The moon hovered high over the Elorian sky, wrapped in clouds that shimmered like stardust. The forest around Yuuji's campfire was silent—too silent.
Yuuji sat up, heart pounding from that mysterious voice he heard earlier.
"The second Flame watches..."
He looked around, rubbing his eyes.
"Was I dreaming…?"
Seraphina slept nearby, blade resting calmly by her side, hair glowing like embers in the firelight. She looked peaceful for once.
But Yuuji… couldn't shake the feeling.
"Someone's here."
And then, like a whisper through the trees…
"You're awake already? How boring…"
Yuuji's eyes snapped toward the sound.
Perched atop a branch, legs swinging casually, was a girl. Her hair shimmered like liquid silver, falling to her waist. Her eyes glowed a luminous teal, like moonlight captured in glass.
She wore a short black and silver robe, trimmed in midnight blue, exposing her smooth thighs and slender arms. Her aura was cold… yet strangely alluring.
"Who—who are you?!"
She giggled, leaping from the branch and landing gracefully on the ground, her bare feet making no sound.
"So tense. That's no way to greet a girl, especially one who traveled all night just to see you."
Yuuji instinctively stood up, though he had no weapon.
"I mean it… Who are you? And how do you know me?"
She stepped forward, her eyes scanning him with a playful smirk.
"Hmm… I expected more. You're smaller than I imagined."
"Hey!"
She raised her hand. A glow pulsed from her palm — and suddenly the fire flared with silver light. Magic danced in the air, causing the grass to sway gently.
"I'm not here to hurt you," she said. "At least not unless you disappoint me."
"That's not reassuring…"
"Name's Lunaria Valeheart. They call me the Moon-Flame Sorceress."
"Wait… Moon-Flame?"
"You're one of them… the 'Flames'?" Yuuji whispered.
She smiled, teasing and enigmatic.
"Bingo. Second Flame, to be exact."
Lunaria reached up, brushing her hair over her shoulder, exposing a faint glowing tattoo just under her collarbone—a crescent moon wrapped in fire.
Yuuji's eyes widened. The same sigil was faintly visible on Seraphina's back when she had bathed earlier.
"You girls… are part of some chosen group or something?"
Lunaria stepped closer—too close.
"Something like that. The Six Flames… forged to stand beside the Summoned One."
"That's… me, isn't it?" Yuuji asked, nervous.
"Smart boy," she purred.
"But you're not strong enough. Not yet."
She circled him slowly, her finger tracing the air near his neck.
"You've barely awakened your affinity… you don't even know what element your soul burns with."
"I-I just got here! Give me some time!"
She laughed again, the sound like wind chimes and ice.
"Time's a luxury, flameheart. The Demon Lords won't wait for you to grow up."
Then her eyes turned serious—sharp like daggers under moonlight.
"Do you want power?"
"What?"
"Real power. Enough to stop crying in the dark. Enough to protect the ones who'll come to love you."
Yuuji's heart skipped.
"I… do."
She held out her hand.
"Then kiss my mark."
"Excuse me?!"
"On my chest," she said with a wicked grin.
Yuuji turned red instantly.
"I-I'm not kissing you there!"
"Tch. What a child."
But before he could panic further, she giggled again and flicked his forehead.
"Relax. I was joking... mostly."
"You're insane."
"Insanely pretty, I know."
She then stepped back and raised her hands.
A silver spell circle formed under her feet, spinning with runes in a language Yuuji couldn't read.
"This is your trial, Yuuji of Earth."
"Trial?"
"Prove you're worthy of the Flames. Touch my aura without flinching."
"And if I fail?"
"You die."
"WHAT?!"
Before he could argue, the spell burst into radiant light. Yuuji was pulled forward, his body tingling with magic. His heart raced as the silver flame wrapped around his arms, then his chest.
"Control your fear," Lunaria whispered.
"Feel your fire."
And then—he saw it.
A vision.
Six figures—six girls, all surrounded by elemental flames. One had golden wings. Another held a staff of lightning. One stood barefoot on ice. All of them… looked at him.
The last one… wore a crown.
The vision faded.
Yuuji collapsed to his knees, panting, sweating.
Lunaria slowly walked over, knelt, and brushed the hair from his eyes.
"Well done, boy. You didn't break."
"W-What was that…?"
"The future. Or at least… a glimpse of it."
She leaned closer.
"You'll lead us one day, Yuuji. But first…"
She touched his chest. A small mark formed—a crescent moon with fire around it.
[Flame Contract Initiated – Second Flame: Lunaria Bound]
"You're mine now," she whispered.
"W-What?!"
"Relax. It just means I'm officially part of your squad."
"You could've just said that!"
She smiled and stood up, looking toward the trees.
"I'll join you tomorrow. Let the Fire Princess keep watching you tonight."
Yuuji blinked.
"Wait… you're not staying?"
"Not yet. Gotta keep some mystery alive."
She turned, but not before glancing back with a sly wink.
"Oh, and Yuuji?"
"Yeah?"
"Try not to fall for me too fast."
And just like that—she vanished into silver light.
To Be Continued...