The Final Trial – Mirror of the Flame
Seina led them to a circle of flame within a frost-covered grove—a rare convergence of opposing spirit energies.
> "This is the Mirror of the Flame. You will not face me," she said. "You will face each other."
The bond pulled taut, humming with spirit resonance.
Suddenly, Christian stood across from Kien… and so did versions of themselves—twisted, darker echoes born from fear, anger, and regret.
Christian's mirror was rage incarnate: fire unchained, blind destruction.
Kien's reflection was pure ice: cold detachment, willing to sacrifice all.
They fought. Hard. But every blow they struck only empowered the illusions. It wasn't a battle of strength.
It was a test of understanding.
Kien reached for the bond, whispering through it:
> "You're more than fire, Christian. You're will."
Christian responded:
> "And you're more than frost. You're purpose."
Together, they turned inward—not to destroy, but to embrace their flaws.
Their bond flared gold for a moment—a third flame.
And the illusions shattered.
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The Prophecy Revealed
After the trial, Kien wandered the temple's inner chamber—guided by instinct. There, etched on the walls by ancient hands, she found it:
> "When flame and frost become one thread, the Ember Gate will open. One shall burn. One shall remain."
She stared at it for a long time.
One shall burn.
One shall remain.
She didn't tell Christian—not yet.
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The Mountain Trembles
Far below, in the mist-choked valley, the Scorch-Eater raised its head. The mountain shuddered.
The countdown had begun.
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To Be Continued…