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After Ravion disappeared into the sky, the silence around the temple returned, but it wasn't peaceful anymore. It was the kind of silence that made everyone feel uneasy. Chirag sat quietly on the temple steps, his mind replaying every second of the fight. He could still feel the heat from Ravion's energy and the sting on his shoulder where he had been hit.
Siya sat beside him without saying a word. Her eyes were full of worry, but she knew better than to stop Chirag from thinking. After everything he had been through, after all the loss and pain, this moment of silence was something he needed.
"I wasn't strong enough," Chirag finally said.
"You faced a Ruler and survived," Siya replied softly. "That means more than you think."
"But I didn't win," Chirag whispered. "I wasn't even close. He played with me like I was a child."
Siya touched his hand gently. "And yet, you're still here."
Chirag looked at her, his eyes tired but burning with determination. "That has to change. I have three months. I need to become stronger than I've ever been."
Just then, Dazren joined them, holding a small scroll in his hand. "I thought you might say that," he said, handing it to Chirag. "This is a map. It leads to the Valley of Flames."
"The Valley of Flames?" Chirag repeated.
"It's where fire demons are born and trained," Dazren explained. "If you want to unlock the true strength of your power, you'll need to go there."
Chirag opened the scroll and studied the path. "Is it dangerous?"
"Very," Dazren answered. "But if you survive, you'll come back stronger than ever."
Chirag stood up and nodded. "Then that's where I'm going."
"I'm coming too," Siya said firmly.
Chirag turned to her. "Siya, it's going to be dangerous. You don't have to—"
"I'm not leaving you again," she interrupted. "Not after everything we've been through. We're doing this together."
He smiled, grateful. "Then let's go."
---
The journey to the Valley of Flames took several days. The path led them through dense forests, freezing rivers, and rocky mountains. But it was the last stretch—crossing through the Ashen Desert—that truly tested them. The heat was almost unbearable, and the ground felt like it could melt your shoes.
After what felt like hours, they finally reached the edge of the valley. Before them stood a wide canyon, glowing with bright orange light. Lava flowed through cracks in the ground, and the air shimmered with heat. In the distance, they could see massive creatures made of fire moving between the rocks—fire demons.
Chirag took a deep breath. "This is it."
As they stepped into the valley, they were immediately met by one of the fire demons. It had the body of a man but skin that burned like fire, and its eyes glowed red.
"You do not belong here," the demon growled.
Chirag stood tall. "I'm here to learn."
The demon laughed, a low, rumbling sound. "Only those born in fire can survive here."
"I carry the power of the Demon King's daughter," Chirag replied. "If that's not enough, test me."
The demon's eyes narrowed. "Very well."
In a flash, it attacked. Fire shot from its hands, surrounding Chirag in a ring of flame. Chirag didn't panic. Instead, he let the heat surround him, remembering his fight with the Fire Warden, remembering how to control the energy inside him. His eyes glowed faintly as he pushed the fire back with his own power.
The demon looked surprised. "You've controlled flame before."
"I'm learning fast," Chirag said.
The demon nodded slowly. "Then follow me. If you survive the Trials of Flame, you will be accepted."
Chirag and Siya were led deep into the valley, where a hidden city made of black stone and fire sat inside a giant cavern. Inside, Chirag was told about the three trials he would have to face:
Trial of Endurance. Trial of Control. Trial of Heart.
Each one would test a different part of him.
The Trial of Endurance was brutal. Chirag had to stand in the middle of a firestorm for hours, not moving, not screaming. The fire demon elders watched from above, waiting to see if he would break. But Chirag stayed strong. Every second in that storm reminded him of the pain he had already felt—the betrayal, the loneliness, the loss of Siya. Compared to that, fire was nothing.
The Trial of Control pushed him even harder. He had to fight against illusions made of flame, each one showing his worst fears. He saw his parents abandoning him again. He saw Siya dying over and over. But through each image, he held on to one thing: his promise to protect her, no matter what. And that gave him strength.
Finally came the Trial of Heart. Chirag stood in front of a fire demon elder who asked him just one question.
"Why do you want power?"
Chirag answered without hesitation. "To protect the one I love. And to make sure no one else loses their light like I did."
The elder looked at him in silence, then finally nodded. "You have passed."
After the trials, the fire demons led him to the Heart of Flame—a giant crystal burning in the center of the valley. They placed his hands on it, and for a moment, the entire world went silent.
Flames rushed into his body—not just heat, but life. His eyes blazed brighter than ever, and the ground around him cracked from the pressure of his power. He didn't scream. He didn't fall. He stood tall, the fire becoming a part of him.
When it was done, he fell to his knees, exhausted but smiling.
Siya ran to him and held him. "You did it."
Chirag looked into her eyes. "Now we can face them. All of them."
Far above the valley, hidden in the clouds, Ravion watched through a magical portal. A faint smile crossed his face.
"Let's see how far you'll go, Chirag."
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