Between Fire and shadows

The ruins were silent again.

But the fire still burned.

Not the wild blaze from moments ago—this was quieter, simmering just beneath their skin. Kael could still feel it in his veins, like embers waiting for a spark. And from the way Rhia flexed her fingers, eyes unfocused, he knew she felt it too.

Garran broke the silence first. "Well." He exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face. "That complicates things."

Kael turned to him. "You knew."

Garran didn't flinch. "I suspected."

Kael took a step closer. "And you didn't think to mention that we'd be set on fire?"

A muscle in Garran's jaw twitched. "Would you have believed me?"

Kael clenched his teeth.

Rhia let out a shaky breath. "What just happened to us?"

Garran hesitated—then, finally, he spoke.

"The oath wasn't just a promise." His voice was low, steady. "It was a binding. A change. That fire—it's not just power. It's part of you now."

Kael's stomach turned. "Meaning?"

Garran's gaze darkened. "Meaning you won't be able to control it—not yet. And if you don't learn how?" He let the words hang. "It'll consume you."

Rhia's fingers curled. Kael saw the flicker of fire pulse along her wrist before she forced it down.

"So we're cursed," she muttered.

Garran hesitated. "Not cursed. Chosen."

Kael wasn't sure which was worse.

A breeze swept through the ruins, carrying the scent of old stone and something else—something watching. The shadow hadn't left. It was waiting.

Kael's grip tightened around his sword.

"We need to move," Garran said. "That was just the first test. There will be more."

Rhia's eyes met Kael's. He saw the same resolve there—the same unspoken question.

Could they survive this?

Kael exhaled, steadying himself. "Then let's be ready."

Because whatever trial came next—there was no turning back.

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