The path to the volcano's heart wound through rivers of glowing lava and groves of fire-blooming trees. Heat wrapped around Kael like a blanket, but his dragon blood hummed in response—warm, familiar, no longer overwhelming.
Lira led them into a cave carved into the volcano's side. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and magic. At the center, a massive phoenix perched on a throne of molten rock—its feathers a mix of gold and crimson, its eyes like burning embers.
"The Phoenix Elder," Lira said, bowing. "They've come—Kael Voss, the Emberborn; Leah of the Silverwood; and Merlin the Mage. They seek our help against the Dark One."
The Phoenix Elder spread its wings, a wave of heat washing over them. Its voice was deep, like rumbling thunder: "Welcome, Emberborn. We've waited for you. The stars foretold your arrival—the one who will unite the bloodlines, or let the realm burn."
Kael stepped forward, his voice steady: "Julian plans to free the Soul-Eating Lord. He's already attacked the elves. He'll come for you next. We need your help—to stop him, to protect the griffins, to seal the Dark One."
The Phoenix Elder tilted its head. "Dragon fire is destruction. Phoenix fire is rebirth. To defeat the Dark One, you must master both. You must learn balance."
It leaned forward, a small flame floating from its beak. "Take this. Let it merge with your dragon fire. Feel its warmth—not its rage. Feel its healing, not its destruction."
Kael held out his hand. The flame landed in his palm, soft and gentle. He closed his eyes, focusing on the two fires—dragon and phoenix—willing them to blend. The heat surged, but it was calm, controlled. When he opened his eyes, his palm glowed with a mix of orange and gold—bright, but not burning.
"Perfect," the Phoenix Elder said. "Now, practice. Lira will teach you to wield it—to heal, to protect, to destroy only when necessary."
Over the next two days, Kael trained with Lira. He learned to use the merged fire to heal wounds, to create shields that both blocked and burned, and to launch attacks that were precise, not reckless.
"You're a fast learner," Lira said, as Kael healed a small cut on her hand with a gentle gold-orange flame.
Kael smiled. "Thanks to a good teacher. And the fire— it feels like part of me now."
Lira nodded. "Because it is. Dragon and phoenix fire are two sides of the same coin. Destruction and rebirth. Balance."
A commotion echoed from outside the cave. A young phoenix flew in, its feathers ruffled, its voice urgent: "Elder! Lira! The griffins—they're under attack! Julian's men have surrounded the Ironspine Cliffs!"
Kael's jaw tightened. "Julian. He's moving faster than we thought."
The Phoenix Elder's eyes darkened. "The griffins are the last of the four bloodlines. If Julian captures their heir, he'll have all the blood he needs to break the seal."
Merlin stepped forward. "We need to leave. Now. The Ironspine Cliffs are two days' travel from here. If we hurry, we can reach them in time."
Lira nodded. "I'll come with you. The phoenixes owe the griffins a debt—they helped us during the last Dark War. And you'll need someone who can wield phoenix fire."
The Phoenix Elder spread its wings. "Go. Protect the griffin heir. Unite the bloodlines. The fate of the realm is in your hands."
It leaned forward, a glowing feather falling into Kael's palm. "Take this. It will guide you to the griffin sanctuary. And if you're in danger, it will summon my power."
Kael clutched the feather. "Thank you. We won't let you down."
They hurried out of the volcano, mounting horses Lira had prepared. The Phoenix Valley blurred as they rode, the wind rushing past their ears.
"We need to move fast," Leah said, her bow slung over her shoulder. "Julian's men are well-armed. The griffins are warriors, but they're outnumbered."
Kael nodded, urging his horse faster. The merged fire in his veins burned bright—calm, but ready. He thought of the griffin heir, of the realm, of Julian's cold smile.
He wouldn't let Julian win.
By dusk, they reached the edge of the Ironspine Cliffs—a jagged range of black rocks, rising high into the sky. The sound of clashing steel and shouting echoed from the distance.
" They're already fighting," Lira said, her voice tight.
They dismounted, hurrying toward the sound. As they rounded a bend, they saw the griffin sanctuary—a cluster of stone nests built into the cliffs—under attack. Julian's men swarmed the cliffs, swords drawn, mages casting dark magic. Griffins—massive creatures with the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle—fought back, clawing and biting, but they were outnumbered.
A young griffin—smaller than the others, with white feathers and golden eyes—fought valiantly, but a mage's dark spell hit it, sending it crashing to the ground.
"That's the griffin heir," Lira said. "We need to help them."
Kael summoned his merged fire, a sword of orange and gold burning in his hand. "Let's go."
They charged into the fight. Kael swung his sword, slicing through a mercenary's armor. Leah fired arrows, hitting mages before they could cast spells. Lira launched phoenix fire, healing injured griffins and burning Julian's men. Merlin raised his staff, vines erupting from the ground to wrap around the attackers.
Kael reached the griffin heir, who was struggling to stand. "Are you okay?"
The heir nodded, its voice rough: "I'm Gareth. The griffin heir. Thank you—we were about to fall."
"Save your strength," Kael said. "We're here to help."
He turned, launching a wave of merged fire. The flames washed over a group of men, burning their armor but not their skin—precise, controlled, just as Lira had taught him.
The griffins roared, emboldened by their arrival. They launched a counterattack, driving Julian's men back.
Within minutes, the fight was over. Julian's men fled, leaving their dead and injured behind.
Kael let out a breath, dismissing his sword. The griffin heir—Gareth—stepped forward, bowing its head.
"Thank you," Gareth said. "You've saved the griffin tribe. We owe you a debt."
Kael smiled. "No debt. We're allies now. We need to unite—the four bloodlines. Only together can we stop Julian and the Soul-Eating Lord."
Gareth nodded. "The griffin elder will want to speak with you. Come—we'll take you to the sanctuary."
They followed Gareth up the cliffs, the wind rushing past their ears. The griffin sanctuary was bustling with activity—healers tending to the injured, warriors sharpening their weapons, elders discussing strategy.
At the center of the sanctuary, an old griffin—its feathers gray, its eyes wise—sat on a stone throne.
"The Griffin Elder," Gareth said, bowing. "They've come—the Emberborn, the elf, the phoenix, and the mage. They saved us from Julian's attack."
The Griffin Elder nodded, its voice deep: "Welcome. We've been waiting for you. The four bloodlines are united at last. Now, we must prepare. Julian will return—with the Soul-Eating Lord."
Kael's jaw tightened. "He's already freed him?"
The Griffin Elder shook its head. "Not yet. But the seal is weak. He's gathering the last of the blood he needs—yours. He'll come for you soon."
Merlin stepped forward. "We need to prepare. To strengthen the seal. To train. To fight."
The Griffin Elder nodded. "You will stay here. We will train together. We will prepare. And when Julian comes—we will be ready."
Kael looked at Leah, Lira, and Gareth. They were his allies now—his friends. The four bloodlines, united.
The fire in his veins burned bright, warm and steady.
Julian was coming. The Soul-Eating Lord was coming.
But this time, Kael wasn't alone.
He was ready.