The morning sun split the horizon in orange flames as the group trekked deeper into the Firefang Canyon, an arid stretch of land where heat shimmered over rocks like liquid glass. Sweat gathered on their brows. Even Elara's ice pendant melted into mist around her neck.
Kael groaned. "Did the Gods ever believe in pleasant climates?"
"Complaints logged: 57," said the porcupine system, perched under a leaf like a reluctant hiker. *"Keep it up, and I'll convert your boots into soup."
Kairo pointed to a jagged cliff where ancient markings shimmered. "This is it. Varek's divine relic—the Crimson Chain of Wrath."
Varek said nothing, but his steps slowed.
Zan noticed. "What's wrong?"
Varek's voice was low. "Last time I held the chain... I burned a city."
The group fell silent.
Kairo stepped forward. "This trial is meant to help you confront that guilt. Not destroy you."
Kael coughed. "Just don't aim it at us, okay?"
Elara stepped beside Varek. "You don't have to face it alone."
He gave her a rare, grateful nod.
---
The trial began at noon. Varek walked alone into the chasm. The heat pulsed harder here, air shimmering violently.
Inside, the canyon warped.
Fire danced around him—not attacking, just…waiting.
Then the illusion came.
A young boy knelt, screaming. Flames swallowed a village behind him. Varek stood, older and helpless, again.
The voice came—not Elara's, not Kael's, not anyone's.
"You were born of fire. You are destruction."
He gritted his teeth. "No. I learned to forge with it. To protect."
"Then why are their screams louder than your promises?"
The boy's image crawled forward, eyes melting to ash. "You will never be anything but wrath."
Varek dropped to one knee.
"I remember them every day. That's why I fight."
The image burst into sparks. The Crimson Chain floated down from a flaming pillar.
He reached for it—and the fire didn't burn. It flowed through him.
---
Outside, the others felt the temperature shift. Elara touched the ground.
"It's… calming."
The canyon's walls cooled as Varek emerged, his arms glowing red with quiet embers. The chain coiled around his arm like a living snake.
Kael whistled. "Not bad, hothead."
Varek didn't smile, but the heat in his eyes softened when he looked at Elara.
Kane muttered, "Another one falls."
The porcupine system waddled toward Elara. *"Should I start a love triangle chart? We're dangerously close to K-drama territory."
Kael gasped. "We need background music! Dramatic slow-motion walks!"
Kairo rolled his eyes. "Focus. The next trial lies at the Forest of Forgotten Names."
Zan raised a brow. "That's where you trained, isn't it, Kane?"
Kane looked away. "And where I failed."
---
That night, as stars gathered like whispers above them, Elara offered Varek a small vial of healing balm.
"Your arm still glows. It might scar."
Varek took it, his fingers brushing hers. "I don't mind scars. They remind me I survived."
She smiled. "You're more than your past, you know."
He looked at her then, really looked.
"You keep saying that… like you're talking to yourself too."
She looked away, heart thudding.
Behind the tent, the porcupine system scribbled notes with its quills on bark. "Love Potential: 87%. Spark Index: Critical. Prepare dramatic interruption in 3… 2…"
Kane walked in, eyes dark.
"Elara. I need to speak with you. Now."
---
End of Chapter 12