ered, the glowing trees bending as if caught in a silent wind, their leaves scattering starlight across the ground. The Betrayer's echo shrieked, its shadowy form

till swirling around the Heart, a fragile bond holding the curse at bay. The First Starborn, a woman

l will shatter, and Celestara with it." Elyndra's heart raced, her love for Tavion a steady beat beneath her fear. "What flame? What do we do?" she asked, her voice trem

Flame is the Veil's life," she explained. "Lit by the first Starborn's love, it wanes with each betrayal. The Betrayer's curse drained it, and only a love as pure as the first can reignite it. One of you must

bling in hers. "I'll do it," he said, his voice rough. "You've given enough." But Elyndra shook her head, tears welling. "No, we've lost too much apart. We do this t

walls, her face pale with effort, while a new figure emerged-a young woman with hair like spun gold, her eyes a deep emerald. "I am Taryn, a lost Starborn," she said, her voice steady. "The Veil called me back. We must protect the cor

eil ties their fate to ours." The room shook, a crack splitting the floor, and a shadow beast clawed its way up, its eyes glowing red. Ryn Solis, still recovering from his

ting their magics. The First Starborn followed, her form fading slightly. "The flame feeds on a memory tied to your love," she said. "Choose wisely-it will shape Celestara's future." Elyndra's mind raced-me

rst Starborn guided them to place their palms above the flame. A warm pulse flowed through them, and they shared the memory-Tavion's first glance, Elyndra's blush, the starlight that

r mocked, depicting Elyndra alone. The First Starborn's light weakened, her form cracking. "The curse feeds on doubt," she warned. "Overcome it, or the flame dies." Elyndra's starlight surged, Tavion's ice

st Starborn shielded them, but her light faded further. "He's linked to the curse," she rasped. "Kill him, or the flame won't hold." Elyndra's heart pounded-Kael was here, not in the Spire? The portal m

"Hold on!" Taryn cried, her green magic healing the wound, but the core pulsed darkly. A new portal opened, showing Kael battling Elyndra and Tavion. "H

irst Starborn's light flared, freeing Elyndra, and Tavion's ice encased Kael's legs. "For Celestara," Elyndra cried, her starlight piercing the orb. It cracked, and Kael screamed,

aces relieved but wary. "The Spire's core is failing," Taryn said. "We felt Kael's death, but something else is coming." A low rumble shook the forest, and a new note fell: The flame rises, but the earth weeps. The ground spl

oed, "The Earth's Heart lies below. Descend, or the flame dies." The forest whispered with new voices-earth spirits, angry and pleading-and a shadow flickered at the chasm's edge. Was Kael