Chapter 19: The Pale Flame Marches

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Far across the continent, beyond holy mountains and consecrated fields, the great citadel of Sol Ascendant burned with white light.

The bell tower rang only once.

That was enough.

From the upper sanctum, armored knights turned their heads.

Choirs fell silent.

Clerics whispered prayers of binding and flame.

Something had moved in the dark.

And the Flame had noticed.

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Inside the flame-wrought chamber of the High Seraph Council, robed figures stood beneath stained-glass halos.

Twelve in all.

Only one spoke.

A voice like sunfire and judgment.

> "The Hollow Stone Keep has responded. The Relic is no longer inert."

A murmur ran through the others.

> "That site was cleansed. Erased. How…"

> "Blood." The Seraph nodded. "His blood."

Another figure stepped forward, tall, encased in ceremonial silver armor, visor glowing faintly gold.

The First Blade of the Ascension.

> "Then the child of the lost bloodline still breathes."

> "No longer a child," another corrected. "No longer hidden."

The central Seraph raised a hand, quieting them all.

> "Dispatch the Pale Flame."

The chamber dimmed as all candles flickered.

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Somewhere else… deep in a sacred vault:

A golden coffin unsealed itself.

Chains of light broke with a shiver.

And a knight without eyes stepped forward, skin charred but whole.

He spoke no words.

But the world felt his awakening.

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Back in the Hollow Stone Keep, Kael sat beneath the throne, his chest still burning with the mark of Crimson Core.

He didn't know why, but the air had changed.

As if something holy had begun to walk.

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End of Chapter 19

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