The Ytherrian Luminary

Xalin sat cross-legged in the clearing, the charred remains of the forest surrounding him like a battlefield abandoned after war. He exhaled deeply, pushing aside all thoughts of Lira and the teasing from his companions. The words of the past luminaries replayed in his mind like an echo, urging him to focus, to grow stronger, and to prepare for what lay ahead.

He closed his eyes, diving inward, his spirit reaching for the core of his being. The elemental energies within him stirred, their familiar rhythms like waves crashing on a shore. Water, air, earth, fire—they all obeyed his command, moving harmoniously. Yet the black flames, Onyxrazor's power, pulsed stubbornly, defying his control.

Xalin furrowed his brow, reaching deeper. "Why won't you cooperate?" he muttered, frustration tinging his voice.

"Because you're asking the wrong way," came Onyxrazor's growling voice, echoing from the depths of his consciousness.

Xalin found himself in the same inner realm where he and Onyxrazor had confronted each other before. The massive dragon lay coiled, its scales shimmering like molten obsidian, its fiery eyes locked on Xalin.

"You again," Xalin said, his tone half-irritated, half-curious.

Onyxrazor smirked, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. "Careful, boy. You're standing before power older than you can imagine. Show some respect."

Xalin crossed his arms, unfazed. "You've been holding back your power, haven't you?"

The dragon laughed, a low rumble that shook the realm. "Of course, I have. But not because I don't trust you. I needed to see if you were ready."

"Ready for what?"

Onyxrazor's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, focused stare. "The Legion of Darkness. Do you think those shadows stirring across the cosmos are mere whispers? They are your worst nightmare, boy. They've toppled luminaries before you. Some of them are as strong as you—if not stronger."

Xalin's expression hardened. "You know about them?"

"Know about them?" Onyxrazor scoffed, flames flickering in his throat. "I've fought them, burned their armies, and watched their leaders rise and fall. The Legion thrives on chaos, feeding on fear and destruction. If you think your current strength is enough to stop them, you're delusional."

Xalin's jaw clenched. "Then help me. Stop holding back and let me use all of your power."

The dragon leaned forward, its fiery breath washing over Xalin. "You want all of my power? Fine. But don't complain when your body burns under its weight."

Xalin stood firm, meeting Onyxrazor's fiery gaze. "I'll take that risk."

The dragon's eyes glinted with approval. "Brave words. Let's see if you can back them up."

Without warning, Onyxrazor surged forward, his massive form dissolving into a torrent of black flames. The fire engulfed Xalin, wrapping around him like a living entity. The heat was unbearable, searing his skin and sending sharp, stinging pain through his body.

"This is my power!" Onyxrazor's voice roared from within the flames. "The black flames that consume everything! The power destined to destroy and rebuild!"

A sharp, burning sensation streaked across Xalin's face as the flames etched a mark from his eye to his cheek—a tear-like scar, black as night. Xalin growled through the pain, his body trembling as the flames fused with his very soul.

Then, as quickly as it began, the pain stopped. The flames receded, leaving Xalin standing amidst a scorched void in his inner realm. Onyxrazor's voice echoed faintly: "Use this power wisely, boy. And don't forget—you're not the only one with others living inside you."

Xalin's consciousness snapped back to reality. His eyes shot open, glowing with an intense black light. The air around him crackled with energy as the black flames swirled to life, their heat warping the space around him.

The ground beneath him burned to ash, and the trees within a mile radius were reduced to cinders. Xalin looked at his hands, feeling the raw, unbridled power coursing through him. "This…this is it," he whispered.

As he rose into the air, levitating effortlessly, his connection to the universe became clear. The elements obeyed him without hesitation, and the energy of the spirit world pulsed within his veins.

Far below, Terra, Lira, and Kell emerged from the ground, their faces pale with worry. They looked up at Xalin, hovering amidst a sea of black flames, his aura brighter and more powerful than ever before.

"He's done it," Terra whispered, her voice tinged with awe and fear.

"Yeah," Kell agreed, shielding his face from the heat. "But what has he become?"

Xalin descended slowly, the flames dissipating as his feet touched the ground. His markings dimmed, and his eyes returned to normal, though the tear-like scar remained. He turned to his friends, a confident smile on his face.

"Well," Terra said, grinning, "guess the Luminary finally learned how to keep his cool."

For the first time in what felt like ages, Xalin allowed himself to laugh with them. But in the back of his mind, he knew the journey ahead would only get harder. And now, with Onyxrazor's power at his disposal, he felt ready to face whatever came next.