The sky above the Temple of Echoes churned with fire and frost.
Lightning arced between torn clouds. The ground trembled with the weight of two titans approaching: Valec, shadow-wrapped and broken, and the Pale King, his presence unraveling reality with every step.
Amina stepped out into the courtyard, the Emberbrand clutched tightly in her hand. The blade shimmered—part flame, part memory, part unspoken promise.
Rael stood behind her, silent. Ashar and Kai had drawn their weapons but dared not move.
The decision was hers.
And only hers.
---
Valec's Descent
Valec landed first.
His eyes met Amina's, and for a heartbeat, the man beneath the rage flickered through.
"Amina," he said, his voice raw. "Step aside."
"No."
"You don't understand. If I don't stop him, the Pale King will—"
"You are letting him in."
Valec's jaw clenched. The swirling black around him hissed, recoiling at her defiance.
"I didn't ask to be saved," he spat. "I asked to be understood."
"You think destruction is understanding?" she challenged. "I saw what Amariel tried to show you. I saw what you were."
Valec faltered. "Then you know... I failed her."
"Yes. And now you want to fail the world?"
---
The Pale King Approaches
A second shadow unfurled behind Valec—colder, crueler. The Pale King floated inches above the earth, draped in shrouds of withered flame. His mouth never moved, but his voice seeped into every ear like oil.
"She will break. Like you did."
Amina's knees almost buckled. The pressure of the Pale King's presence pressed on every cell of her body.
Ashar grunted behind her. Blood dripped from his nose. Kai was on one knee, shaking.
But Valec… didn't move.
Because he was already hollowed out.
"Don't listen to him!" Amina shouted. "You are not his weapon."
The Pale King turned to Valec, eyes like pits of silence.
"She cannot save you. But I can."
---
The Fracture
Valec trembled.
"Amina… run."
She stepped forward.
"I'm not running. I'm not letting you fall again."
"You don't understand!" he roared. "I am already fallen!"
The fire inside him surged. His arms ignited. The ground beneath cracked. The power—the same one Amariel tried to contain—erupted.
And yet…
The Emberbrand in Amina's hand didn't waver.
She raised it.
"I know you want to die. But I won't let that be the end."
The flame expanded from her chest, pure and white-hot. It wasn't power. It was memory. Love. Pain. Forgiveness.
She struck the ground with the blade.
The light spread.
---
The Revelation Flame
The Pale King recoiled, his form distorting.
Valec screamed—not in agony, but in something deeper.
He remembered.
He remembered Amariel's final words.
He remembered holding her as her flame dimmed—not because of war, but because of choice.
"You wanted to die with her," Amina whispered, tears streaking her face. "But she gave you life. And you turned it into fire and ash."
Valec dropped to his knees. The black aura cracked around him.
Amina approached slowly, placing the Emberbrand against his chest.
"Burn, then. But burn clean."
---
The First Spark
A single spark erupted from the blade.
It sank into Valec's chest.
He gasped.
The shadow peeled from his body, screaming as it was ripped apart. The Pale King let out a screech, shriveling in the backlash of light.
Rael stepped forward, mouth agape. "She's… cleansing him."
The clouds above parted.
And for a moment, Valec—truly Valec—looked at her.
"I never meant for this."
"I know."
---
But Peace Has a Price
Then the ground split open beneath them.
The Pale King, furious, made his move.
He surged—not at Valec—but at Amina.
She turned just in time.
The Emberbrand flew from her hand.
A shield of blue fire exploded around her.
Ashar was at her side, blades drawn.
Kai stepped forward, whispering a spell he swore never to use.
But it wasn't enough.
The Pale King reached her—
And touched her soul.