The Oyxia Chronicles: Shadow of Lorian

“I am Leyris Virra, mistress of the SmolderingEmbers. Fire is not only crude force. It warms, lures, awakensdesire. We study the subtle edges of flame — its power to swayemotion, alter perception, slip unseen into hearts and minds. Whoeverunderstands the hidden fire, understands the true nature of passionand power.”

She swept her hand through the air, and the hallfilled with a sense of warmth, a strange stirring, an almostimperceptible pressure on consciousness.

After her, a tall man with long silver hairstepped forward. In his hand he held a small brazier in which asteady blue flame burned.

“I am Morian Falx, keeper of the Song of Flame.Fire is not only destruction — it is also creation. We forgeenchanted blades, brew alchemical elixirs, weave fire into metal,glass, cloth. If you feel that fire is, above all, a tool of craftand making, not only of war, then come to us.”

He scattered a handful of metallic dust into thebrazier, and it instantly fused into a small dagger, sparkling withmagical energy.

The next to appear was a girl who looked almostyoung, yet her fiery golden eyes betrayed an ancient power. Aroundher floated tongues of flame that kept changing shape — turninginto animals, then dissolving back into sparks.

“I am Arien Tark, mistress of the Living Flame.Fire can live, feel, exist. We give it form, call it into this world,turn it into an ally. If you want to speak to flame, to create firespirits and gift fire with life — our school awaits you.”

She flicked her hand, and an enormous wolf of fireappeared before her, casting a quiet growl across the hall as itlooked over the students.

Last came a mage in a black cloak whose edgessmoldered like coal. He did not speak at once. Instead, he brushedhis hand through the air, and the fire before him went out, leavingbehind only bitter black smoke.

“Black Ash is not chosen,” he said at last.“We are those who look into the heart of fire and see its darkside. We know that flame does not only warm — it takes. When thetime comes, the strongest among you will understand on their ownwhether they have the strength to walk this path.”

He turned and stepped back into the shadows,leaving behind only a fading trail of smoke.

When all the heads had finished speaking, thementor surveyed the students.

“Choose your school. Remember — you are notchained to only one. Fire does not limit growth.”

The students glanced at one another, whispering.Some already knew where they would go, others hesitated. Elissa andLeonard stood among them, each lost in thought. They had not yetexchanged a single word — but something told them their paths wouldcross again…

The ceremony was over. But for the students,everything was only beginning.

When the trial ritual was fully concluded, silencesettled over the hall. Only the magical flames continued to flickersoftly in the hearths, filling the space with warm light. The youngmages stood there, still feeling the lingering pulse of magic thathad left its mark on their souls.

Then, as if answering that feeling, something elseclaimed their attention — a sudden sting.

On the wrists of Elissa and Leonard, a faint glowappeared. At first it was warm and almost unnoticeable, but graduallyit intensified, turning into a slight burning sensation. The magicthey had been granted now seemed to be branding its mark into theirflesh. The pain was mild but distinct, like invisible needlespiercing the skin and leaving a trace behind.

Elissa flinched and gripped her wrist, trying tounderstand what was happening. Leonard, though accustomed to fire,also felt unease. Instinctively, he pressed his hand to his chest. Itburns…

But within moments the burning began to subside,then faded altogether, leaving behind a barely visible mark on theirskin — a circular sign of fire, seeming almost alive, yetunchanged. Only its faint glow hinted that they were now bearers ofthe Fire’s magic.

At that moment Lord Helion appeared in the hall,his eyes grave. He stepped into the center, studying the newstudents’ reactions. Once he was certain the ritual had gone asintended and that the mark caused no further harm, he spoke. Hisvoice was deep, filled with magic.

“From this moment on, you are mages of Fire,”he said, his words sounding both like a sentence and a blessing.“Each of you now bears this mark as a sign that the magic of Firehas become part of you. This symbol will remain with you to the endof your path. It is not ornament. It is a link — to the castle, andto its ancient power.”

His gaze swept over them, almost as a warning.

“You will be protected from many dangers — butremember that the responsibility for this flame rests on yourshoulders. There is no washing yourself clean of what you havebecome. The magic of Fire does not forgive carelessness.”

