The Hollow Path swallowed them whole.
Thick branches arched above like ribs of a buried beast. Roots twisted from the ground like grasping fingers, and the air turned heavy—thick with mist and something darker. Even the flame in Kael's hand dimmed.
"Why is it so cold?" he whispered.
"The Path is old," Mira said, voice low. "Older than the Watch. Older than fire itself."
Kael shivered. Behind them, the Watcher's voice still echoed, distant but persistent. Each word felt like it scraped across his bones.
"Surrender the flame..."
They moved faster, dodging roots and fallen stone. The light grew stranger here, tinted green and gold. Whispers followed—not like the ones from the fire, but older, heavier. Not voices, exactly. Memories.
Kael stopped as the ground sloped downward. In a shallow glade below, a single tree stood. Its bark shimmered like emberglass, and its branches curled upward, bare of leaves. But flames danced along its trunk—silent, blue, and unconsuming.
"That's... beautiful," Kael said.
"It's the Emberroot," Mira replied, eyes wide. "A remnant from the First Flame. If it reacts to you, we'll be safe—for now."
Kael stepped toward it. As he did, the blue fire leaned in his direction. His chest warmed, the flame in his hand brightened, and suddenly, he felt something within him resonate.
The symbol on his palm burned again—clearer this time. A spiral of fire surrounded by wings.
The Emberroot pulsed, and its flames turned orange to match his own.
"It knows you," Mira said in awe. "You're not just a Flameborn... You're its heir."
A deep crack echoed above them.
Kael spun. At the ridge, three Watchers stood, blades drawn, cloaks stirring despite the still air.
"Found you," the lead one growled.
Kael backed toward the Emberroot. "What do I do?"
"Touch it," Mira said. "Let it judge you."
"No pressure," he muttered, then placed his flaming hand on the tree's trunk.
Time stopped.
The glade vanished. Kael stood in a realm of endless fire. Before him rose a figure cloaked in flame, eyes like stars, voice thunderous.
"Are you worthy of the Ember Throne, child of ash?"
Kael stared into its blazing eyes.
"I don't know," he answered.
"Then burn until you do."
The world erupted.