Heaven and earth roared. The ashen-flame phoenix and black-flame wings tore at each other in the sky.
The radiance of the Ashen Throne poured forth like a flood, swallowing Elya and Lucian's figures.
When Elya opened her eyes again, she found herself standing in a boundless gray-white illusion.
Beneath her feet lay soft ashes; the sky burned with falling cold flames, and every speck of ash whispered, like the murmur of a billion lost souls.
"This… is not reality," she gasped. The oath brand on her chest burned so hot it left her nearly breathless.
A low voice sounded behind her: "This is the ashen flame's judgment hall."
She spun around, and saw Lucian.
Yet he was different from usual—strange gray flames burned in the depths of his eyes, as if sharing the same origin as the illusion.
Her heart tightened. She reached out to touch him, only to be seized firmly by another hand from the side.
That hand was cold, yet familiar.
She turned back, her chest lurching—there stood the gray shadow, side by side with her, her gaze seductive. "You think he's by your side? No, Elya. He is also in judgment."
The gray shadow leaned close to her ear, murmuring softly: "You crave his embrace, yet fear he'll leave. Do you truly believe you can control this blazing love forever?"
Elya trembled, trying to pull away, but found her body ensnared by invisible ashen flames, unable to move.
Lucian's voice came from the depths of the illusion, urgent: "Elya! Don't listen to her!"
She looked up, and in the distance saw Lucian struggling, bound by several black-flame chains, blood sliding down his shoulder.
The gray shadow smiled, reaching out to brush Elya's cheek. "Save him. But you know—only I can break these chains. The price? Simple… accept me."
Her fingertips slid slowly down Elya's neck, brushing the oath brand on her chest.
The touch was cold, yet sent a fiery heat surging through her body.
Elya bit her lip, tears blurring her vision: "You… are nothing but my shadow."
The gray shadow bent to kiss her lips, her voice soft: "I am you. You fear to admit it, but cannot deny it. The passion, power, and possessiveness you crave—they are all here, in me."
Her resolve wavered. Her body trembled with shame and irresistible desire.
The gray shadow chuckled: "You feel it, don't you? This is your true power. Choose me, and you'll not only save him—you'll become the sole Ashen Flame Queen."
Lucian roared, straining against his bonds: "Elya! You don't need her! You're strong enough already!"
His gaze pierced the chains, burning with fierce conviction.
Elya's chest ached. Through her gasps, she suddenly pushed the gray shadow away and ran toward Lucian.
The gray shadow ed coldly, waving to summon several ashen flame barriers: "You cannot escape judgment."
In that moment, Elya's oath brand blazed. She held back tears and pressed her lips to Lucian's.
Their lips and tongues tangled, and the oathfire erupted, the phoenix's flames tearing through the barriers.
The gray shadow stepped back, her eyes hardening: "Foolish. You'd rather burn with him than claim supreme power?"
Elya's breath was ragged. She clung to Lucian, tears mixing with sweat: "Power… means nothing without him."
Lucian lifted a hand to her face, his voice low: "Together, we'll make her vanish for good."
Their bodies pressed close, oath brand and ashen flames merging.
The phoenix cried out, its flames sweeping like a storm toward the gray shadow.
The gray shadow spread her arms, laughter sharp with pain: "Remember, Elya! I'll always be inside you! Even when you think the judgment is over!"
Ashen flames exploded, and the illusion collapsed with a crash.
In the final moment, the gray shadow's laughter echoed: "We'll meet again."
When Elya opened her eyes, she and Lucian were kneeling once more on the ashen battlefield.
The Ashen Throne still stood, but it was empty.
Her shoulders trembled. She pressed her forehead to Lucian's chest, whispering: "I'm scared… she'll return."
Lucian kissed her forehead, his voice low and steady: "Then together, we'll defeat her—every time."
The ashen-flame phoenix spread its wings, crying out again.
A new light split the sky, a sign that judgment was far from over.