The Seeker's cloak whipped around him in the night breeze as he turned away from the group. Violet stood frozen for a moment, absorbing the magnitude of what had just occurred. Not only had she learned the truth about her parents, but she'd uncovered an ancient conspiracy stretching through time and mana.
"Follow me," the Seeker said without turning. "There's much to prepare."
They walked in silence through the Academy's hidden back paths. Echo glanced sideways at Violet, who clutched the pendant her mother once wore. Ren looked deep in thought, while Iris scribbled quietly in a floating notebook that transcribed everything in glowing ink.
The Seeker led them to an abandoned tower just outside the Academy's wards, hidden by cloaking runes and time-worn illusions. Inside, an arcane map pulsed on the wall, its surface marked with dozens of glowing pins.
"The City of Ash," he said, pointing to the southern edge. "Once a city of light and innovation. Now, a wasteland sealed from the world."
"Sealed?" Violet asked.
"By the last breath of the Ashen Circle," he replied. "They burned the city to prevent what lay beneath from escaping."
"What's under the city?" Ren asked.
The Seeker's eyes glowed behind his mask. "The Hollow Flame."
A heavy silence settled over the group.
"It's the only key left," he continued. "And the only weapon that can control the rift if it reopens."
Iris looked up from her notes. "But the Hollow Flame is a myth. Even the oldest texts don't agree on what it is."
"That's because it isn't a thing," Violet said, remembering the echo of her vision. "It's a being."
---
They prepared for the journey over the next two days. Violet trained harder than ever, sparring with Echo until her arms were numb, meditating with Iris to master memory barriers, and strategizing with Ren to analyze every known detail about the City of Ash.
During a quiet moment on the rooftop, Violet sat beside the Seeker. His mask was off, but turned away from her view.
"My parents trusted you," she said.
"They were my friends," he replied. "I failed them. But I won't fail you."
"Tell me the truth. Why me?"
"Because the rift recognized your mana before you were even born. You're not just a mage, Violet. You're a Conduit."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you can contain it—or destroy it."
The wind blew between them. She looked over the city lights. "Then I'll do both."
---
They departed before dawn, cloaked in illusions and mounted on mana-gliders—hoverboards enhanced by wind glyphs. As they soared over forests and rivers, the land grew more desolate. Trees turned to ash. Streams ran gray. Birds vanished from the sky.
Eventually, the ruins of the City of Ash appeared on the horizon.
Black towers crumbled in the wind. Ash swirled in the air like snow. The city gates stood twisted and broken, carved with glyphs long since scorched beyond recognition.
"This is it," the Seeker said, landing first.
Violet stepped onto the ashen ground. A cold pulse thrummed beneath her feet.
"The Hollow Flame sleeps below us," she whispered.
---
They explored slowly, wary of magical traps. Echo held a detection charm that pulsed red every few steps. Iris chanted softly, weaving a protective shell around them.
They found a central plaza marked by a collapsed statue. Underneath it, a trapdoor glowed faintly.
"Stairs below," Ren said. "And something else. A heat signature."
Violet stepped forward. The door opened with a whisper, and warm air flowed upward, thick with the scent of smoke and roses.
"The Hollow Flame is waking," the Seeker said.
---
The descent into the ruins began in silence. The trapdoor's spiral staircase wound downward into ancient stone halls lit by fireless lanterns. The warmth intensified as they went deeper, the air shimmering faintly with heat.
Violet felt something stirring inside her—an old memory, or maybe something older. Her hand brushed the stone wall. Symbols sparked beneath her touch and faded again.
"It recognizes you," the Seeker whispered behind her.
They reached a vast chamber. Its walls were lined with collapsed statues of warriors and mages, all bowing toward a single raised dais in the center. Upon it floated a sphere of molten light, burning without flame.
"The Hollow Flame," Iris said in awe.
The Seeker stepped forward, then paused. "Wait."
From the corners of the chamber, shadows moved. Creatures of soot and smoke, eyes glowing amber, hissed as they emerged.
"Guardians," Echo said, raising her staff.
"No sudden moves," Violet said. "Let me try something."
She walked slowly toward the dais. The creatures watched her, twitching but unmoving. As she reached the base, they stepped back as one.
"It's working," Ren whispered.
The Hollow Flame pulsed, and Violet reached toward it. As her fingers brushed the heatless light, it flared, and images flooded her mind.
She saw the birth of the Flame—an ancient experiment powered by sacrifice. She saw her parents, the Seeker, and others around a magical seal. The rift they closed. The cost they paid.
Then, a voice echoed in her head.
"Child of Conduit, bearer of the seal, shall you wield or be consumed?"
"I will wield," Violet said aloud.
The flame flickered, then surged into her chest.
Violet gasped. Her veins lit up with molten light, but it didn't burn. She rose from the dais, floating slightly, her eyes glowing gold.
The guardians bowed low.
"She's accepted," the Seeker said.
Violet landed softly. "I understand now. It's not just power—it's choice. The Hollow Flame must choose its bearer, and I chose it back."
---
They emerged from the vault with Violet at the front. The sky had grown darker, clouds swirling unnaturally.
"The rift is stirring," the Seeker said. "It knows the Flame has awakened."
They raced back toward Velden Academy.
Back at the tower, alarms were already sounding. Professor Thorne stood at the gates, grim-faced.
"What did you do?" he asked.
Violet stepped forward, eyes blazing. "What you were too afraid to. I found the Hollow Flame."
Thorne's expression changed to panic. "You fool! Do you realize what you've done?"
"I've done what my parents died for," Violet said. "And I'm not finished."
He reached for a containment charm, but the Seeker blocked him.
"She's the only one who can stop this."
More professors and enforcers arrived. It was clear that sides were being drawn. The Ashen Circle's legacy was about to rise again—this time with Violet at the center.
"You have no authority here," one professor barked.
"No," Violet said. "But I have responsibility."
---
That night, Violet stood alone on the northern tower, overlooking the valley. Iris joined her, holding a steaming cup.
"Do you think we can stop what's coming?" Iris asked.
"I think we have to," Violet replied. "Because no one else will."
The Hollow Flame pulsed gently in her chest, reminding her that this was only the beginning. The path ahead was dark, but she had the light now—within and without.
And the monsters? They would burn.