The temple doors creaked shut behind them.
Lyra stepped out into the cold air, heart racing. What she saw inside, the memories, the love, the sacrifice, it still burned in her chest.
Beside her, Kael looked troubled too. He rubbed the back of his neck, his jaw tight. She could feel his emotions even without him speaking. His wolf was awake. Nervous. Alert.
"You saw it all?" Lyra asked quietly.
Kael gave a small nod. "Seriah. Kaelen. Everything."
She swallowed hard. "They were us."
He looked at her. "We carry their blood. Their pain. Their bond."
Lyra's hand touched the pendant at her chest. It feels heavier now. Not just a necklace. It held her ancestor's flame. And now… it was waking up again.
Suddenly, a loud howl cut through the trees.
Kael stepped in front of her fast. "We're not alone."
Three tall figures walked out of the misty woods. They moved like wolves but looked human, strong, serious, and glowing with strange red symbols on their arms.
One stepped forward. "Alpha Kael. Lyra Vale. We've been waiting for you."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"
"We are the Flamebound," the man said. "Guardians of the Flame's legacy."
Lyra's breath caught. "You know about Seriah. About the curse?"
He nodded. "More than you think. And we know what's coming."
Before she could ask more, a woman stepped out from behind the group. She had long black hair and a scar shaped like a moon on her neck.
Lyra stared. There was something… familiar about her.
The woman spoke. "My name is Nyra. I carry the mark of the flame. Like you."
Kael moved closer to Lyra. "What do you want with us?"
Nyra answered, her eyes serious. "To help. And to warn. The flame is waking again. And the ones who fear it… they're coming for you."
---
They traveled deep into the mountains with the Flamebound.
The path was steep and cold. Snow dusted the rocks. Strange symbols marked the trees, ancient protections.
Lyra's body ached, but her mind was spinning. She held Kael's hand more than once when she slipped on ice. He didn't speak much, but he never let her fall.
At last, they reached a stone fortress hidden in the cliffs. Magic hummed in the air around it, old, strong, protective.
Inside, the walls glowed with soft golden light. Nyra led them into a round room with burning torches and a large stone table.
"The flame isn't just power," Nyra said. "It's alive. And if it grows too fast… it becomes something dark."
Kael frowned. "What do you mean?"
Orin, the leader of the Flamebound, stepped forward. "The Flameborn."
The room went silent.
Lyra felt cold all over. "What is that?"
Nyra's voice dropped. "A monster made of fire and pain. Born from a flame used the wrong way. If it rises, everything ends."
Orin added, "Seriah stopped it once. But only for a while. The seal she made is breaking. You and Kael… you're the last chance."
Kael stepped forward, eyes dark. "And if we fail?"
"Then wolves and witches both burn," Orin said.
---
That night, Lyra couldn't sleep.
She stood on a balcony, staring out at the stars. Everything felt too big, too heavy. She was just a girl with magic she didn't understand. How could she stop a curse?
Kael came up beside her. Quiet. Close.
"You're thinking too loud," he said gently.
She gave a weak smile. "I don't know if I'm strong enough."
He looked at her. "I do."
"You saw what Seriah had to do," she whispered. "She lost everything. What if I have to make the same choice?"
Kael turned to her. His hand touched hers. "We're not them."
"But we carry their fire."
"Then let's use it right," he said. "Let's end it. Together."
Lyra's heart beat faster. She wanted to believe him. But fear still clung to her chest.
"Kael… what if I lose you?"
His eyes burned. "Then I'll fight harder. So you won't."
For a moment, they just stared at each other, torn between fear and something deeper. Something stronger.
Their bond pulled tight.
And then,
BOOM.
The ground shook beneath them. A loud crash came from the lower level.
Screams echoed.
Kael's eyes turned gold. "We're under attack."
Lyra felt her blood heat, too fast, too sudden.
She looked over the railing, and saw flames rising from the gate below.
And standing in the fire… something not quite human.
Its eyes glowed like molten rock.
Its voice roared across the stone.
"The flame belongs to me!"
Chaos tore through the sanctuary. Wolves clashed with the intruders,creatures wreathed in shadow and smoke. The figure in the center, surrounded by flames, raised his hand, and a wave of heat slammed into the outer wall.
Lyra's heart pounded. Kael grabbed her arm. "We need to move!"
They ran through the corridor as the ground shook. Fire chased them. Screams echoed behind.
Orin and Nyra stood at the top of the stairs, holding off the attackers with blades and magic.
"Down to the vault!" Orin shouted. "Now!"
Kael pulled Lyra down a spiraling path, deeper into the mountain. Doors slammed shut behind them. When they reached the bottom, the world fell silent.
A large chamber opened before them, lit by a soft red glow. Carvings filled the walls symbols Lyra recognized.
The pendant on her chest pulsed. Warm. Alive.
"This place…" she whispered. "It's hers."
Kael turned to her. "Seriah's?"
She nodded. Her fingers brushed the carvings. "I've seen this in my dreams."
Kael touched one of the walls. "She was more than just a powerful witch. She was your blood."
Lyra looked at him. "How do you know that?"
"Because I saw her eyes in yours. The way she fought. The way she loved. That fire, it didn't end with her. It lives in you."
Lyra's voice shook. "She gave everything to stop the Flameborn. And now it's back. What if I fail where she succeeded?"
Kael stepped closer. "Then we fail together. But you won't. Because you're not just Seriah's legacy. You're stronger. You have me."
Lyra stared at him, uncertain. But in that moment, the flame inside her grew warm, like it agreed.
The door behind them cracked.
Kael's eyes darkened. "They're here."
Lyra raised her hand. Magic sparked at her fingertips. "Then let's make them wish they weren't."