Aurora finished arranging the materials and reached for the stones. Her mind moved quickly around the information she just received.
If what Mira said was true, then fire wasn't just a tool in this world. It was... power. Sacred. And monopolized.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the stones.
Mira's gaze was fixed on Aurora, more focused and sharp now as she studied her in a completely different light. There wasn't any disdain there, not even just curiosity, but something deeper... something cautious.
"You speak about fire like it's nothing," she said slowly. "Like it's as common as water."
Aurora didn't look up, didn't answer. She just struck the stones together once, making a dull sound. She did it again, and again.
Mira watched every movement, her breathing subtly slowed as anticipation build.
"…Aurora."
Aurora struck the stones again, and this time, it created the spark which landed on the dry leaves. For a moment, nothing happened. But then, a thin thread of smoke rose.
Mira's breath hitched.
Aurora leaned forward slightly, shielding the spark with her hand and blew gently. The ember glowed, brightened, and a small flame flickered to life.
Mira froze completely as her eyes locked onto the fire. She completely forgot how to blink as a mix of awe and disbelief flooded her expression.
The flame grew slowly, feeding on the dry materials. It crackled softly, alive and very much real.
Mira took a step back instinctively. Her heart was pounding. Her gaze snapped from the fire... to Aurora.
"How?" The question came out barely above a whisper. "How do you have the power of fire?"
Aurora looked up at Mira whose eyes were still locked on the small flame, awe and disbelief flickering within them.
She tilted her head slightly, as if considering something, then spoke in a tone carefully laced with uncertainty. "If what you are saying is true," she began slowly, "then maybe… I saw the same thing."
Mira blinked.
"What?"
Aurora hesitated just enough to make it convincing, her brows knitting faintly as if recalling something distant. "I saw it in a dream," she added quietly. "A few weeks ago."
Mira's eyes widened instantly, excitement flashing across her face. "You mean-" she stepped closer, her voice rising, "you also received the Beast God's blessing?"
Aurora looked almost embarrassed at the suggestion and lowered her gaze slightly as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"I didn't think much of it at the time," she said, her tone deliberately modest. "It felt… strange. Just a dream. But I saw this unusual method of starting fire. So when I woke up, I tried it out of curiosity."
She paused, then glanced at the fire as she added, "And it worked."
The simplicity of her explanation made it all the more believable.
Mira stared at her. Then at the fire. Then back at Aurora. Her expression was a mixture of shock and exhilaration, as if she had just witnessed something impossible become real.
Aurora, meanwhile, had already returned her attention to the task at hand. She added more dry leaves and adjusted the small structure, feeding the flame carefully while maintaining its stability. Her movements were steady, practiced, entirely at odds with the awe radiating from the woman beside her.
It didn't take her long to fully stabilize the fire and finally the flames rose with quiet confidence.
Mira didn't move the entire time, and kept her eyes fixed on the fire as though afraid it might vanish if she blinked. Her heart was pounding so loudly in her chest that even Aurora could hear it.
"This isn't difficult," Aurora said as she added another branch, her tone calm and instructional. "But it requires attention. Fire is useful, but it can also destroy everything if left unchecked."
Mira nodded immediately, absorbing every word as if it were sacred knowledge.
Aurora gestured slightly. "Come closer."
Mira hesitated for only a second before stepping forward, her movements cautious as she approached the flame. When Aurora extended her hand toward the warmth, demonstrating the safe distance, Mira mirrored her.
The heat touched her skin... soft, alive. She gasped. Her eyes widened further, and her breath caught as she felt the unfamiliar sensation. "It's… warm," she whispered, almost in disbelief.
Aurora didn't respond. She simply watched, allowing Mira to experience it fully.
For someone who had never seen fire before, this moment was transformative.
Mira slowly withdrew her hand, her gaze lifting to Aurora with renewed intensity. "We need to tell the chief," she said immediately, excitement spilling into her voice. "My father-in-law needs to know about this. This is-this is incredible!"
Aurora's expression didn't change, but her mind sharpened instantly. This was too fast, too public, and too dangerous.
"No," she said calmly.
Mira blinked, clearly startled. "No?"
Aurora shook her head slightly. "We will tell him," she clarified, keeping her tone steady. "But not yet."
Confusion replaced Mira's excitement. "Why?" she asked.
Aurora opened her mouth to respond, but the answer never came. Instead, a loud, sharp, and anger filled voice tore through the air.
"AURORA!"
The name echoed through the forest like a strike of thunder.
Aurora's instincts reacted before her mind could fully process it. She turned... just as a powerful force slammed into her.
Her body was thrown back, sent crashing onto the ground several feet away, the impact knocking the air from her lungs. Pain flared through her back and shoulders and her breath hitched as the world spun for a brief moment.
Mira gasped as someone grabbed her and pulled her away from the small fire.
And Aurora, still on the ground, lifted her gaze slowly toward the figure who had just attacked her.