The sky bled red over the Emberwild as dawn cracked through the mist, casting long shadows across the jungle path. Rivan stood at the edge of the ancient trail, heart pounding. Every step brought him closer to the Temple of Ashes, the birthplace of Flamebearers—and the place where, according to Seris, the Mirror of Flame awaited.
The mirror would show him who he truly was. But… what if he didn't like the answer?
"Tsk tsk tsk…" Kael clicked his tongue behind him. "This place gives me the creeps. Why is the air humming?"
Seris looked ahead, eyes narrowed. "It's the fire leyline. We're walking on a pulse of ancient power. It sings… to those who listen."
"Yeah?" Kael whispered. "Well, tell it to shut up."
"Hahaha…" Rivan chuckled, trying to hide his own nerves.
They pushed through thick foliage glowing with emberlight. Trees whispered as they passed—actual whispers, not just the wind.
"Did that… tree just say my name?" Kael muttered, drawing his dagger.
Seris whispered, "Don't speak back. These trees are guardians. They remember every Flamebearer who ever stepped here."
Rivan's breath grew heavier with each step. Heat pulsed beneath his boots like a second heartbeat. The jungle was alive—burning, breathing, watching.
Then, they reached it.
The Temple of Ashes
Built from molten obsidian and glowing rune-stone, the temple rose like a charred mountain, half-swallowed by vines and ash. Its great fire-gates were shut, sealed with a sigil of two dragons—one devouring the sun, the other spitting flame.
Rivan stepped forward.
FWOOOOOM!!
The sigil lit up, reacting to his presence. Fire snaked through the carvings, illuminating the entire gate.
Kael shielded his eyes. "Woah… now that's a fancy welcome."
With a groaning roar, the gates slowly opened. A wave of dry, ancient heat rolled out like a breath from a sleeping god.
They stepped inside.
Inside, the air was thick with smoke and magic. Flames floated mid-air, suspended like stars. Statues of ancient Fire Kings lined the walls, their eyes empty, mouths slightly open like they were waiting to speak.
Rivan moved carefully, his boots echoing across obsidian floors.
Seris pointed to the back of the temple where a circular chamber lay sealed behind a thick veil of smoke.
"There," she said. "The Mirror of Flame waits beyond."
Rivan approached… and the veil parted.
The Chamber of Truth
The room was circular, with a domed ceiling covered in flame-runes. In the center stood a tall mirror—its surface made not of glass, but ever-shifting fire. It rippled like liquid heat, reflecting not faces… but souls.
Rivan stepped toward it, hands trembling.
"Are you ready?" Seris asked softly.
"No," he replied. "But I need to know."
Kael clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever you see, you're still our fire-brained idiot."
Rivan took a breath, stepped forward—
—and the mirror came alive.
WHOOOOOSH!!
Flames surged upward, encircling him. He was alone. The world disappeared into white heat.
Then, he saw himself.
But it wasn't him.
Visions of the Mirror
The reflection showed a boy with his face—but eyes burning like furnaces. Crowned in flame. Cloaked in shadows.
He stood atop a burning world, bodies beneath his feet, a cruel smile on his face.
"No…" Rivan whispered.
The mirror shifted again.
He saw his mother—Elira—kneeling before a shadowed figure. She wept, begging for power. The shadow touched her belly. Fire bloomed.
His fire.
"You were forged in desperation," the mirror whispered. "Not born… but made."
Then—a scream.
Rivan turned in the vision to see Seris, bloodied. Kael, impaled.
He stood among their corpses, laughing.
"Hahahaha…"
"No! That's not me!" he roared.
"But it could be," the mirror hissed. "You are fire. Creation… and destruction. You choose which."
Rivan fell to his knees, sweating, shaking.
The flames dimmed. The mirror calmed.
When he opened his eyes… the chamber was whole again. Kael and Seris stood just outside the circle of fire.
"Rivan?" Seris called. "What did you see?"
He stood slowly. "What I could become."
Outside the Temple
They sat under the twisted ash-trees, silent. Kael passed him a water flask, but Rivan barely drank.
Seris finally asked, "What did it show you?"
"Everything I feared," he whispered. "The truth about my mother… what I might become if I lose control."
Kael was quiet for once.
Rivan stared into the fire. "The flame inside me… it's not divine. It's cursed. I'm not the heir to a throne—I'm the key to its destruction."
Seris looked at him, firm. "You are what you choose to be. Flame corrupts… but it also purifies."
"Don't go all mystical on me," Kael muttered. "Look, cursed or not, you've saved my hide more times than I can count. That counts for something."
Rivan smiled faintly. "Thanks."
Then—a rumble shook the earth.
Seris stood. "That's not natural."
Suddenly, a roar echoed through the jungle. A terrible, familiar roar.
"NO!" Rivan stood up. "It's him."
The Return of the Wraith-King
From the tree line emerged a figure cloaked in smoke, crowned in emberbone. The Wraith-King. The same enemy who attacked the village, who wielded deathfire and turned armies to ash.
Rivan's hand flew to his sword. "How did he find us?"
The Wraith-King laughed. "Foolish child. Did you think the Mirror of Flame would not alert its master?"
FWOOOOOOM!!
Flames erupted as the Wraith-King summoned a blade of burning black.
Kael cursed. "Tsk tsk tsk… I was hoping for a quiet day."
Seris raised her hands, chanting. Glyphs lit the trees around them.
Rivan stepped forward, eyes blazing. "You want me? Come take me."
The Wraith-King didn't hesitate.
He attacked.
Clash of Fire and Shadow
Their swords collided with a blast of heat that shattered the ground.
CLANG!!
BOOOOOOM!!
Rivan's blade met the Wraith-King's again and again. Fire against deathflame. Will against darkness.
Kael fired arrows from the treetops, covering him. Seris unleashed fire wards that shimmered in the air, deflecting spells.
But the Wraith-King was strong. Too strong.
He knocked Rivan to the ground with a wave of fire. "You are mine, boy. You were always mine."
"No…" Rivan spat blood. "I am not your weapon."
He stood, hand glowing.
"I AM FIRE ITSELF!"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
A pillar of flame erupted around him. The Wraith-King stumbled back, roaring as his cloak burned.
Rivan advanced, every step shaking the ground.
He struck.
SLAAAAASH!!
The Wraith-King screamed as Rivan's blade carved into his chest. Shadows poured out, shrieking.
Then—he vanished.
Smoke remained… but the Wraith-King was gone.
For now.
Aftermath
Rivan collapsed to his knees, gasping.
Kael helped him up, grinning. "Remind me never to piss you off."
Seris looked grave. "He'll return. And stronger."
"I know," Rivan said. "But I'll be ready."
He looked back at the temple.
"I know what I am now. I've seen what I can become."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Rivan smirked.
"I choose to burn for something greater."
To be continued...