Chapter 7: The Unseen Flame
The journey back from Izerra left Thalen with more silence than answers. The raven never returned, and the words of the First Tyrant echoed louder the farther he walked from the mountain.
"When you face that test, it won’t ask for strength. It will ask for purpose."
He had thought his purpose was clear: become stronger, protect those who could not protect themselves, surpass his limits. But now, it felt like a shadow of something deeper something still hidden.
The Bastion rose in the distance, dark and steady. But as he neared the gates, a ripple moved through the air.
A new aura. Sharp. Wild. Familiar.
The Arrival
The moment Thalen stepped into the outer hall, a cheer erupted from the southern court.
He followed the noise.
Dozens of trainees gathered around the dueling arena. At its center stood a young woman in a black cloak, sword slung lazily across her shoulders, boots planted in a stance that dared challenge.
Thalen’s eyes widened.
No... it couldn’t be.