, the ancient stones groaning like they were waking from centuries of slumber. The air thickened, heat rising like from

shadows that now moved with eerie fluidity. Behind them, Solen muttered

streets of Ashreach t

ght. Lanterns lit themselves. Statues turned their heads. The runes embedded

ural voices from nowhere and everywh

otectively. "What did the Codex awaken?"

n pa

ey weren't just scholars. They were sentinels of old mag

owed his eye

t just hold knowledge. It holds comm

. From the fire stepped ghostly figures cloaked warriors with burning eyes and

Codex," he spoke, voice like crackin

ause I seek answers. About my b

ind her. "The Codex chooses only those wh

beside her, voice fir

r flame. His loyalty is his burden. He cannot pay what you owe

arriors stepped back, melting int

er now. "Then seek the Ember Gate. Be

tower, the only place untouched by Ashreach's haunting flames.

rrified," Seraphina whispered. "But I've spent too long be

face her. "You're

. But what if this path changes me? What if I b

k of hair behind her ear. "Then

only that when their lips met, the

Ember Gate

idian, covered in runes older than the Empire. A massive phoenix

e mark on her palm glowed. The gate rumbled and then slo

ped through

the threshold, the fla

along the walls-memories not their own. Cassian saw his father's cold

w her

flames. Crying. Chanting.

afraid. She walked forward, deeper into the corridor until the flames

d. Her face a mirror of Ser

Seraphina

opened h

found

alive but bound in flame forged chains that clung to her wrists and ankles like they were part of her skin. Her hair was singed, her r

mber, drawing his sword inst

ard. Her mother's gaze met hers. "You've c

didn't you ever come back? Why was I left

lamebound needed a seal. One bound by blood. I became that seal t

xpression grave. "If she was the s

will rise again friend and foe alike. But the real test begins now Sera

here. You must complete the Trial of Flame. Only then will your linea

his fists. "Ther

nodded. "I

through hidden vents. The phoenix

Face the flame that forged our bloodline. Only then