Flames That Spea

The ancient Flame Shrine was silent—its brazier long thought ornamental, symbolic.

But tonight, it answered.

Kai remained still, the heat of Vaelorn's voice settling over him like smoke.

"You called?"

Vaelorn's tone was almost amused. But beneath it… weight. History. Fire.

Kai clenched his fists.

"What are you planning?"

Silence.

Then a flicker—the brazier blazed to life, shadows twisting unnaturally along the shrine walls.

"I'm not planning," Vaelorn said.

"I'm correcting. What was broken must be burned. You of all people should understand that."

"You tried to destroy the sect."

"No. I tried to free it. The same way you are now."

Kai's breath caught.

Because part of him agreed.

"So what are you offering?" he asked quietly.

A low chuckle.

"Not alliance. Not yet. Just… conversation. If you want to change the sect, you'll need more than fire."

"You'll need truth."

A small flame drifted from the brazier and hovered before Kai. Inside it: images. Memories.

He saw a young Vaelorn, laughing with disciples. Guiding others. Inspiring them.

Then—his proposals. His warnings. His fall.

"They chose fear," Vaelorn said bitterly.

"They bound me, erased me, then fed the next generation the same poison."

Kai felt the weight of it. Not justification—but pain.

"But you burned the tree," Kai said. "You risked everything."

"Because they left me nothing."

The flame dimmed.

"You're not me, Kai," Vaelorn whispered.

"You've gathered sparks. You might still choose light over ash. But choose soon."

"Because when war comes…"

"…you'll have to decide what you're willing to burn."

Then the fire vanished—leaving only embers.

Kai stood alone again, but the silence felt… louder.

Later that night, Linya found him staring at the dead brazier.

"You look like you saw a ghost."

Kai nodded slowly.

"Maybe I did. Or maybe I saw the future… if I fail."

She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Then don't fail."