Ember of the system AVATAR THE LAST AIR binder

The Trial of Flames had left me exhausted but exhilarated. I had unlocked a new skill—**Fire Jet**—and I was eager to test it out. But mastering it wasn't as easy as I'd hoped.

The training grounds were empty now, the sun just beginning to rise. I stood in the center of the courtyard, my hands glowing faintly as I focused on the system's interface.

**[Skill: Fire Jet – Level 1]**

**[Effect: Propel yourself through the air using controlled bursts of fire. Speed and control increase with skill level.]**

I took a deep breath, channeling my energy into my hands. The flames flickered to life, but instead of propelling me forward, they sputtered and died. I tried again, and again, but the result was the same.

"Focus, Kael," I muttered to myself. "You've got this."

---

### **A New Mentor**

Just as I was about to give up, a voice called out from behind me. "You're putting too much force into it."

I turned to see Master Jiro standing at the edge of the courtyard, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. "Firebending isn't just about raw power," he said, stepping closer. "It's about control. Precision. You need to find the balance."

I nodded, trying to absorb his words. "How do I do that?"

He gestured for me to follow him to a nearby training dummy. "Watch," he said, shifting into a firebending stance. His movements were fluid, almost effortless, as he unleashed a controlled burst of fire from his feet. The flames propelled him into the air, where he executed a perfect flip before landing gracefully.

"Now you try," he said, stepping back.

I mimicked his stance, focusing on the flow of energy in my body. This time, instead of forcing the flames out, I let them come naturally. The flames flickered to life, propelling me a few feet into the air before I lost control and landed awkwardly.

**[Fire Jet – Level 1: 10% Mastery]**

I grinned, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over me. "I did it!"

Master Jiro nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Not bad. But you've still got a long way to go."

---

### **A New Challenge**

As the days passed, I threw myself into my training, determined to master **Fire Jet** and unlock even more skills. But the system had other plans.

One morning, as I was practicing, a new message appeared in the corner of my vision.

**[New Quest: The Gauntlet of Flames]**

**[Objective: Complete the Gauntlet of Flames to unlock the next stage of your firebending abilities.]**

**[Reward: 700 XP, +7 Firebending Skill Points, Unlock Skill: Lightning Generation]**

I frowned, staring at the message. "Gauntlet of Flames? What's that?"

Before I could ponder it further, Master Jiro approached me, his expression serious. "Kael, there's something you need to see."

I followed him to a secluded part of the training grounds, where a large stone door stood embedded in the side of a cliff. The door was covered in intricate carvings of flames, and the air around it felt charged with energy.

"This is the Gauntlet of Flames," Master Jiro said, his voice low. "It's an ancient test designed to push firebenders to their limits. Only those who pass can unlock their true potential."

I stared at the door, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. "What do I have to do?"

"You'll see," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "But be warned—this trial is not for the faint of heart. Are you ready?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "I'm ready."

---

### **The Gauntlet Begins**

Master Jiro stepped back, and the stone door began to glow. The carvings of flames came to life, their light growing brighter and brighter until the door slowly creaked open. Inside, I could see nothing but darkness.

I stepped inside, the door slamming shut behind me. The darkness was suffocating, but I could feel the heat of the flames around me. Suddenly, the room lit up, revealing a series of firebending challenges.

The first challenge was a narrow path suspended over a pit of lava. The path was lined with fire jets that shot flames at random intervals. I had to time my movements perfectly to avoid being burned.

I took a deep breath, focusing on the system's interface. My **Agility** stat was still low, but I had to make do. I stepped onto the path, dodging the first few fire jets with ease. But as I moved further along, the jets became faster and more unpredictable.

One of the flames grazed my arm, leaving a faint burn. I gritted my teeth, ignoring the pain, and pushed forward. When I finally reached the end of the path, I felt a surge of relief.

**[Gauntlet of Flames: 25% Complete]**

---

### **The Final Challenge**

The next challenge was a battle against a firebending construct—a humanoid figure made entirely of flames. The construct moved with incredible speed and precision, its attacks relentless.

I shifted into a firebending stance, channeling my energy into my hands. The flames flickered to life, forming a steady stream that I directed at the construct. The attack connected, but the construct barely flinched.

I dodged its next attack, countering with another burst of flames. This time, I focused on the system's interface, allocating the **+7 Firebending Skill Points** I'd earned from the quest. My **Firebending Proficiency** jumped to **62%**, and I felt a surge of energy course through me.

With a final burst of flames, I destroyed the construct, the flames dissipating into the air.

**[Gauntlet of Flames: 100% Complete]**

**[Quest Complete: The Gauntlet of Flames]**

**[Reward: 700 XP, +7 Firebending Skill Points, Unlock Skill: Lightning Generation]**