Hey, readers! Just wanted to say that I appreciate all the people that read my stories. Despite how often I don't write, people still read and that really makes me want to continue writing fanfiction. So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading and I hope all continue reading. Enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 2: Forging the Flame

"It has been roughly 2 days since I found the Old Aspio library. I've been through it and there's nothing here. I'm going to check that small shack out that's across what used to be the square. Too early to give up!" Amber wrote in her journal. Gathering up her things, she went to the small hut that was in a corner of Old Aspio. She felt drawn towards the hut, as if something was beckoning her over. When she got close to the hut, she saw that the door was blocked by some large boulders. She also noticed a hole in the roof. Joining her hands together, she began chanting, "O joyous winds, lift my spirits and body alike." Wind began to swirl around her and lift her of the ground. Soon, she was high enough to enter the hut. Not knowing how to land properly, Amber plummeted into a pile of dust and books. Coughing from all the dust, she climbed to her feet and looked around the hut. "Whoever lived here had horrible organization skills and didn't clean well either." She said, exploring the hut.

Amber spent the next few hours going through countless journals belonging to someone named Mordio. "This Mordio person is a genius," she said, amazed by the contents of the journals and notebooks. While looking through them, she found a section in a particular notebook about a great power. "Spirits are beings of pure elemental energy…" Amber thought, "If I could use the power of a spirit, I'm sure I'll get into the Academy!" Flipping curiously through the journal she found an incantation. "The journal says to focus carefully on the mana in your body and resonate with it to figure out what spirit you want to summon." She read. Closing her eyes and resting her body, Amber felt a cool heat against her skin. She felt prideful in that moment, though she was unsure why. Taking a deep breath, she began the incantation. "I am the heat of the air and the flames of the world. My power knows no bounds. O bright behemoth, heed my call and grant me your strength. Efreet!" After finishing the spell, Amber slowly opened her eyes, looking around the room. She didn't feel any different and thought she did the incantation wrong. Just as she puts her hands together, about to begin again, she felt lightheaded. "Ugh, my head… and why do I feel so… tired?" Amber, struggling to stay on her feet, tripped over a chest, hitting the floor with a heavy thud. She drifted off into her subconscious.

When Amber came to, she was in a realm surrounded by fire. "Where am I?" She questioned, climbing to her feet. "It's about time you awoke." A powerful voice spoke. Panicked, Amber took a defensive stance, "What? Who are you?" She asked. The voice laughed heartfully, "You summon me, yet you don't know who I am? How foolish. Very well," the voice said as it began to take a physical form. "I am Efreet, ruler of the flame. And you, girl, are now my vessel." Amber was confused, "What do you mean vessel?" Efreet went through a long explanation about how completing the incantation doesn't grant power but bounds the caster's soul with the spirit they summon, therefore, making Amber his host. "It's interesting though, there has only been one person able to carry my spirit…" He spoke, "Child, I have a favor for you." Amber folded her arms and pouted, "You could at least call me by my name." "My apologies, Amber, but I will require you go by Ember instead, being that you are one with the flame now." This piqued Amber's interest, "Why, Ember of all things?" Efreet bellowed a hearty, prideful laugh, "You just made a pact with the fire spirit, and you ask why? You humor me, Amber. Like I said, Amber, you are of the flame now, do you understand?" Amber thought for a moment, "I guess," she said, her body beginning to feel heavy. Efreet's physical form began to dissipate, "Another thing, Amber, do not be shocked when you awake, your appearance will be different." With that, he disappeared, leaving Amber alone. "When I wake up, huh?" She said, lying down. "I'm so tired…" she muttered, drifting into slumber.