The gate sealed shut behind them.
Leon and Astha followed Kaera of the Wildfire into a vast cavern lit by burning vines and glowing lava rivers. The walls were marked by murals—painted with blood and ash—telling tales of battlefields, chaos, and fire spirits riding lightning.
Astha whispered, "This isn't like Ember Sight…"
Kaera smiled faintly. "No. We are not seers or watchers. We are fire at war. Our ancestors believed flame was born not to guide… but to fight."
Leon's flame mark pulsed. The heat here welcomed him.
"Then maybe I'm in the right place."
🔥 The Wildfire Keep
The stronghold itself was carved directly into the heart of an active volcano, its rooms pulsing with magma energy. Wildfire warriors trained bare-chested with flame-coated weapons, their bodies marked with ink and scars.
Kaera led them to the Heartstone Chamber, where a massive crystal pulsed with rhythm—like a beating heart made of fire.
"This is the source of our strength," Kaera said. "The Wildflame. It's not refined like the Ember flame. It's untamed, explosive. Beautiful. Dangerous."
She turned to Leon.
"And if you wish to unite the houses, you must earn our flame."
⚔️ Trial of the Wildflame
Leon stepped into the open circle.
Warriors gathered.
Kaera handed him a dagger—its blade half-broken, still glowing.
"You will fight not an enemy, but your own flame," she said. "If you lose, it will consume you."
Astha stood close, eyes locked on him. "You don't have to do this alone."
Leon gave her a quick smile. "I never am."
Then the chamber darkened.
The Heartstone flared.
And from it… a version of Leon stepped out, cloaked in fire and rage—his Wildflame.
⚔️ Leon vs. Wildflame
The copy moved fast—wild and brutal. Every punch was an explosion, every dodge a blur.
Leon fought back, but his flame was controlled, not wild. He was slower, more deliberate.
The crowd shouted. Some cheered. Others looked on silently.
Kaera whispered to Astha, "He can't win unless he lets go."
Astha stepped to the edge and shouted:
"Leon! You don't have to fear it. You have to trust it!"
Leon's fist glowed. The flame pulsed like a heartbeat.
He closed his eyes.
"I am not my past.""I am not my blood.""I am the flame I choose to be."
His body ignited.
But this time—it didn't burn him. It danced with him.
He and the Wildflame moved as one.And then—they merged.
🔥 The Vow Accepted
Leon stood, his body glowing softly.
Kaera walked forward and knelt, hand over heart.
"You have taken the Wildflame into yourself without breaking. You carry both wrath and reason."
She stood and drew a glowing blade.
"Kneel, Leon of Crimson Core."
He did.
She placed the blade on his shoulder.
"By the fire of battle and the vow of the storm, we name you Flamebearer of Two Houses. Wildfire now walks with Crimson."
🌋 The Earth Trembles
Suddenly, the ground rumbled.
Flame cracks split across the floor.
Kaera's eyes narrowed. "The Ashborn has returned. He's calling others."
Leon rose to his feet. "Then we move fast. I need to unite the other houses before the Shadowbound does."
Astha joined him. "Where do we go next?"
Kaera pointed toward the western mountains. "There, the Healing Flame hides among the ruins of the old forest temples. You'll need more than fire to win their trust."
Leon nodded. "Then we ride at dawn."