The flames had died by morning, leaving the shrine in ashes and smoke. Villagers gathered in silence, whispering fears that felt like thunder in Aric's ears.
"It was no accident," Maelis said, standing beside him with his hood drawn low. His voice was calm, but his eyes sharp and full of old fire never stopped scanning the tree line. "They've found us."
"Who was that?" Aric asked, still hearing the figure's voice in his mind. Found you. The words clung to him like frost.
Maelis didn't answer. Instead, he turned and started walking.
"Come," he said. "It's time you saw what I've been hiding from you."
They walked through the forest path behind the village, past twisted roots and frozen streams, until they reached a cave half-covered by moss and stone. Aric had passed it a hundred times and never thought much of it.
Inside, the air was dry and cold. Torches lit as Maelis passed them, one by one, as if the cave recognized him. At the end of the tunnel sat a stone pedestal. Upon it lay a sword wrapped in black cloth.
Maelis pulled the cloth away.
It was beautiful and terrifying. The blade shimmered faintly, even in the dim light, like fire trapped in steel. Strange runes were etched along the flat of the blade, glowing faintly red. The hilt fit perfectly in Aric's hand, though he hadn't touched it yet.
"This is Eryndor," Maelis said. "The last Emberblade."
Aric took a step back. "I'm not ready for this."
"No one ever is," Maelis replied. "But ready or not, they're coming. And you are the only one left who can stand against them."
Aric looked at the sword. He felt it calling to him—not with words, but with warmth. Like it knew him. Like it had been waiting.
He reached out and touched the hilt.
A sudden rush of heat surged through him, not painful, but powerful. He gasped and staggered back. For a moment, the cave flickered, like the flame inside him had lit the walls themselves.
"What the hell was that?" Aric asked, breathing hard.
Maelis looked at him with something between pride and fear. "The ember inside you. You've awakened it."
Aric looked back at the sword. It didn't glow now, but something had changed. He could feel it.
So could the enemy.