The hunters charged.
Their armor clanged as they rushed forward through the clearing, weapons raised.
Kael felt the fire inside his chest surge.
This was it.
His first real battle.
Mira stepped slightly in front of him, flames swirling around her hands like living creatures.
"Stay focused," she said calmly. "Don't let your fear control the fire."
The first hunter lunged with his spear.
Mira moved instantly.
"Ignis!"
A stream of fire shot from her palm, forcing the hunter to jump backward. The flames exploded against the ground, sending sparks flying into the air.
The second hunter didn't hesitate.
He rushed toward Kael with a raised sword.
Kael froze for a split second.
The blade swung toward him.
Instinct took over.
"Ignis!"
Fire burst from Kael's hand.
WHOOSH!
The flames struck the hunter's armor, forcing him back. The soldier stumbled, surprised by the sudden attack.
Kael stared at his own hand.
He had actually done it.
"Good," Mira said quickly. "But don't stop now!"
The third hunter lifted his bow.
Kael barely noticed before Mira shouted.
"Duck!"
Kael dropped just as an arrow sliced through the air above his head.
Mira flicked her wrist.
Another flame shot forward and burned the arrow before it could strike again.
"These guys are trained," she said. "Don't underestimate them."
The hunters spread out slowly, forming a half-circle around the two young magicians.
Their leader stepped forward again, gripping his spear tightly.
"You're both coming with us," he said coldly.
Mira rolled her eyes.
"You hunters always say that."
Suddenly she rushed forward.
Her feet barely touched the ground as she closed the distance.
The leader thrust his spear toward her chest.
Mira twisted to the side, dodging the attack by inches.
Her hand slammed against the spear's shaft.
"Ignis!"
Fire exploded along the weapon.
The hunter cursed and dropped it immediately as the metal heated.
But the second hunter attacked from behind.
His sword swung toward Mira's back.
Kael saw it.
"Mira!"
Without thinking, Kael thrust his hand forward.
"Ignis!"
A blast of fire shot between them.
The hunter jumped away, barely avoiding the flames.
Mira glanced back at Kael and smirked.
"Not bad."
But the third hunter had already drawn another arrow.
This time, he aimed directly at Kael.
TWANG.
The arrow shot forward.
Kael tried to react, but he was too slow.
Before it could reach him—
A wall of fire erupted in front of him.
The arrow burned instantly.
Mira stood beside him again, her hand still glowing.
"Stay behind me for a second," she said.
Kael shook his head.
"No."
The fire inside him was growing stronger.
He stepped forward beside her.
"We fight together."
Mira raised an eyebrow.
Then she grinned.
"Now you're learning."
The hunters attacked again.
But this time, Kael was ready.
The leader rushed toward him with a dagger drawn.
Kael focused on the burning energy in his chest.
He raised his hand.
"Ignis!"
Flames burst forward.
The hunter blocked with his arm guard, but the force pushed him backward.
Mira took the opportunity.
She jumped forward and slammed her foot into the hunter's chest.
The soldier crashed into the ground.
The remaining two hunters hesitated.
They had expected an easy capture.
Instead, they were fighting two magicians.
One of them growled in frustration.
"Fall back!"
The hunters quickly retreated into the forest.
Within seconds, they disappeared between the trees.
Silence returned to the clearing.
Kael's flames slowly faded.
His chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath.
Mira stretched her arms casually.
"Well," she said, "that was fun."
Kael stared at the forest where the hunters had vanished.
"They'll come back."
"Of course they will," Mira replied.
She turned to him.
"That's why we can't stay here."
Kael nodded.
He looked once more at the sky above the forest.
Far away, the floating Highlands still shone above the clouds.
Watching.
Waiting.
Kael clenched his fists.
His flames flickered again briefly.
"I'm going to bring them down," he said quietly.
Mira studied him for a moment.
Then she smiled slightly.
"Good."
She turned and started walking deeper into the forest.
"Because if you want to fight the Highlands…"
She glanced back at him.
"…you're going to need allies."
Kael followed her.
The journey across the continent had only just begun.