’Let’s go....’ Guinevere thought in utmost seriousness as the chamber she stood on suddenly glowed before a blinding light appeared on her eyes. But just in an instant later, she finds herself in a place that is both fascinating and dangerous.
’What?’
Right now, Guinevere stood amidst a vast expanse of swirling, multicolored flames, each dancing and shifting with a life of its own. The heat was overwhelming, and yet, it didn’t burn her. Instead, it felt like the fire was testing her—challenging her to prove her worth.
The flames ranged from deep crimson reds and brilliant blues to eerie greens and purples, each radiating a different kind of energy.
The voice of the trial echoed in her mind, its words clear and deliberate: "Find the source of the flames, the Lehanot, and take control. Only then will you prove your mastery over the fire."
Guinevere frowned, her mind racing. She had trained as a fire mage for as long as she could remember, but this trial felt different. It wasn’t just about controlling fire anymore—it was about becoming one with it, understanding it at its very core. The Lehanot… the source of all these flames. She had never heard of it before, but she knew instinctively that it was something ancient and powerful.
Taking a deep breath, Guinevere began to walk forward, her boots sinking slightly into the shifting flames beneath her feet. She called upon her mana, feeling the familiar warmth of her own fire magic pulsing through her veins. A bright blue flame sparked to life in her palm—a flame she had always relied on, but in this place, it felt insignificant compared to the sea of flames surrounding her.
She moved cautiously, eyes scanning the chaotic inferno around her. Each type of flame seemed to pull at her, tempting her to give in to its power. The red flames blazed with fury, the green ones hissed with a strange, poisonous heat, and the blue ones crackled with an intense, almost cold energy. But Guinevere knew she couldn’t just rely on one type of flame. She needed to find the Lehanot.
As she ventured deeper, the flames around her grew more intense. They whipped around her, their heat pressing down on her like a tangible weight. Sweat trickled down her face, and she wiped it away, gritting her teeth. This trial wasn’t just about finding the source—it was about enduring the fire, embracing its chaos.
Suddenly, a massive surge of flame erupted before her, blocking her path. The fire took on a more defined shape, forming into a figure of pure flame—an elemental guardian. Its body was made entirely of flames, its eyes burning with an intense light. Guinevere’s heart skipped a beat.
Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy.
The elemental let out a roar, sending a wave of fire cascading toward her. Guinevere reacted instinctively, summoning her own flames to form a protective barrier around her. Her blue fire clashed with the elemental’s attack, but she quickly realized she was outmatched. The sheer power of the elemental’s flames was overwhelming, pushing her back step by step.
Panic rose in her chest. This wasn’t like any battle she had faced before. The flames here were alive, wild, and unrelenting. She couldn’t just rely on brute force.
I need to understand them… she thought, her mind racing. I need to become part of the fire.
The words of the trial echoed in her mind again: "Find the source, and take control."
Guinevere closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she let the roar of the flames fill her senses. She focused on the energy around her, trying to feel the essence of the fire itself. The elemental’s attack pushed closer, but instead of fighting it, she let go of her fear. She allowed the flames to wash over her, trusting her instincts.
And then, she felt it—a pulse, deep within the heart of the flames. A rhythm, steady and powerful, like the heartbeat of the fire itself. It was faint, but unmistakable.
The Lehanot.
Guinevere opened her eyes, her gaze locking onto the elemental. The blue flames in her hand flickered, but she didn’t need them anymore. She could feel the pulse of the Lehanot guiding her. With renewed focus, she stepped forward, moving through the elemental’s flames as if they were a part of her.
The elemental hesitated, its fiery form wavering as Guinevere pressed on. She reached out, her hand glowing with a soft, multicolored light. The flames around her began to bend, responding to her will, as if recognizing her as one of their own.
In a swift motion, Guinevere grasped the heart of the elemental, her hand sinking into its chest. The flames surged around her, but they didn’t burn. Instead, they swirled together, coalescing into a single point—a small, glowing ember.
The Lehanot.
Guinevere held the ember in her hand, feeling its power radiating through her. It was the source of all the flames—the heart of the fire. She had found it, and now she needed to control it.
Closing her eyes once more, Guinevere focused her energy, drawing the power of the Lehanot into herself. The flames around her responded instantly, calming and shifting into a more controlled, steady blaze. The chaotic sea of fire began to part, revealing a clear path forward.
Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.
The elemental guardian dissolved into the flames, its purpose fulfilled. Guinevere opened her eyes, the multicolored flames now dancing gently around her. She had done it—she had found the source and taken control.
The voice of the trial echoed once more, but this time it was softer, almost approving. "The fire is now yours to command. You have passed the first trial of the Lehanot."
Guinevere let out a breath of relief, the weight of the trial lifting from her shoulders. She glanced down at the ember still glowing faintly in her hand. It was a symbol of her mastery, proof that she had embraced the fire in all its forms.
With a determined smile, Guinevere continued forward, ready for whatever lay ahead. The flames were hers now, and she would wield them with all the power and grace they demanded.
As Guinevere stepped deeper into the heart of the fiery realm, the air around her shimmered with heat. She could still feel the power of the Lehanot pulsing in her hand, its multicolored glow faintly lighting her path. The flames around her had quieted, bending to her will after she had mastered the trial of the source. Yet, a nagging sense of unease tugged at her.
Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet trembled. Flames surged upward, spiraling into a massive vortex before her. From within the flames, a figure began to take shape, emerging slowly as the fire coalesced around it. Guinevere narrowed her eyes, instinctively raising her hand to call upon the Lehanot.
But then, the figure fully formed, and Guinevere’s breath caught in her throat.
Standing before her, enveloped in fire, was a man. His features were sharp and familiar—too familiar. His eyes, his stance, even the way the flames danced around him—it all mirrored someone from her past. The fire surrounding him flickered and shifted, giving way to reveal the face of her late brother.
"Arthur…?" Guinevere whispered, her voice barely audible. Her heart hammered in her chest, disbelief surging through her. The figure of fire didn’t just resemble her brother—it was him, in every detail.
The embodiment of fire stood silently, its eyes locking onto hers. There was no warmth, no love in its gaze—only the cold, emotionless stare of a trial that had taken the form of her greatest sorrow. Guinevere’s hands trembled as the memories of her brother flooded back. Arthur, her protector, her mentor, the one who had taught her the ways of fire magic, had died long ago.
She had never forgiven herself for not being there when it happened.
Her grip on the Lehanot faltered, the multicolored flames in her hand flickering weakly. Her thoughts raced in confusion. Was this another part of the trial? Why would they force her to fight her brother’s likeness? The sight of him, even as a construct of fire, was enough to stir emotions she had long buried.
The embodiment took a step forward, and Guinevere instinctively took a step back, her heart wrenching at the sight. The flames around it intensified, crackling with raw power. The trial’s message became clear in that moment—she was meant to fight this embodiment of fire. But how could she? How could she fight the image of her brother?
"Why…?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why him?"
The embodiment made no response, only raising its hand as a searing wave of fire shot toward her. Guinevere barely reacted in time, raising the Lehanot to shield herself. The flames collided with the multicolored barrier she had formed, but the impact sent her stumbling backward, the emotional toll already weakening her resolve.
Only use the Lehanot… the words of the trial echoed in her mind. She couldn’t use any of her usual fire magic, only the Lehanot, the very essence of all flames. But her hands trembled as she struggled to maintain her focus. This wasn’t just a trial anymore—it was a nightmare.
The embodiment of Arthur moved toward her with swift, precise movements, mirroring the way he had fought in life. Every step he took was calculated, and the flames around him twisted and surged with his every move. Another blast of fire shot toward her, and this time it grazed her arm, searing through her defenses.
Guinevere winced in pain, but the physical wound was nothing compared to the emotional one. She clenched her fists, her mind swirling in turmoil. She knew this wasn’t really Arthur—it couldn’t be. But the resemblance was too real, too raw.
I can’t do this… her thoughts screamed at her. But deep down, she knew she had no choice. This was her trial, and if she failed, she would be consumed by the flames.
The embodiment struck again, this time with a sweeping arc of fire that nearly knocked her off her feet. Guinevere skidded backward, barely able to keep the Lehanot’s power in control. Her breath came in ragged gasps, and her heart pounded with a mixture of fear and grief.
"Why?" she cried out, her voice breaking. "Why would you do this to me?"
The embodiment paused for a moment, its fiery gaze fixed on her. For a split second, Guinevere thought she saw a flicker of something—something almost human in its eyes. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the cold, relentless power of the flames.
Guinevere’s emotions threatened to overwhelm her, but then, a voice echoed softly in her mind—her brother’s voice.
"You must control the fire, Guinevere… or it will control you."
Her eyes widened at the memory, the words hitting her like a lightning bolt. Those were his words. He had taught her that lesson long ago, during one of their training sessions. It wasn’t just about mastering the flames—it was about mastering herself. Her fear, her grief, her pain… they were holding her back. If she didn’t let go, the flames would consume her.
Taking a deep breath, Guinevere steadied herself. She couldn’t afford to be weak. Not now. Not when everything was on the line.
"Arthur…," she whispered, her voice stronger this time. "I’m sorry. But I have to do this."
The embodiment moved again, but this time, Guinevere was ready. She channeled the power of the Lehanot, focusing on the multicolored flames in her hand. The flames surged in response, growing brighter, more vibrant. She wasn’t just using the fire anymore—she was becoming one with it.
With a fierce determination, she unleashed the power of the Lehanot, sending a wave of multicolored fire toward the embodiment. The flames collided, but this time, it was different. Her fire didn’t just clash with the embodiment’s—it began to consume it, piece by piece.
The embodiment’s form wavered, its fire growing weaker as Guinevere’s control over the Lehanot strengthened. She pressed on, her heart aching, but her resolve unshakable. She couldn’t let her emotions hold her back any longer.
Finally, with one last surge of power, the embodiment of her brother dissolved into the flames, vanishing into the air. The trial was over.
Guinevere stood there, her body trembling with exhaustion, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had just done. She had passed the trial, but at a cost she hadn’t anticipated.
She glanced down at the Lehanot in her hand, the multicolored ember still glowing softly. She had mastered the source of the flames, but the trial had forced her to confront something much deeper—her past, her pain, and her unresolved grief.
As she stood there, alone in the fiery realm, a single tear slipped down her cheek.