Chapter Seventy-Four:

  “The Answers in Flame”

  Ember Sage Kaelith led the group forward, his crimson robes flowed like liquid fire with each step. The grand archway of the Temple of Flames stood before them, its stone melted and reshaped by honored flames, now hardened into smooth, dark ridges, its towering pillars glowing faintly from the heat pulsing within. Molten veins ran through the foundation, the cracks in the stone breathing with an inner fire.

  The remainder of the Aetheris' crew followed in wary silence, their footsteps hissing against the heated stone. The heat was not unbearable, it pulsed with energy, pressing into their being as they stepped into the temple’s main chamber

  Sage Kaelith’s voice was a steady calm beneath the fire. "We do not know what caused the early frost. It seems the entire thing was a plot by the Dark One, though to what end, we do not yet know."

  Ankit frowned, his brows knitting together as he glanced at the others. "Keira told us that he took a blade... Soulcrusher, was it?"

  Evelyn’s sharp gaze cut toward him. "Souleater. Pay attention, details matter."

  Ankit raised a hand in surrender but said nothing more. The firelight dug deep in Kaelith’s face, deepening the shadows beneath his amber eyes. He exhaled, glancing toward the grand pyre at the temple’s center.

  Flames stretched into the air, burning not just orange, but deep crimson, hints of violet radiating at the edges. "Whatever his purpose, we would be wise to not take it lightly. And we are running out of time to find out what it is."

  The flames roared higher, casting their reflections against the temple walls, watching, listening.

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  Emily stepped forward, her patience wearing thin. "We know that this Dark One, this... Sterling, will be coming for the Guardian of Flame. So, stop with all the cryptic nonsense and tell us where they are!"

  Kaelith met her gaze without flinching. "The location of the Guardian is not as simple as that."

  Asha folded her arms, unimpressed. "Again, telling us nothing."

  Kaelith said nothing more, turning to lead them deeper into the temple, their footsteps echoing through the expansive hall. The energy in the stone deepened, pulling them toward the final chamber.

  The passage widened, and then, before them, stood the temple’s heart.

  A massive pyre raged at the chamber’s center, its flames clawing toward the ceiling. Moving as if alive, its core pulsing between searing crimson and icy blue.

  Kaelith gestured toward it. "This is the Heart of Eldoria. The eternal flame that burns as long as the Guardian of Fire remains safe. The Guardian, for as long as recorded history, has resided here in Emberwood, in secret. He has taken on many forms."

  Amari frowned and stepped closer, his grip tightening around his spear. "What do you mean, many forms?"

  Kaelith met Amari’s question with a simple answer. "The Guardian of Fire changes his form periodically to ensure his safety. Not long ago, he played in the streets of Emberwood Village as a boy named Maxwell, or simply, Max."

  A moment of silence passed over the group as the reality of his words settled in.

  Kaelith continued, his voice weighted with something heavier now. "The day you Players arrived in our realm, Max made a difficult choice."

  Lucinda stiffened. The words hit something deep, stirring a memory she refused to acknowledge. An unspeakable choice. One she had been forced to make. She shoved the thought aside before it could take root.

  "What kind of choice?" she asked, her voice steadier than she felt.

  Kaelith turned to Lucinda, his expression almost regretful. "He chose to give up his physical form and take shelter in another’s."

  Evelyn’s brow furrowed, her tone clipped. "Okay, so he just changed forms again. Who is he now?"

  Kaelith exhaled slowly. "Once again, the answer is not so simple. Max did not simply change forms, he entered into another’s. He now resides within the heart of a very special person. Someone who has lived among flame their entire life."

  The group fell silent. Realization washed over them, the pieces snapping into place at once. Their eyes darted from one to another, the truth settling in.

  Emily was the first to speak, her voice hushed. "You don’t mean..."

  Kaelith inclined his head. "Yes. The very one you saved… Keira."