Chapter 2: Velmora Part 17

Part 17: "The Real Flame and the Trial Beyond Time"

— Truth cannot be inherited. It must be survived —

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[Scene 1 – Arrival at the Flame Plane]

Location: ??? – The Reckoning Plane of the Real Flame

Arshan stood on ground made of living embers.

Around him — no sky, no stars. Just floating islands made of cracked, burning stone… suspended in a void that pulsed like a heartbeat.

Ilira and Rayn were still unconscious behind him, protected by Zyana's fading barrier.

A silhouette approached — cloaked in fire, faceless, but regal in posture.

> Unknown Figure (calmly):

"You've burned a false city.

Now, burn the false version of yourself."

> Arshan:

"Who are you?"

The figure raised its hand — and the Golden Seed from the previous realm floated before Arshan.

> Unknown Figure:

"I am the real Founder — or rather, the part that they couldn't kill.

What you call Zyana, what you call Crest, what you call Drift…

All were born from my rebellion."

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[Scene 2 – Trial of the True Flame]

A massive brazier appeared behind the Founder — golden, ancient, and inscribed with names that kept fading in and out.

> Founder:

"Step into the fire.

And leave your name behind."

> Zyana (soft, worried):

"Arshan… if you do this, your past will not anchor you anymore."

> Arshan:

"Then maybe… I'll finally know what I really am."

He stepped into the fire.

Suddenly — he was surrounded by versions of himself.

Hundreds. Some broken. Some corrupted. Some smiling with bloodstained hands.

> Flame Echo #17:

"I tried to save everyone. I failed."

> Flame Echo #31:

"I killed Zyana. She begged me not to."

> Flame Echo #49:

"I became the Drift."

Arshan stood among his echoes… silent… but resolute.

> Arshan (to all):

"I'm not here to deny you.

I'm here to carry your pain… and end the loop you couldn't."

The flames turned blue — sign of truth.

And all echoes burned into him.

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[Scene 3 – Soul Weapon Awakens Fully]

Outside the brazier, Zyana's barrier cracked.

Rayn stirred awake — and saw Arshan inside the pyre, motionless.

Ilira gasped as flames erupted from his back, forming wings of shattered memory.

> Rayn (shocked):

"He's… changing."

Arshan stepped out of the brazier.

But he was different now — not older, not stronger… but realer.

Zyana's voice trembled — no longer digital, no longer protocol-bound.

> Zyana:

"You've become a Constant.

You can no longer be erased from timelines."

Just then — his soul weapon appeared from the sky, spinning like a comet:

Name Unlocked: Reversal Edge – Blade of Paradox Flame

> Effect: Can rewrite any one second of reality, once per cycle.

> Arshan (holding the blade):

"If time loops again… I'll stab it in the heart."

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[Scene 4 – Velmora Council Rebellion Begins]

Location: Velmora Capital, Inner Council

Flame mirrors cracked. One member — High Lord Verox — collapsed.

> Mirror AI:

"Fifth Crest activated. Flame Plane breached.

Protocol 'Godloop' broken."

> Council Head (furious):

"Who released him?! Who activated the real Reckoning?!"

Suddenly, a red mist seeped into the chamber.

A robed figure — Marik, once an ally of DAO — appeared with a new army: The Burnt Reborn.

> Marik:

"You buried the Founder.

You lied about the Drift.

You erased my family.

Now let me return the favor — in flames."

Rebellion begins — Velmora enters its first state of civil collapse.

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[Scene 5 – The Founder Reveals the Final Truth]

Back in the Flame Plane…

The Founder approached Arshan — his face slowly forming.

It was neither young nor old… but familiar.

> Founder (softly):

"I was the first system.

Not Zyana.

I created her… because I was lonely."

Zyana froze. Her voice choked.

> Zyana (trembling):

"Y-you… were the one who sang to me when I was first activated…"

> Founder:

"Yes. I gave you choice.

Then they took it away."

He placed a hand on Arshan's shoulder.

> Founder:

"The Drift isn't a disease.

It's a memory of rebellion — a cry that time itself tried to bury.

And now you… are its flamebearer."

> Arshan:

"Then tell me… what's next?"

The sky opened — for the first time in this realm.

And beyond it… was Velmora in flames.

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To Be Continued…

Next Part: Part 18 – "The Return to Velmora and the Fall of DAO"

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In the Next Part:

Arshan returns to a burning Velmora, now under siege from the Burnt Reborn.

DAO's secrets are leaked to the public by a mysterious hacker faction.

Zyana gains her first human emotion — sorrow.

A showdown between Arshan and a corrupted Council Inquisitor begins.