The skies above Mount Aramir turned crimson, stained with fire and fury.
Amina's scream was silent, yet the world trembled as the blue inferno surrounding her collided with Amariel's burning will.
Above, Valec's roar split the clouds. He plunged through Amariel's legion like a blade of vengeance—each strike fueled not by hatred, but defiance.
Kai fought beside him, his movements sharp, surgical, graceful—yet his eyes remained on Amina, concern flickering behind each swing of his radiant glaive.
But far beneath the chaos...
Something ancient was waking.
The stone figure that had stirred deep below finally rose. Its body was etched with forgotten runes. Its eyes glowed not with fire, but with stardust.
The air around it twisted.
Then, a single word thundered through the earth.
"Enough."
---
Celestial Reckoning
The battle above came to a halt. Every flame flickered. Every scream died in an instant.
Even Amariel froze, her burning gaze narrowing toward the sky.
Amina's power dimmed.
Kai stepped back, suddenly breathless.
Valec dropped to one knee.
And from the very mountain itself, the ancient being emerged—tall, featureless, cloaked in galaxies.
It floated just above the scorched ground, not walking but existing. The sigils on the rocks bowed to its presence.
Amina whispered, "What… are you?"
It spoke without a mouth.
"I am the last Judicator. The First Flame's equal. The Watcher who remained when the gods left."
Amariel's fire flared wildly. "You… were destroyed!"
"I was forgotten," it said calmly, "but not gone."
She launched a bolt of searing fire at it—hotter than suns.
The being raised a finger.
The flame vanished.
Just… gone.
---
The Choice
It turned its gaze to Amina.
"You carry her flame, but not her hate. You can become what even Amariel failed to be."
Amina shook her head. "I didn't choose this."
"Choice," it said gently, "is what makes you worthy."
Valec stood slowly, his face pale. "Then why give it to her? Why not me?"
The Judicator turned to him.
"Because your fire was forged in pain. Hers was born in hope. That is the fire that saves."
A pause. A silence heavy with eternity.
And then it spoke again.
"One of you must ascend."
Everyone stilled.
"Ascend?" Kai asked cautiously.
"To become the next Flamekeeper," the Judicator answered. "The one who will either cleanse this world… or ignite it."
Amina looked at Valec.
Valec looked at Kai.
Kai looked at Amariel, who smiled coldly.
"Let them choose," Amariel hissed. "Then we'll see if hope matters."
---
The Hidden Memory
Suddenly, a vision struck Amina's mind—a memory not hers.
A child. Crying. Alone in the rain.
A spark in the darkness… Valec's face. Kind. Terrified. Broken.
And behind him—Amariel. Watching. Shaping.
Amina gasped.
"He never had a choice," she whispered.
Valec frowned. "What?"
"You weren't born a villain, Valec… you were made into one."