The air was thick with heat and smoke as Evan Brooks ran through the narrow hallway of the burning apartment building The alarms screamed like something alive and angry but he kept his focus steady One more person inside he told himself one more and we are done He moved fast breathing through his mask counting the seconds between each flash of fire on the walls The third floor was falling apart the floorboards soft and cracking the ceiling dripping molten plastic

He kicked a door open shouting over the noise Fire Department call out if you can hear me A faint cry answered him from the far corner of the room where a small boy was hiding under a blanket The heat pressed hard against Evan’s back as he grabbed the kid and lifted him up The stairs behind them were gone the railing already melted So he turned toward the window knowing there was no time to wait

He smashed the glass with his boot shards flying into the smoky air Below him firefighters were spreading the safety tarp Three floors down looked higher than it ever had before He heard his team yelling Brooks jump we got you The boy clung tight around his neck Evan whispered it’s okay buddy close your eyes and trust me He leapt through the fire and felt weightlessness for a second The smoke turned white the roar faded and then nothing but silence

When he opened his eyes he was lying on his back on cool grass no smoke no burning smell just the soft sound of water nearby He blinked The sky was wrong not gray but a deep blue with faint silver lines moving across it like veins of light The air smelled of rain and sea salt His gear was gone replaced by a plain dark shirt and boots his helmet nowhere in sight

He sat up and saw a lake stretching far and still as glass A small figure stood by the shore watching him A woman in a light blue cloak her hair pale as morning mist She looked calm not shocked to see a stranger appear from nowhere Her voice was soft but carried across the water You fell through the flame she said in perfect English but with an accent he couldn’t place You crossed the gate of elements

Evan frowned touching the side of his head The fall he remembered the heat the boy the jump but this wasn’t the hospital or anywhere near Seattle Where am I he asked The woman smiled slightly This is Aqualis the land of flow and tide The lake responds to you it called you here He looked down and saw ripples spreading from his hands though he hadn’t moved The water trembled and rose just a little as if greeting him

His heart pounded Maybe this was a dream maybe shock had knocked him out But the chill of the air and the weight of the ground felt real He tried to stand but his legs shook The woman stepped closer and raised her hand The ripples formed into a small stream circling her wrist It’s been many years since a flameborn entered this realm she said Tell me your name

Evan Brooks he answered still staring at the moving water She nodded slowly Evan the name of the flowing stone Then you are meant to be here She extended her hand to help him up The touch was warm despite the cool air When he stood the lake behind her shifted again this time stronger The surface curled upward like a wave ready to break

He stumbled back his boots sinking into the wet soil What is happening She watched the wave and whispered It recognizes you The mark of the water awakens The light on the lake glowed brighter and a shape formed beneath the surface something ancient and alive The water twisted around him like it had found its missing piece

Evan tried to step away but the energy pulled him in A voice filled his head deep and echoing The flame that fell shall calm the storm He gasped and the world spun blue light filling his vision The last thing he saw was the woman’s eyes wide not in fear but in awe Welcome back Tidebringer she whispered as everything faded into rushing sound and silence again

When he opened his eyes this time he was no longer by the lake but inside a small hut The woman was beside him laying a damp cloth on his forehead Outside he could hear the sound of rain steady and rhythmic like the beating of a heart She said softly Rest now your journey between worlds has just begun He closed his eyes again unsure if he was still falling or if this strange water world had already claimed him