Chapter 190: The Breaking of the Flame

Chapter 190: The Breaking of the Flame
Adira’s POV

She gave a nod. You have passed away a hundred times. But you didn't, just once. Instead, you let the flame consume you. That version turned out to be the source of everything. That evil we're battling? You used to be it.

I took a step back and said, "No." "That isn't accurate."

Do you recall the sadness? The isolation? The anguish of the fire? Her voice cracked. It was in your possession. You didn't let it go, though. You turned into it.

All around me, the wind howled.

Abruptly, the fire within me ceased to seem like a boon.

The words struck me more forcefully than any flame ever had, and I stumbled backwards. With all my last might, I had resisted, frightened, and battled the parasite. And now they were saying that I had been it before?

"No," I said once again, but even my voice no longer believed it.

Elowen took a step ahead. Her body shifted between her younger and older forms. Indeed, forgotten anguish gave birth to the parasite. However, a vessel was required. One who knew too much about the flame. And you caved in that loop. You wished to end the suffering. You requested that everything be taken by the fire.

I dropped to my knees. I pressed my fingers into the rock.

Ash let out a moan as he struggled to stand up. “Adira… it doesn’t matter who you were. It matters who you are now.”

I gave him a look. He was shaking, barely holding together. His light was going out too quickly.

"However, what if I repeat it?" With tears in my eyes, I asked. “What if this version of me becomes her, too?”

"You won't," Ash said quietly as he pulled himself up beside me. "Because you're not alone this time."

There was a faint pulse of ember in his chest. I could still feel the fire inside me burning, but for a little minute, it subsided when he stretched out and put his hand on mine.

He declared, "I will always find you, even if you forget me again or if the flame tries to break you."

I started crying uncontrollably.

I wanted to think he was real.

I had to.

However, a voice interrupted me before I could continue.

It was silky smooth and low.

It appeared everywhere and out of nowhere.

It said, "I can return it." "Your former existence. Before the anguish. Before the fire.”

I could hear the parasite talking to me.

In front of me a route appeared, dark and glistening like obsidian. I could clearly see it: a peaceful home, my dad still alive, no fire, no conflict. Just peace. Only family.

"You're aware of your desire," the voice crooned.

Ash tightened his jaw. “Don’t listen.”

"I must," I said quietly.

He took hold of my wrist. "Please, Adira. Remain.

"I will not lose you," I declared. "I promise."

I then kissed his hand. And withdrew.

I then ventured into the shadows.

Ash shouted my name behind me.

The hush altered as soon as I passed the darkness's barrier.

It wasn't chilly. It wasn't noisy. It was familiar, and worse than that.

I was standing in a world created by my recollections.

My mother's laughter was carried by the wind.

The stars that my father used to identify for me as a youngster shimmered in the sky. The air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread from our local ovens. There were no ruins charred by fire, no broken lands, and no hints of death in the air.

Just tranquillity.

It was exactly what I had imagined before I ever contacted the First Flame.

I ought to have been reassured. Instead, my chest hurt.

Then I heard it once more—the parasite's slow, quiet speech, enveloping me like a fog. "You may have this, Adira. No more suffering. War is over. No more losing him.

I shut my eyes. "And the price?"

The world shook a little.

It stated, "You become whole again." “You become flame. Not queen. Not a warrior. Not damaged. Simply put, flame.

I was still. Because in this fantasy, I hadn’t lost anyone. I hadn’t died again and over. I hadn’t made agreements with gods or shouted for Ash in the darkness.

However, I hadn't met him either.

He wasn't present.

Nowhere.

And the pain intensified.

Ash collapsed back outside.

With every breath, his body broke. He could hardly see the ember in his breast glowing any longer. Everything turned silver, black as the eclipse over the horizon intensified.

He extended his hand toward where I had vanished.

Even though no one was around, he said, "She didn't go to give up." "She went to win."

Solenne was standing close by, holding the shattered remnants of a star-staff. "She's gone too far, Ash. You will not live long enough to retrieve her.

He smiled, a tiny smile that he could hardly contain.

He coughed heavily and said, "I don't need to survive." "All I need is for her to remember."

The last spark he had left sent a ripple of recollection through the shattered stone as his fingers touched the earth, and a tiny echo resonated through it.

It passed through the fire, the darkness, and the air.

It located me.

When I sensed the spark, the illusion wavered.

It was dim.

So brittle.

However, it belonged to him.

I turned and peered toward the boundary of the dream world. A small ribbon of fire twisted under the false sky like a break in the illusion. And I could feel Ash's fire reaching for me in that last whisper.

Recall.

Even though I couldn't hear his name, I could still hear his voice in my heart.

With the dream town dimming, I whispered out loud, "I love him."

With composure, the parasite replied, "You loved many." "But you only experienced pain from one."

"And I still love him," I repeated, raising my voice.

Around me, the buildings started to fall apart.

The delusion shuddered.

The heavens split.

My inner fire blazed as I realised the truth.

Then my father's vision was before me again.

He appeared the same—strong and compassionate. "You may remain, tiny flame. Remain with me.

I said, "I miss you."

The vision said, "I understand."

However, I must let you leave.

I walked past the illusion, past the home, and him. I struggled to cling to the dream. I could yet change my mind, it whispered. I want to be at ease. However, I continued to move into the shadowy core where the parasite awaited me.

It grew into a tall, unending throne of shadow. An orb of pure flame, whirling with gold and silver, lay at its feet.

My passion.

My reality.

"You came voluntarily," it stated.

I gave a nod. "Give it to me. For the final time.

The throne stooped to provide me with the light.

However, I turned my hand just before touching it, pushing my fire into the throne instead.

It let forth a scream.

Outside, Ash's light dimmed out after flaming for one final minute.