The dungeon pulsed with unnatural heat.
Unlike the Emberfang Caverns, this new dungeon—Cradle of Cinders—had no official classification. It had been discovered two weeks ago during a mana survey and immediately sealed off. The Guild called it unstable. Dangerous. Unpredictable.
Naturally, Aira volunteered.
Dungeon: Cradle of Cinders (???-Rank)
Status: Uncharted
Terrain: Volcanic Depths
Warning: Unregistered Flame Signature Detected
Objective: Unknown
Dungeon Core: Unidentified
Her team had been left behind this time. Instructor Garron signed a waiver—after much yelling and fist-slamming—and reluctantly allowed her a solo entry under "controlled conditions."
She didn't care.
The moment she entered, the flames welcomed her like a long-lost child.
The walls were veins of magma. Smoke curled like serpents. But the fire here wasn't hostile. It breathed with purpose.
Affinity Match Detected: 100%
Flame Resonance increasing… 3%... 5%... 8%...
As she moved deeper, creatures began to stir—Ashborn, fire-spawned elementals with molten armor and ember eyes. She dispatched them easily, her Flame Spiral and Phoenix Heart making her untouchable in this environment.
Still, she felt it: a tug. A silent call from below.
After what felt like hours, she reached the core chamber.
It was massive. A domed hall of blackstone carved in ancient runes—glowing red from the lava pouring through cracks in the floor.
And at the center...
A floating flame, suspended over a stone altar.
No chains. No guards. Just raw, pulsing heat—and an ancient presence that made her skin prickle.
Relic Detected: [Heart of the First Flame]
Origin: Unknown
Warning: Contains Divine Energy
Do you wish to bind the Relic?
[YES] / [NO]
Aira stepped forward, almost without thought.
The fire didn't lash out.
It bowed.
She reached out—
—and touched it.
FWHOOM.
An eruption of light and heat blasted outward. Runes lit up across the chamber. Her system flared.
Relic Bound Successfully.
Passive Unlocked: Flame Sovereign's Blessing
→ +40% flame power
→ Flames gain sentience in critical moments
Phoenix Resonance: 20%
The bond between you and the Primordial Flame is deepening...
Aira fell to her knees, gasping, but not from pain.
It was ecstasy. Connection. She felt every flicker of fire in the dungeon like extra limbs—each flame a whisper of belonging.
And then, a voice echoed in her mind.
"Daughter of Cinders. The ashes remember you."
Her vision flashed—blazing towers, a winged woman wreathed in celestial flame, a war of fire and shadow…
Then it was gone.
The room dimmed. The relic dimmed.
But something within her blazed to life.
When she emerged from the dungeon, the officials waiting outside staggered back from the heat she radiated just by standing there.
Her eyes glowed gold for several seconds before fading.
She didn't speak.
She didn't need to.
The dungeon core had accepted her.
And something ancient was watching now.