6. Embers of the Enemy

Chapter 6: Embers of the Enemy

The air was still warm as Elena and Ardyn left the Heart of Ash behind, the golden glow fading into the dense forest. Elena’s steps were steady, but her mind was a storm of questions. The phoenix’s power pulsed within her, a constant reminder of the trial she had just endured.

She glanced at Ardyn, who was walking slightly ahead. “What happens now?”

He didn’t turn around. “Now we prepare. The king won’t wait long to strike. His forces will come for you, and they won’t stop until you’re either dead or in his grasp.”

Elena shivered, though the fire within her flared protectively at his words. “Why does he want me so badly? If the phoenix is meant to stop him, wouldn’t it make more sense to just kill me?”

Ardyn hesitated before answering. “The phoenix’s power is more than just fire. It’s a connection to the balance of life and death, creation and destruction. The king’s magic thrives on imbalance—on consuming life to strengthen himself. If he can corrupt the phoenix’s power, he’ll become unstoppable.”

Elena’s stomach twisted. “So I’m not just a threat. I’m a prize.”

“Exactly.”

They pressed on in silence for a time, the forest gradually thinning as they approached the base of the Ashen Peaks. The mountains loomed ahead, their jagged peaks shrouded in mist.

Ardyn paused, his hand on the hilt of his blade. “We’ll camp here for the night. The climb will be easier with rest.”

Elena nodded, dropping her satchel to the ground. Her body ached from the day’s journey, but her mind refused to quiet. As Ardyn gathered wood for a fire, she stared at her hands, flexing her fingers as she tried to summon the flames.

At first, nothing happened. But then, with a deep breath, she felt the warmth stir inside her. A small flame flickered to life in her palm, dancing in the twilight.

“You’re getting the hang of it,” Ardyn said, returning with an armful of branches.

She quickly extinguished the flame, her cheeks flushing. “I don’t know what I’m doing. It just… happens.”

“That’s a start,” he said, arranging the wood into a makeshift firepit. “Control will come with time. The more you use it, the more natural it’ll feel.”

Elena sighed, leaning back against a tree. “Time isn’t exactly on our side.”

“No,” Ardyn agreed, lighting the fire with a spark from his flint. “Which is why you need to learn fast.”

The quiet of the night was shattered by the sound of distant horns.

Elena shot to her feet, her heart pounding. “What was that?”

Ardyn’s face darkened as he rose, his hand going to his sword. “Trouble.”

From the forest’s edge, a line of torches appeared, their light bobbing like fireflies in the distance. The sound of boots crunching against the earth grew louder, accompanied by the clinking of metal.

“They’ve found us,” Ardyn muttered, his eyes narrowing.

Elena’s blood ran cold. “The king’s forces?”

He nodded. “A scouting party, most likely. But they’ll call for reinforcements if we don’t deal with them quickly.”

Her fists clenched. “What do we do?”

“You stay here,” he said firmly, drawing his blade. “I’ll handle this.”

“No.” The word escaped her before she could stop it.

Ardyn looked at her, startled.

“I can help,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute. “If I’m supposed to be the phoenix, I can’t just hide. I have to fight.”

He studied her for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. “Alright. But stay close to me, and don’t do anything reckless.”

The torches drew closer, and soon the first of the soldiers stepped into view. They were clad in dark armor, their faces obscured by masks shaped like snarling beasts. Their leader, a towering figure with a jagged sword, raised a hand to halt the group.

“Spread out,” he ordered, his voice echoing in the stillness. “She’s here somewhere.”

Ardyn’s grip tightened on his blade. “Now,” he whispered.

They moved together, Ardyn striking first. He was a blur of motion, his sword cutting through the air with deadly precision. The soldiers barely had time to react before three of them fell.

Elena hung back, fear warring with the heat rising in her chest. When one of the soldiers turned toward her, his weapon raised, she instinctively thrust out her hand.

Flames erupted from her palm, engulfing the soldier in a burst of fire. He screamed as the magic consumed him, collapsing to the ground in a smoldering heap.

Elena stared, stunned by what she had done.

“Focus!” Ardyn shouted, blocking a blow from the leader’s jagged sword. “They’re not finished yet!”

The remaining soldiers regrouped, forming a defensive line as the leader advanced on Ardyn.

“You can’t protect her forever, wanderer,” the leader snarled. “She belongs to the king.”

“Over my dead body,” Ardyn growled, meeting the leader’s attack head-on.

Elena’s fear gave way to anger. These men weren’t just after her—they wanted to take everything she had left. She wouldn’t let them.

Summoning her courage, she stepped forward, the flames surging around her once more. With a sweep of her arm, she sent a wave of fire crashing into the soldiers, scattering their formation.

The leader turned to her, his mask glowing red in the firelight. “Impressive,” he said, his tone mocking. “But power without control is meaningless.”

Before she could react, he lunged at her, his jagged sword arcing through the air.

“Elena!” Ardyn shouted, but he was too far away.

The leader’s blade never reached her. A wall of fire erupted between them, forcing him to retreat.

Elena stood her ground, her body trembling as the flames roared around her. “I’m not afraid of you,” she said, her voice steady despite her fear.

The leader chuckled darkly. “You should be.”

The battle was brief but fierce. With Ardyn’s skill and Elena’s newfound power, the soldiers were overwhelmed. The leader, wounded but still defiant, fled into the forest, leaving his men behind.

As the last of the flames died down, Elena sank to her knees, exhaustion washing over her.

“You did well,” Ardyn said, kneeling beside her. “Better than I expected.”

She looked at him, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “I barely know what I’m doing. If that was just a scouting party, how am I supposed to face the king himself?”

“You’ll learn,” he said firmly. “You’re stronger than you think, Elena. Tonight proved that.”

She wanted to believe him, but doubt still lingered. The leader’s words echoed in her mind. Power without control is meaningless.

For now, though, she allowed herself a moment of relief. The fire within her was growing, but so were the shadows ahead.

To Be Continued...

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