Chapter 7: “Shadow of Flame”

The searing winds of Kravin howled along the road leading to the king's castle. Flames still danced on the horizon, painting the sky with a dark red glow. Jyn walked with steady steps, his body bearing the scars of the battle against Garod — a brutal fight he had ended decisively. Garod's head lay on the ground, a silent testimony that this was no symbolic duel.

As he approached the castle gates, his eyes passed over a small village at the city's edge — house after house collapsing under merciless fire. Thick black smoke filled the sky, and the screams of women and children echoed in his ears. He couldn't do anything; the wall of flame surrounding the village was too strong, impossible to extinguish alone.

He stood for a few seconds, heart aching, then whispered to himself:

"This fire is not just Kravin's curse… it's the curse of a world torn apart."

With that pain in his chest, he continued toward the gates, where fate awaited him.

⸻

At the castle gates, Lia suddenly stepped from the shadows, her eyes watchful, a faint gleam of fear in them.

Lia:

"Jyn… I heard what you did to Garod. You killed their strongest commander… but the king? He's different. He's the Shadow of Flame — not easily defeated."

Jyn looked up at the castle with a steady grimace.

Jyn:

"I'm here to take Ngroth, not fight ghosts. If the king stands in my way, so be it."

Lia: (sighing)

"You don't understand what you're facing. The king holds power you've never seen — not just the fire of the sword, but the will of an entire kingdom. Do you really think you can stand against that alone?"

Jyn:

"It doesn't matter how strong he is. I won't back down. This is my fate."

As Jyn approached the castle doors, the sword's voice returned:

Sword:

"Are you ready, Jyn? I want you to fight. I want you to grow stronger — but I don't want you to die. I want to witness your will."

Jyn:

"So… you still think I'm weak?"

He entered and saw the king sitting on the throne, the sword by his side. A tall, imposing man leaned on a great blade, with long red hair — a mark of the royal bloodline.

Jyn stepped forward.

Jyn:

"Are you Corvus Voldar?"

Corvus:

"In the flesh. What do you want from my kingdom, boy of Valmyr?"

Jyn:

"I want the sword Ngroth."

Corvus laughed.

Corvus:

"Why? Are you so weak you must steal what isn't yours?"

He stood, walked toward Jyn, until they were face to face.

Corvus:

"Are you ready to die here, Jyn, son of Ardan?"

Jyn:

"Let's find out, Corvus… of Kravin."

Their swords clashed, sparks and flames erupting. The sound of metal on metal filled the throne hall.

— Corvus unleashed a massive wave of fire, destroying part of the ceiling, debris raining down, the ground shaking.

Corvus:

"Ngroth is a flame that never dies! Surrender or burn!"

— Jyn darted through the wreckage using "Blade Flash", attempting a sneak counterattack.

— Corvus turned suddenly and released a massive column of fire that tore through the air, crashing into Jyn.

— Jyn gasped for air, struggling to stay upright.

Jyn:

"I won't fall… this isn't the end."

— Corvus laughed, closing the distance with burning strikes that etched glowing lines into stone.

Corvus:

"You are a spark… I am Ngroth itself!"

— Jyn summoned "Will Barrier" to block the onslaught, but fatigue was taking its toll.

Just as Jyn was about to fall, his sword Elthan glowed brightly — fire began to swirl around him differently, dancing in hues of blue and red.

— Jyn exploded with the combined power of "Flame of the Sword's Will" and "Blade Flash" in one devastating strike.

— A colossal blast tore through the hall, destroying pillars and walls, forcing the king back.

— With one decisive blow, Jyn sliced through Corvus's neck, leaving a mysterious ring of flame around his sword.

Corvus fell, the castle shaking with destruction. But before his body hit the ground, his spirit rose in flames, glaring at Jyn.

Corvus:

"This isn't the end… the fire of Kravin will never die."

— Jyn caught his breath, looked at his blade, and whispered:

Jyn:

"It's the will that commands the fire — not the other way around."

⸻

Jyn walked toward the volcanic cave behind the castle, where the sword Ngroth was said to be sealed.

— Inside, searing heat melted the rock itself. Suddenly, an old man appeared: Rivano.

Rivano:

"You've carried the will of a sword that once rejected me… You're different. You carry power — and the will to use it."

Jyn:

"Who are you really? Why are you here?"

Rivano:

"I am one who waited for someone worthy. I want you to know… your will shapes your destiny. Not the sword's power alone."

— Rivano vanished into the smoke, leaving Jyn alone with the glowing sword Ngroth.