Since his arrival in the peaceful elven village, Ares had always been considered different. Although his life had begun under mysterious circumstances, the family that took him in had treated him as one of their own.
Elysia, his adoptive mother, was an elf with formidable leaf magic. With a single touch, she could make plants grow, intertwine, and dance with the breeze. Her ability to control nature not only made her one of the most respected elves in the village but also allowed her to raise Ares with deep love and infinite patience.
Thalion, his adoptive father, was an elf wind mage. With his command over the air, he could summon gusts that carried leaves in sharp spirals or make clouds part at the mere whisper of his voice. His skill was so refined that he could move air currents in the form of invisible spirals, something that fascinated Ares every time he watched him practice.
Ares had grown up in a home full of magic, and from a young age, he had shown a special connection to the wind magic his father wielded. Although he couldn't yet control the gusts with the same mastery as Thalion, young Ares could feel the wind respond to his call, his body filling with energy when he breathed in the soft evening breeze.
But what amazed Elysia and Thalion the most was the fire Ares seemed to manifest so effortlessly. For as long as he could remember, Ares had felt drawn to flames. He didn't understand why, but fire responded to him in an unusual way. Though he couldn't fully control it, he could create small flames in his hands—a skill his parents had never seen in anyone else. Sometimes, when the sun began to set, Ares would sit near the family campfire, watching in fascination as blue fire danced between his fingers—so bright and warm, yet also so dangerous.
Despite the wonder his parents felt for his abilities, there were moments when Ares's fire became uncontrollable. It wasn't uncommon for a sudden blue flare to burst forth during times of strong emotion or frustration, causing the embers on the ground to spark more intensely and brightly. Luckily, Elysia had a natural ability to calm the surrounding nature, and in those moments, his adoptive mother could reduce the fire to ashes with a soft murmur. Thalion, on his part, used his wind magic to disperse the flames in a controlled manner, creating gentle currents that smothered the fire.
Ares felt a mixture of fear and pride for his power. Although his fire seemed different from that of the elves and his wind magic was only a fraction of his father's, he had never felt the same level of connection to his magic as others in the village did. Elysia and Thalion never pressured him, but sometimes Ares saw the pride in their eyes when he controlled a breeze or lit a small flame. He felt lucky, but also somehow incomplete.
Liana, his best friend, was always there to calm him when things got out of hand. Although Liana didn't share Ares's power, her nature magic helped her stay composed in difficult situations. There was something in her serene presence that always managed to soothe Ares, as if her connection to the earth and air could balance the emotions he couldn't control. When Ares saw flames erupting from his hands and the wind rising around him, Liana always reminded him that power should be mastered, not feared.
Afternoons in the village passed peacefully, though Ares knew something big was coming. The sun would set slowly, painting the sky in shades of orange and red, and while the wind gently blew through the trees, Ares would sit beside Liana, his hands stretched toward the flames. For a moment, he wished he could control his magic with the same finesse his father used to guide the winds or his mother used to grow a tree with a simple gesture. But he also knew that, even though his magic was different, there was something special inside him. Something that, sooner or later, would awaken.
From afar, Elysia and Thalion watched him, sharing a smile full of hope. They knew that Ares was more than just a combination of fire and wind magic. He was a blend of destinies and ancient roots, something even they didn't fully understand. The only thing they knew for certain was that their son—their adoptive son—would one day change the world. But for now, they only wished to see him grow and find his own path.