The earth trembled with anticipation.
Emberlynn crouched at the mouth of the cave, knuckles white on her gauntlet. Across the ridge, more Hounds prowled the edges, their shapes barely more than shadows. But she could feel them. Each one radiated hunger like heat—drawn to her soul's fire.
"They're waiting," she whispered.
"They know you're stronger," Malphas replied. He hadn't sheathed his sword in hours. "They're afraid to rush."
"Demons being afraid. I'll drink to that."
"Don't. You'll need your blood."
She swallowed thickly and leaned back against the cave wall. Her body felt different. Not stronger—just more aware. The mark on her shoulder pulsed slowly, like it was syncing with something beyond her. Not just the Hounds.
Something else was coming.
Malphas turned suddenly, head cocked. "Do you hear that?"
"No. What—"
The sky sang.
It began as a whisper—like wind through broken glass—and swelled into a low, melodic chant that made the bones in Emberlynn's chest vibrate. Her breath caught. The Hounds stilled.
Then they bowed.
All of them—lowering their heads like animals in prayer.
Malphas cursed. "She's here."
Emberlynn turned to him. "Who?"
He didn't answer.
Because the sky opened.
---
She descended on a silver chariot drawn by beasts made of lightning and bone. Her robes shimmered like the night sky had been stitched into her flesh. Her face—half-beautiful, half-decayed—held a smile that never touched her eyes.
Herra of the Hollow Moon.
The Hounds whimpered in reverence. Even the trees leaned away from her presence.
"She's one of the ancient ones," Malphas said tightly. "Older than the kingdoms. She speaks to the sky, to the fold between dimensions. She doesn't kill. She unmakes."
"And she's here for me," Emberlynn muttered.
"Worse. She's here to warn you."
---
Herra didn't walk—she glided, feet never touching ground. When she spoke, her voice echoed in every bone Emberlynn had.
"Child of the Key," she said. "Do you know what you carry?"
Emberlynn stood, shaking slightly. "Something everyone seems to want."
Herra tilted her head. "Not something. Everything. Within you lies the last breath of the First Flame. The core of unmade stars. The essence of truth before lies existed."
"Sounds exhausting."
The ancient woman laughed—a sound like a lullaby played backward. "Witty. That will not save you."
"Then why are you here? If you wanted to kill me, you'd have sent those dogs."
Herra's smile widened. "Kill you? No, child. I am here… to test you."
Malphas stepped forward. "She's not ready—"
"She must be," Herra snapped, eyes glowing silver. "The seal is weakening. The Paragon Key cannot remain passive."
She raised her hand.
Suddenly, the cave split open like an eye. A vortex formed behind her, spinning with shards of memory and forgotten time.
"Step into the mirror of yourself," Herra whispered. "Face what you fear. Only then will your fire burn clean."
"What if I don't?"
"Then you will never control the power inside you. And when it blooms fully… it will devour you."
---
Malphas grabbed Emberlynn's arm. "Don't go."
"I have to."
"It's a trap."
"Everything's a trap," she whispered. "But I need to know what's inside me. What I'm becoming."
She stepped forward.
The vortex swallowed her whole.
---
She landed in silence.
No sound. No light.
Then, she was standing in a hallway of mirrors—each one showing a different version of herself.
In one, she wore a crown of ash and ruled over cities in flame.
In another, she was chained, screaming, her eyes void of light.
In a third, she walked hand in hand with Malphas… only for him to stab her from behind.
She spun away—but the mirrors kept shifting.
Now she was a child. Crying. Alone.
Now she was older—hardened, cruel, wielding her powers without empathy.
Now she was gone—a smoking husk of a girl who burned too brightly and extinguished everything.
"No," she whispered. "That's not me."
"But it could be," a voice said.
She turned—and saw herself. Same face. Same hair. But darker. Eyes glowing red. A scar down her jaw.
The mirror-Emberlynn stepped forward.
"You think this story makes you a hero. It doesn't," her double said. "You're just fuel for someone else's war."
"I'm stronger than that."
"Are you? Or are you just pretending not to be afraid?"
Real-Emberlynn clenched her fists. "I am afraid. But fear means I have something to lose. That's what makes me dangerous."
The mirror-Emberlynn smiled. "Good answer."
She shattered—cracking into dust and fading.
The hallway disappeared.
---
Emberlynn gasped, stumbling as she was thrown from the vortex, landing in Malphas' arms.
Herra stood above, watching.
"Well done," she said. "You saw your shadows and did not run. Perhaps… you may yet survive the coming war."
Then she turned, walking back into the sky.
The Hounds vanished with her.
---
Emberlynn collapsed to the cave floor, panting.
Malphas knelt beside her. "What did you see?"
"Everything," she whispered. "Every version of me that could exist. Every way I could burn."
He looked at her carefully. "And who are you now?"
She looked up at him, eyes glowing faint gold.
"I'm the girl who learns to control the fire."
And deep in the earth, something stirred.
Something… smiling.