The moment Elara opened her eyes, the world felt heavier.
Not in weight—but in presence.
She was lying on a bed of frostflowers, her body warm but her core pulsing with a strange, icy throb. Around her, the camp was unusually quiet. No bickering. No sarcastic remarks. No system squealing about tea quality or "emotional cooldowns."
She sat up slowly.
A blade of frost hovered near her, half-embedded in the earth. Her fingers trembled as she reached for it again—and this time, it responded, humming softly as it slid into her palm like a long-lost friend.
"So... it wasn't a dream."
"About time you woke up."
Raykan's voice, deep and steady, broke the silence. He sat just a few steps away, sharpening a sword with slow, calculated movements.
"How long?" she asked.
"Two days."
Her eyes widened. "I was out for that long?"
Raykan nodded. "We took turns watching over you. Kael refused to leave your side. He even snored while sitting upright."
Elara blinked. "That… sounds dangerous."
"Everything he does is dangerous." He smirked. "But you—you terrified all of us. That energy... was divine."
Elara looked down at her hand. "I didn't mean to. It just... happened."
A rustle of leaves broke the tension as Kael came tumbling through the bushes with a tray of food in hand and the porcupine system clinging to his shoulder like a scarf.
"You're up!" Kael grinned, eyes lighting up. "See? I told them you'd wake up soon. Raykan thought you were in a coma."
Raykan grunted. "I said she needed time."
"You said she might be brain-frozen!"
Elara laughed softly. "I'm fine. Really."
The system cleared its throat dramatically.
"Correction: Subject's vitals are 92% stable. Ice Core synchronization reached 10.6%. Dream state included suppressed memory exposure. Warning: Emotions may feel unusually spicy."
Kael blinked. "Did that thing just say you're spicy?"
"No!" Elara groaned, pressing a palm to her forehead. "Please don't start."
"Too late." Kael grinned. "I always knew our herbalist had some kick."
Raykan stood, grabbing his cloak. "We move soon. Zan located the Temple of Ember."
Elara's smile faded. "Another relic?"
Raykan nodded. "One of the warriors sealed by flame. But the path is guarded. Lava wolves and a cursed guardian."
The system squeaked excitedly.
"Warning: Fire level threat detected. This arc includes emotional heat and potential shirtless scenes. Viewer discretion advised."
Kael raised a brow. "Did it just break the fourth wall?"
Elara groaned. "It does that sometimes."
---
The journey to the Temple of Ember wasn't easy. The terrain shifted from green forest to blackened volcanic ash. The sky hung low, choked with smoke. The heat was unbearable—at least for the warriors.
But for Elara?
She walked unaffected.
Kael pulled at his collar. "Is anyone else roasting in their own armor?"
Zan wiped sweat from his brow. "We're walking inside a dormant volcano. Of course it's hot."
Varek, the quietest of the group, spoke for the first time in hours. "Elara hasn't broken a sweat."
Everyone turned to look at her. Indeed, her skin was cool, her steps light. Her presence alone seemed to chill the air within a few feet around her.
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Are you ice-air-conditioning us?"
"Unintentionally," she mumbled.
Raykan gave her a long look, his expression unreadable.
The porcupine system, now comfortably stuffed into her satchel, muttered,
"She's unknowingly suppressing environmental hazards within a 5-meter radius. New passive unlocked: Chill Zone. Congratulations, you're everyone's favorite in summer."
"New favorite?" Kael gasped dramatically. "I was the favorite."
"No one ever said that," Zan said.
Varek nodded. "Nope."
Even Eren muttered, "Absolutely not."
Kael glared. "This group is toxic."
Elara giggled behind her hand. "I'll make you all cooling potions later."
The team finally reached the edge of a broken obsidian bridge spanning a river of lava. On the other side, a massive obsidian gate loomed, scorched with ancient runes. A single figure sat cross-legged in front of it—his hair flame-red, eyes glowing like embers.
"The fourth warrior," Raykan whispered.
"Unsealed?" Elara asked.
"Seems like he woke himself up. But why hasn't he moved?"
Kael muttered, "He looks like he's meditating. Or maybe constipated."
As they approached, the figure opened one eye.
"You brought her here?" he said, voice deep and rumbling like fire. "The daughter of the one who abandoned us?"
Elara froze. "You know me?"
"I remember your mother."
Silence.
Raykan stepped forward. "She's not your enemy. She unsealed us."
The warrior stood slowly. "Then she is both savior and curse."
The system popped its head out, blinking.
"Alert: Emotional tension detected. Dramatic reunion possibility: 74%. Potential romantic conflict: 37%."
Elara sighed. "Please stop narrating my trauma."
The fire warrior walked closer, until he stood directly in front of her. His aura sizzled, heat rolling off him like a furnace. But Elara didn't flinch.
"I am Auren, the Flame Warden," he said. "And if you truly intend to face the Demon God... then you'll need my blessing. But know this—your presence burns."
Elara raised her head. "Then let me freeze the fire, and melt the chains."
For a moment, the group stood in silence.
Then Auren smiled—just slightly.
"You have your father's light," he said. "And your mother's bite."
Kael stepped between them suddenly. "Alright, flame-boy. Back up. You're standing very close to our healer."
Elara: "I'm not yours—"
Kael: "Yet."
Raykan: "Don't start."
The system sighed.
"And so begins Arc 3: Fire and Frost. Let the chaos resume."
End of Chapter 18
---