The city of Solmaria, heart of mystics and scholars, pulsed with the tremors of the upcoming Tournament of the Ascending Flame. Streets buzzed with warriors, mage-knights, elemental sages, and masked assassins from across continents — all gathered under the flame-crested banners of the Council. Light, now recognized as a Marshal-class warrior, entered the towering arena known as Emberhold with his companions: Kyle, Rae, and Astra.
Light stood silently beneath the burning sigil of the tournament as the crowd roared. His heart, however, was serene. The Veilborne realm pulsed within him — and his first bond, Ifrit, the fire-bound ancient of the Veil, flickered deep in his soul.
Match One: The Beastmancer of Vornak A towering man cloaked in skins summoned a draconic beast. The crowd gasped, but Light remained still. As the beast lunged, Light side-stepped, tracing fire into the air. With a whisper to Ifrit, a blaze erupted, shielding him and blasting back the beast. In moments, the arena was silenced.
Match Two: The Mirror Witch of Cindralune This sorceress manipulated illusions. Kyle warned Light from the edge. "Don't trust your own shadow!" Light closed his eyes. He focused, sensing beyond sight. The real witch shimmered faintly behind the veil. In a blink, Light vanished and reappeared behind her, sword drawn to her neck.
Match Three: High Authority Knight, Juno Raventhal This battle shook the arena. Juno, clad in obsidian armor, wielded a blade enchanted by flame and void. The fight was brutal — sparks, firestorms, aerial slashes. For every strike Light took, Ifrit absorbed the pain. In the final moment, Light summoned Ifrit fully — a flaming figure emerged, wrapping chains around Juno and forcing her surrender.
By sundown, Light stood alone as the victor. The council bowed in honor. He was awarded Grand Marshal Rank. Fireworks lit the sky. The companions danced, laughed. Astra whispered, "I've never seen someone fight like you… it's like you were born from flame."
After the celebration, Light was given access to the Great Skyfire Library. Among the countless tomes, he uncovered an ancient astral chart. Within it was a map — a glowing parchment that pulsed with celestial energy. Rae read the name: Olkaira — the Forgotten Planet.
The next day, they began their journey. Riding Velgrith, the Heavenly Beast, they soared through crimson skies until storms pushed them toward a forgotten archipelago cloaked in thunderclouds. There, they found the entrance to a dream gate — the path to Olkaira.
They Saw Olkaira — Realm of Myth The planet was unlike any other. Oceans floated in midair, lands of molten crystal pulsed with unnatural magic. They saw ruins that looked eerily similar to Egyptian temples, Norse halls, even Hindu shrines. Rae whispered, "These aren't copies… these are the origins."
They Found themselves in a Different Place. A temple of black roses awaited them. Inside, they met Morrigan, the Lady of Darkness. She looked into Light's eyes and spoke, "My child… you carry the blood of the First Flame, but you were born from me."
Shock silenced the room. Light stepped back. "What are you saying?"
"You were created in heaven… but carried through me. I was chosen by the Origin to birth you… and now they seek to use you."
Before they could react, the sky shattered. A beastlike warlord named Pyrron descended. Servant of Morrigan's corrupted court, he challenged Light.
Fight: Pyrron, King Under Morrigan Asfari wielded gravity magic, pulling mountains toward himself as weapons. Light countered with Veilborne power, chaining flame, shadow, and memory. The battle split the island, creating floating shards in the sky. At the end, Light burned Pyrron into cinders — but Morrigan disappeared, leaving behind the words:
"The truth is not in Heaven or Earth. It lies where gods once begged… and bled."
The map changed. A new path appeared — leading beyond stars. Toward the Heart of the Origin.
And so began the real journey.