The gateway shimmered with blue-gold mist, distorting their surroundings as it opened.
Bo Ren murmured, "The Fourth Flame… is in the ocean realm of Myra's Fall."
Zhao Kai wrinkled his nose. "I can't swim."
Yue rolled her eyes. "You can fly."
Tian Xue touched the shimmering surface of the portal. Her fingers came away wet.
> "This realm isn't water," she whispered. "It's memory drowned in sorrow."
Jiang Han stepped forward, Sovereign Emberfang humming at his side.
> "Then we go together. And we don't drown."
---
The World Beneath the Waves
Crossing into Myra's Fall felt like falling into a grave.
They sank not through space, but remembrance—each of them landing on solid ground where the sky was a roiling sea above, and the air shimmered like water.
Floating temples surrounded them—ruined citadels of coral and shattered marble.
Statues of flame-bearers stood cracked, their eyes forever looking up at the oceanic ceiling.
Yue touched a broken brazier. "This place… used to burn bright."
Bo Ren nodded. "Until the Pale Sovereign sealed it."
Tian Xue frowned. "Why?"
> "Because the Fourth Flame didn't die," Bo whispered.
"It refused to die."
---
The Flame of Enduring Love
At the heart of Myra's Fall was a sealed vault beneath the old Flame Chapel.
Bo Ren activated the glyphs—its runes screamed in protest.
From within came a whisper:
> "Do you still remember her name?"
A shadow stepped into view.
A man in silver-blue robes, his chest split open by a crack that leaked seawater and flame. His eyes were blind, but his voice was calm.
> "I was once Vaelin, disciple of the Pale Sovereign."
He bowed.
> "And now, I guard the Fourth Flame."
Jiang stepped forward. "We've come for it."
Vaelin tilted his head.
> "Then prove that your fire endures loss."
---
The Trial of Endurance
Jiang found himself pulled into a vision—not of war, not of glory, but of life.
He saw a girl.
Not Tian Xue. Not Lin Yao.
Someone else.
From his first life.
He couldn't remember her name.
But she laughed when it rained. Held his hand when he trembled. Died in his arms when the First Flame failed.
Vaelin's voice echoed through the vision.
> "The flame of love is the first to burn… and the last to go cold."
"Do you still carry it?"
The image of the girl reached for him.
> "If you wish to forget… I will let you."
Jiang trembled.
Then, quietly:
> "I don't want to forget."
"I want to burn with it. Even if it hurts."
---
A Flame Rekindled
The vision shattered.
Jiang stood before the sealed altar.
Vaelin knelt, tears leaking from blind eyes.
> "Then you understand me."
He opened his chest.
And from within, drew a single flame.
> "Take it.
Burn with her name.
And never let the sorrow fade."
---
New Flame Acquired
> Fourth Sovereign Flame Acquired: Drowned Flame of Myra
Trait Gained: Eternal Sorrowfire
• Attacks leave "Remembrance Burn" – enemies lose vitality when near allies' deaths.
• Passive ability: Heart of Flame – once per day, resurrect with 10% soul integrity if killed by flame-type damage.
Flame Throne Mark: 4/12
---
Aftermath
Vaelin collapsed, finally at peace.
Yue knelt beside him. "He waited here for… how long?"
Bo Ren answered softly. "Until someone chose memory over power."
Tian Xue stepped beside Jiang.
> "You remembered her."
He looked at her.
> "I'll never forget the ones who shaped me."
She took his hand.
He didn't pull away.
---
Above, the Pale Sovereign stirred.
Eyes of pure white opened in the celestial veil.
> "So… the boy walks the line between strength and sorrow."
> "Let us see if his fire can endure me."