Flame surged from the crater, spiraling into Kael's chest, searing pain through his body. Old memories clashed with present vision. The Heartflame wasn't just power—it was all that had been lost, all who had fallen.
Eira shielded her eyes as Kael rose, his body wrapped in firelight.
"You're glowing," she said, half in awe.
"I feel… whole."
From below, Morvain felt the disturbance. "The flame breathes again. Then so must the blade."
In the darkness of the north, he drew an obsidian sword—the twin to Kael's flamebound weapon.