It happened at sunset.
The Circle had been training in the broken arena near the cliffs—an old Warden dueling ground reclaimed by the new Flameborne.
Jackie stood at the edge, watching Mira guide Luci through a control exercise.
That's when the wind changed.
Not a Rift gust. Not Vael'tharuun's breath.
Something… sharper.
Colder.
Then came the voice:
> "Cute little tribe you've made."
Everyone turned.
A figure stepped from the shadow of the trees, walking with unearned confidence and the scent of scorched earth trailing behind him.
He wore old Flameborne armor—cracked, warped, fused with Riftmetal.
And his flame?
> It wasn't gold. It was blue. Cold-fire. Corrupted.
Jackie stepped forward, hand rising instinctively.
> "Name yourself."
The figure smirked.
> "Zairen. Once Flameborne. Now evolved."
> "And you—you're the one who speaks like a queen but was never crowned."
Kael reached for his blade. Jackie shook her head.
> "What do you want?"
> "To take what's mine," Zairen said. "This Circle. That fire. The future."
> "The Crucible isn't proof of leadership. Power is. So I challenge you. Now."
---
🜂 Ritual Combat: The Ember Duel
The old Flameborne had a tradition:
One challenge. One fire. No interference.
If Jackie refused, she'd lose face—and followers.
If she accepted and lost…
> The Circle might fracture forever.
Jackie stepped into the arena.
> "You want my flame?"
She ignited her arms, gold and silver fire coursing like rivers through her veins.
> "Then come earn it."
---
🜂 The Duel Begins
Zairen struck first—fast, brutal, a spear of cold flame ripping across the ground.
Jackie leapt over it, landing hard, her fists slamming the earth and sending a shockwave through the stone.
They clashed in bursts of heat and frost. Fire met fire—hers alive, his twisted.
Zairen laughed. "You hold back. Typical."
Jackie narrowed her eyes. "I choose. There's a difference."
He launched toward her again—but this time, she stepped into the blow.
Took the hit.
And used the momentum to grip his chestplate, her hand glowing bright.
> "You forgot one thing," she whispered.
> "This Circle chose me."
She slammed her palm into his chest.
And for a moment—he screamed.
Because her fire wasn't burning his body.
> It was burning the corruption inside it.
---
🜂 Aftermath
Zairen fell to his knees, coughing black smoke.
His armor cracked. The Riftmetal began to melt away.
Jackie stood tall. Her flame faded. But her voice didn't shake.
> "You're not our enemy. Not yet."
> "But if you ever try to take from this Circle again—"
"—you won't get a second duel."
He didn't reply.
He just crawled to his feet… and walked away.
---
The Circle was silent for a moment.
Then Mira stepped forward. "She won."
Kaien: "No—she led."
And from above, Vael'tharuun's voice rumbled:
> "The fire has chosen well."