Chapter 9: The Seventh Flame

> "I will give you treasures hidden in darkness—secret riches. So you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel."

— Isaiah 45:3

Scene 1: Underground Sanctuary, Night

The village slept, but the earth below stirred.

Abraham carried Saral through an abandoned train tunnel once used by smugglers, now repurposed into a sanctuary for forgotten saints. Glowing vines lit the path, feeding on spiritual energy, illuminating scripture-carved walls.

She was still unconscious, wrapped in silence.

He laid her gently on a crystal slab shaped like a cross.

"Forgive me, Saral," he whispered, "for hiding what you are."

A pulse vibrated through the ground — as if the world itself recognized her presence. Old prayers, long buried in the sanctuary's stone, ignited with golden fire.

---

Scene 2: The Revelation

Saral's mind wasn't dreaming. She was remembering.

> "You were born on the day the sun stood still,"

the voice inside her echoed.

"And the stars paused to watch."

A vision poured into her:

She saw her own birth, surrounded by rain even in the driest season.

Abraham standing on a rooftop across the street, looking down at her home.

And most of all — the mark behind her right ear — a burned-in red flame, invisible to the naked eye, shaped like a wing.

That was not a birthmark.

That was the Seventh Flame — the final signal before the Covenant Gate opened.

She opened her eyes. Tears rolled down.

"I know what I am…"

Abraham stepped forward, barely breathing. "Say it."

"I am... not just Saral. I'm the one the saints feared would die too soon. The one born to awaken the others."

---

Scene 3: The First Confrontation

Suddenly, alarms sounded within the sanctuary.

M.E.S.H. agents had traced the energy signature.

A metallic voice echoed through a speaker in the wall:

> "You are harboring a dangerous elemental-class girl.

Surrender her or face extraction protocols."

Abraham's voice was calm. "Come down then. Let's see if your machine hearts can face a praying man."

Saral stood up. Her voice shook, but her eyes were clear.

"I'll go."

"No," Abraham snapped. "This isn't their time."

She walked toward him. "You taught me to choose faith, not fear. Let me face them. If I'm the Flame… I should start burning."

He hesitated — then reached into his coat and handed her a thin silver cross. It glowed as soon as it touched her skin.

"It belonged to my mother. She died protecting a saint."

He looked at her. "I believe she died to protect you."

---

Scene 4: The Saint vs. The Machine

Above ground, rain poured.

Saral stepped into the open field — her cloak flying, cross around her neck, flames flickering around her feet like petals. Five armed M.E.S.H. agents surrounded her.

They spoke in unison:

> "You are identified as S7 — the last signal. Surrender."

"I'm not a signal," she replied. "I'm a daughter."

The lead agent lunged — but the moment his boot hit the wet grass, fire exploded from the ground in a ring around Saral.

She raised her hand.

Lightning struck the circle.

The cross glowed.

And every mechanical weapon in their hands melted.

From the shadows, Abraham prayed with one hand over his chest:

> "No weapon formed against her shall prosper."

---

Scene 5: Aftermath

The agents retreated.

Saral stood alone, her body steaming, her breath heavy.

Villagers peeked from their homes, stunned.

"She saved us…"

"She didn't run…"

"She glowed when she said His name…"

Abraham walked to her, uncovered now. He no longer cared about hiding.

They looked at each other for the first time in truth.

"You're not just a friend," she said. "You're my shield."

He smiled.

"And you," he said softly, "are the spark I was born to protect."

---

Final Scene: The Ancient Tablet

Back in the sanctuary, a hidden wall cracked open behind the altar.

Inside was a stone tablet glowing with writing only Saral could read.

She touched it.

Suddenly, her eyes widened.

"Abraham…" she whispered.

"What is it?"

"It says there are seven like me... but one of them is already lost. And the next will awaken when the moon touches the sea."

Abraham's face grew cold.

"That's... tomorrow night."

---

To Be Continued…