Inside the highest chamber of the Crimson Flame Sect, nine elders sat in silence.
A projection of last night's battle hovered in the air — flame and frost spiraling in perfect synchronicity, incinerating the silver-masked assassin.
No one spoke.
Until one voice finally broke the tension.
> "It's begun again," said Elder Bai Wen, his expression unreadable.
> "The prophecy of the Twin Flame Rebirth."
---
Forbidden Scrolls
At the center of the room, a dusty scroll lay open on the stone table. It was old — far older than the sect itself — with crimson script that bled slightly at the edges.
> When the Heaven-Breaker falls and flame is split in two,
A boy of fire and a girl of frost shall spark the heavens anew.
The gods will tremble, the stars shall bend,
And the realms shall burn for love, war, and end.
Elder Mu Xiang narrowed his eyes. "This is an omen, not scripture. I warned you not to keep this prophecy alive."
"But we just saw it unfold," Bai Wen argued, eyes sharp. "The boy is him — Long Feng. And the girl… awakened frostfire through the Pact. There's no more room for doubt."
---
Division Among Elders
Not all were convinced.
Elder Jian, the eldest among them, stood slowly.
> "We have two choices.
One — we guide them. Shape them into protectors of this realm.
Or two — we erase them now, before the heavens curse us for harboring them."
The chamber grew colder.
Elder Hua Tian's fingers tapped the table slowly.
"No one's strong enough to erase Long Feng now. Not unless we risk war within our own sect."
Bai Wen leaned forward.
> "Then let the Flame Trials handle it."
A few elders looked at him, puzzled.
He smiled thinly.
> "We change the nature of the trials. The pagoda has many levels, yes? We open… the Forbidden Floor."
Eyes widened.
"That level was sealed," Elder Mu Xiang said sharply. "Even our strongest couldn't pass through it without spiritual backlash."
Bai Wen shrugged.
> "Then we say it's part of the test.
If the boy survives… he was fated.
If not… prophecy ends quietly."
---
In the Courtyard Below
Unaware of the elders' meeting above, Long Feng sat beneath the ancient flame tree, Mei Ling beside him, her fingers lightly bandaged from last night's defense.
"You should be resting," he said quietly.
She leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw him—his mask, that blade."
His hand brushed her hair gently.
"You did well. You didn't hesitate."
She laughed bitterly. "Only on the inside."
A pause.
Then she asked, softly:
> "What happens now?"
He looked up at the flaming tree leaves, each ember glowing faintly like a fallen star.
> "We enter the Flame Trials.
And find out who wants us dead… from inside the sect."
----
Trial Preparations
The disciples gathered in droves that week, training furiously.
Spiritual grounds blazed day and night.
The entire sect buzzed with anticipation. For most, the Flame Trials were a chance to rise. A way to prove oneself.
For Long Feng, it was different.
> It was a battlefield dressed as a ceremony.
And he'd seen enough of those in his past life.
---
Whispered Rumors
Rumors began to swirl.
Whispers of Mei Ling's sudden power. Of Long Feng's connection to ancient flames.
Some feared them.
Some wanted to follow them.
And some… wanted them to disappear.
---
Invitation Delivered
Late that night, a formal talisman arrived — written in elegant crimson ink, bound in flame silk.
> To Disciple Long Feng:
You have been selected among the top 10 to enter the Flame Pagoda's core level on day one.
Report to the Summit Hall at dawn.
Glory to fire.
– Elder Bai Wen
---
Long Feng's Thoughts
He stared at the scroll for a long time.
Something felt wrong.
Too early. Too targeted.
> They want me inside that pagoda.
Alone.
And they think the trap will kill me before I can uncover who sent the assassins.
Fine.
Then he'd go.
> But he wouldn't go alone.
---
Mei Ling's Choice
"You're going with me," he told her.
She hesitated.
"You think it's safe?"
"No. I know it's not."
"Then why bring me?"
He looked into her eyes, serious.
> "Because if I don't… they'll come for you while I'm inside."
She exhaled slowly. "Then I'm coming. No questions."
He touched her hand gently.
> "Good. Just promise me something."
"What?"
> "If things go wrong… run."
She shook her head.
"No. If things go wrong, we burn together."