The tunnel twisted deeper beneath the mountain, cold air curling like fingers around Seraphina's skin. Cassian leaned heavily on her, wincing with every step, but not once did he ask to stop.
"You're stubborn," Seraphina muttered.
"Coming from you, that's a compliment," Cassian replied through clenched teeth.
"I mean it. You could've stayed behind. I would've come back."
"No," he said firmly, eyes glinting with pain but also something stronger. "We finish this together."
She didn't argue. She couldn't. Not when his presence grounded her so deeply.
They passed a crumbled archway, its stone etched with forgotten runes. The temperature dropped instantly.
Seraphina paused. "Do you feel that?"
Cassian frowned. "It's like the air's... heavier."
She touched the wall. The stone beneath her fingers glowed faintly, reacting to her. A ripple of energy pulsed down the corridor.
Suddenly, a whisper echoed all around them.
"She who carries the fire... must first face the truth."
Cassian stiffened. "What the hell was that?"
"I—I don't know," Seraphina breathed. "But it wasn't just a voice. It was inside me."
She stepped forward, following the strange pull of energy until they entered a vast underground chamber. At the center stood a pedestal, and on it, a small orb of glowing crystal.
Cassian whispered, "That's... your mother's magic, isn't it?"
Seraphina nodded. "It's the same energy that came from the letter she left me."
The whispers returned, louder this time, forming words from the past.
"You must remember who you are, child of flame. The darkness is not only around you... it is within you."
Seraphina staggered back. "What is this? Why does it sound like her?"
Cassian caught her arm. "It's a memory... sealed in the stone, maybe. Magic left behind to guide you."
Her breathing quickened. "But it's talking about darkness inside me—what does that mean?"
Before Cassian could answer, the orb pulsed.
A vision overtook her.
---
She stood in a burning palace. Her own palace. The throne room scorched, soldiers fallen. Malrec stood at the center, his eyes dark pools of hate.
And beside him—a woman.
Not just any woman.
Her mother.
"No," Seraphina whispered in the vision. "That can't be—"
The woman turned, eyes filled with regret. "I did what I had to do, Seraphina. You'll understand someday."
---
Seraphina snapped back to reality, gasping.
Cassian held her steady. "What did you see?"
"My mother," she whispered. "She was... with him. With Malrec."
He looked stunned. "That doesn't make sense. She died protecting the kingdom—"
"She said she did what she had to do." Seraphina's voice cracked. "What if everything I knew about her... was a lie?"
Cassian shook his head slowly. "No. Maybe she pretended to be on Malrec's side. Maybe it was the only way to protect something—you, even."
Seraphina sank to her knees, hands trembling. "Then why not tell me? Why hide everything?"
Cassian knelt beside her, placing his hand gently over hers. "Because maybe she was trying to protect you from the truth until you were strong enough to face it."
She looked up at him, eyes wet. "I don't feel strong, Cassian."
He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "But you are. You just don't see it yet."
She exhaled shakily. "The Everflame isn't just power. It's memory. It's truth. And it's going to show me everything."
Cassian stood and offered his hand. "Then let's find out what else it's hiding."
Seraphina took his hand, rising with him. "Together?"
He smiled, the tired but unshakable smile she was starting to lean on more and more. "Always."
---