Chapter 188: The Memory of the Flame

Chapter 188: The Memory of the Flame
Adira’s POV

As the eclipse became deeper, the world fell silent.

With the Solenne scroll still open in my hands, I stood motionless in the tower chamber. The runes moved, swirling across the page and around my wrists like smoke as they shone like scorching tears.

I refrained from screaming.

I was not blinking.

My surroundings dimmed, shattered, and eventually vanished into wind and smoke.

And I went down.

With my soul, not with my body.

It was like a dream.

But more profound.

It seemed as if I had been drawn into the space between flames, where fire goes to die.

I was surrounded by darkness, but it wasn't chilly. Like a heartbeat, it beat softly. Every pulse had the sound of a whisper, a tale just waiting to be revealed.

Then a glimmer of light appeared ahead.

I approached it weightless, barefoot, and lost in an unidentified dream.

The light became fuller and brighter until it was more than simply flame.

It was a recollection.

I walked through it as if it were a gateway.

I was standing on the brink of a huge golden sea. But it was fire, not water. Beautiful, serene, and never-ending fire.

And there was only one creature floating in the middle of it.

Not a man. Not a female.

Not a beast.

But a human-shaped flame. Shining. Inhaling. Alive.

The initial flame.

The fire around it swirled in time with its soft pulse. My skin felt heated to the touch. I feel calm in my chest.

Then I heard it talking.

Not out loud.

But deep within me.

It said, "I was alone." “And so I made light to find someone.”

The fire spread outward, generating sparks that shot high into the air, forming stars.

“But every star left me,” it said. “They burned and broke. Some went frigid. Some turned cruel.”

There was a flicker in the sea.

"I gave them too much," the now-softer voice remarked. "I showered them with love." And after they departed...

The illumination grew dimmer. The golden sea turned red.

“I wept.”

Before a single drop dropped from the flame's bosom, the fire twisted and bent.

Darkness rose where the tear touched the sea.

That was it.

When the parasite first appeared.

Born out of grief. From heartache.

I felt like crying.

However, I was unable to.

I could still feel the dream-void drawing me in.

A figure emerged from the fire.

A female.

Tall. Regal. Clad in blazing robes that resembled silk that had been burned. Her hair glistened like water in the sun. There were galaxies in her eyes.

She was someone I knew.

However, I had no idea why.

When she smiled, I nearly collapsed.

She remarked, "You're not prepared to kneel." "Not just yet."

I trembled when I spoke. "Who are you?"

She took a step forward.

She declared, "I am the first queen." "The one who, while it was still innocent, carried the flame."

When her hand contacted mine, my veins began to warm up.

"But I didn't succeed," she said. "I allowed sadness to triumph. I allowed love to turn into suffering.

I was unable to talk.

She looked directly into my eyes as she leaned forward.

"Ellarien, you are my second chance."

I let out a gasp.

In what seemed like ages, no one had ever called me that.

"How are you aware of that name?"

She merely smiled.

"When the moment arrives, you'll remember. However, exercise caution.

She lowered her voice.

"The fire within you is outweighed by the remembrance you bear. It will burn something away if it comes back.

The flames went out when I blinked.

Ash hovered alone, far away, amid the broken sky of the real world. Fading gold radiated from his flesh. The ember dwindled, but his hands held on to it tightly.

Overhead, the stars shuddered.

And they went dark, one by one.

When he peered up, he saw black mist consuming constellations. They all whispered their names.

Just one name.

"Adira."

"Adira."

"Adira..."

His mouth moved. "Where are you?"

But no answer came.

He noticed it flicker as he turned to face the final bright star.

The heavens were being devoured by the parasite.

Ash had a limited amount of time.

I opened my eyes.

Suddenly, the world came back, loud and glaring.

Fire raged. People yelled. Like a fallen god, the eclipse pressed low in the sky.

Once more, I found myself at the centre of the tower, but this time, everything was different.

I was radiant.

A golden-red light rushed through my hands. Memories glistened in my veins. There was a heat in my chest that I was unaware existed.

The truth of the First Flame now resided within me.

I sensed it.

The sadness. The affection. The painful beauty of age.

I pivoted.

Solenne looked at me as if I were unfamiliar.

"Elowen!" I made a call.

The girl sprinted ahead.

However, I took a step back.

There was a gap.

I expected to see him as I looked up at the sky.

Ash.

However, when I attempted to mention his name...

Nothing arrived.

I blinked.

I gave it another go.

Just quiet.

I gripped my chest tightly.

Why was I unable to recall?

His face appeared as I closed my eyes, but there was no name.

I gasped.

My knees buckled.

I was about to fall when Solenne grabbed me.

She said, "What did you see?"

I parted my lips.

There was just one word.

"Love."

However, while I was saying it...

I knew that something I couldn't identify was gone.

And the stars cried far above.

I had brought the truth of the flame back, but I couldn't remember who I had burned for.