The rain had stopped hours ago, but the air still smelled of smoke.
Kael sat at the edge of the broken temple, staring into the horizon. The storm clouds had cleared just enough to reveal the dying light of dawn — a cold, colorless thing that made the world look like it had been drained of life.
Aeryn approached quietly, her steps cautious. She carried a cloak and a small vial of healing draught, though she knew it would do little for him now. His wounds ran deeper than flesh.
"You should rest," she said softly.
Kael didn't answer. His gaze was fixed on the sigil burned into his arm — the crimson rose, still faintly pulsing beneath the skin. Every few seconds, it flickered, sending a faint warmth through his veins… and then a jolt of pain, like molten iron beneath his flesh.
"It's spreading, isn't it?" she whispered."Yes," he said. "Serath's fire has found its way back to me."
He flexed his fingers, watching faint sparks of black flame dance between them before fading into smoke.The sight terrified her — not because of the power, but because of how calm he seemed while it consumed him.
"You can fight it," she said. "You always have.""No," he replied. "I've only delayed it. The Flame of Aterion doesn't belong to anyone. It uses us until we're nothing but ash."
Aeryn knelt beside him.
"Then let it use me instead."
Kael turned to her sharply, his eyes glowing faintly gold.
"You don't know what you're saying.""Yes, I do," she said, voice trembling but steady. "If this power is a curse that feeds on the living, then maybe it can be shared. Maybe it doesn't have to end with you."
For the first time in days, he laughed — a quiet, bitter sound.
"You'd burn for me?""I'd burn with you," she answered.
Their eyes met — gold and violet — and for a moment the ruins seemed to hold their breath. The air shimmered faintly, warmth blooming between them.Then Kael looked away.
"You don't understand. The fire doesn't care about sacrifice. It destroys love first — because love is the only thing stronger than it."
Aeryn reached out, gently taking his hand. His skin was fever-hot. She could feel the pulse of the flame beneath it, like a second heartbeat.
"Then we'll teach it what it means to lose."
Kael opened his mouth to protest — but stopped. Because at that moment, something inside him broke. Not from pain, but from memory.
He saw Serath's face again, years ago — before the fire, before betrayal. The brotherhood they had shared. The same arrogance. The same temptation.And he realized what Serath had meant.They were not enemies. They were mirrors — reflections of what the other had chosen to become.
"He said I am the fire," Kael murmured. "Maybe he was right.""Then I'll be the storm that keeps it from spreading," Aeryn said.
Before he could reply, a sudden tremor shook the ruins. The earth split slightly near the altar — a crack glowing with red light from beneath.Kael stood instantly, drawing his sword.
"They've opened a rift," he said. "Serath's not done yet."
Aeryn's staff lit with violet flame.
"Then neither are we."
From the fissure, shapes began to crawl — shadow-creatures made of molten ash, their eyes glowing the same dark red as Kael's brand. They hissed like dying coals, whispering in a language older than light.
Kael moved first, his sword cleaving through one of them, but the act sent a pulse of pain through his arm — the flame inside him rejoiced.He staggered. Aeryn struck next, weaving a circle of light that burned the creatures back, but more kept coming.
"Kael!" she shouted. "You're losing control!""I know!" he roared, his voice echoing unnaturally.
The flame inside him erupted — not fire, but shadowfire. It spread across his arms, his chest, his face, until half of him was wreathed in darkness. His golden eye turned red.
"Get back!" he growled.
But Aeryn didn't move. Instead, she ran toward him, placing both hands on his chest. The moment she touched him, her magic surged — violet light clashing with black flame.
For an instant, the world vanished into white.
When the light faded, the creatures were gone.Aeryn lay unconscious beside him, and Kael was on his knees, the mark on his arm dimming — almost gone.
He looked at her, eyes wide. She had done it. She had taken part of the curse into herself.
"Aeryn…" he whispered, touching her face. "Why?"
Her lips moved faintly, barely a whisper.
"Because you're not alone anymore."
Kael closed his eyes. For the first time in years, he felt something other than pain.
But far away, on the horizon, a tower's beacon flared again — brighter, fiercer.The Crimson Order had seen the surge of power.They were already on their way.
And Serath…Serath was smiling.