Snow crunched beneath their boots as Leon and Astha followed the torch-bearing warriors up the narrow ridge.
The cold cut deep, but Leon's fire kept him warm.
Ahead, carved into the mountainside, stood an ancient stone gate—flanked by statues of warriors with burning eyes.
The stronghold of the Ember Sight clan.
Astha whispered, "This place… it's untouched by time."
Leon nodded. "Feels like the flame never went out here."
🏔 The Last Flame Keep
Inside, the mountain opened into a warm hall lit by glowing flame crystals.
Stone walls bore murals of old battles. Magic hung heavy in the air.
Dozens of warriors stood watching them—eyes suspicious.
At the center of the hall, a tall man with a graying beard stepped forward. His eyes were ember-orange, glowing faintly.
"I am Elder Khael, Keeper of the Sight," he said."You bear the Crimson mark. Why have you come?"
Leon stepped forward. "To unite what was broken. I want peace among the houses."
Murmurs echoed around the chamber.
Another voice called out sharply, "The Crimson betrayed us once. Why trust him now?"
Khael raised a hand. "He must be tested."
Leon met his gaze. "I'm not afraid."
🔥 The Ember Trial
Later that night, Leon stood inside a circular stone arena deep within the keep.
The floor was carved with sigils. Fire blazed in tall bowls around him.
Khael stood above on a platform. "This is the Trial by Flame. Not a fight… but a vision."
Astha watched from the edge, worried. "What happens if he fails?"
Khael answered without looking at her. "Then the fire rejects him."
💭 Into the Vision
As Leon stepped into the center, flames rose around him.
The world fell away.
He stood again in a burning memory—not his own. But this time, the flames listened to him.
He saw the first Crimson Flameblood—his ancestor—kneeling before the four other houses, begging for forgiveness.
"I never wanted power. Only to protect."
Then, he saw the betrayal—his ancestor using fire to seal away enemies, even allies, in a misguided attempt to end the war.
Leon whispered, "Why show me this?"
A voice replied, old and quiet:
"Because you must choose what your flame will be."
⚖️ The Choice
Suddenly, two paths appeared before Leon:
One burned bright red, leading to a throne made of flame.
The other burned softer, golden-orange, leading to a circle of joined hands—unity.
A voice asked:
"Rule or restore?"
Leon stepped forward, hand trembling…
…and chose the golden flame.
🔓 Worthy
Leon gasped as the vision faded.
He was back in the stone circle. The fire died down around him.
Silence.
Then, Khael stepped forward.
"You chose not to lead with fear, but with unity.""You are Flameblood—by more than blood. By heart."
He placed a hand on Leon's shoulder.
"We will follow you."
🔥 The First Alliance
That night, the warriors of Ember Sight lit the great brazier atop the stronghold—a signal unseen in over a hundred years.
One of their number turned to Astha.
"You believe he can unite us all?"
She smiled. "No. I know he can."
Leon looked out across the frozen peaks.
"One house has answered.Four more remain."