The otherworldly fire smashed into Premier's defenses and shattered them, enveloping Premier.
Premier tried to counter my magic, but he couldn't. His incantations failed. All the magic he used burned away. Premier screamed while the dark fire ate him. Blisters and boils popped, then peeled away. The black fire savored his flesh. Premier continued to cast spell after spell even while being burned alive. My fire ate his spells, using them as fuel for the fire.
Premier exploded in a dark swirl of red and black light. The tower rocked on its foundations. I fell to my knees. I thought I had no strength left. But I did.
Wherever I had gone to, I had found power. Tremendous power. It called out to me. Beckoned me. It was a whisper at first. The voice grew louder. I couldn’t ignore it. In fact, I wanted to answer it. Oh, how I wanted to answer it. It said I could rule all. That I could restore peace. That I could do whatever I wanted.
I clutched my heart and toppled over. The fires burned even brighter and darker than before. What I could do with this. All my desires, cravings, wants, wishes, could be granted if I said yes. No one could stop me if I gave in. It would be mine to command.
I saw Krystal's sleeping form next to me. Her transparent, heavenly glow made her look like the angels my mother told me about growing up. The princess reminded me I had a duty to the people, to the wizards that came before me, to her. I didn’t want the world. I didn't want the power to rule over people.
With all my concentration and will, I took a deep breath and forced the fires to stop. I used the relaxation techniques Master Stradus had taught me. I pictured the Peaceful Pond and how I would lie in the soft grass, watching the ducks swim by. I remembered how the princess’s kiss made me feel.
The dark fires were reluctant to go. They pushed and fought me every step of the way, as if they had a mind of their own. The black flames died, and along with them the voice in my mind.
Sweat drenched my entire body, and I gasped for air. A moment ago, I had the power to change the world. Now, with the power gone, I had the strength of a newborn kitten. The warm stone floor embraced me into unconsciousness.
----
“Hellsfire,” a gentle voice said. “Hellsfire, please wake up.”
I moaned and forced my eyes open. The room and everything in it was dry; the walls were scorched and blackened. My body screamed for more rest. I smiled when I saw who was speaking, and that she was safe. “Princess, are you all right?”
“I'm fine, thanks to you.” She rubbed her sore wrists, now free from their bonds. “There's someone you should talk to before it's too late.”
“Hellsfire,” a very weak voice said. It was Master Stradus. I strained my ears to hear him. His voice was a whisper.
I trembled with shock, crawling over to him. He still lived. I took his cold hand within my own. “Master.”
“Very good job…Wizard Hellsfire,” he said, managing a weak smile.
When he gave me my title, my power grew. My inner fire, while weakened and tired like I was, brightened. I nodded, understanding the lessons I once studied. New possibilities crept into my mind. I was now a wizard, one of the few who were bound to all living things. My former master's wind mana died down.
“I should go,” the princess said.
I reached out and grabbed her hand before she could leave. “Please. Stay.”
She nodded and squeezed my hand. I squeezed back.
Stradus smiled, seeing our hands. He said to her, “He's going to need you, Princess. More than you know. Please watch out for him.”
“I will.”
Stradus's aura flickered and faded. “What can I do to help you?’ I asked.
“No…it's too late. The spell is still…eating me. My magic countered it…for as long as it could. It's just a matter of…time.” He coughed and spat blood. The life in his eyes faded.
“Please, don't talk like that. There must be something I can do. Some kind of potion or spell.” I frantically looked around for my pouch.
“There's…nothing you can do for me…but there is one last thing you can do.”
“Anything. Just name it.”
“Stop…Premier.”
“I thought I just did?”
Stradus’s blue eyes flickered. “No. That wasn't him. People don't…blow up like that when getting burned.” Stradus laughed, coughing up more blood onto his face. I wiped the blood and spit away. “Thank…you. That was…an avatar.”
“Avatar?”
“Yes…” He gulped for air, and I moved to help him sit up. He was thinner and lighter now, as Premier's spell ate him from the inside. “Please…my time is short.” Stradus focused, his eyes radiating with white mana. His voice became full of strength and life again. “I see it now.” He stared through me at something else.