Elissa and Leonard exchanged a look, understandingthat this day had become a turning point in their lives. What onceseemed unimaginable had now become reality. They were part ofsomething far greater than “just students.”

Lord Helion glanced at their marks one last time,nodded, and turned away, disappearing into the shadows.

“Now your path of magic begins. And with thisfire, you will go wherever it leads you,” his words echoed in theirthoughts.

They remained standing in the hall, quietlyturning over everything that had happened. Each of them now felt boththe weight and the strength of Fire in their body. And yet, despiteit all, both were filled with resolve to go on, knowing that the markon their wrists was not only a sign of power, but a reminder thatthey now belonged to the Lorian brotherhood of Fire Mages.

When the initiation ceremony ended, the studentsbegan to drift away in small groups, excitedly discussing the trialand the training to come.

Elissa felt emotions still raging inside her. Herhands trembled slightly; her heart refused to slow. The trial wasbehind her, but its shadow still lingered in her mind, refusing tolet go.

Beside her walked a boy who looked just as shaken.Tall, with dark, slightly tousled hair, he let out a heavy sigh andrubbed his face with his palm.

“You’re shaking too?” Elissa exhaled,casting him a quick glance.

“Still can’t believe it’s over,” headmitted, looking around. “At one point I was sure… that was it.That I wasn’t getting out.”

“So was I. But we made it,” she said, offeringa small smile, as though trying to convince herself as much as him.

“Leonard,” the boy said, introducing himself.

“Elissa. I’m from Pyrenholm.”

“Tirgold,” he replied.

“A village?” Elissa raised her brows.

Leonard nodded, anticipating her question.

“Yeah. They never found mages in our parts… Ididn’t know I could do any of this either.”

“But you’re here now. That means fate choseyou,” she said thoughtfully.

“That I’m not so sure about,” Leonardmuttered with a crooked smile that didn’t quite chase away hisdoubts.

“Hey, you two — newcomers!” a cheerful voicecalled.

They turned. A boy was walking toward them, brightas the sun. His movements were light, and there was unmistakable firein his eyes.

“I’m Kaylen Emberhart! From the Valley ofIgnia. And welcome!”

“You’re new too?” Elissa asked, surprised.

“Of course! But I passed my trial a week ago. Soyou’re not shaking as badly as I was back then, believe me!”

Leonard snorted softly.“Not sure aboutthat.”

“All right, come on — tell me. How was it?”

Elissa and Leonard exchanged a look, momentarilyslipping back into the nightmare of the trial.

“The fire…” Elissa murmured. “At one pointit filled everything. I thought I was going to burn.”

“It felt alive,” Leonard added. “It moved,probed, tested.”

Kaylen nodded knowingly.

“That’s the Trial of Fire for you. It testsnot just your power, but your soul. But you did great! Now the funpart starts — choosing a school.”

Elissa drew a deep breath.“Have youalready chosen?”

“Of course! Song of Flame!”

He broke into a proud grin.

“Artifacts, enchantment, alchemy! Can youimagine? Creating swords that never dull, cloaks that shield from thecold…”

Elissa gave a small skeptical sound.

“You’re sure about that?”

“Absolutely!” Kaylen declared. “What aboutyou?”

Elissa fell silent for a moment.

“I don’t know yet… I like the SmolderingEmbers.”

“Interesting,” Kaylen said thoughtfully.“Magic of emotion and suggestion? Dangerous path.”

Elissa nodded.

“But it feels like what I need. I want to learnto control not only fire, but what hides inside people.”

Leonard smiled faintly.

“And I’m leaning toward the Song of Flame too…I like creating fire, weaving spells. Not just using it as a tool,but treating it as something living, something you can communicatewith, interact with. That sounds much more fascinating than justworking with artifacts.”

Kaylen studied him with new interest.

“So you want to be a master of fire itself, notjust a master of objects. I get that. Good choice.”

Elissa smiled, looking at them both.

“We have all the time in the world to decide.”

“And for now,” Kaylen spread his arms wide,“let’s just enjoy this moment! We’re part of something greatnow!”

Leonard and Elissa exchanged a glance.

Today they had not only survived the trial.Theyhad found friends.

