Ren awoke before sunrise, the last embers of the flame still flickering faintly in his hands. Today, he would not simply survive—today, he would begin to master the Last Flame.
The ruins of the old mage guild became his training ground. For hours, he practiced controlling the fire, learning how to shape it without letting it consume him. Sparks flew, walls scorched, and smoke filled the air, but Ren persisted.
"You must let the flame become part of you," a voice said suddenly.
Ren spun around. A girl, no older than him, stepped from the shadows. Her hair shimmered like silver in the morning light, and her eyes glowed faintly with a mysterious power.
"I'm Liora," she said. "I've been tracking the shadows too. And I can help you control that fire."
Before Ren could respond, another figure appeared—a tall boy, calm and collected, carrying a staff that crackled with electricity.
"I'm Kael. The Shadow King's forces are growing. You'll need allies if you want to survive."
Ren stared at them, a mix of surprise and relief washing over him. He had expected to be alone. Instead, he had found companions—two other gifted youths, each with powers of their own.
Liora smiled. "First lesson: control comes from understanding, not fear. Focus your mind, feel the flame, don't fight it."
Ren closed his eyes. He inhaled deeply, letting the heat of the flame course through him. Slowly, the wild, chaotic fire calmed, forming a spinning orb above his palm. Sparks floated like tiny stars around him.
"Good," Liora said. "Now, let's push it further."
Kael stepped forward. "The Shadow King will not wait. His minions are already attacking nearby villages. We need to act, or innocent lives will be lost."
Ren nodded. The first mission was clear: protect the villagers from the shadows.
By nightfall, the trio arrived at a small village under siege. Shadows swarmed the streets, tearing through homes and shops. Ren's heart pounded. But this time, he was not alone.
He raised his hands. Flames erupted, forming a blazing barrier to protect the villagers. Liora sent waves of silver light that pushed the shadows back, while Kael struck from above, bolts of lightning arcing through the dark creatures.
Ren felt a surge of confidence. His flame no longer felt like a wild beast—it was his weapon, his shield, his power. Together, they fought as one, driving the shadows back into the night.
After the battle, the villagers cheered, and for the first time, Ren felt a true sense of purpose.
But as the trio rested, a dark omen appeared in the sky—a black cloud swirling with gold sparks. The shadow of a massive figure loomed within it, larger than any enemy Ren had faced so far.
The Shadow King was coming.
Ren clenched his fists, flame flickering stronger than ever. "I don't care how powerful he is," he said. "I'll protect this world. No one will burn it while I still stand."
Liora and Kael exchanged determined glances. Together, they were more than friends—they were a force.
The flames of friendship had been lit. And soon, they would ignite the battlefield.