"Sit here, boy."
Karumo pointed to the spot where Gael should settle, next to him and Kira Gayami. With the stunning landscape surrounding them, the trio positioned themselves near a majestic tree, whose shade provided refreshing relief.
Colorful flowers adorned the environment with their diverse shapes and hues. Delicate petals danced gently in the air, while the sweet, subtle fragrance filled Gael's senses. Butterflies of all colors gracefully glided among the flowers, spreading even more beauty throughout the scene. In the distance, birds sang enchanting melodies, harmonizing with the natural symphony filling the air.
The sky was a spectacle in itself. Fluffy white clouds floated scattered, contrasting with the deep blue of the sky. The sun shone intensely, casting its golden rays over the landscape, creating a charming play of light and shadows. Sunbeams infiltrated between the tree leaves, creating light patterns and adding a magical touch to the place.
A gentle breeze blew, caressing Gael's skin and bringing with it the freshness and tranquility of the location. The air seemed impregnated with peace and serenity. Trees around them swayed their leaves to the rhythm of the breeze, creating a soft and comforting whisper. The environment invited relaxation, a surrender to the magic and enchantment of nature.
Gael felt like he had been transported to a true paradise. The beauty and harmony of that place were simply breathtaking, filling his soul with a sense of admiration and wonder. It was a moment of connection with nature and contemplation before the grandeur and perfection of the world around him.
In the face of such beauty, the young man couldn't understand how he had arrived in this magical place, but he knew it was related to Miguel's abilities. Although the room they were in had no doors or windows, the guardian had opened a portal that led them to that breathtaking scenery. It was as if Gael were visiting Eden itself, a place of unparalleled beauty.
Now, seated next to Karumo and Kira, Gael awaited the instructions of the guardian. They were there to learn about the elements and the elemental energy that permeated all things. This moment promised to be a journey of discoveries and learning, amid such splendid and captivating surroundings.
"Now, cross your legs and keep breathing through your nose and exhaling through your mouth."
Instructed Karumo, his calm and gentle voice echoing through the air.
Gael followed the instructions devoutly. As he performed the exercise, his eyes wandered through the surrounding scenery. The warm colors of the sunset merged into a spectacle of painted tones.
Amidst the contemplation of the beauty of nature, Gael took the opportunity to confirm something with Karumo. "Your name is Karumo, right?"
He asked, seeking confirmation.
Karumo, the white-haired guardian, smiled sweetly at Gael's question.
"Yes, but you can call me by my first name."
He replied, sparking curiosity in the young apprentice.
Intrigued by the response, Gael couldn't resist asking:
"What would be your first name, then?"
A playful gleam shone in Karumo's eyes as he revealed his secret.
"Master. You can call me Master Karumo."
He replied with a smile, breaking the solemn atmosphere and eliciting a contagious laugh from Gael.
"Master Karumo, you have a peculiar sense of humor."
Gael commented, amused by his mentor's playfulness. However, a doubt lingered in his mind.
"But why am I breathing like this?"
Gael asked, interrupting the ongoing exercise and seeking to understand the purpose behind it.
Karumo, the wise guardian, calmed the apprentice with his words full of wisdom.
"In all things in this world, there is an energy called elemental."
He began, captivating Gael's attention.
While Karumo explained, the young man couldn't take his eyes off the surrounding scenery.
The lush landscape came to life before his eyes, as if each element revealed itself in its fullness. Tree leaves danced to the rhythm of the gentle wind, while the sun's rays caressed the surface of nearby rivers and lakes. It was a natural symphony echoing in perfect harmony.
"In plants, we find water, earth, and air. In fire, air is present."
Karumo continued, while the breeze blew gently, as if agreeing with his words. Gael nodded, captivated by his master's words.
"We are living beings connected to various elements that exist in nature."
Reflected Karumo, his gaze lost in the vastness of the landscape. Gael realized the truth behind those words, feeling part of something much larger than himself.
Aware of Gael's understanding, Karumo continued his explanation.
"All things are interconnected in a cycle of seven elements, from which everything originates and ends. They are: fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, vegetation, and ice. Each of these elements is intrinsically linked to one of the seven guardians."
Revealed Karumo, his voice resonating with a sacred tone.
The magnificent scenery around them witnessed the importance of these elements, as if nature itself revered this universal harmony. Gael, now aware of his role as an apprentice guardian, felt his heart fill with determination and reverence in the face of this transcendental revelation.
Karumo, with his unwavering wisdom, delved into the depths of understanding, enlightening Gael about the events that had occurred moments ago. The water flowing from one of the guardians' hands denoted their ability to manipulate this element, while the other, which had almost frozen Gael's head with a giant hand of ice, mastered the art of cold.
However, a question remained shrouded in mystery for Gael.
"What would be 'vegue'?"
He asked, perplexed by the only element he had not yet understood.
Karumo, with serenity, elucidated the meaning of 'vegue.'
"Vegue is the element that grants its users the ability to manipulate plants and trees."
He explained, fueling Gael's curiosity. However, the wise master chose not to delve into that subject at that moment, wishing to guide the conversation gradually. "Let's take it step by step," he said, pointing in the direction he intended to follow.
"What happened to you when you invoked fire? What sensation did you have?"
Karumo, with his penetrating gaze, asked a question that brought vivid memories to Gael. The young guardian mentally reviewed the scene, but the deeper he delved into those memories, the more confused he felt.
