The corridor narrowed, carved from ancient stone laced with glowing ember veins. The air was warm—unnaturally so—and it felt like the walls themselves were watching.
Cassian glanced around, his sword drawn. "Something's off. Stay behind me."
Seraphina rolled her eyes. "You're still injured, remember? I should be the one in front."
He gave her a lopsided grin. "Right. So you can heroically catch me if I faint?"
"I'll let you fall," she teased, but the tension didn't leave her voice.
Just then, they stepped into a grand circular chamber. In its center, suspended above a pool of molten light, floated a glowing sigil—a golden crest surrounded by flickering flame, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"The Ember Sigil," Seraphina breathed.
Cassian whistled. "Beautiful. And terrifying."
As she stepped toward it, her palm began to glow. The Everflame stirred within her, as if reaching for its missing half. "It's calling to me."
"Then answer it," Cassian said gently.
Seraphina took a deep breath and stepped closer to the sigil.
But a voice echoed from the shadows.
"Well, well. The Flameborne girl finally finds her crown."
Seraphina spun around. A figure emerged from the far end of the chamber—a tall, cloaked man with cold, glinting eyes. His face was scarred, and shadows clung to his every movement.
Cassian's eyes narrowed. "You."
"General Kael," Seraphina whispered. "Malrec's right hand."
Kael sneered. "Did you really think you'd reach the Sigil without being followed? Malrec knew the moment your flame awakened. You were never alone."
Cassian stepped in front of her. "Back away."
Kael laughed darkly. "Still playing the brave protector, are we? Pathetic. The girl's power will burn her alive."
"She's stronger than you know," Cassian growled.
Kael raised his hand—and the shadows moved. From the walls, three spectral beasts formed, shaped from darkness and dripping with venom.
"I don't need to kill her," Kael said. "Just delay her long enough for Malrec to arrive."
Seraphina raised her palm. "Then you'll be disappointed."
Cassian moved beside her. "Ready?"
"Born ready," she whispered.
The battle erupted.
Cassian charged one beast, sword clashing with shadow-claws. Seraphina faced the second, her flames meeting its swirling darkness in a violent blast. The third lunged for her—but she spun, summoning a wave of flame that knocked it off course.
Kael watched from the shadows, unmoving. "Let's see how long your fire lasts, princess."
Seraphina's fire flared hotter. "Longer than your cowardice."
The beasts were relentless, but Seraphina and Cassian moved in sync. Every strike, every dodge, was like a dance they had practiced a thousand times.
Finally, with a cry of fury, Seraphina summoned a column of fire and banished the last beast to ash.
Cassian stumbled to her side. "You good?"
She nodded, breathless. "You?"
He winced. "Mostly."
Kael growled, stepping forward—but just as he raised his hand again, the sigil behind Seraphina flared with light.
A force knocked him back.
Seraphina turned, eyes wide. The Sigil floated down to her, hovering just above her hands.
Cassian stepped back. "Take it."
She reached out.
As her fingers closed around the Ember Sigil, a surge of energy poured through her. Visions flashed before her eyes—ancient battles, queens of flame, her mother's voice whispering, "You are the Lightbearer."
Her body glowed with firelight, and when she opened her eyes—they burned gold.
Kael stumbled back, fear now in his eyes. "No… it's too soon."
Seraphina stepped forward, power radiating from her. "You lose."
She raised her hand—and a blast of golden flame erupted.
Kael vanished in a scream, swallowed by fire and light.
Then silence.
Cassian walked up beside her, breathless and stunned. "That... was the hottest thing I've ever seen."
Seraphina burst into laughter. "You're impossible."
"But alive," he grinned.
She held the Sigil close, the warmth grounding her. "We have it. But the real battle is still coming."
Cassian looked at her, pride in his eyes. "Then let him come."
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