The map was old—drawn in ash ink and stitched with golden thread—but it led them to the edge of myth: the Forest of Forgotten Flame.
It was no ordinary forest. The trees here burned with blue fire that gave no heat. The leaves whispered names of the dead. The path constantly shifted, turning in on itself like a living labyrinth.
"I hate forests," Joss muttered. "Especially cursed ones."
Arien ignored him. Her fingers glowed faintly, guiding them forward. The fire inside her pulsed like a compass.
"This place knows you," Maev whispered.
"No," Arien replied. "It remembers me."
They walked for hours—or maybe days. Time didn't behave properly here.
Kael drew his sword more than once, but the shadows always vanished before he could strike.
At last, they reached a clearing. In its center stood an old woman cloaked in living flame. Her hair flickered like candlelight, and her eyes were twin suns.
She was the Flame Sage.
"I wondered which echo would find me," she said, voice ancient and kind. "You are not the first, Arien Vaelen."
"You know my name?"
"I know the name of every child marked by the First Flame."
Arien stepped forward. "I need to understand what I am."
The Flame Sage nodded. "Then come. But understand—truth burns."
Inside the firelit shrine, Arien saw visions: the birth of flame, the gods who warred with it, and the sealing of the goddess deep in the world's bones.
"You are not her," the Sage said. "But you are her flame reborn."
"I didn't ask for this," Arien said, voice shaking.
"None ever do. But only fire can face what's coming."
The Sage placed her hand on Arien's forehead.
Flame erupted around them, showing Arien a memory not her own—
a god chained in darkness
a crown shattering on stone
Kael screaming her name as the world fell
Arien gasped, falling to her knees.
The Sage spoke one last time:
> "The fire will either consume you… or become your sword."
Outside the shrine, Kael caught her as she stumbled.
"What happened?" he asked.
Arien looked up, her eyes glowing
like stars.
"I saw the end," she whispered. "And it starts with me."