Chapter 90 - Spirit of the Eternal Flame
White.
Endless white.
Kai slowly opened his eyes.
He was no longer inside the volcanic cavern.
Instead, he stood upon an ocean of liquid light.
Every step created ripples of golden fire that spread across the horizon.
There was no heat.
Only warmth.
Only peace.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts floated beside him.
Hidden Trial
Trial of the Eternal Flame
Location:
Sanctuary of the Flame Spirit
Objective:
Find the Spirit of Fire.
Time Remaining (Outside World):
5 Hours 58 Minutes
---
The Crimson Flame Fox appeared beside Kai.
Its nine tails glowed brighter than ever.
"Master..."
"This place feels familiar."
Kai frowned.
"You've been here before?"
The fox slowly shook its head.
"Not me..."
"Someone before me."
---
A gentle laugh echoed across the endless sea.
"You have sharp instincts."
Kai turned.
A small child stood a short distance away.
She looked no older than ten.
Her hair resembled flowing white fire.
Her eyes shimmered like molten gold.
She was barefoot, smiling as if she had been waiting for centuries.
The Book trembled.
Entity Identified
Ignia
Title:
Spirit of the Eternal Flame
Age:
Unknown
Status:
Guardian of the Flame Heart
---
Kai bowed respectfully.
"I've come to protect the Flame Heart."
Ignia tilted her head.
"Have you?"
She pointed toward the Book.
"Or have you come for another Star Fragment?"
Kai remained silent.
After a moment, he answered honestly.
"I came for both."
The little girl's smile widened.
"Good."
"I dislike lies."
---
She clapped her hands.
The peaceful world vanished.
Kai suddenly stood inside a burning city.
Flames consumed every building.
People screamed for help.
Above the city, a colossal beast wreathed in black fire descended from the sky.
The Book displayed a warning.
Trial Stage One
What will you protect first?
---
A mother cried out from a collapsing house.
Nearby, an injured Fire Drake struggled beneath fallen stone.
Farther away...
The sacred archive of the Ember Wastes burned.
Kai looked around rapidly.
"There isn't enough time..."
Ignia's voice echoed.
"There never is."
---
Without hesitation...
Kai summoned the Crimson Flame Fox.
"We split up."
The fox nodded immediately.
"I know."
Kai raced toward the trapped civilians.
The Crimson Flame Fox sprinted toward the injured Fire Drake.
Neither of them headed for the burning archive.
---
Minutes later...
The illusion dissolved.
The city disappeared.
Kai and the fox stood once more before Ignia.
She looked curious.
"You abandoned priceless knowledge."
Kai nodded.
"Books can be rewritten."
"Lives can't."
---
The Book glowed.
Trial Stage One Cleared
Compassion
Evaluation:
Perfect
---
Outside the Flame Heart...
The battle had become desperate.
Lady Vesper's six rings of black fire tightened around Kai's motionless body.
Selene blocked another wave of dark flames with her Moonlight Blade.
Rowan's Ashfang Pack held the left passage.
The Solar Flame Lion fought the Abyssal Fire Serpent, their flames colliding with explosive force.
Ignis remained in his true dragon form, protecting Kai from above.
Yet...
The Eclipse warriors kept advancing.
---
Lady Vesper smiled calmly.
"He's running out of time."
---
Inside the trial...
Ignia raised one finger.
The world changed again.
This time...
Kai stood before two doors.
One glowed with dazzling golden fire.
The other was plain stone.
Ignia asked quietly,
"Behind one door lies the Sixth Star Fragment."
"Behind the other..."
"...is someone waiting to be saved."
"You may open only one."
Kai closed his eyes.
Then he laughed softly.
"I've seen this kind of test before."
Ignia blinked.
"You already know the answer?"
Kai smiled.
"No."
"I know the question is wrong."
He walked past both doors.
Then placed his hand on the wall between them.
"If the Spirit of Fire created this trial..."
"There should always be a third path."
The wall cracked.
Hidden between the two doors...
A narrow passage appeared.
Ignia's golden eyes widened in surprise.
"No one..."
"...has found it in over four thousand years."
The Book of Infinite Beasts shone brilliantly.
Hidden Path Discovered
Path of Balance
Reward:
Bonus Trial Unlocked
---
Far beyond the trial...
Deep beneath the volcano...
Something ancient stirred.
A roar echoed through the magma chambers.
Not from the Solar Flame Lion.
Not from Lady Vesper's serpent.
But from a creature that had slept since the Age of the First Beast Sovereign.
The Book suddenly displayed a message visible only to Kai.
Secret Guardian Detected
The Keeper of the Eternal Flame...
...has awakened.