Damien lay in bed, the quiet hum of night surrounding him. His breathing slowed, his body relaxed, and soon, he drifted into sleep.
But something changed.
The world around him shifted, faded, and reformed.
Scenery materialized—vast flames dancing around an endless black void, glowing embers drifting through the air like fireflies. The sky above shimmered crimson, and heat radiated from beneath his feet, though it didn't burn. It was familiar. Too familiar.
Damien blinked, glancing around.
"Wait a second... this place... this is where I first met her... Ignis."
He spun slowly, eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Wasn't I asleep? Why am I here again? Is this... a dream? Or something else?"
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the heat.
"Hello, my little flame."
He turned—and there she was.
Ignis.
Her ember-touched hair flowed like a burning river, and her golden-red eyes sparkled as she smiled. Dressed in glowing flame-silk and obsidian lace, she approached with that same divine grace.
Damien's lips curled into a smile. "Goddess Ignis. Nice to see you again."
She giggled, her voice a melody of fire and silk. "And it is nice to see you, too, Damien. Always burning bright, aren't you?"
Damien chuckled. "Well, I didn't expect a visit from the beautiful goddess herself in the middle of my nap."
Ignis smirked. "It wasn't just a visit for flattery—though I do enjoy your charm. I've been watching you."
Damien raised a brow. "Watching me?"
She nodded softly, walking in slow circles around him. "Your battle with the horned rabbit and mushroom monster... the way you protected that child. And especially the fire you unleashed when those bandits hurt the ones you've come to care for. You showed strength. But more than that, you showed heart."
Damien rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah... I guess I lost control a bit there. I couldn't stand seeing Leo or his parents get hurt."
Ignis stopped in front of him, her expression soft but serious. "That's what I came to speak with you about."
Damien tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Her voice turned more somber. "You are Flame. My flame. And fire burns brighter the more fuel it consumes. But if you feed it rage... sorrow... heartbreak... the fire can consume you."
Damien's eyes widened slightly.
"You're saying... if I lose control, my power could get dangerous?"
She nodded. "More than dangerous. If you let anger dominate your heart—if grief becomes your spark—you may not only destroy your enemies... but everything around you."
Damien looked down, fists clenching slowly.
"I never thought about it like that. I just wanted to protect them. I didn't care what happened to me..."
Ignis stepped closer, placing her warm hand on his chest.
"You must care. For their sake. For your own. Your power is tied to your soul now, Damien. As it grows, so does its bond with your emotions. Rage is a useful tool, but it cannot be your guide."
Damien slowly nodded. "So... I need to stay in control. Even when I'm angry. Even if someone I care about..."
He trailed off.
Ignis squeezed his shoulder gently. "I know the pain of loss. Even gods mourn. But your flame must never be ruled by despair. Use your fire to protect, to inspire, to cleanse—not to destroy out of vengeance."
There was silence for a moment.
Damien exhaled slowly. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."
Ignis smiled again. "You've come far in such a short time. You've already begun walking the path of a protector. And the bond you're forming with that family... with that boy... is something special."
Damien laughed. "Leo's a good kid. Kinda reminds me of me when I was younger. A little less fire though."
Ignis grinned. "He sees you as his hero already. Be the kind of man he'll want to grow into."
Damien nodded. "I will. And I'll get stronger. Not just to fight—but to protect."
Ignis's hair shimmered like a flickering sun. "Good. And remember—my power is always with you. Even when you cannot feel it."
Damien looked at her, something warm and resolute burning in his chest. "I'll make you proud. Someday, I'll stand tall enough that even the gods will have to take notice."
Ignis laughed, stepping back as her form began to fade. "I already notice, Damien Cross. Now wake... and burn bright."
"Goodbye, Goddess."
He stood there, watching her vanish into the embers. A smile touched his lips.
Morning light crept into the room.
Damien stirred beneath his blanket, blinking as sunlight warmed his face. He sat up with a slow stretch, cracking his shoulders.
"Haaah... what a dream. Or... maybe not a dream at all."
He stood, brushing hair from his eyes, and looked out the window at the village below.
"Alright... let's start the day off good."
Damien stood in his room, finishing getting dressed. He stretched his arms and rolled his shoulders with a deep breath.
"Alright... brand new day. What should I do today? Hmm... I should get in some solid practice. Can't protect anyone if I stay weak. I need to become stronger... faster... more in control."
With determination in his eyes, he made his way to the door and opened it, stepping into the hallway.
As he descended the stairs, he heard the warm sounds of laughter and conversation drifting up from the tavern below.
Leo's voice rang out excitedly, followed by the deep chuckle of Garret and Mira's softer tones. The morning felt alive.
When Damien stepped into the tavern, the cheerful chatter halted for a moment. They all turned to him.
Leo's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Big bro Damien! You're awake!"
