped forward, but Merlin pulled him back. "Don't. It's a trap."
The guard laughed. "Talk? More like drag you back to the palace in chains. The prince wants to finish what he started—seal your magic for good. Or kill you, if you resist."
Kael's jaw tightened. Anger flared in his chest.
"Let them come," he said. "I'm not running anymore."
Merlin nodded. "Good. But remember—control your fire. Don't let anger cloud your judgment."
Kael summoned the flame, steady in his palm. "I won't."
The guards began to climb down the path, swords drawn.
Merlin raised his staff, a green light glowing at the tip. "Let's teach them a lesson."
Kael smiled. "Let's."
The first guard reached the cave entrance. Kael launched the flame, hitting him square in the chest. The guard screamed, falling back.
The other guards froze.
"Attack!" their leader shouted.
They charged.
Merlin waved his staff, and vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the guards' legs. They stumbled, falling to the ground.
Kael moved forward, flame in hand. "Surrender. Or burn."
The leader glared. "You think you can defeat us? You're just a boy with a trick."
Kael laughed. "Try me."
He launched another flame, bigger this time. It exploded between the guards, sending them flying.
They scrambled to their feet, fear in their eyes.
"Retreat!" the leader shouted.
They turned and ran, climbing back up the path as fast as they could.
Kael watched them go, the flame fading from his hand.
"Not bad," Merlin said. "For your first real fight."
Kael smiled. "Thanks for the help."
Merlin nodded. "But this is just the beginning. Julian won't stop. He'll send more men. Stronger men."
"I'm ready," Kael said. "Whatever he throws at me, I'll fight."
Merlin smiled. "Good. Now, let's get back to training. You need to get stronger. Fast."
Kael nodded. He followed Merlin back into the cave.
The fire in his veins burned brighter.
He was ready.
For Julian. For Isabella. For everyone who'd ever wronged him.
This was his fight.
And he was going to win.