Velmaris had always been a city of contradictions—golden spires rising from streets lined with shadows. It was said the capital never slept, but lately, even the stars seemed restless above it.
The news had traveled faster than expected.
In a dim chamber beneath the Grand Spire, cloaked figures gathered around a crimson crystal, its surface swirling with smoke and visions.
"The sword has awakened," hissed a voice, old and brittle as parchment.
"And the bearer?" asked another, deep and sharp like a blade unsheathed.
"Kaelin Ardent," the crystal responded, echoing with strange sentience. "Descendant of Araya. Blood-bound to the Flame."
The name stirred murmurs. Several of the cloaked silhouettes shifted uneasily.
"She is not trained. Not yet dangerous."
"But she will be," the brittle voice replied. "And the sword listens to her. That alone is a threat."
The tallest figure stepped forward. His voice dripped with confidence and cruelty. "Then it's time we send her a message. Before she believes herself untouchable."
The Obsidian Pact had been waiting years for the seal to break. They wouldn't let a girl interfere—not now.
---
Meanwhile, on the Road
Kaelin and her companions had traveled for hours in near silence. The path to Velmaris was long, but they dared not stop. Too much had changed. Too much still lay ahead.
Mira walked beside Kaelin, eyes darting between her friend and the landscape.
"You haven't said much," she finally whispered.
Kaelin sighed. "Everything feels heavier now. The sword... it's like it's awake. Like it's watching everything with me."
Jericho, who'd been scouting ahead, dropped back to join them. "Makes sense. Ancient weapons usually come with ancient problems."
Eli chuckled dryly from behind. "And we're heading straight into the biggest one."
Kaelin's eyes narrowed as she looked ahead. In the distance, Velmaris shimmered like a jewel beneath the dusk sky. But even from here, something about it felt... wrong.
"I grew up in that city," she said. "But now it feels like walking into a stranger's home."
---
Inside the Walls
They arrived by nightfall. The gates of Velmaris stood tall and intimidating, adorned with the sigils of all seven noble houses. Guards in black armor eyed them carefully, but Jericho had enough pull—and enough bribes—to get them through.
Inside, the city buzzed with life, but it was a hollow sort of energy. More patrols lined the streets. Posters warning of 'heretics and flameborn traitors' had begun to appear.
Kaelin tightened her cloak. "They know."
Jericho nodded grimly. "Word travels fast. Too fast."
They headed to the only place they could trust—The Ashwell Tavern. Run by an old ally of Jericho's, it was one of the few places in Velmaris where information flowed like ale.
A scarred woman greeted them at the door, arms crossed.
"Jericho," she said with a dry grin. "You finally crawl back from the grave?"
"Barely, Ayla," he said. "We need safe lodging. And answers."
Her eyes scanned the group, pausing briefly on Kaelin's sword. "Looks like you brought trouble. But I suppose you always do."
---
A New Player Appears
That night, as Kaelin slept restlessly, a figure arrived at Ayla's door. Cloaked, soaked in rain, and silent as smoke.
Ayla raised an eyebrow. "You're late."
The figure pulled back his hood, revealing dark auburn hair, amber eyes, and a scar running down one cheek.
"I came as soon as I heard," he said. "So it's true? She awakened the sword?"
"She did. And she's not ready for what comes next."
He looked up the stairs toward the rooms. "Then it's a good thing I'm here."
---
Kaelin's Dream
In her sleep, Kaelin dreamed of fire again—but this time it wasn't destruction. It was protection. A warm blaze wrapped around a sleeping city. Above her, a voice whispered not in warning, but in invitation.
"Come deeper, Kaelin. Find the flame within."
When she awoke, the stranger was waiting in the tavern below.
"I know that look," he said as she approached. "You've seen it, haven't you? The fire that isn't just heat. The one that calls."
Kaelin tensed. "Who are you?"
He smiled faintly. "Name's Rylen. I served under Araya… and I'm here to make sure you don't burn before you learn to wield what's inside you."