Whispers of the Moonlit Grove

e Circle of Elements, her body aching but her spirit unyielding. Sable and the silver-hai

ysteries of elemental magic. It wasn't just about commanding fire; it was about understanding its

fire. The flames cast long shadows across her sharp features. "But strength witho

d its warmth. "I don't have the luxury of time for wis

ghtenment I'm asking for. It's self-aw

stopped. What did drive her? Was it revenge against the curse that h

to a near whisper. "Until you understand your own fire, you'll ne

he compound-a cavern deep beneath the earth. The air was dam

flickering flame illuminated strange carvings on the walls-images of

ed. "What is

e truth of your fire," Ka

e torch into a basin of black liquid. The flam

chamber. But beware-this place will show you things, truths you may not w

g shut reverberated through

chamber stretched endlessly, the walls seeming to close in as she walked. The carvings fli

figure stepped out of the

heart pounding. "

the warmth she remembered. "Elara," he said,

he began, her v

orted with pain. "You were suppo

ied, the flame in her h

ngered, echoing through the cavern. "A child wi

reaths ragged. The flame flick

g the firestone in her pocket. Its warmth

more oppressive. But Elara pushed forward, the

th glowing eyes, a beast with jagged teeth, a mirror image of herself w

ot strong

fail t

o-just a scare

in response, lighting the chamber with a fiery glow. "I am more th

hamber with a pedestal at its centre. On the pedestal la

ard. When she looked at its surface, she saw not her reflection but a

hoed from somewhere unseen. "Beautiful.

nd the visions flooded back-her father's death, her mother's screams, the weight of her f

response. The two forces merged, the heat searing but not unbearable. When she o

od before her, their

h said, a rare note of

a replied, her

d, his gaze intense.

h newfound determination. "I saw th

unguarded expression. "Then you're closer

of something she hadn't felt in years: pride. She was no l