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Chapter 32 - Chapter 29: The Trial of Flame

đź“– Chronicles of the Watchers

Chapter 29: The Trial of Flame

The square before the Sun-Temple overflowed with bodies. Priests in gold masks lined the steps, soldiers with spears pressed back the crowd, and above them all, the Dawn-Throne blazed with waiting fire.

Kairo's wrists were bound in chains, but the people's eyes chained him more. Thousands stared, whispering his name like both prayer and curse.

"The miracle-bearer."

"The heretic."

"The fire-born."

The high priest raised his arms, voice booming across the square.

"By the throne, we test the chosen. If he holds the fire, he is Dawn's will. If he burns… he is Shadow's lie."

The chains were struck off. Kairo stepped forward. His heart pounded with each rung of the stairs.

Azariel's voice coiled through his mind.

"Look at them. Waiting for you to fall. Waiting for you to fail. Burn them, and no one will doubt again."

Kairo's lips trembled. "Be silent."

The throne pulsed with fire, eager, alive. When he sat, the flames leapt around him, licking his skin without consuming. Gasps rippled through the crowd.

The priests began to chant. Golden chains of light slithered from their hands, binding the fire around him, forcing it into patterns. They wanted a spectacle, a tame miracle.

But the fire shuddered. It did not want to be caged. Neither did he.

A memory of the last trial surged—the breaking chains, the screams. His breath grew ragged.

Azariel's whisper sharpened:

"They will use you until you are ash. Or you can use me. Choose, vessel."

The fire swelled, climbing higher, writhing against the priests' control. Panic flickered in their masked eyes.

The crowd surged with cries:

"Dawn-Bearer!"

"Heretic!"

Kairo's hands trembled as he gripped the throne. For one heartbeat, he could decide:

Submit, and let the priests shape him into their weapon.

Resist, and unleash the flame—not knowing who it would consume.

The world held its breath.

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⚡ End of Chapter 29.

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