🔥 Part I – Duel of the Burning Mind
The ruins of the Ash Temple loomed like fractured teeth atop the peak of Mount Nareth.
Aaron stepped across ancient stone, blue fire pulsing faintly from his hand. Behind him, Ashen followed, silent, tense.
Then came the cold.
Lucien Virell walked through the swirling fog as though it parted for him.
His robes moved like smoke. His presence crushed the wind itself.
> "So the boy ascends," Lucien said, voice smooth. "Ready to rewrite the fire?"
Aaron's flame sparked brighter. "No. I'm ready to burn what doesn't belong."
Lucien smiled. "Then let's see what you belong to."
---
The world twisted.
Aaron's mind plunged into a mental plane of shifting ash and fire.
Lucien stood across from him in a temple built of memory and lies.
Visions lashed out:
A child screaming in a cage of mirrors.
Flames devouring a woman with sky-blue eyes.
Lucien whispering: "She chose wrong. She chose weak."
Aaron stood firm.
> "Her choice made me. And now I choose myself."
He formed a blade of blue flame from his palm — no longer raw, no longer afraid.
It struck deep into Lucien's illusion.
---
🌫️ Return to Reality
Lucien stumbled. Blood streaked his cheek. Ashen gasped back into time.
> "You've learned to strike," Lucien said through clenched teeth. "Let's see how you handle what waits at home."
Aaron's flame dimmed, but his resolve burned hotter.
---
🏰 Part II – The Thorn WithinFar below, at the Pierce Estate, the halls whispered.
Kain the steward moved in silence through the western wing, eyes sharp.
He'd been watching the same servant for days—one who polished silver too slowly, who lingered near doors not meant to open.
That night, he found poison in the wine meant for Lord Frankfurt.
---
Inside the chamber, Frankfurt Pierce uncorked a decanter, pouring two glasses.
Across from him sat the very same servant, now stiff with fear.
> "You knew, didn't you?" the man said at last. "That I'm not who I claimed."
Frankfurt sipped slowly.
> "You misquoted a line from House Eldemar's prayer on your first day. I simply waited."
The servant's face twisted. "He told us… once the Skyborn child remembers who he is, he must die. Even you believed that once."
Frankfurt stood.
> "Perhaps. But now… I believe in the fire's choice. And it didn't choose you."
Kain entered, silent as always, and the man was taken away.
---
🔥 Final Scene – Reunion by Fire
Just before dawn, Aaron and Ashen arrived at the estate gates.
Kain met them with his usual nod, then whispered:
> "He's alive. But they're getting bolder."
Aaron's eyes narrowed.
Not in fear.
In calculation.
He stepped into the great hall. Frankfurt was waiting, seated by the fireplace.
> "They tried to poison you," Aaron said flatly.
Frankfurt gestured toward the flames.
> "They'll try again. But now… they know you're the one they need to fear."
Aaron stared into the fire.
It no longer scared him.