The shadow riders moved in fast.
Their black armor made no sound. The leader cracked his whip, and it hissed through the air like a snake made of smoke.
Kael stood behind Serin, frozen.
"I don't know how to fight," he whispered.
"Then learn," she said. "Now."
The first rider lunged. Serin spun her staff and shouted a word Kael didn't understand.
A gust of wind exploded from her hands, slamming the rider into a tree.
Thud!
Another shadow rider swung a curved blade at her.
She ducked, and the wind carried her back like she was floating.
The leader turned toward Kael. "The fire belongs to the king."
Kael's emberstone flared.
His chest burned—but it didn't hurt.
It felt alive.
The rider raised his whip.
Kael didn't think. He raised his hand and shouted—
"Stop!"
The emberstone lit up.
A burst of fire shot from his palm.
Bright. Hot. Wild.
The shadow rider screamed as flames surrounded him. His whip melted. He fell to the ground, rolling, groaning in pain.
Kael stared at his hand, shaking. "I… I did that?"
Serin didn't look surprised. "Yes. And you're just getting started."
The last shadow rider tried to run, but Serin moved her staff in a circle, and a mini tornado trapped him.
Leaves and wind spun around him until he dropped his sword.
Kael stepped forward, fire still flickering in his hand.
"Go back to your king," Kael said. "Tell him we're not afraid."
The rider vanished into the trees, limping.
Silence returned to the forest.
Kael sat down, breathing hard.
Serin joined him. "You did well."
"I almost burned everything," Kael said.
"You didn't," Serin said calmly. "The fire is strong. But so are you."
Kael looked at her. "Are there more of them?"
"Yes," she said. "And they'll keep coming."
Kael looked down at the emberstone. It was glowing gently, as if proud.
He closed his fist.
"I want to learn," he said. "I want to be ready."
Serin smiled.
"Then we start tomorrow."
🌟