The wind in Velmaris had turned colder. It wasn't just the oncoming season—it was something else. An unnatural stillness was settling over the city, as if the streets themselves were holding their breath.
Kaelin stood atop the crumbling bell tower overlooking the lower quarter. The air bit at her face, but she didn't flinch. Her grip tightened around the hilt of her sword, the memory of the Queen of Ashes still burning fresh in her mind.
"She said others like me exist," she murmured. "But where are they?"
Behind her, Mira climbed up, breathless. "We need to move. Jericho found something."
---
Underground Vault – Hours Earlier
Jericho dusted off the stone pedestal, revealing another silver-etched rune. "It's a portal key. Old world magic."
Rylen frowned. "To where?"
Jericho didn't answer immediately. "Hollowgate."
Everyone went silent.
"Why would we go there?" Ayla asked, her voice tight with fear. "It's a prison—one that no one escapes from."
Jericho met Kaelin's eyes. "Because someone escaped. And left something behind. A clue. A name."
Kaelin's breath hitched. "Tavros."
---
Outside Velmaris – Midnight
The group moved under cover of darkness, slipping through a hidden aqueduct that Jericho had once used during his time as a spy. Moss-covered stones gave way to a forgotten tunnel network that ran beneath the forest outskirts.
But they weren't alone.
Boots echoed behind them.
Rylen pulled his blade. "We're being followed."
From the tunnel entrance emerged a towering figure clad in jagged obsidian armor. Green runes flickered across his chestplate. His face was masked in bone and shadows.
"Tavros," Kaelin whispered, her sword igniting in flame.
He didn't speak. Only raised one clawed gauntlet—and shadows surged forward like a tidal wave.
---
The Battle Begins
Rylen and Mira held the line while Ayla cast a barrier, holding the darkness at bay. Jericho fired a volley of shock-tipped bolts that hissed through the air, one of them striking Tavros in the shoulder—but it barely slowed him.
Kaelin lunged, her blade clashing against Tavros's staff. Sparks flew as steel met corrupted magic.
"You smell of her flame," he growled.
"I am her flame," Kaelin snapped. "And I'm not afraid of you."
Tavros smirked beneath his mask. "Then burn."
---
The Collapse
Their clash cracked the tunnel walls. Stones fell. Water burst from the ceiling. Ayla screamed, "The whole tunnel's going to collapse!"
Jericho tackled her out of the way just as part of the roof gave in.
Mira dragged Kaelin back. "We have to retreat!"
Kaelin hesitated, her blade humming with power—but Tavros was already retreating into shadow, his eyes glowing like embers.
"This isn't over," he whispered, vanishing.
---
Later That Night – Forest Outskirts
The group regrouped by a ruined watchtower. Kaelin nursed a gash along her side, her thoughts spinning.
"He was testing us," Rylen said, wrapping his arm. "Not trying to kill us."
"He wanted to see if I was ready," Kaelin muttered. "And I'm not."
Jericho opened a cloth bundle and pulled out an aged scroll. "This was left in the vault. It's a map. Not to Hollowgate—but to the Emberhold."
Kaelin looked up. "What's that?"
Jericho's voice turned grim. "Where the Flameborn were trained... before the last war. And maybe where we'll find your next step."
---
Meanwhile…
Far across the realm, in a palace carved from obsidian glass, the veiled woman stood before a congregation of cloaked figures.
"She has the sword," she said coldly. "But she still lacks the truth."
One of the figures knelt. "Shall we awaken the others?"
A chilling smile touched her lips. "Yes. The heirs must gather… before they destroy each other."