The price of flame

c that could bend the stars. His father, Alric Virell, was a master of elemental fire; his mother, Serina Vir

No flicker, no spark, no surge of mana ever pulsed through his veins. At every examination, the Counc

failed to light a single candle. Still, his parents never looked at him with disappointment, only love. "Th

rld was not

rs l

Cloaked in shadows and blood magic, he threatened to collapse the balance between light and dark

om bone and shadow. Entire

na answered th

c promised, placing a fire-

w," Serina whispered, tucking

y never

moons

led into the sky like serpents seeking the sun. Below, where once stood the proud spire

een recovered. No word from the frontlines. The Council of Grandmasters had declared them "Fallen in Fla

inst his chest. And the feathered charm his mother

ronger than

ce haun

g without magic. And Alec

he bel

ht the shadow

icker - a ripple

rred. They didn't move like men. They glided. Hissed. The air chilled. The tre

ure rasped. "The last sp

s palm bloomed black flame - sickl

have time

mething els

g. It leapt from his heart like a star being born, surrounding him in a dome of sear

reeled back

g. He stared at his hands. They gl

was

aving only the echo

come for you... he