Soojung felt the scorching heat of the summer sun whipping at her back. Sweat drenched her clothes as she staggered through the brown grassland, searching for any means of rehydration. The deity, who guided her into this realm, was nowhere to be found and yet, Soojung could still feel her presence. The deity felt omnipresent in this place and Soojung knew she was being tested by this being.

Too tired to continue, Soojung plopped on the ground, lying prone as she began to appreciate the coolness of the soil. She had the urge to freeze herself, but knowing it would take more of her energy, she refrained from doing so. And so, Soojung laid there, unmoving, waiting for anything to appear.

“You are a smart child.” She heard the deity say as footsteps approached her from the north. She remained mum, unmoved. “You didn’t dare use your affinity for Winter knowing that it could cost you, your strength.” Summer pointed out. Soojung remained still, even when Summer’s feet were already within her line of sight, just a few inches from her head, in fact. “Get up, child.”

And Soojung, albeit reluctant, pushed herself off the ground immediately missing the cold soil. Summer’s piercing gaze met hers and Soojung felt like burning under her mentor’s intensity. “I want you to burn this place with your fire.” Summer said. Soojung frowned at the deity’s command. “Why? If I destroy this place, it will become barren.” But Summer only smiled and replied, “Just do as I say, little one. Sometimes, you need to step back to see the bigger picture.”

Turning to her surroundings, Soojung lifted her right hand and summoned her flames. She focused her body heat on her opened palm and flames immediately appeared from it. She then lowered it to the nearby bush, immediately setting a catalyst for a wild fire. The flames grew into a conflagration and Soojung felt hotter than before. Sweat beaded her brow and she took a step back to see the utter destruction she had caused on the place. Even the trees burned in her flames and Soojung turned to question her mentor.

“Now, what do I do?”

“We wait, child. We wait until your flames die down and the sun sets.”

“Isn’t this your domain? Why did you tell me to destroy it?”

Summer only smiled, “Be patient, child. Your emotions will set you on fire just as how they spell the winter for you. Child, you must be able to control what you feel. Patience as thin as ice is dangerous for a fire wielder just as how anger as thick as the flames can freeze the world over.”

And Soojung fi