The journey back to the Ironspine Cliffs was silent, heavy with exhaustion and the weight of what they'd learned. Kael rode atop his griffin, his body aching from the battle with Alaric, his mind racing. The merged fire in his veins hummed steadily now, but he could feel the split lingering—like a crack in glass, waiting to shatter.
By dawn, they reached the griffin sanctuary. The warriors cheered as they arrived, but the celebration died quickly when they saw the group's haggard faces and the absence of the soldiers who'd stayed behind to guard the fortress. Healers rushed forward, tending to the injured, while the elders gathered to hear their report.
In the sanctuary's main chamber, Kael sat on a stone bench, Leah dabbing a healing salve on his chest wound—the one Alaric had inflicted with his dark magic claws. The wound burned, a faint blackness spreading beneath the skin, a reminder of the darkness that still clung to him.
"Alaric is gone, but his magic remains," Merlin said, standing before the elders. He held a vial of black liquid—dark magic he'd collected from the Bog of Shadows fortress. "It's spreading, seeping into the northern lands, corrupting the earth, the water, the air. And it's spreading to the people—fanning the flames of fear and division."
A griffin elder stepped forward, his feathers gray with age. "Our scouts report conflicts in the northern villages. Humans attacking elves, elves blaming griffins, phoenixes refusing to share their fire magic. The alliance is fracturing, just as the prophecy said."
Leah nodded, her face serious. "The Crimson Order's remaining soldiers are spreading lies—saying Kael is corrupted by dark magic, saying the four bloodlines are cursed. People are listening. Fear is winning."
Kael stood, the merged fire glowing faintly in his palms. "We need to stop the dark magic. To heal the land. To mend the alliance."
Merlin sighed. "There are two ways. The first: use your dragon fire. It's raw, destructive—you can burn the dark magic away, purge it from the land in days. But it will cost you. Dragon fire doesn't distinguish between darkness and light. It will burn villages, harm innocent people, and deepen the split in your magic."
He paused. "The second: use your phoenix fire. It's pure, healing—you can purify the dark magic, mend the land slowly, gently. It won't harm anyone, and it will strengthen the balance in your magic. But it will take weeks, maybe months. And in that time, the division will grow. The alliance will fall. The prophecy's 'brother against brother' will come true."
The chamber fell silent. All eyes turned to Kael—elven elders, phoenix warriors, griffin leaders, human knights. Their lives, the alliance, the realm—all depended on his choice.
Kael closed his eyes, focusing on his magic. He felt the dragon fire's rage, its hunger to destroy, its promise of quick victory. He felt the phoenix fire's calm, its desire to heal, its warning of slow defeat. The split in his magic widened, his head throbbing with pain.
"Dragon fire," Gareth said, his voice firm. "We don't have time to wait. The alliance is breaking. We need to act fast."
Leah shook her head. "No. Phoenix fire. We can't burn innocent people. We can't become monsters to fight monsters. We need to heal, not destroy."
Lira stepped forward. "Phoenix fire is our strength. It's what makes us different from the darkness. We can't abandon it."
A human knight spoke up. "Dragon fire is the only way. My village is already under attack. If we wait, everyone there will die."
The chamber erupted into chaos—shouts, arguments, accusations. Elves vs. humans, griffins vs. phoenixes. The alliance, once united, was splitting before Kael's eyes.
"Silence!" Kael shouted, his voice booming. The merged fire flared, dragon fire dominant, and the chamber fell quiet.
He opened his eyes, his resolve hardening. He knew his choice.
"I choose dragon fire," he said.
Leah's face fell. "Kael, no—"
"I have to," Kael said. "The alliance is breaking. The dark magic is spreading. We don't have time to wait. We need to stop this now, before it's too late."
Lira stepped forward, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Dragon fire will destroy everything we've fought for. It will make you like Alaric. Like Julian."
"I won't become them," Kael said. "I'll control it. I'll burn the dark magic, not the people. I promise."
Merlin nodded, his face grave. "Be careful, Kael. Dragon fire is unpredictable. It feeds on anger. On the split in your magic. If you lose control, you'll destroy the realm."
Kael nodded. He turned to the warriors. "Gather your forces. We'll march north at dawn. We'll burn the dark magic, we'll stop the conflicts, we'll mend the alliance."
The warriors nodded, their voices mixed with hope and fear. They filed out of the chamber, leaving Kael alone with Leah, Lira, Gareth, and Merlin.
"You're making a mistake," Leah said, her voice quiet.
Kael sighed. "I know it's risky. But it's the only way."
Lira shook her head. "Phoenix fire could have worked. We could have healed the land, healed the alliance. Together."
"I'm sorry," Kael said.
Gareth placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'll stand with you. Whatever happens."
Merlin nodded. "I'll prepare spells to help you control the dragon fire. To shield the innocent. But the rest is up to you, Kael. Your will. Your choice."
Kael nodded. He walked to the chamber's window, looking out at the Ironspine Cliffs. The sun was rising, painting the sky in hues of orange and gold. But in the north, a dark cloud loomed—the spreading shadow of Alaric's magic.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his magic. The dragon fire raged, hot and powerful, while the phoenix fire dimmed, faint and weak. The split was deeper than ever.
He knew the prophecy was coming true.
The light had split.
And soon, brother would turn against brother.
He opened his eyes, his jaw tight.
He would control the dragon fire.
He would stop the dark magic.
He would mend the alliance.
He would fulfill his destiny.
Even if it cost him everything.
The merged fire in his veins burned bright—dragon fire dominant, hot and angry.
Dawn came, and the warriors gathered. They marched north, Kael at the front, his flame sword glowing with dragon fire.
The choice had been made.
The fight was about to begin.
And the realm's fate hung in the balance.