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Chapter 7 - The Flame Trial of the Hollow Core

Beneath the Hollow, the spiral gate had long slumbered.

A sealed path of root-veined stone and bone-etched sigils, carved in the shape of a downward flame—the mouth of the Hollow Core, the spiritual heart of the Ashen Sect.

It opened at Kaien's touch.

He said nothing.

Just turned to Seren and Rin, whose robes now bore the ash-ring of true discipleship. Their auras pulsed gently, incomplete still, but no longer fragile.

"Today," Kaien said quietly, "you do not train."

"Today, you call."

Ashen Hollow System Alert

Trial of Beastlink Initiated

Participants:– Seren, Flame-Dream Path– Rin, Smoke-Veil PathLocation: Hollow Core – Spirit CrucibleGuardian: Bound (Nyru – Watcher Only)

Trial Type: Dual Soul CallingRestrictions: No External FlameTrial Phase: 1 of 3 – Revelation

They descended in silence.

The Hollow Core chamber was immense, shaped like an inverted bell. Its ceiling glimmered with embedded soul-gems—long-dead memories of those who once failed to bond. The floor was cracked obsidian, ringed by shallow flame-pools that pulsed with no heat, only hunger.

Kaien waited at the outer ring, blade unsheathed.

Nyru lay beside him, still and flame-eyed.

Seren and Rin stepped into the inner ring as directed. A circle of old blood sealed behind them.

"Close your eyes," Kaien said.

"Now call."

"Not with words. Not with thought. With need."

Seren went first.

She knelt, hands open at her sides, breath slow.

Her flame had always moved like script—too careful. But in this silence, her control frayed. Sparks rose from her skin like petals. Her pulse quickened.

From the darkness came a sound.

Hoofbeats.Breath like smoke through glass.A howl split through the veil.

Something charged through the spirit mist—

A stag of white flame, horns spiraled like lunar crescents, eyes glowing with blue fire.

It slowed before her, exhaling flame that curled around her without burning.

It lowered its head.

And knelt.

Beastlink Achieved

Name: Irius, Dreamfire StagBond Type: Soul-Fused (Oneiric Flame)Combat Type: Speed / Vision / IllusionFlame Core Stability: 73%Affinity with Seren: 84%

Kaien's eyes narrowed.

A dreamflame-class beast. Rarer than he expected. And it came to her unbidden.

He turned to Rin.

Rin's face was pale. Sweat glistened across his neck. His eyes were open, but seeing nothing.

His body trembled.

Smoke poured from his skin—but not fire.

Fear.

He was reliving something.

Kaien stepped forward—but Nyru blocked him.

"Let him face it."

Rin gasped.

A whisper echoed from the pool beside him:

"You were always the coward."

Then from the smoke—

A jackal-shaped beast, half-corpse, half-shadow, dragging broken chains. Its face was Rin's own. It laughed.

"You fled. And you'll flee again."

Rin clenched his fists.

Smoke thickened. Hardened.

"I fled then. I won't flee now."

He stepped into the jackal's path.

The beast lunged.

So did Rin.

Flame flared.

And when the smoke cleared—

The jackal knelt.

Not broken. Not tamed.

Changed.

Beastlink Achieved

Name: Kuro, Chain-Voiced JackalBond Type: Paradox (Fear-forged Pact)Combat Type: Stealth / Chainfire / Memory-ShredFlame Core Stability: 62%Affinity with Rin: 79%

The Hollow trembled.

Not in collapse—but recognition.

The ancient flame had been fed.

Kaien stepped forward, placing a hand on each disciple's shoulder.

"You are no longer apprentices," he said.

"You are fire-bound."

"And you are no longer alone."

That night, the flame in the brazier reached higher than it ever had.

Nyru circled the perimeter. Irius shimmered beside Seren as she meditated, hooves unbound by physical stone. Kuro prowled the shadows beyond the firelight, silent and unseen.

Rin sat beside Kaien.

"You never called a beast," he said quietly. "What came for you?"

Kaien's jaw tightened.

"Nothing comes for me," he answered.

"Only what I burned away."

Far above, in the upper sky-realm known as Verdethrone, a divine censor cracked open, and a priestess gasped.

"The Hollow has passed its first Bonding. Their beasts are awakened."

Her superior, blindfolded, turned a page in his golden tome.

"Then it is time."

"Send word to the Five Flame Sects. The outlaw fire stirs."

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