The Axis Flame still burned silver when I woke.
I thought it would dim. I thought it would return to gold, settle into memory. But it hadn't. It was brighter. Wilder. Like it had something more to say.
Lucas stood at the balcony, shirtless, arms crossed, his back tense.
"They're here," he said without turning around.
I didn't need to ask who. I felt them too.
Ashen entered a moment later, her eyes dark beneath the silver streaks that never truly faded from her skin. "The Forgotten sent a second envoy."
Lucas grunted. "They want something again."
"No," Ashen replied, her voice lower than usual. "This time, they want everything."
A chill passed through me.
The last meeting ended in unity. In fire. In peace.
But peace was fragile.
Ashara burst into the chamber. "There's a demand scroll. Sealed with void wax."
That was unheard of. Void wax could only be crafted in the Lost North where words weren't just read, they were bound by oath.
I opened the scroll.
Five lines.
