The dawn light shimmered across the horizon as Ember and her companions left Iralith behind. What once felt like an ending now pulsed with a quiet urgency—a beginning forged from ash and flame, ready to rise.
The road to Emberspire stretched far to the south, across the Sea of Glass, through the Emberwilds, and into the heart of the Flame's origin. Few had ever returned from its path. Even fewer had ever reached its base, let alone the summit. But Ember knew it was where she needed to go—not to conquer, but to restore.
The Scorchbinders, now freed from Velra's fanaticism, chose to remain behind, tending to Iralith and helping its people rebuild. Velra herself, though still wary, had made no move to follow. Whether out of shame, respect, or fear, Ember didn't know—but she left the door open for her.
Days passed in hard travel. The land around them changed—dry, scorched plains gave way to strange glowing flora, and the sky took on hues of violet and gold. Here, magic bled through the world like a forgotten song, wild and unpredictable.
One night, as they camped beside a crystalline stream, Lysra sat beside Ember.
"You're different," she said softly. "Not just stronger. Quieter. Like something inside you settled."
Ember nodded. "I think… for the first time, I'm not running from what I am. Or what they said I was supposed to be."
Orin, leaning on his sword nearby, smirked. "Just promise you won't try to fix me next."
"You're already a lost cause," Niall muttered, flipping through one of his ancient tomes.
Their laughter drifted up to the stars.
But the next morning, that peace cracked.
A rider awaited them on the path ahead—cloaked in ash-grey, a helm shaped like a burning sun.
"I bring word from the Emberspire," the rider said, voice distorted by magic. "The Circle knows you are coming. They do not intend to stop you. They intend to meet you."
Ember stepped forward. "Why?"
The rider dismounted, removing their helm to reveal a young face—barely more than a boy, eyes shining with fear and awe.
"Because they believe you are the final spark. The one who will either reignite the world… or end it forever."