The hidden stones : soul of gods

The Flames of Friendship

Ryan wandered aimlessly, his feet crunching on the forest floor. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear. He had no destination, only the desperate need to escape from everything and everyone. The trees grew denser as he plunged deeper into the woods, seeking solace in their embrace.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ryan noticed a figure running towards him. It was Aaran. Panic gripped him. *Does he think I'm a freak too?* He can lose anything but he can't be able to see the hate in the eyes of Aaran. Since childhood aaran is like the family he never had when everyone in the orphanage ignored him he was only the one there for him in happiness,in sadness , in sickness and every other memory. So seeing hate in the eyes who always showed him care, love , concern, friendship will kill him so Without waiting to find out, Ryan bolted, his legs pumping as he fled deeper into the forest.

Aaran didn't give up. He was still chasing Ryan, his voice calling out, but the words were lost in the wind. it's like Ryan is in his own world and no matter how loud Aaran yelled he just ran and ran like he was running from himself not from Aaran. Suddenly, a deafening blast shook the ground. Flames erupted around Ryan, licking at the trees and filling the air with acrid smoke. He tried to control his power, to reign in the fire that seemed to have a life of its own, but it was no use. He doesn't want to feel that fear of burning Aaran again so His vision blurred as the sky turned an eerie shade of pink, and darkness swallowed him.

When Ryan opened his eyes, he was lying on the forest floor. The fire was gone, and Aaran was beside him, his expression a mix of concern and relief.

"Why are you still here?" Ryan's voice trembled. "Why aren't you afraid of me?"

Aaran's face softened. "Because you're my best friend, Ryan. We trust each other, and I trust you."

Ryan felt a surge of emotion. Tears pricked at his eyes as he realized he wasn't alone. Aaran wasn't going to abandon him, no matter how terrifying his powers were. But before he could express his gratitude, a movement caught his attention.

A massive wolf, its fur black with a golden sheen, emerged from the underbrush. It was larger than any wolf Ryan had ever seen, and it was charging straight at them. Panic surged through him, and instinctively, he readied himself to unleash his fire again.

"Ryan, wait!" Aaran shouted, stepping in front of him. "We need to stay calm."

The wolf skidded to a stop a few feet away, its golden eyes fixed on them. Ryan's heart pounded in his chest, every muscle tensed for the fight. But Aaran stood his ground, his hand slowly reaching out.

"Easy," Aaran murmured, his voice steady. "We're not here to hurt you."

The wolf's ears twitched, its stance shifting from aggressive to curious as he was understanding what they are saying. Ryan could feel the heat building inside him, the fire threatening to escape, but Aaran's calm presence anchored him.

"Just breathe, Ryan," Aaran said softly. "Focus on controlling it. You can do this."

Ryan took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving the wolf. The fire inside him ebbed slightly, no longer a raging inferno but a manageable flame. He focused on Aaran's words, on the trust in his friend's eyes, and slowly, the tension in his body eased.

The wolf watched them for a moment longer before lowering it's body on the ground in a sitting position like he is not interested in them anymore, Ryan swear he yawned like he was getting bored from their conversation. Aaran took a cautious step forward, his hand still outstretched. The wolf sniffed at his fingers, then nudged his hand with its nose.

"See?" Aaran smiled, glancing back at Ryan. "Not everything is out to get us."

Ryan let out a shaky laugh, relief flooding through him. He couldn't believe it-he had controlled his power, and Aaran had stood by him, unflinching in the face of danger. The bond between them felt stronger than ever.

As the wolf settled down beside them, Ryan sat back on his heels, exhaustion washing over him. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving him drained but strangely at peace. Aaran sat next to him, their shoulders touching in silent solidarity.

"Thank you," Ryan said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know what I would have done without you."

Aaran shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "Probably burned down half the forest."

Ryan chuckled, the sound lightening the heavy atmosphere. "Yeah, probably."

They sat in comfortable silence, the wolf's steady breathing a reassuring presence. The forest, which had seemed so foreboding, now felt like a sanctuary. Ryan realized that his powers, though frightening, were a part of him. And with Aaran by his side, he felt like he could learn to control them, to use them for good.

The sky began to darken as night approached. The pink hue that had filled the air earlier had faded, replaced by the deep blues and purples of twilight. Ryan looked up, feeling a sense of wonder and hope. He had survived another day, and he wasn't alone.

Aaran nudged him gently. "We should probably head back before it gets too dark."

Ryan nodded, but a part of him was reluctant to leave the forest. It was here, among the trees and with Aaran beside him, that he had found a glimmer of hope. He stood up, offering a hand to Aaran, who took it with a grin.

As they made their way back through the forest, the wolf followed them silently , Ryan felt a renewed sense of determination. He had a long road ahead of him, but with Aaran's unwavering support, he knew he could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

For the first time in a long while, Ryan felt like he had a future worth fighting for. And he wasn't going to let anything, not even his uncontrollable powers, stand in his way.