Chapter 94 - Chapter 94: The newly opened passage stretched into darkness beneath the Forge.

For several moments, nobody moved.The words on the ancient wall remained illuminated behind them.THE CREATOR WAS NOT THE FIRST.Lyra could not stop thinking about them.If the Creator had not been the first, then what existed before the being who had created the Seven Hearts?And why had that truth been hidden?Kael stepped beside her."You don't have to solve everything tonight."Lyra looked at him."I know.""But you're going to try anyway."A small smile touched her lips."Probably."Rylan walked past them with a torch raised."Wonderful. While the two of you discuss ancient mysteries, I'll be the brave person walking into the terrifying tunnel first."Selene followed."You're only going first because you don't want to admit you're scared."Rylan glanced over his shoulder."I can be brave and terrified at the same time."Aurelia smiled."That's the point."Seraphine watched the group quietly.Something had changed in her.The woman who had once refused to accept help was now allowing others to walk beside her.She stepped forward."I'm coming with you."Lyra nodded."Then we go together."The passage descended deeper beneath Ignis.The temperature should have increased as they moved closer to the volcano's core.Instead, the air became strangely cold.The walls were covered with silver markings that seemed to move whenever the torchlight passed over them.Garrick stopped beside one."I've seen this symbol before."He brushed away the dust.A circle surrounded by seven lines."Where?""In the oldest records of the Forge."He looked troubled."The symbol was always associated with the First Flame."Lyra touched the marking.The compass at her waist immediately reacted.A thin beam of light emerged from its emerald center and struck the wall.The stone opened.Behind it was a narrow chamber.Inside sat a small object on a stone pedestal.It wasn't a weapon.It wasn't a crystal.It was a blackened piece of metal no larger than Lyra's palm.Yet a faint golden light pulsed inside it.Seraphine stopped breathing."The First Flame."Aurelia looked confused."That's it?"Seraphine shook her head."No."She approached carefully."That's what remains of it."Lyra reached toward the object."Can I?"Seraphine hesitated.Then nodded.Lyra touched the metal.The chamber disappeared.She stood beneath an unfamiliar sky.There were no cities.No mountains.No oceans.Only endless darkness filled with stars.A figure stood in the distance.Lyra couldn't see its face.Seven lights surrounded it.But something was wrong.The figure wasn't creating the lights.It was running from them.A second presence emerged from the darkness.A voice echoed across the stars."You cannot divide what was never yours."The first figure turned.Seven lights exploded outward.Worlds appeared.Forests.Oceans.Kingdoms.Life.The Seven Hearts were born.But then the vision changed.Lyra saw the same figure kneeling before something enormous.Something she couldn't see clearly.The figure lowered its head.Not in worship.In fear.Lyra stepped closer."Who are you?"The vision shattered.Lyra gasped and pulled her hand away.Kael caught her before she fell."What happened?"She looked at him, shaken."I saw the beginning."Garrick stepped closer."What did you see?"Lyra struggled to describe it."The Creator wasn't alone."Seraphine's face tightened."Did you see what came before?""No."Lyra looked toward the blackened metal."But I saw the Creator afraid."The chamber became silent.Astraeus spoke inside her mind."There are memories even I cannot access."Lyra frowned."Then how do you know what you're supposed to guide me toward?""I was created to protect the Heir.""Not to know everything."That answer left Lyra more unsettled than before.Suddenly, the First Flame began glowing.A tiny golden flame rose from the blackened metal.It floated toward Seraphine.She reached out.The flame entered her palm.Seraphine gasped.Crimson light erupted from her body.The Heart of Courage answered from somewhere above them.The entire mountain shook.Seraphine dropped to one knee.Lyra rushed toward her."Seraphine!""I'm fine."She slowly stood.The scar across her cheek began glowing gold.The Guardian stared at her hands."I can feel it.""The Heart."Lyra smiled."You restored it."Seraphine shook her head."No."She looked toward the passage ahead."The Heart restored me."A deep sound suddenly rolled through the tunnels.Not an earthquake.Footsteps.Something was approaching.Garrick raised his hammer."We aren't alone."The darkness ahead moved.A tall figure emerged from the passage.It wore ancient armor covered in ash.Its face was hidden behind a cracked metal mask.In one hand, it carried a sword made entirely of black fire.Seraphine stepped forward."Who are you?"The stranger stopped.Then slowly removed the mask.Seraphine's face went pale."No…"Garrick stared at the man in disbelief."I watched you die."The stranger smiled."You watched me fall."His eyes shifted toward Lyra."You never saw what happened afterward."Lyra felt the Hope Mark burn against her skin.The stranger raised his black sword."I have been waiting for the Heir of Hope."