Chapter 8. The Chambers of the Castle of Fire

Elissa and Leonard, still feeling a slight dizziness after therecently performed initiation ritual, were walking along the grandyet dim corridors of the Castle of Fire.

Their guide, an experienced Fire mage, continuedpolitely leading Elissa and Leonard through the dark, majestichallways of the castle. His footsteps echoed through the empty halls,and fiery runes carved into the stone walls glowed softly, lightingtheir way. When he turned to make sure the students were not fallingbehind, his gaze was firm yet benevolent. He was someone who couldbecome their mentor, but for now he was only telling them whatawaited them in this new world.

“Here in Lorian,” he began, “students andmentors live as one big family. Fire magic does not divide; itunites. We are all one element, and our power must serve the commongood.”

Elissa glanced at his face with admiration, thelight of the flame reflected in his features. She felt how the magicof this place not only filled the walls, but seeped into her verysoul.

“It’s like in our home settlement… everyonehelps each other,” she couldn’t help but say.

The guide gave a barely noticeable smile andnodded.

“Exactly. But here the power of magic binds ustogether not only in helping each other, but in life itself. We servethis element, and it becomes part of us, just as we become aninseparable part of it. You’ll feel it when you begin to practicemagic.”

Leonard, walking a little behind, tensed slightlywhen he heard these words. It was hard for him to imagine how someelement could unite people. The thought that he would now become partof something far greater than himself still didn’t fit in his head.

“Do we all study the same program?” he asked,stepping uncertainly on the cold stone floor.

The guide turned, and, sensing his anxiety,answered with a smile:

“Everyone starts with the basics, even those whocome here with great ambitions. But each path will be your own. Somemay master the power of fire more quickly, others more slowly. Whatmatters is that you don’t lose faith in yourselves.

There are no failures in Lorian. Here, everyonehas their own road to great power.”

Elissa brightened at these words. Hope flared inher eyes.

“So everyone has a chance to become a true Firemage?” she asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

The guide nodded, and his gaze grew more distant,as if he had recalled something important he could have shared.

“Yes. But you must remember that Lorian is notjust a place of study. It is a place of transformation. The castle’shistory is full of passions, destruction, wars. The castle was builtby the great mage Lorian seven thousand years ago, when a magicalsource was discovered here, at the top of the volcano. This sourcegrants the power of Fire, thanks to which our castle still exists andflourishes.”

Leonard listened with interest, while Elissa fellinto thought.

“The great mage Lorian…” she repeatedpensively. “Is that somehow tied to Fire magic?”

“Yes,” the guide replied. “His teachingbecame the foundation for all Fire magic. In his time the castle wasthe symbol of that power, and many sought the source to gain controlover this mighty energy. However, Fire magic does not toleratecontrol. It demands freedom and endless change.”

He fell silent, and for a moment their footstepsbecame the only sound in the dark corridor.

“But the castle was not always like this,” theguide continued. “Since the day it was built, Lorian has beenthrough much. Wars, destruction, rebirth. We rebuilt it and restoredit, but sometimes even its walls were brought down by the flames ofbattle.”

Elissa sighed, imagining how this majestic castlecould have fallen in the fires of war.

“And now the castle is safe?” she asked,unable to hide her anxiety.

The guide looked at her and, seeing her worry,answered confidently:

“Now it appears a time of peace has come. Warsbetween the castles almost never flare up. Of course, no one canpredict what will happen in a hundred years, or even in a fewdecades, but at this moment we live in relative peace. Mages livelong, and for us wars are part of history—something to be learnedand understood.

However, in your lifetime there will be enoughwars.”

Leonard, feeling his anxiety gradually easing,turned to the guide again:

“And who rules the castle now?” he asked,trying to learn more about the one who would be their leader in thecoming years.

The guide straightened with pride.

“The head of the castle is Lord Helion. He iswise and strong, and under his rule Castle Lorian has become evenmore powerful. I am certain you have nothing to fear for your safetywhile he leads us.”

Elissa and Leonard exchanged glances. Hearing LordHelion’s name, they felt slightly calmer. For a moment they evenforgot their doubts, carried away by the grandeur of the castle andthe might of Fire magic, which seemed to fill everything around them.

