Chapter Thirty-Seven– Ashes Unaware

Chapter Thirty-Seven– Ashes Unaware

The southern skies above the Scorched Borderlands were veiled with soot and smoke, even when there were no fires. The land was cracked, scorched black like it had once burned from the inside—and maybe, just maybe, it still did.

Kael rode ahead with Lira, now dressed in white-trimmed crimson from the Shrine of Liberty, a faint phoenix etched over her chest like a second heartbeat. Behind them rode Alex, unusually quiet, his magic bracers glinting with layered enchantments.

"I know someone who might be connected to what you're looking for," he said.

"Another swordsman?" Kael asked.

Alex shook his head. "No. He never wanted anything to do with swords. That's why I trust him."

They traveled east, past ruined temples and burned forests, until they arrived at a camp nestled in a small canyon—half buried in soot. There, under the shade of a worn tent, sat a man in plain armor. His hair was short, jet black and wild, his eyes intense—but with a sadness behind them.

"Cristi." Alex dismounted. "I need your help."

Cristi looked up. "Haven't heard you say that since we buried your brother."

Alex stiffened but gave a slight nod. "This one's different."

Cristi's gaze turned to Kael and Lira. "And these two?"

"My friends," Alex said. "One carries fire. The other carries a war inside him."

Cristi gave Kael a long stare. "You're the one they talk about in Ashren. The son of Andrew's sister."

Kael only nodded.

Cristi grinned faintly. "Must be hard, carrying that weight."

The Weight of Ashes

Later that evening, the group gathered around a fire. Lira studied Cristi as he calmly stirred the embers with a stick. There was something… strange about the way the flames flickered when he was near. They didn't roar—they trembled.

"Cristi," Lira asked. "Have you ever felt something… pull at you? Like a heat you can't explain?"

Cristi looked at her, his brow furrowed. "I've had nightmares. Fire swallowing people. Me… standing in the middle of it, untouched."

He laughed it off. "But dreams don't mean anything. Right?"

Lira and Kael exchanged a glance.

Alex leaned forward. "Cristi, there's something you need to know."

Cristi arched an eyebrow. "Oh no. I know that tone."

"You're not just anybody," Alex said. "We think you might be… connected to the second flame. The Fire of Death."

Cristi stood quickly. "You're insane. That's some myth nonsense."

Kael stood as well, calmly. "We're not sure either. But the flames around you… they react to you. The Fire of Liberty didn't even recognize Lira until she accepted who she was. Maybe yours is waiting."

Cristi turned toward the fire again.

It had changed.

The flames were no longer orange—they were deep crimson, flickering with specks of black.

Everyone froze.

Cristi stared, stepping back, his voice unsteady.

"I didn't do that."

The fire flared once, then died—instantly.

Not a puff of smoke remained.

Lira took a breath. "You're not the Flame of Death's bearer…"

Cristi looked confused.

She finished, "You're its prison. It's been sealed inside you all along."

The Shadows Stir

Far to the north, in the ruins of Dream Land's former palace, Andrew stood atop the broken throne room. Mihai beside him, watching the sky turn a pale violet.

"He's been found," Andrew muttered.

Mihai nodded. "I felt it too. The fire stirred."

"And it didn't choose."

Andrew turned to Mihai, his face now half-covered by the shadowy aura that clung to him like smoke. "Then it must still remember."

"Cristi?"

Andrew said nothing.

Then finally, he whispered, "I knew him… once."

Back to the Camp

Cristi sat alone, his hands shaking. Kael sat nearby, watching him with the quiet understanding of a man who had once had a power forced upon him.

"What if I don't want this?" Cristi asked.

"You'll never have a choice," Kael said. "But you can choose what you do with it."

Cristi laughed bitterly. "Easy to say when you're trained by legends."

Kael smiled faintly. "You think I asked for any of this?"

Lira walked over, kneeling beside them.

"We'll help you," she said softly. "Whatever happens."

Cristi looked at the dying embers of the fire. Then he spoke, more to himself than to them.

"I've always been scared of fire. All my life. Maybe now I know why."

He looked toward the sky, where distant clouds gathered in unnatural spirals.

"Let's find out what's next."