When Kael awoke again, it was dusk. The world was tinted in orange and violet, the air heavy with the smell of charred stone. Lira sat beside him, knees drawn close, her sword laid across her lap. She didn't look up when he stirred.
"How long was I out?" Kael's voice came out rough, strained.
"Two days," Lira said quietly. "Eryndor said you were fighting something even while you slept. You kept—" she hesitated "—speaking in a voice that wasn't yours."
Kael rubbed his temples. "It wasn't me. It was the dragon. It… showed me things."
Eryndor appeared from the mist like he'd always been there, his cloak whispering against the stones. "Dreams are doors, Kael. And you've opened one that cannot be closed."
Kael met his gaze. "You said you'd heard the flame too. What did it tell you?"
For the first time since they met, Eryndor's calm wavered. He looked toward the dying sun.
"It told me I was not strong enough to hold it," he said. "And it was right. I tried to bend it to my will, and it devoured everything I cared for."
Lira's eyes widened. "You mean… it killed them?"
Eryndor's tone turned distant. "No. I did."
Silence. Only the wind moved between the three of them.
Kael stood, anger and confusion twisting inside him. "So you want me to end up like you? To lose everyone? What's the point of training me if it just leads there?"
Eryndor's eyes flashed gold for an instant, a flicker of something ancient beneath his weary expression. "Because maybe this time, the flame chose differently. Maybe this time, it wants to remember instead of destroy."
Before Kael could answer, the ground trembled. Lira was on her feet instantly, blade raised. The sky darkened unnaturally fast — as if someone had pulled a veil over the sun.
Eryndor turned sharply. "We're not alone."
Shapes emerged from the mist. Dozens of them — tall, cloaked figures with glowing red eyes and markings carved into their flesh. They moved in silence, forming a circle around the trio.
"The Legion of Shadows," Eryndor muttered. "So soon…"
Kael's eyes glowed faintly, silver fire licking along his arms. "Who sent them?"
A voice echoed from beyond the trees, cold and smooth.
"You already know."
The shadows parted — and a woman stepped forward. It was the same one who had stood beside the Demon Ruler, her runed silks now dark with rain.
Lira's grip tightened on her sword. "Who are you?"
The woman smiled faintly. "You can call me Sereth. It's easier to remember the name of the one who ends you."
Kael stepped forward. "You'll have to try harder than that."
Sereth's smile widened. "Good. I prefer when they fight back."
She raised her hand, and the world screamed. The mist exploded outward as her power surged — black lightning arcing through the ruins. Lira dove aside as Kael summoned his flame, clashing against the dark energy midair.
The shockwave split the ground open.
Eryndor slammed his staff into the earth, summoning a barrier of silver light. "Kael! Remember what the dragon said—don't force it! Listen!"
Kael gritted his teeth as Sereth's magic pressed against his shield. "It's not listening—it's angry!"
Sereth's voice echoed through the chaos. "Good! Let it be angry. That's how we'll find you."
Kael's flames burst outward, sending her flying back through a shattered wall. For a moment, everything went still. Then Sereth laughed — low, delighted.
"Perfect," she whispered. "He's finally waking up."
And just before she vanished in a swirl of shadows, Kael saw it — the mark on her palm, glowing the same silver hue as his veins.
When she was gone, the ruins fell silent again. Kael sank to his knees, shaking, smoke rising from his hands.
Eryndor stepped beside him, eyes grim. "The flame reacts to her. That mark… it's tied to your power."
Kael stared at the place where Sereth had stood. "Then we find her. I don't care what she wants — I'm ending this."
Lira nodded. "Then we'll go together."
Eryndor sighed softly, looking toward the horizon. "Be careful what you chase, Kael. Sometimes the prey is only leading you home."