The gate of living fire hung above Frostvale like a second sun.
No one moved.
The battlefield, moments before consumed by steel and screams, had fallen into an impossible silence. Soldiers from both armies stood frozen where they were, their weapons lowered without command. Even the monstrous Engulfer Beasts ceased their advance, bowing their enormous skulls toward the blazing gateway.
It was as though the world itself had remembered an ancient master.
Darian struggled to breathe.
An invisible force pressed against him, heavy as the mountain itself. The First Flame within him burned brighter than ever before, yet instead of pain he felt recognition.
The fire... was calling home.
Beside him, Serenya slowly forced herself to stand.
"I've read about this," she whispered, her voice shaking despite every effort to steady it.
Darian looked at her.
"What is it?"
She never took her eyes from the gate.
"The Final Trial."
Captain Aeric frowned.
"I thought that was only a legend."
"So did everyone."
Far below, Corvus remained kneeling in the snow. For the first time since Darian had met him, the Hollow Lord's champion wore an expression that looked almost like fear.
"No..." Corvus murmured.
"It wasn't supposed to awaken."
Lady Miren stared at him.
"My lord?"
Corvus slowly rose.
"The First Keeper has returned."
The words spread through the Hollow ranks like wildfire.
Some soldiers stepped backward.
Others fell flat upon the snow.
Even the Hollow Crown hovering beside Corvus flickered uncertainly.
High above, the gate began to open.
Not with thunder.
Not with violence.
But with dignity.
Golden fire poured downward like a waterfall, forming an immense staircase that reached from the heavens to the summit of Heart Peak.
Then...
A single figure appeared.
It wore armor unlike anything forged by mortal hands, white as untouched snow yet alive with rivers of molten gold. A long cloak flowed behind it like liquid sunlight.
Its face remained hidden beneath an ancient helm crowned by seven tongues of flame.
In one hand rested a spear of crystal fire.
In the other...
Nothing.
The empty hand somehow felt even more powerful.
The figure took one step onto the staircase.
Every fire in Frostvale flared.
Torches.
Campfires.
Lanterns.
Even the black flames of the Hollow army bent toward the descending guardian.
The figure spoke.
Its voice carried across mountains, through stone, and into every living heart.
"Who bears the First Flame?"
The question echoed like law itself.
No one answered.
Then Darian felt his feet move on their own.
He stepped forward.
"I do."
The guardian turned toward him.
For several long moments it said nothing.
Then it nodded once.
"The Flame remembers you."
A pulse of golden light swept across the valley.
Every lie.
Every illusion.
Every shadow spell woven by the Hollow Order shattered instantly.
Black enchantments dissolved from armor.
Hidden assassins were revealed.
Even the cursed mist surrounding Corvus's army vanished.
Gasps spread through both sides.
Corvus gripped the Hollow Crown tighter.
"So..."
"It has chosen."
The guardian raised its spear.
"The Trial begins."
The mountain shook.
Seven pillars of crimson fire surrounding Frostvale erupted together, their flames joining overhead to form a vast circle.
Runes older than kingdoms ignited across the valley floor.
Darian suddenly found himself standing inside a blazing ring of light.
Across from him...
Corvus appeared.
Neither had moved.
Yet both now stood within the ancient circle.
Serenya rushed forward.
"Darian!"
An invisible wall threw her backward.
Captain Aeric struck the barrier with his sword.
Nothing happened.
Lyra closed her eyes.
"The Trial accepts only those touched by the Twin Flames."
Corvus looked around the circle before smiling.
"So this is how fate chooses."
Darian tightened his grip on Emberfang.
"I won't let you destroy this world."
Corvus shook his head.
"You still don't understand."
He removed the Hollow Crown and held it before him.
"The Trial isn't asking which of us is stronger."
"It's asking..."
"...which flame deserves to survive."
The guardian drove its spear into the ground.
The valley disappeared.
The sky dissolved into endless fire.
Mountains became rivers of light.
Time itself seemed to stop.
The Trial of Flame had begun.
And neither Darian nor Corvus knew that its first challenge would not test their strength...
...but the greatest regret hidden within each of their hearts.