The rise of the flamed bird

The Awakening of Fire

The next morning dawned crisp and clear, the sun's rays piercing through the windows of the barracks, gently rousing Bernard from his slumber. He stretched, feeling the delightful ache in his muscles from the previous day's training. For the first time in a long while, he felt energized and ready to face whatever challenges awaited him.

As he got dressed in his crimson armor, he could still feel the warmth of the sunlight filtering through the cracks in the wooden walls. His thoughts drifted to his sister, Audrey, and he couldn't shake the urge to find her. He wanted to protect her, to show her the strength he was beginning to cultivate. "I'll find you, Audrey," he whispered under his breath, determination coursing through him.

Once dressed, he headed to the training grounds, where he was met by the familiar sight of half-breeds engaged in various training exercises. The air was filled with the sounds of grunts, laughter, and the occasional clang of metal against metal. As he stepped onto the training field, he spotted Ava, who was already waiting for him, her red hair catching the sunlight.

"Ready for today's lesson?" she called out, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"Absolutely! Let's see what I can do," Bernard replied, a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling within him.

Mark appeared shortly after, his presence commanding attention. "Today, we're focusing on honing your fire abilities. You've shown potential, but we need to tap into that more effectively."

Bernard nodded, recalling the flames that had erupted from him during their earlier sessions. "What do I need to do?"

Mark gestured toward a clearing in the center of the training ground. "First, let's start with a warm-up. I want you to concentrate on generating heat from within. Feel the fire inside you. Picture it growing until it becomes a tangible force."

Bernard took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and centered himself. He imagined the flickering flames dancing in the depths of his being, their warmth spreading through his body. As he focused, he felt the familiar heat rising, the sensation growing stronger.

"Good. Now, channel that heat into your hands," Mark instructed.

With a determined expression, Bernard held out his palms, visualizing the flames igniting between them. Slowly, he felt warmth gather in his hands, flickering to life like a candle. As he opened his eyes, he was greeted by a small, flickering flame resting on his palms.

"Excellent! Now, let's see how you can control it," Mark encouraged.

Bernard concentrated, focusing on the flame. He imagined it growing brighter and larger, and to his surprise, the flickering flame responded to his thoughts, blossoming into a small fireball. It hovered above his hands, crackling and dancing.

"Now, let's test your control. Try throwing it at that target," Mark said, pointing to a wooden dummy set a few yards away.

Taking a steadying breath, Bernard aimed carefully and hurled the fireball toward the target. It struck with a satisfying whoosh, igniting the dummy in a burst of flames. The scent of burning wood filled the air, and Bernard couldn't help but grin at his accomplishment.

"Well done!" Ava cheered, clapping her hands. "You're getting the hang of it!"

Bernard felt a surge of pride. "Thanks, Ava! It feels... amazing."

"Let's try that again, but this time with a bit more finesse," Mark instructed. "You need to learn how to control the flames, not just unleash them."

Bernard nodded, feeling the weight of Mark's expectations. He took a step back, preparing to hone his focus. "Okay, I'll try again."