The sky above Elyria had turned blood-red.
Mayan and Raian stood on the edge of the ruined forest, breathless from their escape. Behind them, the ancient chamber had collapsed into itself, sealed once more beneath the earth. But they both knew—they had awakened something far worse than they could have imagined.
Suddenly, the wind howled. Trees bent and cracked, and the clouds above churned like a storm was being summoned.
Raian pointed toward the horizon. "Look!"
In the distance, a massive black spire rose from the ground. It cracked through the earth like a claw, stretching toward the heavens. Around it, the sky rippled unnaturally.
"That wasn't there before," Mayan whispered.
"It's him," a voice said behind them.
They turned to see an old woman approaching, cloaked in dark green robes, eyes glowing faintly with silver light. She carried a wooden staff wrapped in living vines.
"Who are you?" Raian asked, stepping protectively in front of Mayan.
The woman bowed her head. "I am Elira. Keeper of the Last Flame. And that..." she pointed toward the spire, "is the Citadel of Shadows. He has returned."
Mayan swallowed. "The Shadow King."
Elira nodded grimly. "He was once one of us—a Guardian of Flame. But he sought to claim the fire for his own, to twist it for dominion. When the Eternal Flame rejected him, he cast a curse upon the land, sealing himself in sleep, waiting... waiting for someone to awaken the flame once more."
Raian clenched his fists. "So we did exactly what he wanted?"
"No," Elira said gently. "You didn't awaken him. You awakened hope. And now, you must finish what was started centuries ago."
She held out her staff. From its center, a tiny flame sparked into life—silver and gold, glowing with warmth and power.
"This is the Heartfire. A fragment of the Eternal Flame itself. Only those bound by destiny can carry it."
Mayan reached out. The flame floated into her palm, and instead of burning her, it wrapped around her fingers like a gentle ribbon.
"You are its chosen bearer now, Mayan," Elira said softly. "And he—" she looked toward Raian, "—is your shield. But you will need more than courage to face what lies ahead."
Suddenly, the earth trembled again. From the black spire, a wave of darkness surged outward, swallowing the light around it. In the center of that shadow, two red eyes slowly opened—watching.
A voice rumbled across the sky.
"You cannot hide from me, Flamebearer. The fire will be mine."
Mayan stood firm, her eyes fierce. "Then let him come. We'll burn brighter than his darkness."