The forest near the southern border burned with campfires—makeshift tents and low voices under a sky thick with stars. Yet the largest flame blazed at the center, untouched by wind or wood.
It came from Elira's hands.
She stood before the rebels—hundreds now—face illuminated by magic she barely understood. Her cloak billowed behind her, ash curling in the folds.
> "Tomorrow we march to Ilyras," she said. "But tonight… we remember why."
---
Hooves thundered in the distance.
Daren unsheathed his blade. "No patrol moves that fast."
Out of the dark rode a woman in silver armor, her helm crowned with a serpent sigil. She dismounted with ease and approached Elira directly.
> "You don't remember me, do you?" she said.
Elira studied her. "No."
> "You were just a child. But I served your mother. I was her sword."
Gasps rippled through the gathering.
The woman dropped to one knee.
> "My name is General Kaela. I saw you die in your mother's arms. Or so I thought."
Elira's voice trembled. "You knew her?"
Kaela nodded. "She believed the Flameborn could rise again. You're the proof she was right."
> "Then stand with me," Elira whispered. "Not as my general. As my kin."
Kaela rose. "To fire and freedom."
> "To fire and freedom!" the crowd echoed.
---
But not all listened.
That night, as the camp slept, a scout screamed. Steel flashed. Fire shrieked into the night.
Elira burst from her tent, heart pounding.
The grove had been breached.
She found Daren bloodied, kneeling over a fallen rebel. Around them, shadowy attackers vanished into the trees.
> "Saboteurs," Daren hissed. "Mercenaries. Paid to sow fear."
Elira stared at the body—a girl no older than twelve, caught in the chaos.
She clenched her fists. Fire hissed along her arms.
> "No more hiding. No more hesitation."
She looked at Kaela.
> "At dawn, we take the southern gates."
---
Far away in a chamber of obsidian and bone, Lady Seraphine stood alone, arms outstretched. Ancient glyphs burned in a circle around her.
> "She has touched the First Flame," she murmured. "It's awakening."
She poured dark powder into the brazier, and a face rose from the smoke.
A man with gold eyes and a brand across his cheek.
> "He will not stop until she kneels."
The figure bowed in the vision—and vanished.
Seraphine turned to the mirror. In its surface, flames curled outward.
> "Let her light the kingdom. I will answer with shadow."