“We really will be safe now,” Elissa said,smiling at Leonard. “That’s good news.”

The guide nodded and, slowing his pace a little,waited for them to digest the information before continuing forward.

“In truth,” he added quietly, “with LordHelion the castle has become not only a place of power, but a symbolof order. He sincerely believes that the future of Fire magic lies inthe hands of young mages like you.”

Elissa, not taking her eyes off the rune patternson the walls, felt everything around her drawing her deeper into thisancient castle. Every line, every rune carved into the stone seemedalive, pulsing as a part of the castle itself. Here in Lorian, magicwas not just the environment in which the students existed — it wasits very essence. Elissa felt it enveloping her; with every step, thereality she knew, familiar and understandable, began to dissolve,giving way to something greater, deeper, utterly unusual. This placewas not meant for ordinary people.

It had been created by mages, and the magic of itswalls seemed to coil around her, filling everything with a specialenergy.

They continued on through a vast hall where lightfrom magical flames brightly illuminated the stone columns andceiling. The fire in the rune lanterns reached upward like somethingalive, burning with a force only a true mage could hold.

Elissa watched in awe as the flickering lightplayed on the walls and reflected off the polished stone.

There is so much Power here. No wonder thecastle was built exactly in this place — it would be impossible tokeep so many lanterns and magical lights burning otherwise, shethought with admiration. A few strands of her hair fluttered in apassing draft.

The halls were divided by long, narrowpassageways, and each corridor seemed completely unique. Some hallsblazed with fire, lighting the space so brightly one could discernevery corner, every ornament. In other halls the flame burned dimmer,casting barely any light, and there reigned a silence that felt likea cold seeping right into the bones.

One of them let out an exclamation when theypassed another corridor that suddenly began to shimmer, as if themagic itself here was wavering, becoming a little brighter and thendimmer. Elissa stopped, feeling how this instability in the magictruly hooked her.

“Why are these corridors flickering?” sheasked, turning to the mage walking beside them.

The mage hesitated slightly, glanced at the wallswhere the magic really did pulse unevenly, and answered with athoughtful note:

“We don’t know for sure,” he said. “Latelysuch disruptions in magic have been happening more often. It’sconnected to changes in the source of magic. It has long been in anunstable state, and sometimes such fluctuations occur. But there isno need to worry. I don’t think it’s anything serious.”

Elissa wanted to ask something else, but the magewent on, as if trying partly to calm her:

“This happens when something in the castlechanges, or when there are minor malfunctions in the magicalequipment. They aren’t dangerous, but if it continues, we’ll ofcourse keep an eye on it.”

Leonard, walking behind, studied the castle wallsclosely. Here, along their path, he could see not only runes, butalso frescoes painted by ancient masters. Some of them were inexcellent condition: bright colors and elegant details had survivedeven after thousands of years. Others were badly damaged, as if themagic that had once preserved them was fading, and time was takingthe last traces of these artworks.

Someone once painted all this so carefully,Leonard noted to himself.

“These frescoes,” the mage said proudly, “arerestored by mages and craftsmen. They are part of our history. Everyelement of the castle is tied to magic and to the people who havelived here. Some frescoes are very old, and it’s difficult topreserve them in their original form, but we work constantly onrestoration. The ones that remain in good condition impress everyonewho comes here.”

Elissa stopped, touching one of the frescoes,feeling in it not only magic, but also some ancient memories. Theimage on the wall was indistinct, but in its distorted outlines shesensed the strength and wisdom of centuries.

“Whom do these frescoes depict?” she asked,without taking her hand from the wall.

“These are images of the great Fire mages,”the mage replied. “They show moments from the castle’s history.For example, here is the great mage Lorian, the founder of thecastle. Since his time, his wisdom has been passed down fromgeneration to generation.”

As they moved on, Kaylen, who was walking nearElissa and Leonard, suddenly slowed his pace and looked at themintently.

“Listen,” he said, tilting his head. “They…radiate magic.”

Elissa and Leonard exchanged surprised glances,stunned that someone had noticed something unusual about them. Theythemselves couldn’t fathom how it could be visible — they hadonly just begun their training.

