Night Fell Like A Shroud Over The Barren Wastes As Kael Lira And Veren Crossed The Forgotten Pass Into The Valley Of Embers A Place Once Whispered About In Ancient Songs Now Buried Beneath Dust And Ash The Wind Howled Low Carrying With It The Faint Scent Of Charred Stone And Long Lost Magic
Kael Walked Ahead His Hand Resting On The Hilt Of His Sword While The Ember Crown's Pull Grew Stronger With Each Step Its Power Beat Like A Second Heart Against His Chest Guiding Him Toward Something Long Dormant
Behind Him Lira Moved With Quiet Resolve Though Her Skin Still Glowed Faintly With The Ash Wyrm's Essence Her Gaze Was Steady Focused The Bond Between Them Had Grown Stronger Forged In Fire And Pain Yet Neither Dared Speak Of What It Might Mean
Veren Whispered A Spell As They Neared A Crumbling Archway The Air Shifted The Shadows Coiled Back Revealing A Hidden Path Lined With Black Obsidian Stones That Gleamed With An Inner Fire
This Was It
The Entrance To The Ember Forge
They Stepped Through The Threshold Into A Vast Hollowed Cavern Lit By Everburning Flames That Hung Suspended In Midair Ancient Forges Lined The Walls Cold Now But Still Humming With Dormant Energy The Ember Crown's Echo Grew Deafening Here
Suddenly The Ground Trembled And A Massive Form Rose From The Ashes A Golem Forged Of Flame And Steel Its Eyes Blazing With Recognition
Only The Worthy May Touch The Flame It Thundered
Kael Drew His Blade And Stood Tall I Am Kael Of The Aetherbound Scion Of Lightbearer Blood We Seek The Ember Crown Not For Power But To Seal What Should Never Have Been Awakened
The Golem Roared And The Flames Reacted Spiraling Toward The Ceiling Then Plunging Down In Fiery Trials That Encircled Kael
Face The Three Flames The Golem Declared Flame Of Courage Flame Of Truth Flame Of Sacrifice
Kael Stepped Forward Into The First Circle Where A Projection Of Taron Appeared The Friend He Had Lost The One Who Had Given His Life For The Seal
You Let Me Burn It Said Will You Do It Again
Kael Closed His Eyes Then Opened Them Firm I Will If It Saves The Realm
The Flame Accepted His Answer And Dimmed
He Moved Into The Second Circle Where Lira Appeared Eyes Hollow Voice Cold If I Lose Myself Will You Kill Me
Kael's Hands Trembled But He Nodded Yes If That's The Only Way To Save You And Eltherion I Will
The Flame Receded Again
The Final Circle Formed A Mirror In The Fire Where Kael Saw Himself Older Wiser Hardened And Alone
Will You Live With The Burden Of Survival The Flame Asked
Yes Kael Whispered Because I Must
All Three Flames Collapsed Into The Crown Which Rose From The Center Of The Forge Floating Suspended In Heatless Flame
Kael Reached Out And Took It
The Moment His Fingers Closed Around The Crown A Rush Of Memories Voices Visions Fire Flooded His Mind But He Held On His Soul Anchored By Purpose
Lira Grabbed His Shoulder And Grounded Him The Flame Within Her Responding To The Crown A Link Forming Between Them Stronger Than Ever
It Is Done Veren Said Quietly But This Power Has A Price
Kael Nodded Then Looked Ahead
Now We End This