As the students and teachers began to disperse after hearing the powerful story of the Primordial Flame, one student from the Religious Studies class lingered, a curious expression on his face. He raised his hand, stepping forward hesitantly.
"Excuse me," he said, his voice filled with curiosity. "There's something I still don't understand. You said the angel—the Keeper of the Sacred Flame—was banished, but if he's not here… who protects the flame now?"
The group paused, turning their attention back to the High Priest, who had been preparing to lead the followers back into the temple. The Religious Studies Professor, too, looked intrigued by the question, his brow furrowed in thought.
The High Priest smiled gently, as though expecting such a question. He stepped closer to the flames, his face illuminated by their warm light. "Ah," he said, "I see I did not clarify something important. You ask who protects the flame, but the answer is more complex than you think."
The High Priest looked out at the gathered students and teachers, his voice calm and reverent. "The angel I speak of, the one who was once known as the Keeper of the Sacred Flame, is no longer simply an angel."
A murmur of curiosity rippled through the group, and even Aetherion, standing in the back, felt a surge of anticipation as the High Priest prepared to reveal more of his transformation.
The High Priest continued, "When the angel was banished to the Void, he did not merely create the Primordial Flame. To forge the flame, he made the ultimate sacrifice. He burned his soul and his body in the fires of the primordial energy—the same energy that created all things. In doing so, he became something far greater than an angel."
The students leaned in, captivated by every word.
The High Priest's voice took on a deeper tone, filled with reverence. "The angel became a Primordial, a being tied to the very essence of creation itself. He is no longer a servant of the gods or bound by the rules of angels. He has become one with the flame he created."
The flames of the Primordial Fire flickered, their colors shifting from deep orange to a bright white as if in response to the High Priest's words.
"He is the flame, and the flame is him," the High Priest continued. "They are inseparable. When you look upon this flame, you are not just seeing a source of power—you are seeing the very soul of the Primordial who created it. His essence is woven into every spark, every flicker of light that comes from it."
The students' eyes widened as they tried to comprehend the gravity of what was being said. To think that the flame they had come to study was not just a symbol, but a living extension of the being who had created it—it was overwhelming.
The student who had asked the question looked stunned, as did many of his classmates. He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "So… the flame is alive?"
The High Priest nodded solemnly. "In a way, yes. The flame contains the soul and power of the Primordial. It is not simply a fire to be admired or used—it is a force of creation, bound to the will of the one who forged it. And as long as the flame burns, the Primordial Flame lives on."
The Religious Studies Professor took a deep breath, his mind clearly racing as he processed this new information. "This… this changes everything," he muttered to himself. "To think that the flame is an actual extension of a living being…"
As the group absorbed the High Priest's explanation, Aetherion remained silent, watching with quiet satisfaction. To hear his story told in such a profound and reverent way stirred something deep within him. This was his legacy, his transformation from a mere angel into a Primordial, a being of infinite potential.
The students and teachers had come to study the flame, and they had discovered that the flame was far more than they had ever imagined. They had learned the truth—that he was the flame, and the flame was him.
"System," Aetherion whispered in his mind, "it's remarkable how far my story has spread through my followers."
The system responded, [Indeed. Your transformation has become legend, and now, with each retelling, your influence grows. The more they believe in the flame, the stronger your connection to this world becomes.]
Aetherion smiled to himself, feeling the weight of his past and the power of his present merging into something greater. His flame was more than just a symbol—it was his very essence, and soon, the world would come to understand that.
The students and teachers stood in silence for a moment, contemplating the magnitude of what they had just learned. One of the Advanced Magic students, who had been fascinated by the elemental properties of the flame, spoke quietly. "To think that something like this could exist… a flame that is alive, that holds the soul of its creator… it's humbling."
The High Priest nodded. "Yes, it is humbling. But it is also a gift. The Primordial Flame offers more than just power—it offers wisdom, renewal, and the chance to connect with something far greater than ourselves. We are all here because we seek the flame's light, and through it, we are transformed."
The Religious Studies Professor turned to the High Priest, his voice filled with a newfound sense of respect. "Thank you for sharing this with us. We have much to learn, but already, we are beginning to understand the true nature of the flame. It is far more than we ever expected."
With the students and teachers now grasping the true nature of the Primordial Flame, the atmosphere in the sanctuary shifted. There was no longer just curiosity or excitement—there was a deep sense of reverence. They had come seeking knowledge, but what they had found was far more profound: they had found a living flame, a flame that embodied the power and soul of its creator.
The High Priest smiled as he looked out at the group. "You have taken your first step in understanding the flame, but there is much more to learn. The flame burns brightly here, and it offers its light to all who seek it. Remember what you have learned today, for it is the key to unlocking the flame's true power."
As the group slowly began to disperse, their minds filled with thoughts of the flame and the Primordial who created it, Aetherion watched with a sense of quiet satisfaction. His influence was spreading, his power growing, and the flame—his flame—was becoming a force that none could ignore.