The morning air was crisp in Elandor, sunlight spilling over the jagged rooftops and catching the Worldflame Spire's shimmering surface. Kael stood near the guild hall's entrance, arms crossed, waiting with a practiced patience that barely hid his slight irritation. Missions had a way of piling up, but this one came with a new partner—Leiya, the so-called Heaven's Child.
She arrived with a burst of energy, practically skipping toward him, her long black hair catching the light like strands of midnight silk. Despite the chill, she wore a light jacket and a wide, infectious smile. "Kael! It's so good to finally meet you in person! I've heard a ton about your strength," she chirped, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Kael raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Strength, huh? From what I hear, you're no slouch yourself."
"Oh, I'm Kindle 6th Flame! Light and Ice affinities," she said proudly, twirling a finger as if it were an invisible staff. "I specialize in dazzling blasts and freezing enemies in their tracks. But honestly, I'm here to learn from you. Your War Mage style? It's legendary." She grinned, revealing a thin scar running along her left cheek—a subtle mark of battles fought but never enough to dim her radiant spirit. "Plus, you look way tougher than your rank."
He smirked, folding his arms. "Don't get cocky. Rank means little on the battlefield. It's all about how you fight."
Leiya giggled. "I like your style already. You're gruff but… interesting."
They moved through the bustling guild corridors, receiving their briefing on the Varnok surge near the city's outskirts. A pack of Humanoid Varnok had been sighted, dangerous and cunning, forcing the city guard to pull back. The guild needed swift action before the creatures dug in deeper.
As they approached the mission gate, Kael studied Leiya carefully. Despite her bright attitude, there was a sharp focus in her eyes—eager, but cautious. She was no stranger to danger.
The first clash came quicker than expected. In a ruined alleyway littered with shattered stone and flickering Essence remnants, the Varnok pack lunged out. Kael moved first, his limbs crackling with storm and lightning Essence, dashing forward in a blur. His strikes were precise and explosive, each hit sending shockwaves that staggered their foes.
Leiya followed close behind, weaving brilliant arcs of light that disoriented enemies while shards of icy Essence encased their limbs. "Try not to get yourself killed, Kael!" she called with a teasing smile as she froze a Varnok's claw mid-swipe.
"Don't slow me down," he shot back, a rare grin breaking through.
The fight escalated quickly. A larger Varnok, the pack leader, emerged—a hulking figure with jagged horns and dark, sinewy muscles. It charged toward Leiya, who barely dodged, sliding on an ice patch she conjured. Kael intercepted, his fists glowing fiercely as he engaged the beast in a brutal exchange.
Leiya, catching her breath, called out a dazzling light spell that momentarily blinded the creature, giving Kael an opening. He responded with his signature Maelstorm Overburn—a storm of crackling lightning Essence spiraling around his limbs, erupting in a furious blitz of high-speed melee strikes. The final blow launched a tempest shockwave that sent the pack leader crashing into the ruins.
When the dust settled, both were breathing hard but victorious. Leiya looked over at Kael, awe evident in her bright eyes. "I still can't believe you're only Kindle 2nd Flame. You fight like an Eclipse rank."
Kael's expression softened just a bit. "Training, instinct, and a bit of luck. You'll get there."
She laughed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Guess I'm lucky to have you as a partner."
As they walked back toward the city, the bond between them was already forming—an unlikely pair, light and storm, fire and ice, strength and cheer, ready to face whatever chaos Valeria threw their way next.