Fire Elemental Epic

Chapter 2 Elemental Baptism

The distant noise grew increasingly intense, resembling the thunderous crash of heavy objects and the panicked cries of the fire elementals ahead. Something was definitely amiss, a sense of foreboding spread through Thomas's heart, enveloping him in a wave of unease.

The lava beneath their feet seemed to surge forward at an alarming speed. Thomas's anxiety intensified, but he felt utterly powerless to change the course of events. The fate of the fire elemental who dared to venture beyond the lava river haunted him, rendering him afraid to act impulsively.

Pressing onward, the peculiar sounds grew louder and clearer. The current carried Thomas and his fellow fire elementals closer to the apex of the impending waterfall. Suddenly realizing what will happen, Thomas couldn't contain his mounting panic and worry any longer. A scream erupted from his mouth, mingling with the chaotic symphony of sounds reverberating in the surroundings.

In that moment, Thomas caught sight of the colossal gorge that loomed hundreds of meters high. Unlike water, lava has a property between liquid and solid. As this is property, causing the speed of plummet to be relatively slower. Nevertheless, for Thomas, it felt like a free fall from an airplane for a century.

Not far from the waterfall, a peculiar assembly of elemental creatures stood on the edge of a mountain, observing the spectacle. These elemental creatures exuded full power. And all of them have solid forms sharply contrasting with the amorphous newborn fire elementals.

"It seems this period's fledglings are quite active, screaming so fervently. I wonder how many of them will succeed." remarked a giant, flames flickering atop his head. Each word was uttered with a special accent, resonating through the air and causing the surrounding debris to tremble.

"The last batch had a success rate of only 25%, so this time should be similar," replied another element creature.

"Yes, it's likely to be on par with the previous group."

"Well, they are the fresh blood of the fire elemental world. For now, they are of little consequence," said a three-tailed fox, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and unwavering determination. "Prepare yourselves, war is imminent. The wizard lord calls upon us."

The room fell silent as the elemental creatures paled at the solemn proclamation. Then they keep their eyes on the newborn fire elementals cascading down the waterfall in the distance in silence.

Returning to Thomas's perspective, the ear-piercing whistle of the wind rushed past his ears as he descended from the heavens to the ground. The lower end of the waterfall grew ever nearer. Yet unbeknownst to him, a radiant orange core within his being grew brighter and brighter. By now, his body had detached from the lava, but instead of dissipating like a stray fire elemental, it gradually assumed a more defined form.

"Flutter, flutter."

Together with the other fire elementals, Thomas plunged into the molten lake. Like a ball plunging into water, he sank momentarily before resurfacing. The magma coalesced, reforming Thomas's spherical body.

This was the rite of passage that every newborn fire elemental had to undergo, an elemental baptism of sorts.