Trust.
Was it that simple?
“Alright, let’s give this one more shot.”
Adohan grinned, giving me a nod, and stepped back a few paces.
I closed my eyes, focusing inward. I could feel the pulse of fire swirling inside me, like a smoldering ember that refused to go out. This magic was a deep, intrinsic part of me. I just needed to figure out how to reach for it.
But there was a twinge of fear I couldn’t deny. Fear that I wouldn’t be able to control it. Fear that the flame would consume everything in its path and there would be nothing left in Valdor to save.
If I created the eternal flame and kept hold of it, I could tame it. But once it was summoned and released from my control… it would never burn out.
Adohan’s voice broke through the silence again, calm and grounding. “Let go, Skylar. Don’t force it.Trustthat the flame will not consume you. Don’t doubt yourself. Let your power rise from within.”
I exhaled slowly, sinking deeper into the sensation of heat in my chest. It was there, far beneath the surface, when I dove deeper into my wells of power, near the source of my healing magic…
It was there, burning within me.
I stretched my hands out in front of me again, palms open, and tried to sink further into the magic coursing within my very soul.
My own eternal flame.
The heat in my palms began to rise like a slow, steady pulse. It crawled up my center, sending waves of warmth through my body. I could feel it, feel the power building within me. It wasn’t an explosion, but instead, a controlled burn. My fingers tingled with magic as the flame burned yellow and then white.
“Keep going, Skylar!” Adohan encouraged.
But I held back, not forcing the flow of magic. Instead, I trusted my powers, letting the fire come to me, all on its own.
I cracked open my eyes, seeing a spark of blue flicker amongst the dancing white flame.
Adohan’s voice was barely a whisper. “There it is!” he said in awe. “You’re starting to summon it.”
I closed my eyes again, a small smile tugging at my lips. I could feel the power coursing through me and pulled it back.
“It’s there,” I said as I released my powers, the flames disappearing in a swirl of wind. “I feel it. Just… a spark.”
Adohan gave a slow, satisfied nod. His golden hazel eyes gleamed with pride. “It’s a start. Trust in that, Skylar. The flame is yours to command. You’re closer than you think.”
I exhaled, my chest heavy as the realization settled over me… It was about trusting myself.
Believing that I could do this. That I could summon this power and use it when I needed it the most.
I felt my phoenix stir. A warmth spread through my chest at the thought, telling me I was right.
“No rush in learning to wield it, right?” I asked.
Adohan chuckled softly, his gaze warm with affection. “None at all. When the time comes, Skylar, I trust that you’ll know how to wield it.”
Suddenly, the air around us shifted. I barely had time to register the chill that swept across the desert before Daxton appeared beside me. He wiped a bit of frost from his leather armor. His muscles flexed as he moved with the grace of someone who hadn’t teleported across miles in an instant.
“Any progress?” Daxton asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked from me to Adohan.
I stood slowly, brushing the sand off my knees. I didn’t want to admit it, but a part of me felt guilty that he’dbeen handling the transport of so many of our warriors while I’d been here, focusing on mastering my magic.
“We’re getting there,” I said, forcing a smile, though I could feel the worry still gnawing at me. “But… how areyoudoing? You’ve been busy teleporting the bulk of our forces to Solace over the last few days. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard, Daxton.”
He smiled at me with that familiar teasing gleam in his eyes. “I’m fine, Spitfire. There is nothing to worry about. I’ve handled worse.”
