Elira knelt before the throne.
Seraphine rose slowly. Though her body was frail, power radiated from her like heat from the sun.
"I bound part of myself into the Ember long ago, hoping that one day, a worthy heir would appear. Someone strong enough to burn the false gods who destroyed our line."
Elira's voice shook. "I'm not ready for that."
"You will be," Seraphine said. "But first, you must survive the Trial of Flame."
The room darkened. Walls shifted. Heat exploded outward.
"Elira!" Kael shouted, but a wall of flame separated them.
Elira stood alone now in a glowing arena. Before her appeared visions—her mother, dying in the fire. Her father's final scream. The girl she used to be, crying in an alley.
She shook.
"I'm done being afraid."
She stepped into the center, fists clenched.
The flames surged. And from the fire, emerged her past self—innocent, scared, and weak.
"You must defeat who you were," Seraphine's voice echoed. "Only then can you become who you are meant to be."
Elira stared at the girl.
And then… she raised her fists.