Dawn broke slowly over the Crimson Flame Sect.
A thin mist clung to the mountain ridges, quieting the morning birds and casting everything in a faint orange glow. The training grounds were still, save for two figures at its center — standing barefoot in the stone courtyard, facing one another.
Long Feng.
Mei Ling.
Today wasn't like other days. This wasn't sparring. This wasn't lesson or lecture.
Today, he would awaken her flame — not with pills or passive guidance… but with the Inner Flame Pact.
---
The Pact Begins
"You understand what this is?" he asked calmly, arms crossed.
She nodded.
> "A sacred flame-sharing technique. Meant only for bonded master and disciple."
He raised a brow.
"And you trust me enough to do this?"
She hesitated. Then looked him dead in the eye.
> "I trust you more than anyone."
His throat tightened slightly at that. But he didn't show it.
"Once I begin," he said, "our spiritual energies will intertwine. I'll guide your flame. But if your will falters even once—if you pull back in fear—your veins could rupture. Your dantian could crack."
"I'm not afraid."
"You should be."
Mei Ling took a deep breath… and knelt.
> "Then make me stronger."
---
Touch of Flame
He stepped forward and sat opposite her. Their knees barely touched.
"Close your eyes."
She did.
"Now… breathe as I breathe."
He placed one hand gently over her heart, and the other over her lower abdomen — her Qi Sea.
Mei Ling's heartbeat raced, her breath catching.
But he said nothing.
He began to chant in ancient tongue — words from his divine past, long forgotten by the lower realm.
> "Sīn huò yù xīn, lián yǒu wú jǐ."
My fire touches your soul. Now, you are no longer alone.
A soft golden glow pulsed from his palms… then flowed into her.
---
Collision of Wills
At first, it was gentle.
Warmth spread through her meridians like sunlight through mist.
Then it burned.
Fire surged into her veins — not violently, but with terrifying pressure. Her inner Qi flared, panicked, resisting the alien energy invading her core.
Her body trembled. Her breathing turned sharp. Sweat beaded across her forehead.
> "Steady…" Long Feng murmured. "Follow my flame. Don't fight it—match it."
She gritted her teeth.
> I won't fail.
Not in front of him.
She pulled her breath deeper, syncing to his rhythm.
Her body shuddered again—then steadied.
The flame turned smooth. Flowing. Matching his perfectly.
---
The Twin Flame Spark
Then… it happened.
At the center of her dantian, a new flame bloomed.
Not just his flame.
Hers.
Pale blue. Feminine. Fluid like water—but burning with the resilience of ice-forged steel.
The lotus symbol appeared again on her palm—brighter this time, clear and defined.
Long Feng opened his eyes, breath caught in his throat.
> She's not just compatible with me.
She's… synchronized.
He'd only ever experienced that once before.
With Lan Xueyin.
But this… felt different.
More… pure.
---
The Moment
Her eyes fluttered open, still glowing with blue fire. She met his gaze—vulnerable, powerful, and confused all at once.
"I saw… stars," she whispered. "Inside you. Pain. Fire. Loneliness."
He blinked.
"You… saw into me?"
She nodded slowly.
"I think… when our flames touched… I felt everything you've buried."
His throat tightened again. This time, he didn't hide it.
"…Then you felt too much."
She smiled faintly.
"Not enough."
A long silence stretched.
Her fingers, still glowing, rose slowly… and brushed his wrist.
She didn't pull away.
Neither did he.
---
A Promise Beneath the Flame
Later, as they sat side by side, the fire between them dimmed into a soft ember hovering in the air.
"Mei Ling," Long Feng said quietly, "you've awakened something rare. And dangerous."
"Will you teach me how to control it?"
"I will."
"And will you protect me?"
He looked at her, seriously.
> "I already am."
She smiled.
Then whispered, almost afraid of the answer:
> "What are we now?"
He stared at the fire.
Then said softly:
> "We're what the world fears most."
> "Two flames… that chose each other."
---
In the Shadows
In the northern forest, a cloaked figure stood watching from the highest tree.
He had no face—only a golden mask etched with the word: JUDGMENT.
He turned to the whisper beside him.
"They've formed the pact. Just as the prophecy said."
The voice answered:
> "Then it's time. We kill them both… before they grow into the monsters our gods once feared."
---