Silence blanketed the scorched summit as the child floated above the Hollow Throne, her tiny frame radiating a quiet power that stole the breath of all who beheld her.
Valec stumbled back, his armor cracking with steam. Amina remained frozen, her gaze locked with the girl's. Something ancient stirred within her, a memory that wasn't hers—flashes of a prophecy whispered in forgotten tongues, of a flame born not of war or vengeance, but of balance.
The girl's voice was soft, but it echoed like thunder.
"You sought to end each other. But I was the ember in both your hearts."
Amina's voice trembled. "Who are you?"
The child's golden eyes shimmered. "I am the Flame Between. Born of your mercy, Valec's pain, and Amariel's final breath. I am what the world tried to kill, yet could not."
Valec's fists clenched. "This throne was forged for war. For power."
The girl turned to him, and he flinched beneath her gaze.
"No, Valec. It was forged to test the hearts of those who would wield the fire. And you... were never meant to bear it alone."
Suddenly, the throne cracked—splintering into three radiant shards. One floated toward Amina, another to Valec, and the third hovered in the girl's palm.
Together, they formed a triangle of blazing sigils, spinning in midair.
Balance. Flame. Choice.
Lumeah arrived then, breathless, having scaled the burning path behind them. Ashar and Kai were not far behind, their eyes wide as they took in the scene.
Ashar stepped forward. "Is this... the end?"
The child turned to him. "No. This is the beginning of a new order. The Fire of Old is done. The Flame of Now has been born."
Kai narrowed his eyes. "And what of the world below? It burns. Civil war stirs. Factions hunger for power."
The child's smile faded.
"And so the final trial begins."
A low rumble shook the ground. Below, in the distant valleys, dark plumes of smoke coiled into the sky. From the depths of the broken tombs, old kings—those once thought dead—began to rise.
Wraiths in golden armor.
Their eyes glowed with ancient hunger.
Amina gasped. "What have we awakened?"
The child turned back toward the throne.
"The past never dies quietly."
Lightning struck the Hollow Throne.
And in that moment, Valec turned to Amina. "Whatever comes next… we face it together."
She nodded. "For the Flame. For the future."
But from the shadows… someone watched.
Cloaked. Silent. Forgotten.
And in their hand, a blade made of frozen flame.
"The true war," the stranger whispered, "has yet to begin."