“Yes,” the mage confirmed, stopping andsmiling. “They carry magic and protective spells within them…usually protective,” he added with a faint ironic smile. “Withthese spells, Fire mages shield themselves from external threats.Here in Lorian, magic is not only a weapon, but also a shield.”

For Elissa all of this was thrilling, yetwonderful. In that moment she felt that her place was here, in thisworld of fire and magic, where she could become someone significant —part of a great force. She looked at Leonard and noticed somethingdifferent in his eyes — anxiety, doubt, as if he still couldn’tgrasp what had happened or what awaited him.

Leonard walked beside Elissa, but his thoughtsseemed far, far from this majestic castle, its corridors, and themagic that increasingly filled the air around them. He heard everyword of the guide and felt how those words sank into his mind, butthey left neither warmth nor joy in him. Everything the mage saidsounded as if it were meant for someone else, not for him.

The world of magic was so vast and alien that hefelt small and lonely within these walls, filled with power andknowledge he could barely comprehend. Every word, every step of theguide seemed part of a reality where he did not belong.

He was a young man from a small village, and untilnow all he had known about magic came from the stories of old men bythe fire, echoes of legends and tales that seemed distant andunreachable.

Now a world was opening before him where magic wasnot something mystical, but everyday — a part of life.

But in this world there seemed to be no place forsimple people like him. He wasn’t ready, not strong enough to standas an equal to those who were born into this world of magic, who hadlived amidst its currents from the very beginning.

Fear rolled over him in waves, and with every stephe took down the castle corridors, that fear became more real.

What if I can’t master this power? What if Inever become like them? Leonard worried.

His gaze slid along the walls covered with fieryrunes, but his thoughts wouldn’t let him go. Fear for the future,self-doubt — all of it gripped his mind, and he began to think ofhis family.

Of his native village, of how his mother andfather might still be sitting by the home hearth, waiting for hisreturn.

Of his sister, little Lilian, whom he had alwayspromised to come back to once he became strong. Mira, as he calledher, was so bright and carefree, and he, as the older brother, hadalways considered it his duty to protect her.

And now, standing on the threshold of a new world,he thought of her again. He dreamed how one day he would return home— but no longer as just a village boy, but as a mage, possessingpower, able to protect himself and those he loved.

He felt a warm spark of hope burning in his chest,and that spark grew with every step, with each passing moment as hesank deeper into thoughts of magic. In his mind, images began to form— images of the spells he would be able to cast, of how he wouldwield the Fire element, using its power to help others. Threads ofmagic would lie in his hands, as alive and restless as fire itself.

He was not sure exactly how it would happen, butthis was his new and important path in life. He could sense that roadopening before him, and that gave him the strength to move on.

He would study magic, become stronger, and oneday, perhaps no longer as a village boy but as a mage, he wouldreturn home. Return to show his family that he hadn’t just run awayto some castle, but had gone to seek his destiny — to become who hehad always dreamed of being: strong and protective.

In his mind arose images of spells he might create— spells of protection, spells to help others. Leonard didn’tknow how, but he believed that everything was possible. And thatwould be his goal: to use magic for good.

“Are we… here forever?” he asked, unable tobear the silence any longer and, despite all his worries, trying tohide the anxiety in his voice.

Elissa turned to him, trying to find at least ahint of the confidence she herself felt in his eyes. But she onlygave him a gentle smile, as if trying to support him.

“We’re here to study,” she replied, notentirely sure of her own answer.

The guide, paying no attention to theirconversation, continued leading them through the endless corridorsuntil they reached massive doors adorned with intricate fiery runes.The castle seemed to greet them with its ancient walls, which heldthe knowledge of many generations of Fire mages. Here, the fabric oftime itself felt almost tangible.

“These are your quarters,” the guide said,opening one of the doors.

Elissa stepped inside and froze, overwhelmed bymixed feelings. The room was spacious, its air saturated with magic,just like the rest of the castle. In the center stood several bedscovered with simple yet neat blankets. Around them were tables,benches, and chairs, as if designed specifically for students.Everything here was simple, yet at the same time majestic, like theplace they had found themselves in. A sense of coziness and mysteryfilled the space, creating an atmosphere that was both calming andexciting. There was something special here, something that spoke ofthe strength and antiquity permeating everything around.