POV: Ariya 🔥🌫️💔
The final chamber was above them — not buried, but risen.
A spiral staircase of gold-fire wound around a glowing core, leading up to a dome suspended over the heart of the mountain. As Ariya climbed, the heat didn't scorch her — it welcomed her. Like the flame recognized its kin.
"You sure this is the way?" Jax called from behind, his voice echoing off the chamber walls.
"If it starts whispering ancient curses, I vote we go back," Lyra muttered.
Kael walked silently beside Ariya, hand close to his blade — not out of fear, but readiness. To fight with her. For her.
They reached the top.
The chamber above wasn't made of stone.
It was made of flame.
Pillars of light crackled like lightning, woven into a dome that shimmered with ever-moving fire. In the center stood a single figure — not flesh, not bone. Just a silhouette made of glowing ash and memory.
"She looks like you," Kael whispered.
Ariya stepped forward.
The spirit turned.
Her eyes blazed gold. Her voice was wind across embers.
"So… you've come."
"You're her," Ariya said. "The First Flamebearer."
"I was," the spirit replied. "And in a way… I still am."
The spirit looked at Ariya's sword, then her mark.
"You carry the last of me. My flame. My guilt."
Ariya swallowed. "Why did you leave this for me?"
"Because I was too weak to carry it myself," the spirit said. "I hoped you would never awaken. That the line would end."
"But it didn't," Ariya replied. "You passed it on. You prepared it."
"Because the world will burn again, child," the First Flamebearer said. "And only the bearer of the last flame can decide how."
She lifted a hand.
The chamber dimmed — and from the fire formed visions.
Cities burning. Armies kneeling. Ruvan on a throne of shadow. Ariya standing alone — fire wreathing her, crown ablaze.
Then another image: The flame guttered. Ariya vanishing into smoke. The world… in balance.
Not ruled.
Not broken.
Reborn.
"Two futures," the spirit whispered. "Power… or peace. Domination… or sacrifice."
"What do I have to sacrifice?" Ariya asked, though she already feared the answer.
"Everything," the spirit said.
Silence fell.
The team stepped closer.
Kael reached for her. "You don't have to—"
"Yes, she does," the spirit said. "Only she can choose."
Ariya stared into the flame, heart pounding.
For so long, she had fought to survive.
To discover herself.
To protect those around her.
And now… the power in her blood demanded a price.
One future would give her control.
The other… would set the world free.
"I don't want to rule," Ariya whispered. "But I won't vanish either."
She raised her sword.
"I'll forge a third path."
The flame cracked.
The spirit blinked.
"What?"
"I won't break the world or claim it," Ariya said. "I'll rebuild it — with them."
She looked back at Kael, Lyra, Jax.
"With us."
The spirit stared at her for a long time.
Then… smiled.
"Then perhaps you are not me, after all."
She reached out, placing her hand over Ariya's heart.
The mark flared.
And the chamber… shattered into light.
When Ariya opened her eyes, she was back in the hallway of the sanctum.
Her sword burned brighter.
Her heart steadier.
The choice wasn't over.
But it was hers.