The night was quiet in the Valley of the Winds. The clear sky was adorned with countless stars, and the wind gently caressed the valley grasses. The golden flame in Leylin's hand glowed faintly amidst the darkness, whispering a hidden protection.
Eren sat on a rock near the entrance to one of the towers, his wind wings fluttering gently in the night breeze, his eyes scanning the horizon.
"I sense something strange in the winds tonight."
He said in a low voice.
Leylin was approaching him, holding the golden flame that illuminated her face with a soft glow.
"My heart is beating fast, like the fire is telling me something...Eren, do you think they're..."
A sudden roar of wind interrupted her, and the ground shook beneath their feet, before a dark red glow appeared on the horizon, rapidly approaching, followed by the sounds of loud drumming that pierced the stillness of the night.
"The Hunters!! They're here!!" shouted a guard from the tower.
In an instant, darkness engulfed the Valley of the Winds, while dark red flames rose into the sky, carrying the scent of iron and smoke.
Hunters in black robes appeared in the shadows, brandishing their dark weapons that radiated black energy. At their forefront was a tall figure wearing a black cloak with red stripes and a silver mask that covered his entire face.
The man stood in front of the hunters and raised his hand. A black ball of fire ignited above his palm, fluttering like a small dragon from the darkness.
"Leylin... Heir of the Fire..."
He said in a deep voice, his voice echoing through the air.
"Eren... Heir of the Wind..."
The Winds paused for a moment, as if listening to the voice.
Eren gripped his hand tightly, his wings rising behind him, the wind swirling around his body.
"Who are you?!"
The hooded man slowly lowered his hand and said in a cold voice, "My name is... Nazar. Commander of the Soul Hunters."
Nizar's arm extended forward, and a black ball of fire exploded from his palm, transforming into a massive black fire snake that swiftly swooped down on Eren and Leylin, leaving a trail of black ash on the ground.
Eren grabbed Leylin's hand and leaped backward, opening his wind wings to form a wall of air to repel the fire snake. The black fire penetrated the wind, stinging Eren's arm and leaving a black burnt mark on it.
Lylin cried out, seeing the pain on his face:
"Eren!"
Lilylin closed her eyes and ignited her golden flames with vigor, launching them at the fire snake. The black fire absorbed her flames, transforming them into a more powerful form. Nizar's cold laughter rose:
"Golden fire? Exciting... but it's not enough against the fire of death."
Behind Nazar, his shadowy Huntresses appeared, raising their weapons, illuminated by dark red lights, before unleashing a volley of black arrows toward the towers and the guards.
A guard fell beside Eren, screaming, as black fire arrows burned into his chest.
The valley was filled with screams and destruction, as the winds swirled violently, and black fire spread among the stone towers.
Eren raised his head toward Leylin, his eyes brimming with anger.
"Leylin, we must stop him now, or everyone will burn!"
She shook her head, tears glistening in her eyes, but reached out, interlocking with Eren's, her golden fire merging with his wind.
"Together, Eren."
Eren shouted, raising his hand, a huge whirl of wind forming around their bodies, as Leylin's fire ignited at its center, transforming into a purple-gold flame that illuminated the entire valley.
The black fire serpent pounced again, this time colliding with the violet-gold flames. He retreated with a scream, black flames streaking through the air.
Nazar took a step back, his voice cold and calm.
"Interesting power... but this is just the beginning."
Nazar gestured, causing the black flames to recede, darkness enveloping his body before he disappeared into the shadows, leaving the hunters silently retreating.
The fires in the valley slowly died down, smoke rising and the screams of the wounded filling the air.
Lylin knelt beside Eren, who was panting, his face heavy with exhaustion, his wind wings slowly fading.
"Are you okay?"
He replied with a tired smile.
"Yes... but this was just the beginning of the war."
Leylin raised her head to look up at the sky, which was beginning to turn gray, and whispered, "Nazar... the leader of the hunters... we must prepare for him."
Eren placed his hand on her shoulder as golden fire and wind swirled gently around them.
"We will face him... together."
They both looked to the horizon, where the signs of the coming battle loomed, knowing that tonight was only the beginning of a test that would determine the fate of fire and wind... and the entire world.