The stone doors of the Council chamber slammed shut behind them, and for the first time in days, silence fell. But it wasn't a peaceful silence—it was the kind that breathes before a storm breaks.
Kael stood at the edge of the cliffs outside the sanctum, his hands clenched tight on the railing. The wind tugged at his cloak, but he barely noticed.
Inside, the Council argued amongst themselves. Eira's claim—that her mother still lived, and that Talon was hiding her—had sent shockwaves through centuries of buried lies.
And now war drums echoed through the neutral mountains.
Kael turned as Eira approached, the dagger now sheathed at her back once again. Its pulse vibrated softly through the air around her, like a heart beating just under the surface.
"You should have let me handle them," Kael said, his voice low.
"No," Eira replied. "You would've protected me. That's not what they needed."
"What they needed," Kael said, "was fear. And you gave it to them."
Eira didn't flinch. "Good."
A beat passed.
"They fear me because I was born of two worlds," she added, voice quiet now. "But that also means I can walk between them."
Kael looked at her then, his jaw tightening.
"You're planning something."
Eira's eyes flickered orange.
"I'm going to Ember Hollow. Alone."
Kael stepped forward, fury rising.
"Are you insane? It's the heart of the Flamebound territory."
"It's where my mother is."
"And where Talon is."
Eira paused.
"Yes."
Kael's voice dropped.
"You felt him. Didn't you?"
Eira didn't answer. She didn't need to.
Kael's fists clenched.
"That bond you felt through the dagger—it wasn't just power. It was something more."
"I don't want him," Eira said, finally. "But he has a piece of me now. A tether."
Kael's voice broke.
"And what about our bond?"
Eira reached for his hand.
"I still feel it. Stronger than ever. That's why I'm going. Because if Talon can use my power against me—against you—I have to break the link."
Kael searched her face.
"And if it breaks you?"
"Then you'll know it wasn't real."
That shattered something inside him. But he nodded.
"Then I'm coming with you."
She gave him a half-smile.
"Of course you are. But not into the fire."
The next morning, Eira stood at the base of the Ember Ridge alone, her cloak drawn tight against the stinging ash falling from the skies.
Ember Hollow lay beyond—once the shining city of the Flamebound, now a twisted throne of scorched stone and blood rituals.
But she wasn't entirely alone.
From the shadows stepped a figure wrapped in pale gray furs, her eyes glowing silver beneath a hood. A woman Kael had once called myth.
The Huntress of Embers.
Eira drew her blade, instantly alert.
"Who are you?"
"I'm the one your mother sent," the woman replied calmly.
Eira froze.
"You know her?"
"I served her. Before the Flamebound turned her over to Talon. She was the Phoenix Queen. And you… are her legacy."
The huntress pulled back her hood. She was older—scarred—but her presence radiated strength.
"You can call me Seris."
Eira blinked.
"You're from the Ashfang Pack."
Seris nodded.
"And I'm the only one who knows how to reach Ember Hollow undetected."
Eira's mind reeled.
"But they were wiped out…"
"Not all of us," Seris said. "We learned to disappear. Just like your mother. But now that the dagger has awakened, the Hollow will know you're coming. We don't have much time."
Eira nodded, voice steady.
"Then let's go."
As they crept through the ash-covered forest, Seris told her stories.
Of the Queen who lit fires to protect, not destroy.
Of the ancient Flame that once gave life to all wolves before it was corrupted by power.
"Talon was never supposed to inherit the throne," Seris said.
"Your mother was. And you… you were her final gift."
Eira's voice was tight.
"Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"Because the Council feared what you'd become."
That night, they camped near the edge of the Hollow.
Eira dreamt of fire again—but this time, she wasn't burning. She was leading.
Behind her marched wolves of every pack—Virek, Shadowclaw, Ashfang, Moonveil. United.
Ahead of her stood Talon. And beside him… stood her mother. But when Eira tried to reach her, her mother turned away.
"You chose the wrong bond," her voice echoed.
Eira woke with a gasp.
Inside Ember Hollow, Talon stood before a golden pyre, the stolen obsidian dagger in his hand. The priestess bowed beside him.
"She's coming," she whispered.
Talon nodded, eyes distant.
"She'll try to free the Queen."
"Yes," he said. "And when she does?"
Talon's voice turned cold.
"We break her. Then we crown her."
Back near the Hollow's edge, Seris led Eira to a tunnel hidden beneath a fallen tree, carved into black stone. The air inside burned with ancient energy.
"This leads into the Inner Keep," Seris said. "Where the Queen is held. But it's warded. Only blood of the Phoenix can pass through."
Eira swallowed hard.
"Then let's hope I bleed right."
As she stepped forward, the stone flared with light—then parted. And Eira stepped into her birthright.
The tunnel led them deeper into the Hollow, the air thick with the scent of smoke and ash. Eira could feel the power of the dagger coursing through her veins, urging her forward.
As they walked, Seris told her more about the history of the Flamebound and the Queen who had once ruled with wisdom and justice.
Eira listened intently, her mind racing with questions and doubts. But she knew that she had to keep moving forward, no matter what lay ahead.
Finally, they reached the Inner Keep, a grand hall filled with the remnants of a once-great civilization. And there, in the center of the hall, stood Talon.
He turned to face her, the obsidian dagger gleaming in his hand.
"Welcome, Eira," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "I've been waiting for you."
Eira drew her own blade, its power surging through her.
"I'm not here to play games, Talon," she said, her voice firm. "I'm here to free my mother."
Talon smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"We'll see about that," he said, charging forward.
The battle was intense, with both sides exchanging blows and neither gaining the upper hand. But Eira was determined to win, no matter what it took.
As the fight raged on, Eira began to feel a strange connection to the dagger. It was as if the blade was alive, and it was urging her to unleash its full fury.
She resisted the urge, knowing that she had to keep her wits about her if she was to succeed.
But Talon was relentless, his attacks growing more and more vicious as the battle wore on. Eira stumbled backward, her breathing growing ragged.
Just when it seemed like all was lost, Seris appeared at her side, her own blade flashing in the dim light.
Together, they fought back-to-back, taking down Talon's minions and slowly gaining ground.
As the battle raged on, Eira saw her chance. With a swift strike, she knocked the dagger from Talon's hand and pinned him to the ground.
"It's over," she said, her voice triumphant.
But Talon just smiled, his eyes glinting with a fierce light.
"You may have won this battle," he said. "But the war is far from over."
Eira's eyes narrowed, her grip on her blade tightening.
"I'm ready for whatever comes next," she said.
And with that, she stood victorious, the Inner Keep at her feet.
But the real challenge was only just beginning.