Talia emerged from the mountain with her hair ablaze—not burning, but radiant, dancing with echoes of ancient flame. The Guardian knelt.
"Virelith lives in you."
"I am not her," Talia whispered.
"No. You are her choice."
The stars rekindled that night, each one a memory reignited. In the east, frost fell back. In the west, birds long thought extinct sang once more. The world stirred, sensing something forgotten now breathing anew.