Ash fell gently like snow.
The Hollow King was gone, for now—but his retreat wasn't defeat. It was strategy. And that terrified Mara more than any weapon.
They made camp just outside the Hollow, where the ember winds were less harsh. Talon kept watch, blades close, eyes sharper than ever. The Ashborn woman—who finally gave her name, Serai—sat cross-legged, etching runes into the ground with a bone-handled blade.
Mara stared at the fire.
It didn't burn her anymore. It curled around her fingers when she called it, shaped itself into little flickers and sparks like tame lightning. And yet… she didn't feel in control. She felt watched. As if the fire remembered things she hadn't yet seen.
"Tell me the truth," Mara said suddenly, not taking her eyes off the flame. "What was the Hollow King?"
Serai didn't look up. "Not what. Who."
She traced one last rune and let the blade rest in the ash. "His name was Kael. He was the first flamebearer. The first to be chosen by the Ember Heart. A hero, once. Until he tried to keep the flame for himself."
Mara turned. "So he fell?"
Serai's eyes were hard. "He chose to fall. Power doesn't corrupt. It reveals."
The words landed with weight.
Mara looked down at her hands.
"And what does it reveal about me?"
Talon stepped closer. "You stood your ground. You saved us. That's what I saw."
Serai added, "And that you're afraid of what's inside you. You should be."
Before Mara could answer, the fire in the center of camp flared—high and sudden.
A voice whispered through it.
"The girl burns bright… but even bright flames cast dark shadows."
Mara stood. "What was that?"
Serai's face went pale. "Not the King. Something older."
The runes around the fire glowed red.
Then, out of the darkness, a shape emerged. Cloaked, tall, silent. No shadow trailed it. It moved like smoke and stood at the edge of the light.
Its voice was calm. Almost kind.
"You bear the Heart. But the Heart has many pieces—and not all are yours to keep."
Serai reached for her blade. "Warden."
Mara frowned. "Who—"
"—A flame hunter," Serai hissed. "They were made to unmake us."
The Warden raised one hand. "The Hollow King awakens. The world will not survive another war of fire. Give me the Heart, girl… and I will let you live."
Mara's pulse surged, the ember in her chest responding with heat.
She stepped forward, meeting the Warden's cold, ash-gray eyes.
"No."
The fire between them surged like a scream.
And the second hunt began.
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