The wind was warm that morning—gentle, coaxing, laced with the scent of blooming myralis and the quiet hush of peace.
Seris walked alone through the newly-formed Emberfall Gardens, barefoot on dew-kissed stone. Around her, the world was healing. Trees grown from seed and spell stretched skyward. Rivers sang softly between enchanted aqueducts. The air shimmered—not with fire, but with promise.
And yet, beneath it all, something stirred.
A whisper.
A flicker.
The final spark.
She paused at the Wellspring edge, where the ancient waters lapped at the foundation of the Flameheart citadel's ruins—now remade into a sanctuary. Her reflection danced across the surface: not crowned, not cloaked, just her.
"I see you," she whispered.
And for a moment… the Wellspring answered.
A single ember rose from its depth, hovered before her, then vanished into the wind.
---
Ashra found her a short while later, pacing in the observatory chamber, parchments strewn across the table.
"I thought you said you were done planning," Ashra said, amused.
Seris rubbed her eyes. "I thought so too. But I can't shake the feeling that something remains unfinished."
Ashra moved beside her, scanning the maps, sketches, arcane diagrams. "You're talking about the pulse."
Seris nodded. "It wasn't the Shadow. Not entirely. It was something beneath even that."
Ashra's smile faded. "Deeper than the Void?"
"Deeper than memory."
Ashra's flame dimmed. "Seris… you don't have to carry this alone anymore. You gave us hope. We can bear the rest."
Seris looked at her friend. "I know. But this… I think only I can find it."
Ashra sighed, but reached out, squeezing her hand. "Then I'll keep the hearth burning until you return."
---
She didn't tell Kaelen until twilight.
They sat by the cliffs overlooking the Emberline, watching the rivers of molten light pulse beneath the surface—an endless heartbeat of the realm.
"You're leaving," he said quietly.
She didn't deny it.
"I saw something in the Wellspring. Something old. It doesn't want to hurt us. But it needs to be remembered."
Kaelen stared at the horizon. "And you think you can find it?"
"I have to. The Spark that lit all elements—the First Flame. If it's real, if it still exists, it could shape not just Emberfall… but everything."
He turned to face her fully. "And if it consumes you?"
She touched his face, gentle, burning with devotion. "Then you'll come find me. Just like you always do."
Tears brimmed in his eyes. "Seris…"
She kissed him softly. "This isn't goodbye. It's just another flame to follow."
---
At dawn, she departed.
No royal procession, no farewells in court. Only Ashra, Arin, Kaelen, and a single pack slung across her shoulder.
She wore no crown, but flame trailed her every step, woven into her coat, her boots, her bones.
Seris Flameborn, Reforged Sovereign, Daughter of Solvyris.
She looked back only once.
"Take care of them," she said.
"We always will," Ashra replied.
Arin grinned. "Come back with something shiny."
Kaelen stepped forward last. "Come back whole."
She nodded.
Then walked into the edge of the Wellspring's light.
And vanished.
---
Time passed.
Days into seasons. Seasons into years.
Emberfall grew. Thrived. Stumbled and learned. Elemental academies replaced fortresses. Flame and frost and sky danced in harmony. No single ruler rose—but many voices led.
Ashra became the first Flamekeeper. Arin trained a new generation of pact-bearers. Kaelen—he remained on the Flamebridge, watching the Wellspring every dusk, a silent promise in his heart.
And one evening, the sky split.
Not with war.
Not with fear.
But with light.
A single spark streaked across the horizon, brilliant, golden-red, trailing the colors of every element.
Kaelen stood slowly.
His heart knew before his eyes could see.
At the cliff's edge, a figure emerged—dusty, weary, but standing tall.
Seris.
She smiled.
In her hand, a flame danced.
Not wild. Not fierce.
But eternal.
"The First Spark," she said, stepping into his arms. "It's not a weapon. It's a seed."
He held her close, burying his face into her shoulder.
She whispered, "And it's time we plant it together."