Morning broke over the Hollow with a sky streaked in bruised gray. A storm brewed on the horizon, its winds whispering warnings through the trees. Chizzy stood on the hilltop overlooking the village, her cloak whipping around her as the wind tugged at her hair. The scroll in her hand trembled, but not from the wind—its magic had grown restless, stirred by something approaching.
Behind her, the others gathered—Aerun, Talia, Kiran, Liora, and now Sera, the newly-revealed Keeper. United, yet tense. The Veil's presence had thickened. The scouts were no longer lurking—they were advancing.
"The message was clear," Sera said, voice tight. "They're preparing for a siege."
Talia nodded grimly. "Then we prepare to defend."
Kiran checked the edge of his blade. "We have two days, maybe less. That's not enough."
Chizzy turned to the group. "Then we don't waste a second. This village isn't just our home—it's the heart of the Hollow. If it falls, the flame's last sanctuary dies with it."
Aerun stepped closer, holding her gaze. "You lead, Chizzy. We follow."
There was no time to let fear sink its teeth in. They split up to organize defenses—fortifying the paths, gathering supplies, and awakening the warding stones around the village's border. Every villager capable of standing was summoned. The elders whispered stories of the last battle fought in the Hollow, when the flame nearly died. None wished to see that darkness return.
Later that day, Chizzy found herself alone in the old temple, the air thick with incense and ancient power. She placed the amulet on the altar once more, hoping it would respond.
A soft warmth spread beneath her fingers. The amulet pulsed—slower now, deeper. It showed no visions this time, only a feeling: unity, strength, fire shared.
Behind her, footsteps approached. She turned to see Aerun, dirt on his hands, a cut above his brow, but his eyes—his eyes held nothing but light for her.
"I saw you on the hill," he said quietly. "You looked like fire."
Chizzy chuckled softly. "I feel more like ash."
He reached for her hand, thumb brushing the edge of her palm. "You burn with purpose. That's what makes you different."
Their fingers intertwined, and the silence between them was deeper than words.
"You know," she said, "when this is over... I want something more than the flame."
His brow rose. "What would that be?"
Her voice faltered, but she met his gaze. "A future. One where we're not just fighting to survive."
Aerun smiled, drawing her closer. "Then we'll make that future. For you, I'd face every shadow the Veil could send."
Their kiss was slow, a tender promise in a world that had given them so few. When they broke apart, the storm outside rumbled louder—but inside, something steadier had rooted itself.
That night, the villagers gathered in the main square. Lanterns glowed against the dark, illuminating faces drawn with fear and resolve.
Chizzy stood before them, flamelight flickering across her features. "The Veil comes not just for our lives—but for our light. We will not let them snuff it out. Stand with me. Stand with the flame."
A roar of agreement rose from the crowd. Torches were lit, blades raised, hearts ignited.
The storm had arrived.
But so had the fire.