The muddy road stretched after the rain, while the wind blew gently, carrying with it the scent of wet grass. The fire in Leylin's hand danced softly as it touched the cool breeze.
Eren walked beside her, his eyes watching the clear sky after a long night, the sun slowly rising behind the mountains they had left behind.
"Where to now?"
Leylin asked, raising her hand, watching as its flames didn't go out despite the wind, but danced in harmony with it.
"To the Wind Clan."
Eren replied, smiling, the wind swirling lightly around his feet, "There I will learn true control, and we will understand how fire and wind can unite without fear."
After two days of traveling through forests and plains, they reached a wide valley surrounded by green mountains, white clouds touching their peaks. In the center of the valley, tall stone towers appeared, constantly twisted by the wind, bearing ancient carvings in the form of outstretched wings.
Lylin paused, entranced by the beauty.
"This place... is filled with the energy of the wind."
Eren smiled and took a deep breath.
"This is my home... and the home of the wind."
As they drew closer, Eren felt a familiar energy touch his skin. A long-haired, elderly man appeared, his white beard swirling in the wind, and his eyes the color of the clear sky. He stood before them, holding a long wooden staff engraved with the emblem of the wind.
"I have returned, Eren."
The man's deep voice held a strange warmth.
Eren bowed respectfully.
"Lord Xerath, I have returned... and with fire."
Xerath looked at Lylin, his eyes shining with a deep light, her fiery hair glowing faintly, before closing his eyes and whispering:
"The fire that the wind would not quench, the wind that the fire would not extinguish... the ancient promise has been fulfilled."
Lilin was surprised and asked, "A promise?"
Zerath slowly opened his eyes and said,
"Hundreds of years ago, there was a pact between the Wind Clan and the Fire Kingdom. The Wind gave freedom to the Fire, and the Fire gave warmth to the Wind, keeping the world in balance."
He motioned for them to follow him into the stone towers, where they sat in a circular hall surrounded by stone statues of Wind Dragons coiled around small flames above their heads.
"Centuries ago, the Wind tried to free the Fire from its bonds, but the Hunters took advantage of the conflict, igniting a war between the Fire and the Wind. Many lives died... and the path between us was closed."
Lilin remembered the image of Liara burning inside the temple, and her head hung in pain.
"My sister tried to break the pact... and failed."
Xerath placed his hand on her shoulder.
"You didn't fail. You paved the way for both of you. You broke the pact without extinguishing the fire or the wind. You restored hope to the ancient covenants."
Eren raised his head, his eyes shining with determination.
"But the hunters are still after us. They will start a new war."
Xerath nodded slowly.
"That's why you must learn to control the true winds, Eren, while Leylin learns to free her fire from the ancient curse."
Leylin waved her hand, igniting a small flame.
"Is there a way to do it here?"
Xerath smiled and pointed to the sky.
"There is a sacred place here... the Rock of the Winds, where the oldest winds in the world blow. There, the winds can unite with the fire to become stronger, if your hearts are true."
Lelin looked toward Eren and extended her hand.
"Let's grow stronger together."
He held her hand tightly, the wind swirling around his fingers and the flame caressing Leylin's hand. Both felt their hearts beat in unison.
"We won't just prepare to face the hunters... but to create a world where fire never fears the wind."
At that moment, a strong breeze blew into the hall, extinguishing the weak flames. Leylin's fire didn't go out; instead, it glowed brighter, while the winds of Eren embraced her gently.