Liora stumbled through the woods, her breath fast and shaky. Mira held her hand, pulling her deeper into the dark trees. The night was cold, and branches scratched Liora's arms. Behind them, Cinderfall was quiet now, but Liora could still hear the crash of the fight in Mira's attic. That man, Darius, was fighting the Holy Order guy for her. Why?
"We need to keep moving," Mira whispered, her voice tight. Her blonde braid was messy, and her eyes were wide with fear. "They'll come after us."
Liora nodded, but her legs felt like jelly. Her chest burned again, that hot feeling from the festival. It was like a fire inside her, waiting to burst out. She didn't understand it, and it scared her. "Mira, what if I'm really… her? Ashara?"
Mira stopped and turned, grabbing Liora's shoulders. "You're not some evil empress. You're Liora, my best friend. Whatever's happening, we'll fix it."
Liora wanted to believe her, but the Holy Order man's words echoed in her head. *Ashara's soul lives in you.* She'd heard stories about Empress Ashara, the woman who burned half the empire. Everyone hated her. Was that really inside Liora?
They kept running, dodging roots and rocks. The woods were thick, and the moon barely lit their path. Liora's old dress caught on a thorn, ripping it. She didn't care. She just wanted to be far from Cinderfall, far from the fire she'd started.
They reached a small clearing with a stream. Mira knelt to splash water on her face. "We can rest here for a bit. I don't hear anyone following."
Liora sat on a rock, hugging her knees. Her hands still tingled, like they could spark again. She stared at them, afraid. "Mira, I made that fire. Not with a torch. With my hands. What am I?"
Mira sat next to her, quiet for a moment. "Maybe it's magic. I've heard stories about people with powers. The Holy Order hunts them, but not all are bad."
"Magic?" Liora shook her head. "I'm a peasant. I'm nobody."
"You're not nobody," Mira said, nudging her. "You're Liora Veyne, and you're awesome. We'll figure this out, okay?"
Liora tried to smile, but a twig snapped nearby. Both girls froze. Mira grabbed a stick, holding it like a club. Liora stood, her chest burning hotter. "Who's there?" she called, her voice shaky.
A tall figure stepped into the clearing. It was Darius, the man with the glowing sword. His dark cloak was torn, and a cut bled on his cheek, but his green eyes were steady. His sword was sheathed, but it glowed faintly, like a dying fire.
Mira stepped in front of Liora. "Stay back! Who are you?"
Darius raised his hands, showing he meant no harm. "I'm not your enemy. I'm here to help."
Liora's heart raced. The hot feeling in her chest pulsed when she looked at his sword. "You fought that man for me. Why? And what's with your sword?"
Darius looked at her, his face serious. "My name is Darius Korran. This sword is called the Oathblade. It's cursed, and it's tied to you."
"Me?" Liora's voice cracked. "I don't even know you!"
Darius stepped closer, and the sword glowed brighter. "You're not just Liora. You're the reborn soul of Empress Ashara. The Oathblade knows it. That's why the Holy Order is after you."
Liora felt like the ground dropped away. "No. That's not true. I'm not her."
Darius's eyes softened. "I know it's hard. But the fire you made? That's Ashara's power. You can't hide from it."
Mira swung her stick. "Back off! You're scaring her!"
Darius didn't move, but he looked at Liora. "The Holy Order won't stop. They'll burn this village to find you. Come with me. I can keep you safe."
Liora's head spun. Leave Cinderfall? Her home? But if she stayed, the Holy Order would come. She'd seen the hate in that man's eyes. And her fire… it could hurt people. Hurt Mira.
"Where would we go?" she asked, her voice small.
"There's a place called Iron Hollow," Darius said. "People there can help. People who fight the Holy Order."
Mira lowered her stick, but her eyes were sharp. "How do we know you're not lying?"
"You don't," Darius said. "But if you stay here, they'll find her. And they'll kill her."
Liora looked at Mira, then at Darius. The Oathblade's glow felt like it was calling her. She didn't want to be Ashara. She didn't want to leave. But deep down, she knew he was right. The fire inside her wasn't going away.
"Okay," she said, barely a whisper. "I'll go."
Mira grabbed her arm. "I'm coming too."
Darius shook his head. "It's too dangerous."
"She's my friend," Mira snapped. "I'm not leaving her."
Darius sighed but nodded. "Fine. But we move now. They're already searching the woods."
As they started walking, Liora looked back at the stream, the only home she'd ever known fading behind her. The fire in her chest burned, and she wondered what she was running toward.