The clearing blazed with unnatural fire. Trees cracked and groaned beneath the pressure of the Guardian's presence, the air bending around him like ripples in water. Liora stood rooted to the spot, her hand still raised, the last flickers of flame dancing across her fingertips.
Kael pushed himself to his feet, sword gripped tightly. "We can't fight him. Not yet."
Ashara circled slowly around the Guardian, her eyes glowing faintly. "He's a remnant. A relic of the old gods' wrath. If he's truly here, the seals are weaker than we feared."
"I'm not a remnant," the Guardian said, stepping forward. "I am judgment."
Liora backed away as he raised his hand. Light flared from his palm, forming a circle of glyphs in the air.
Ashara shouted, "Cover her, Kael!"
The hunter dove forward, intercepting the blast of energy with his blade. It shattered the enchantment he carried—a gift from a dying monk—and sent him sprawling again.
The Guardian looked toward Liora. "You carry the ember. I will not kill you. But I must test you."
"I don't want your test!" Liora yelled. "I didn't ask for any of this!"
"No flame chooses its fire," the Guardian replied. "But it burns all the same."
He moved with inhuman speed, closing the distance between them. Liora raised her hands again, calling to the ember—but this time, it responded with more than fire.
The air cracked.
A ring of burning sigils formed beneath her feet, ancient symbols she couldn't read—but somehow understood.
A barrier of flame erupted around her, shielding her from the Guardian's strike. He stepped back, eyes narrowing.
"The flame remembers," he whispered.
Ashara's voice came through the smoke. "Liora! That's a glyph circle! You're channeling ancestral magic!"
"I don't know how!"
"You are the how!"
The Guardian paused. "Enough. She is not yet ready. But she will be."
He raised his sword and drew a circle in the air. A shimmering gate opened behind him, showing a vast throne of black stone and burning stars.
"When you are ready, find me in the realm beyond the Veil."
With that, he vanished.
The gate closed. The forest fell silent.
Kael staggered over and dropped to one knee beside Liora. "You're alright?"
"No," she said. "But I'm alive."
Ashara knelt beside them. "The ember didn't just awaken. It chose. And now every ancient force will come for you. Some to test. Some to kill. Some to worship."
Liora looked down at her hands. They were still glowing faintly.
"What am I?" she whispered.
Kael placed a hand on her shoulder. "You're not alone. That's what matters now."
Ashara rose and looked to the horizon. "We must move. The Guardian's appearance won't go unnoticed. The Queen has spies in the skies."
Liora stood, shaky but resolute. "Then let's run. But this time... I want to know where we're going."
Ashara smiled faintly. "To the ruins of Arvalis. Where the last ember bearer fell."
Liora nodded. Her flame was no longer quiet.
It burned with purpose now.