The Ironspine Cliffs' highest peak stood silent, the wind howling through the rocks, the sky a pale blue. Kael sat cross-legged on the stone, his eyes closed, his hands resting on his knees. The merged fire in his veins hummed faintly—dragon fire and phoenix fire still clashing, but quieter now, thanks to days of meditation. Gareth stood nearby, in his humanoid form, watching over him, his golden eyes scanning the horizon for threats.
"You're getting closer," Gareth said, his voice low. "The fire is more balanced than it was yesterday."
Kael opened his eyes, a faint smile on his face. "It's still hard. The dragon fire wants to rage, to destroy. The phoenix fire wants to heal, to calm. They fight against each other, like two parts of me that can't coexist."
"Because you've been choosing one over the other," a voice said.
Kael and Gareth turned. Merlin stood at the edge of the peak, his staff in hand, his face serious. He'd returned three days ago, after leaving Kael at the crater, his resolve renewed.
"Merlin," Kael said, surprise evident in his voice. "I thought you left. I thought you didn't want to follow me anymore."
"I didn't," Merlin said, stepping forward. "But I couldn't abandon the realm. And I couldn't abandon you. You're the Emberborn, Kael. The only one who can mend the light. But you can't do it if you keep choosing dragon fire over phoenix fire, or phoenix fire over dragon fire. You need to balance them. To embrace both parts of your magic."
He sat cross-legged in front of Kael. "The merged fire isn't just dragon and phoenix—it's destruction and healing, anger and calm, darkness and light. You need to stop fighting the split and start embracing it. To use dragon fire to protect, not to destroy. To use phoenix fire to heal, not to weaken. Only then will you be able to mend the light."
Kael nodded, closing his eyes again. He focused on his magic—on the dragon fire's rage, on the phoenix fire's calm. He didn't force them to merge, didn't choose one over the other. He let them breathe, let them coexist. Slowly, the merged fire glowed brighter, steady and balanced, the split fading.
"I feel it," Kael said, his voice filled with wonder. "They're working together. Not fighting."
Merlin smiled. "Good. Now, we need to practice. To use the merged fire in battle, to control it, to balance it. Because the darkness isn't gone. Alaric isn't gone."
Kael's eyes widened. "What do you mean? We destroyed the dark core. Alaric dissolved into black smoke."
"His body dissolved," Merlin said, his voice grave. "But his soul didn't. Dark magic is tricky, Kael. It clings to life, even when the body is gone. Alaric's soul escaped the crater, and it's been hiding—possessing a Crimson Order remnant, waiting for a chance to strike."
Gareth's jaw tightened. "How do you know this?"
"I've been scrying," Merlin said. "Using ancient magic to track the dark magic. I found him—hiding in a small village in the northern mountains, possessing a former Crimson Order knight. He's gathering the remaining members of the Crimson Order, harvesting the last of the dark magic, and preparing for something. Something big."
Kael stood, the merged fire glowing faintly in his palms. "We need to stop him. Now. Before he can carry out his plan."
Merlin nodded. "But we can't do it alone. We need the phoenixes. We need the elves. We need the alliance. And that means you need to talk to Lira. To apologize. To show her that you've changed, that you've balanced your magic."
Kael's face fell. "She won't listen to me. She thinks I'm a monster."
"She thinks you're a destroyer," Gareth said. "But you're not. You're the Emberborn. You just need to prove it to her."
Kael nodded, his resolve hardening. "I'll go. I'll find Lira. I'll apologize. I'll show her that I've balanced my magic. I'll mend the alliance. For the realm."
Merlin smiled. "Good. Gareth and I will gather the griffins and the remaining human knights. We'll meet you at the Firepeak Mountains in three days. If you can convince Lira to return, we'll march north together. We'll stop Alaric. We'll mend the light."
Kael nodded. He turned to Gareth. "Thank you. For staying with me. For believing in me."
Gareth smiled. "I always have. And I always will."
Kael mounted his griffin, the merged fire glowing brightly in his palms. He took flight, soaring toward the Firepeak Mountains, his heart heavy with hope and fear.
Three days later, Kael landed at the phoenix sanctuary's entrance. The phoenix warriors stood guard, their feathers ruffled, their eyes cold.
"Lira is in the main chamber," one warrior said, his voice sharp. "She said to let you in. But if you try anything, we'll kill you."
Kael nodded. He walked into the volcano, the air growing hotter as he went. The main chamber was empty, except for Lira, who sat on the throne of molten rock, her red hair tied back, her eyes like embers.
"You came," she said, her voice cold.
"I did," Kael said, stepping forward. "I came to apologize. For burning the town. For losing control. For choosing dragon fire over balance. I'm sorry, Lira. I let you down. I let the phoenixes down. I let the alliance down."
Lira stood, her hands glowing with phoenix fire. "An apology isn't enough, Kael. You burned innocent people. You turned brother against brother. You made the prophecy come true."
"I know," Kael said. "But I've changed. I've balanced my magic. Dragon fire and phoenix fire—working together, not fighting. I'm not the destroyer you think I am. I'm the Emberborn. The one who can mend the light."
He held out his hand, the merged fire glowing brightly—gold and orange, steady and balanced. "Look. I've balanced it. I can control it. I can use it to protect, not to destroy. To heal, not to weaken."
Lira's eyes widened. She stepped forward, her hand hovering over Kael's palm. The merged fire warmed her hand, its balance evident.
"You've balanced it," she said, her voice filled with surprise.
Kael nodded. "I have. And I need your help. Alaric isn't gone. His soul is possessing a Crimson Order remnant. He's gathering his forces, harvesting the last of the dark magic, and preparing for something big. We need the phoenixes. We need the alliance. We need you."
Lira closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. When she opened them, her eyes were filled with resolve. "I'll help you. The phoenixes will help you. But if you lose control again—if you choose dragon fire over balance—I'll kill you myself."
Kael smiled. "I won't. I promise."
Lira nodded. She turned to the phoenix warriors, who had gathered at the chamber's entrance. "Phoenixes, gather. We're returning to the alliance. We're going to stop Alaric. We're going to mend the light."
The phoenix warriors cheered, their voices echoing through the chamber.
Kael and Lira walked out of the sanctuary, mounting their griffins. They took flight, soaring toward the Ironspine Cliffs, their hearts filled with hope.
When they arrived, Gareth, Merlin, and the remaining warriors were waiting. Leah stood among them, her silver eyes filled with surprise and hope.
"Leah," Kael said, stepping forward. "I'm sorry. For everything."
Leah smiled. "I know. I heard about the balance. I'm sorry too. For leaving you. For not believing in you."
Kael nodded. "The alliance is back. Together, we'll stop Alaric. We'll mend the light. We'll save the realm."
The warriors cheered, their voices echoing through the cliffs.
They marched north, Kael at the front, his flame sword glowing with the balanced merged fire. Lira, Leah, Gareth, and Merlin stood beside him, their magic glowing brightly.