Damien laughed and ruffled the kid's hair. "They're always happy to see me. This is nice... like a real home. A fresh start." "Hey Leo. How're you doing this morning?"
Leo beamed. "I'm fine! I was just telling Lila how I wanna learn fire magic like you!"
Garret chuckled, motioning to a chair. "Sit down, lad. Mira's bringing out breakfast. Eat up—gotta stay fueled if you're planning to roast half the forest today."
Damien sat and smiled. "Sounds like a plan to me."
Lila looked up, curious. "So what's on your schedule, Mr. Fire Mage?"
Damien leaned back, folding his arms. "Should I tell them? Eh, why not?" "Heading into the forest to train. I want to get stronger. Maybe even come up with a new skill."
Leo's eyes sparkled like sunlight on water. "That's so cool! Can I come watch?!"
Everyone laughed.
Mira appeared with a steaming plate of food and a drink. Damien's eyes widened and his stomach grumbled.
"Is this heaven?" "Thank you so much, Mira. This looks amazing."
He dug in, dramatically groaning with delight after the first bite.
"By the flames... This food should be illegal."
Laughter filled the room again.
Garret slapped the table. "That's Mira for you."
After he finished, Damien stood up and brushed off his coat.
"Alright, I'll be heading out for some training. Should be back before dinner."
Everyone nodded.
"Be safe out there!"
"Don't burn the forest down!"
Leo puffed his cheeks. "Bring back fire tricks!"
Damien waved. "You got it."
Deep in the forest, Damien stood in a shaded clearing.
He breathed deeply, eyes closed, letting the ambient mana flow through him.
"Alright... time to refine what I've got and push even further. This fire magic of mine has huge potential. But it needs control. Precision. Creativity."
He started his session with rapid casts:
Fireball. Flame Pillar. Inferno Spiral. Ignition Fist. Flame Dash.
Each spell flowed better than before, hitting harder, moving faster.
Hours passed in a blur of smoke and embers.
"I'm improving. But it's not enough. If stronger enemies come... I need something bigger. More devastating."
He concentrated, letting the fire swirl around his palm, compressing it.
"Something fast. Something strong. Something explosive."
With a yell, he launched a spiraling burst of fire—an elongated lance of flame. It struck a rock wall, exploding into a cone of fire.
A screen appeared:
[ New Skill Acquired! ]
Skill Name: Flame Burst Lance
Type: Magic Skill
Description: A focused spear of spiraling fire that detonates on impact, creating a cone-shaped blast that burns everything in its wake. Effective for clearing multiple enemies or blasting through defenses.
Damien grinned wide.
"Yes! Now that's what I'm talking about!"
He laughed, fire dancing in his eyes.
"I'm getting stronger. No more holding back."
He spent another hour cycling through all his skills—testing range, power, and combos.
"My fire is evolving. My will... it's sharper. The world better be ready."
Back in the village, the tavern bustled quietly despite having no customers.
Leo helped clean the tables. Mira wiped glasses. Lila swept the floor. Garret stacked crates.
They spoke idly.
"What should we do today?"
"Maybe fix that broken bench outside."
Leo looked down. "I wish I could've gone with big bro Damien... I wanna see how he trains."
Garret laughed heartily. "Sir Hothead? Let the man breathe, Leo. He needs to practice. Give him some space."
Leo sighed dramatically. "Okay..."
Suddenly, a loud rumble echoed outside.
Screaming.
Yelling.
Mira froze. "What's happening outside?!"
Garret's eyes narrowed. "I'll go check. You three stay here."
He rushed to the door, flung it open, and stepped into chaos.
Villagers ran, panic in their eyes. Smoke rose in the distance.
A woman stumbled, falling near the tavern.
Garret rushed over. "You okay?! What's going on?!"
The woman gasped, gripping his arm. "T-The Iron Fang Raiders... their elite lieutenants... they're here! They've brought minions with them!"
Garret's heart dropped. "Damn it. Already?! That was fast... Damien's actions really stirred the hornet's nest."
"Who?!" he demanded.
The woman stammered. "Ruck... and Dorn. The Twin Brutes."
Garret stepped back, stunned. "No... them?!"
Laughter echoed from down the street.
Two voices.
"Run, little villagers! RUN!"
"Your hero can't save you now!"
Garret turned slowly.
There they were.
Ruck and Dorn.
Ruck stood grinning, bloodshot eyes wide with glee. Dorn stood beside him—silent, cold, arms crossed.
Garret stared in disbelief.
The twins stopped when they saw him.
"Well, well... what do we have here?" Ruck bellowed. "A brave little tavernkeeper playing hero? Where's your golden boy, huh? Where's Damien Cross?!"
Minions poured in from the sides, surrounding Garret.
"No way out... I'm surrounded..." Garret's fists clenched. "But I won't back down. Not here. Not in front of my family."
Let it be continued...