The cavern pulsed with ancient power.
Kael stood at the center, surrounded by the Vaelari, the Ogron, and the Durnathi. The crystal dome behind them throbbed with silent light. Sirena kept to the edge, her hand never far from her blade.
The Vaelari raised her hand, and a star-like flame emerged from her palm, dancing with pale silver fire. "This is the Ember Star," she said. "You must carry it through the Veil of Mirrors without letting your inner flame die."
The Ogron slammed his fist against the earth. From the ground, roots erupted, twisting into the shape of an archway. The air behind it shimmered like ripples on water.
The Durnathi spoke last. "The path reflects all you are and all you fear. If the flame goes out, your soul is lost to the Ember Path."
Kael stepped forward. "I accept the trial."
The Vaelari placed the Ember Star into his hand. It burned cold and light.
---
Kael stepped through the Veil.
Instantly, sound vanished. The air thickened into glass. He stood in a corridor of mirrors dozens of reflections staring back at him. Some were twisted, some younger, some crowned, some dead.
The Ember Star floated beside him, its light dimming with each step.
One mirror showed him as a child, alone in the throne hall, crying as nobles whispered. Another showed him atop a mountain of corpses, his blade bloodied. A third reflected Kael laughing with his mother, her face unmarred by fire.
The flame dimmed again.
This isn't real, he told himself.
Yet his heart ached. The curse was not just fire. It was memory.
He closed his eyes and whispered, "I am Kael of Velmora. I am Flamebound. I carry their hopes. I carry their rage. But I do not carry regret."
The mirrors cracked. The Ember Star flared.
And the path opened.
---
Kael emerged, breathless. The Vaelari looked pleased.
"The Ember Star remembers you."
The Durnathi tossed Kael a curved dagger of obsidian. "Then earn our blade."
Without warning, the cavern filled with flame.
Dozens of ember-forms appeared creatures of ash and fury. Kael gritted his teeth, drawing Vel'tarion in one hand and the dagger in the other.
Sirena joined him instantly. "You better not die on me now."
They fought.
The battle was chaos, but Kael moved like the forge had taught him fluid, fast, relentless. The dagger thrummed in his hand as he stabbed, cut, and deflected. Sirena danced beside him, her blade singing.
The Ember Star floated above them, flaring brighter each time Kael struck true.
When the last creature fell, silence returned.
The Vaelari stepped forward. "You have passed the trials."
The Ogron bowed. "You carry the Hollow Flame with honor."
The Durnathi grinned. "We walk with you now, Flameborn."
Kael dropped to one knee, panting, the two blades pulsing in his hands.
Sirena offered him her flask. "So… where to next, hero?"
Kael looked toward the glowing path ahead, where the map showed the Spire of Souls glimmering like a beacon.
"North," he said. "To answers. And to war."