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Chapter 19-III – Sigils of Flame
Kaelen's arms burned from the exertion of wielding the sigil, but there was no time to pause. The shadows had retreated for a heartbeat, only to surge forward again, larger, denser, and more purposeful than before. Their forms writhed like liquid smoke, clawing at the edges of reality itself.
Lysera crouched beside him, eyes scanning the treeline. "They're testing our limits. Every move we make, they learn faster. Kaelen… you need to push further—let the mark flow fully."
He nodded, feeling the weight of her words. The sigil on his chest throbbed with energy, a living flame that called to something beyond the forest, beyond the mortal realm. With a deep breath, Kaelen let it flare, sending lines of silver fire skittering across the ground, carving shapes into the earth that glowed like runes.
The shadows hissed, recoiling from the raw intensity, but one surged forward, brimming with a strange, almost tangible anger. Kaelen dodged its strike, then slammed his fist into the earth, unleashing a shockwave that split nearby roots and sent fragments of stone spinning. The shock scattered the shadows momentarily, giving Lysera a chance to strike.
Her dagger moved like lightning, tracing arcs through the mist, slicing a shadow into fragments that evaporated into dark smoke. "Keep moving! Don't let them surround us!" she yelled.
Kaelen's mind raced. He felt the sigil responding to his thoughts, expanding beyond his chest, tracing flaming patterns into the air. He lifted his hands, and arcs of fire leapt outward, forming barriers, blades, and spiked chains that lashed the approaching shadows. The creatures shrieked, twisted, and writhed, but more kept coming, their forms multiplying unnaturally.
Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath them. Roots twisted violently, throwing both Kaelen and Lysera off balance. The shadows froze for a heartbeat, then a towering figure emerged from the darkness—a shape denser, larger, and far more purposeful than the others. Its eyes glowed like molten coal, and every movement seemed deliberate, intelligent, and deadly.
Lysera's breath caught. "That… that's not just a shadow."
Kaelen's chest flared with the sigil, burning hotter than ever. "Then we finish this… now."
The figure lunged, and Kaelen met it head-on. Silver fire clashed with blackened mass, arcs of energy exploding in every direction. Roots splintered, trees groaned, and the forest itself seemed to recoil. Lysera darted beside him, her strikes weaving with his, their movements a synchronized dance of flame and steel.
Each swing, each blast, revealed more of the figure's nature—it was not a mere shadow but a concentration of malice and intelligence, a Watcher's scout perhaps, sent to test the boy. Kaelen realized the sigil's flames were insufficient to destroy it outright; he needed strategy, cunning, and full control of his energy.
Focusing, he drew deeper into the sigil, letting it consume the exhaustion in his veins, letting it flow into his fists and legs, his eyes blazing with silver light. Lines of energy erupted from him like ribbons of flame, circling the creature, binding it temporarily, giving Lysera the opening to strike decisively.
Her dagger pierced its core, a scream of dark smoke erupting into the night, scattering fragments that dissolved into the air. The figure faltered, then collapsed in a twisting heap.
Kaelen staggered, chest heaving, sweat stinging his eyes. Lysera dropped to one knee beside him, panting. "We… we did it. But… that wasn't everything."
From the deeper shadows beyond the clearing, a presence moved—silent, colossal, and deliberate. The forest trembled again. This was no ordinary Watcher scout; it was something greater, a force ancient and patient, watching the boy and his companion with intent.
Kaelen's pulse thundered. The sigil burned hotter than ever, responding instinctively to the approaching power. Lysera stood, her blade raised, eyes sharp. "Kaelen… whatever it is, it's coming for us next."
And somewhere above the mortal plane, unseen eyes shifted in the void. The Watchers had made their observation, their whispers threading across the planes: The Flame awakens. The mortal is no longer hidden. Let the games begin.
The forest fell silent once more, but it was a silence brimming with anticipation—Kaelen and Lysera were far from safe.
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