The storm pressed harder, shadow swallowing flame. Elira staggered, her crown pulsing violently, visions of defeat flashing in her mind. Marlic's spear lashed forward, his laughter sharp. "You cannot bind what is mine. Flame will break."
Her fire dimmed, her shield faltering. For a heartbeat, it seemed the crown would collapse inward, consuming her.
Then a torch blazed beside her. Another. And another.
The Ashbound surged forward, forming a wall of flame around her. Their torches burned brighter, their voices rising in defiance. "Flamebearer does not stand alone!"
Kael pressed to her side, his blade gleaming with fire. "Hold, Elira. We will shield you."
Marlic snarled, his storm lashing against the wall of torches. Shadow struck, but the Ashbound held, their flame bound to hers. Each torch was a spark of loyalty, each strike a chorus of defiance.
Elira gasped, her fire flickering back to life. The crown pulsed in harmony with their torches, no longer demanding sacrifice but channeling strength. She raised her hand, flame weaving into their blaze. "Together. Flame endures together."
The battlefield shifted. Marlic pressed harder, his storm swelling, but the Ashbound's wall of fire held. For the first time, shadow faltered—not because Elira fought alone, but because loyalty burned brighter than grief.
Marlic's roar shook the ground. "You think torches can stop me? You think loyalty can bind shadow?" His storm surged higher, but the Ashbound did not break.
Elira's flame blazed with theirs, her voice steady. "Shadow endures alone. Flame endures together. And together, we will not fall."