Chapter 115: A Flame Unchained

The hidden chamber still echoed with the afterglow of Lysaria's awakening. Though her form had faded, the truth she left behind now coursed through Chen like molten light, steady and warm.

Sarina unfurled the sacred map once more. "With this Vault's location, the Flame Court's spies will be closing in fast," she said. "But if what you carry now can nullify divine suppression... we might have a window."

Ye Yue leaned over the map, tracing paths carved in divine language. "This region here—where the ley lines intersect—if Chen unleashes the Ember of Liberation there, we can shatter the wards protecting the Dominion Spire."

Lanmei added softly, "That would expose the central relay of the Flame Court's command network. If we break that, it throws their entire war front into disarray."

Chen stood still, the Soulflame within him pulsing like a heartbeat. "I can feel more now—not just the courts. The pain of the mortals still praying for relief. The gods who turned away from them… and the ones still watching, hidden."

He looked at his bonded—Ye Yue's divine calm, Lanmei's fierce loyalty, and Sarina's cunning.

"If we hit the Spire," he continued, "we don't just take out a stronghold. We send a message. That the forgotten truths—desire, unity, flame born of love—can't be sealed away anymore."

[GROUP STRATEGY PHASE UNLOCKED] Mission: Shatter the Dominion Spire —Primary Objective: Disable Flame Court Command Nexus —Secondary Objective: Expose sealed divine pathways within the Spire —Bonus Effect (Active): Soulflame Synergy will empower all bonded allies during coordinated action

Warning: Risk of high-tier divine confrontation imminent.

Sarina grinned, excitement glittering in her eyes. "I'll start prepping illusions and interference sigils. With your new flame, we can mask the approach—maybe even fool their Scrying Eyes."

Lanmei nodded. "And I'll draw the defensive formations we'll need on approach. We can't just hit them—we have to last long enough to make it count."

Ye Yue looked at Chen, voice like flowing silver. "You've crossed the threshold. What we do next isn't rebellion—it's revelation. We stand with you, no matter how deep this war goes."

Chen reached out, resting a hand over each of theirs. "Then let's set the world ablaze with the truth."