The gates of Eldros opened with a heavy groan, revealing the city bathed in anxious silence. Smoke curled in the distance. Townsfolk huddled in corners, children clung to their mothers, and knights patrolled the streets with grim faces.
And then—a golden light crested the hill.
"Look!" someone cried.
All heads turned.
Seraphina rode at the front, cloak billowing, the Ember Sigil glowing on her palm. Beside her was Cassian, his shoulder still bandaged, but his grip steady on the reins. Behind them rode Flamewardens from the Temple of Embers—cloaked figures wielding ancient fire.
A hush fell over the crowd.
"She's back," whispered an old woman.
"She's the Lightbearer," murmured another.
Seraphina dismounted slowly, scanning the faces—so many filled with fear, and yet, as they looked upon her, something began to change. Hope returned to their eyes.
"Where is King Theomund?" she asked a nearby guard.
"In the war chamber, my lady."
Without delay, she strode through the marble halls of the palace, Cassian close behind. She pushed open the doors of the war chamber, where nobles, generals, and King Theomund stood gathered around a map.
They turned—and froze.
"S-Seraphina," Theomund gasped, eyes wide. "Is it true? You… you wield the Everflame now?"
She nodded, lifting her hand. The Ember Sigil glowed softly in the candlelight. "I do. And I bring with me allies from the Flame Temple. We're not alone anymore."
The chamber erupted into murmurs. One noble stepped forward. "But Malrec is already advancing. His army—his beasts—what can one flame do against such darkness?"
Cassian stepped forward. "She isn't just one flame. She is the fire that was promised."
Seraphina locked eyes with the king. "Give me command of the vanguard. Let me lead the first wave."
"You are not a soldier—"
"I am the Lightbearer," she said, her voice firm, unwavering. "And this war is as much mine as it is yours."
Theomund stared at her, then slowly nodded. "Then lead."
---
That evening
Seraphina stood on the battlements, watching as Malrec's army approached like a storm cloud—shadows, beasts, twisted things that once were men.
Cassian joined her, slipping his hand into hers.
"You're afraid," he said softly.
"I am," she admitted.
"Good. That means you still care about what you'll lose."
She turned to him. "You know I won't let anything happen to you, right?"
He smiled faintly. "I was about to say the same thing."
She leaned into him, their foreheads touching for a moment of calm before the storm.
Then, in the distance—black fire lit the sky.
Malrec had arrived.
And the final battle was about to begin.
---