The flame led him.
Not a physical trail.
But something in his chest—burning steady, pulling him east.
He said nothing.
The others followed anyway.
They always did.
Even when they didn't understand.
Even when it hurt.
Especially when it hurt.
---
They reached a place that didn't exist on maps.
The Altar of Names.
Carved into the mountainside like a scar.
Hundreds of stone slabs, each with a single name—erased. Chiseled away. Forgotten by time, memory, and god.
But one slab pulsed faintly with crimson light.
Velda stopped cold. "This place… it's sealed against every divine system."
Claire clutched her cloak. "What does that mean?"
Lucius stepped forward.
"It means it wasn't built for gods."
---
He placed his hand on the slab.
And the mountain opened.
---
Inside: silence.
Not peaceful.
Grieving.
A chamber of glowing runes, untouched by dust.
And at the center, hovering midair:
A letter.
Wrapped in flame.
Unburned.
Unopened.
And bearing a single symbol:
His name.
Not Lucius.
Sovarion.
---
> [System Override: Forbidden Echo Detected]
Object: Last Letter of Arielle
Contents: Sealed by Love | Unlocked only by Full Emotion Sync
Do you wish to unlock it now?
Warning: This may shatter progress. Or change you.
Lucius didn't hesitate.
Yes.
---
The flame unraveled.
And the voice broke him.
---
> "You won't remember me. That's the curse. That's how they win."
"But I remember you, Sovarion."
"The man who carried everyone's pain because no one else could."
"The man who never said he was good, but refused to become cruel."
"You once asked me why I stayed."
"Here's the answer you never got—"
---
> "I loved you not because you were strong."
"I loved you because you were breaking and didn't know how to ask someone to stay."
---
Lucius sank to his knees.
The chamber pulsed.
The girls outside froze. Some fell. Some screamed.
They felt it too.
Every word in that letter was burned into their souls.
---
> [Memory Resync: 82%]
Arielle's True Bond Restored
Skill Gained: Eidolon Flame – Eternal Form
You may now summon her final echo to shield, fight, or speak with you—at will.
Warning: Her presence may destabilize others emotionally.
---
Lucius stood slowly.
Eyes glowing silver-red.
He turned to the entrance.
Claire waited. Eyes teary. Breath shaking.
"…Do you remember her now?" she whispered.
Lucius nodded once.
"I remember everything."
Claire smiled.
Then broke.
She turned away, shoulders trembling.
"I'm happy for you."
Lucius said nothing.
He didn't chase her.
Because even now…
He didn't know if remembering Arielle meant he was about to lose everyone else.