The sun rose once more over Emberfall. In the heart of the city plaza, people moved about their daily business—until they noticed something strange.
The Hearthstone flickered.
Its light, usually steady and radiant, pulsed faintly. An uneasy buzz filled the air.
"Did you see that?"
"The crystal… it's dimmer than before."
Moments later, Head Mage Arshen arrived with a group of magisters, his commanding presence instantly drawing attention. Civilians stepped back, murmuring.
"There's no documentation of this behavior," one magister said, eyes fixed on the massive blue crystal.
"We charged it a month ago," added another. "It shouldn't need recharging for several more."
Arshen said nothing at first. He simply stood there, arms behind his back, gazing up at the Hearthstone's glowing form.
Something is wrong.
Far from the city, in the quiet depths of the forest, Alira stood with Schillian in a clearing between trees.
"Today's lesson is about shaping aether," she said, brushing strands of hair from her face. "Think of it like a canvas. We don't just call on fire or wind—we form it with intent."
She demonstrated. A flick of her hand summoned a puff of wind. Then fire, water, and a splash of earth from the soil.
"These are the four base elements. Combined, they form hundreds of spells. But shaping isn't easy. Precision takes time."
Schillian nodded and tried his hand. A small spark… then a huge wave. His expressions bounced between surprise and frustration.
"It's okay," Alira reassured him. "When I was learning, I once lit my own boots on fire."
They both laughed.
But from the trees beyond the clearing, someone watched. Hidden in black robes and a pale mask, they stood in silence—eyes locked on Schillian.
The boy paused mid-cast, eyes narrowing at the treeline. For a second, he was sure someone was there. But when he blinked, the figure was gone.
An hour passed.
Suddenly, birds erupted from the canopy, screeching in panic. The ground shook violently beneath their feet.
"Earthquake?" Schillian gasped.
"No…" Alira's voice dropped. "A monster."
Trees crashed down ahead. Branches splintered. The ground cracked.
A black boar stepped into the clearing—massive as a tree, with eyes that burned like fire. Its thick hide pulsed with something... unnatural.
Dark aether. "That thing, the aether around it, looks dark and... distorted." Schillian mumbles faintly. He is afraid. He never witnessed something like this before.