Chapter 63: Embers of the Forgotten
The skies above Pyranthos turned an eerie bronze, a metallic haze weaving through clouds as whispers of old power stirred in the wind. The coronation of Valeria had ignited more than just political change—it had disturbed the dormant layers of the divine realm. And now, as the echoes of her fire spread through the realms, something else had begun to stir. Something long buried.
Deep beneath the obsidian roots of Mount Theros, where no light had touched in thousands of years, the Second Flame stirred.
Once known as Elion—the Shadowkindled—this forgotten entity had been born in the same era as Valeria, twin to her fire but cursed to burn in silence. Betrayed by the Pyranthian Court and erased from every scroll, Elion's name had become a taboo, a whisper the elders refused to speak.
But now, with Kael's divine energy rattling the balance of realms and the council in disarray, the Second Flame's prison cracked.
---
In the palace gardens, Mira—now fully embracing her title as Valeria, Keeper of Flame—stood overlooking the fire lilies that bloomed in her wake. Jaxon approached quietly, holding a scroll wrapped in sea-embossed silk.
"Another message from the council," he muttered. "They sense a split... not from Kael. From something older. Something they thought perished."
Valeria turned slowly. "Elion."
Jaxon stiffened. "You know this name?"
"Not Mira," she said. "But Valeria remembers. He was my brother—not by blood, but by fire. A creation of balance. And I... I chose my crown over him."
She sat on the edge of the obsidian fountain, her hand unconsciously tracing symbols into the steam rising from the water.
"We were raised as divine mirrors. But the court feared what two flames might do. They believed I could control mine. They said Elion burned too hot, too wild."
Jaxon knelt beside her. "So they sealed him away."
Valeria nodded. "And now he wakes to a world where Kael threatens their order. He'll come for the throne. He'll come for Kael."
Just then, Kael stirred within her. Not with fear—but laughter.
"He sounds dramatic. Maybe we can throw him a welcome party. You know. With lava."
Valeria blinked. "He's... joking?"
Jaxon chuckled. "Your son might be the world's first chaos elemental."
Kael chimed again. "Or the second, if Uncle Elion's really that moody."
Valeria sighed. "He doesn't understand yet. Elion is not a villain. He's... a hurt child with the power to undo creation."
Jaxon rose. "Then we find him first. Not with soldiers. With truth. With history. If we can show him what the court hid, maybe he won't burn the world to ask his questions."
Valeria stood beside him. "And if he does?"
Jaxon's eyes turned to the horizon. "Then we remind him we are Pyranthos and Thalor. And we do not kneel."
Above them, the clouds rumbled—and a second sun ignited on the horizon.
---
End of Chapter 63