The cave fire crackled, casting warm light over Kael's sweat-slick face. He stood in a fighting stance, breath steady, as Merlin circled him.
"Your fire is strong, but it's reckless," Merlin said. "A sword isn't just for attacking—it's for defending. Same with your flames."
Kael nodded. "Show me."
Merlin raised his staff. A green glow wrapped around his body, forming a thin shield. "Magic shields are about focus. For you, it's about wrapping your dragon fire around yourself—not letting it explode outward."
Kael closed his eyes. He focused on the heat in his veins, willing it to spread over his skin. When he opened them, a faint orange glow clung to his body—fragile, but there.
"Good start," Merlin said. "Now, let's test it." He flicked a small fireball at Kael.
The fireball hit the shield and bounced off, sputtering out.
Kael grinned. "Nice."
"Now, make it stronger," Merlin said. "Put more of your resolve into it. Think of protecting someone—or something you care about."
Kael thought of his father. Of the North Duke, trapped in the palace. Of the people of the Northern Reaches, who'd never mocked him, even when he was magicless.
The glow brightened, forming a solid shield of flame.
"Perfect," Merlin said. He launched a bigger fireball. It hit the shield with a loud crack, but the shield held.
Kael let out a breath, the shield fading. "That's exhausting."
"Magic takes practice," Merlin said. "Now, let's try something else. Flame weapons."
He pointed to Kael's empty hand. "Summon a sword. Not with metal—but with fire. Focus on the shape, the weight."
Kael closed his eyes. He imagined a sword—sharp, strong, forged from flame. He felt the heat in his veins surge, pooling in his palm.
When he opened his eyes, a sword of fire burned in his hand. The blade was bright orange, heat radiating off it.
"Whoa," Kael said, swinging it gently. The air hissed as the blade cut through it.
"Try it on that rock," Merlin said, pointing to a small boulder.
Kael swung the sword. It sliced through the rock like butter, splitting it in two.
"Wow," he said. "That's powerful."
"Too powerful, if you're not careful," Merlin said. "Flame weapons drain energy fast. Use them only when you have to."
Kael nodded, dismissing the sword. The fire faded, leaving his hand warm.
He sat down on a rock, drinking from a water skin. "Tell me more about the Soul-Eating Lord. And the four bloodlines."
Merlin sighed, sitting beside him. "Long ago, the Soul-Eating Lord ruled the realm. He fed on souls, turning people into his slaves. The realm was in darkness—until the four great races rose up."
"Dragons, elves, phoenixes, griffins," Kael said.
Merlin nodded. "Their leaders—each with pure blood—united. Together, they sealed the Soul-Eating Lord in the Abyssal Rift. But the seal is weakening. Julian plans to break it, using the blood of the four races."
"And my blood is dragon blood," Kael said. "The first of the four."
"Exactly," Merlin said. "Julian needs your blood to break the seal. That's why he blocked your magic—so he could capture you easily."
Kael frowned. "Where are the other bloodlines? The elves, phoenixes, griffins?"
"Elves live in the Silverwood Forest," Merlin said. "Phoenixes in the Firepeak Mountains. Griffins in the Ironspine Cliffs. But Julian has already started hunting them. He's captured several elves, trying to get their blood."
Kael's jaw tightened. "We have to stop him."
"We will," Merlin said. "But first, you need to get stronger. And we need to find the other bloodline heirs. We can't do this alone."
A noise echoed from outside the cave. Faint, but distinct—hoofbeats.
Merlin stood, staff in hand. "More of Julian's men. And this time, they brought horses. They're not here to talk."
Kael stood, summoning a flame in his palm. "Let's fight."
Merlin shook his head. "No. There are too many. We need to run."
"Run?" Kael said. "I thought we weren't running anymore."
"We're not running from a fight," Merlin said. "We're running to save the realm. We need to get to the Silverwood Forest. Find the elves. They can help us."
Kael hesitated. He wanted to fight—to make Julian's men pay. But Merlin was right. They were outnumbered.
"Fine," he said. "Lead the way."
Merlin nodded. He grabbed a backpack from the corner of the cave, slinging it over his shoulder. "There's a secret path out the back of the cave. It leads to the north, toward the forest."
They hurried to the back of the cave. Merlin pushed a rock aside, revealing a narrow tunnel.
"Go," he said. "I'll cover the entrance."
Kael nodded. He stepped into the tunnel, turning to look at Merlin. "Be careful."
Merlin smiled. "I've survived worse. Now go. I'll meet you at the tunnel exit."
Kael turned and ran into the darkness. The tunnel was narrow, the air cool and damp. He could hear the sound of Merlin's magic behind him—vines erupting, rocks falling.
He ran faster, the fire in his veins guiding him.
The Silverwood Forest. The elves. A new ally.
This was his chance.
To get stronger. To find the other bloodlines. To stop Julian.
And to take back what was his.
Kael emerged from the tunnel, into the night. The moon was high, casting silver light over the trees.
He waited, listening for Merlin.
A moment later, Merlin emerged, breathing hard. "Let's go. They won't be far behind."
Kael nodded. He looked toward the north, where the trees loomed.
The Silverwood Forest was ahead.
And their journey had only just begun.