"I felt an obvious sense of danger, an impending death, and..."
Gael began to explain, but then remembered something important. Looking at the face of the white-haired master in front of him, he noticed a playful smile adorning the wise guardian's lips.
"You heard a voice, didn't you?"
Karumo asked, guiding Gael exactly where he wanted to go from the beginning of that conversation.
"Yes, how did you know?"
Gael was surprised by his master's apparent "guessing," momentarily forgetting that the old man in front of him was a guardian, possessing knowledge beyond the common.
"I am a guardian, my young man. Don't forget that."
Karumo affirmed, reminding Gael of the grandeur of his position.
"What you heard in your mind was the voice of your bestoj. It is from them that our primordial source of power comes."
He explained, preparing for the next question he would ask the apprentice.
"What did the voice tell you?"
Gael pondered the words that echoed in his mind,
recalling that the voice had presented him with an enigma, but somehow he had understood.
"The voice asked me to reveal a name, but the first time I didn't understand. It was when everything slowed down around me, allowing me to hear the voice again, instructing me to probe my heart and pronounce the true name of fire."
Gael replied, barely believing in the truth of his experience.
Karumo continued, curious to know which name Gael had discovered in his heart.
"What was the name you found within yourself?"
He questioned the wise master.
"Ignis," Gael affirmed with conviction.
"That word flowed into my mind and escaped my lips."
Karumo noticed something intriguing and drew Gael's attention.
"It must be a charming word. It's a shame that I can't comprehend its pronunciation," the master commented with a smile.
"Why not? It's just a simple word: I-G-N-I-S," Gael replied, confused as he tried to show Karumo that there was nothing special about that word.
"As I mentioned, each of the guardians has an element that permeates their lives, as chosen by their bestoj," explained Karumo, observing Gael's face fill with even more confusion.
"If I try to pronounce the name of my element ??????, can you perceive how indecipherable it is?"
And Karumo was completely right. It was a peculiar feeling, as if there were an intrinsic connection in that word, yet Gael's brain couldn't process it. It became unpronounceable, inaudible, and impossible to be written.
"You are the only one capable of hearing the true name of your bestoj's element, just as I am the only one who can hear the true name of my element."
Karumo replied accurately, realizing how Gael was assimilating that information.
Despite discussing all these details and Karumo still not having answered Gael's question, the young man remained attentive, breathing through his nose and exhaling through his mouth as he had been instructed.
"We have the ability to manipulate two elements out of the seven, one related to our bestoj and another that strengthens our main one."
Karumo continued his explanation.
"However, today we will focus on training your main element. Show him, Kira."
Kira opened the palm of her right hand, and a sphere of wind emerged from it. Doing the same, Gayami opened her left hand and managed to create a pool ball-sized ice ball. However, there was a slight difference in the execution of their powers.
"My main element is wind," Kira said, leading the explanation about her abilities. "I can manipulate it to assist in my battles or tasks. Additionally, I use ice as a secondary power to strengthen my blows."
From there, Karumo resumed speaking:
"However, there is a crucial distinction between the guardians and the blessed ones, as in Kira's case: the latter do not have bestojs."
Gael understood that the origin of his powers was more connected to his bestoj than to the elements themselves. But where was this being that had talked to him and had not manifested since?
"The bestojs are truly unique among the guardians, that's what sets us apart from the shadows and the blessed ones. It is thanks to them that we can protect all worlds and prevent the shadows from haunting all dimensions. As Vand explained inside, it is because of the bestojs that we do not become weaker with the passing of years, unlike the great kings of the dimensions."
Karumo concluded his reasoning, explaining the importance of bestojs to the guardians.
"Now, let's proceed with the training."
"Alright, but you still haven't answered my question," Gael said, intrigued that Karumo still hadn't answered him.
"Oh, really? I thought I had already answered," Karumo scratched his head, acting as if he didn't understand, but continued to ask, "What was your question?"
The old man tried to disguise his embarrassment.
"Why am I breathing like this?"
"Alright, alright. Did you keep up with the breathing exercise?"
"Yes," the boy confirmed.
"Very well, it was necessary to advance in your training," began the master, explaining the purpose of the way Gael was breathing.
"Now, keep your breath and pay attention to me. Close your eyes and keep breathing the same way, but don't open them at all. When you feel your lungs burning, pronounce the true name of fire."
Gael closed his eyes and kept his breath. He inhaled slowly through his nose and exhaled slowly through his mouth, repeating this process five more times. Gradually, he began to feel something different coursing through his body. It wasn't just a burning sensation, but also a soft purring in his ears.
With each inhalation and exhalation, the purring grew louder, and a burning sensation in his chest intensified. However, it was still bearable. Yet, the curiosity to discover the origin of those sounds in his ears was irresistible. With each passing minute, the sounds seemed to move from side to side, as if circling around the boy.
The heat continued to grow in his chest, enveloping him more and more. The pressure intensified, becoming unbearable. It wasn't a sharp pain, as if the heart were stopping, but rather a sensation of something that had been sealed for a long time, about to break free and reach what it had always desired.
Gael prepared to pronounce the word, having no idea what was about to happen. His lungs burned like never before. And then, shouting with all his might, he uttered:
"IGNIS!!!"
Upon opening his eyes, he found himself face to face with a fire lion staring directly into his eyes. It was a breathtaking sight. Unable to react, all he could hear was the majestic roar of the creature:
"ROOOOOOAAAAAAR!!!"
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