now no longer just ruins but a breathing, trembling organism stirred awake by her presence. Seraphina palms still burned with the imprint of the Phoeni

altar, the more distant he seemed haunted by the knowledge that

he asked finally, br

faintly. Beneath it, lava churned and whispered secrets too old for words. At the far end stood the altar, a tow

waited

Seraphina's clenched fists

she said, ste

re. If there's weakness, the fire will consume you." Cassian grabbed her wrist. "You don't have to prove anything. You've come this far." Sera

k at him, she step

e tria

stepped into the blaze

nd herself standing in a vast expanse of flame that danced without consuming. The ground b

hoed from

nix flame, you mus

uring the raids in Elysara . Another image: her kneeling beside her mother's lifeless body, hands trembling, unab

gain, not as torment,

anymore," she whispered, fi

sian. But this version of him wore a crown of

ice said. "Would you sacrif

"He is not my weaknes

sion sha

ted down before her, and as she touched it, warmth sur

se with a slow smile. Cassian stepped for

awake

the centereyes glowing like twin suns, her hair l

s no longer within h

rely believe wha

e now radiating raw, commanding power. Every breath she took pulsed with flame, and yet ther

ed forward slowly. She turn

eemed to part for him, accepting his presence. Her hand reached out, an

You merged with the flame." Seraphina looked down at her palms, flames flickering gen

dge of the forest. A scout burst through

imson Order is marching twenty riders,

reath. "So soon? We tho

raphina. "We need to

rrowed. "No. We're n

aid. Her voice rang with authority, as if fire itself spoke through her

his chest. Pride. Fear. Love.

hina wasn't just part of this wa

llagers gathered behind them. Torches lit the path ar

cared," he

replied softly. "But I

n, women, even children look

I also know what we carry. The fire within us is not j

crowd. Cassian touched her arm g

d. "So we

istance, Seraphina stepped forward, her hand engulfed

her, the fi