Chapter 197: The Council of New Flames

Chapter 197: The Council of New Flames
Adira’s POV

After rain, the ember age blossomed like a garden.

The globe was rebuilt for years, its essence as well as its cities. Lanterns dotting quiet streets now softly flashed flames that previously blazed in war. Broken skyscrapers became homes, and sky-temples became schools. Finally, at the appropriate moment, a new council was established to provide guidance rather than to make decisions.

They arrived from all realms. The southern-coast human race. From the Emberlands, flame was born. Even the skyward islands' starfolk. At the top of Solenne's temple, they stood in a huge circle of light. No thrones. Just a ring of open flame between them.

I was never there, but I watched from beyond.

The last seat was vacant—until someone walked over.

A boy, youthful. Keep quiet. With eyes that seem to go on forever.

The circle was filled with gasps.

He emerged from nothingness.

The place that was no longer mentioned.

“I was born of shadow,” he said gently. "However, I am not a curse."

After a little lull, the flames surrounding the circle ignited out of reverence rather than fear.

"I propose peace," he added. “For even shadows wish to rest.”

Following a period of stillness, the council collectively nodded.

"Then you belong to our group."

On the second day of the council's establishment, they presented the ancient texts—half-burned prophecies, charred journals, and flame scrolls. Everything has been written down through the years.

They also rewrote it.

Using her name. My name. "Ellarien," Solenne said in a firm voice. Flame Queen. Ember's mother. The one who always made the decision, not just once.

The members of the council bowed.

I was no longer a secret. Not a mystery anymore. Not a myth anymore.

Now, flame was my truth.

But as Solenne was putting my name in the last book, an odd thing occurred.

The book was glowing. Then shuddered.

And suddenly it burnt.

In a single flash of silver fire, the pages turned to ash.

Another gasp. But Solenne only smiled, holding her hand over the smoke.

She said, "She wrote her name herself." "And flame remembers without pages."

Ash experienced it once more that evening as he strolled through the temple's serene corridors.

The wind.

Not cold. Not stern. But well-known.

And footsteps in the middle.

A woman appeared in the fog, her face obscured by the flash of the torchlight, her cloak glistening with shadows.

Ash moved back slightly, apprehensive.

"I'm not your adversary," she said quietly. "However, I have a piece of your heart."

Ash's eyes narrowed. "Who are you?"

With something in her hand, the woman moved forward. A pendant. My pendant.

She declared, "I am Light's Shadow." "And I move between what was lost and what is remembered."

With shaking fingers, Ash accepted the pendant. "From where did you obtain this?"

With sparkling eyes, the woman continued, "She gave it to me." "To hold until the appropriate moment."

Ash raised his head. "What is the time for?"

She didn't respond, though.

All she did was raise her hand to the stars.

A small spark jumped out of her palm.

With each heartbeat, it became brighter as it hovered and eventually rose into the sky. As if awakening from slumber, the stars surrounding it glistened and rotated softly. They formed spirals and then circles.

A shape was made by them. Something.

Wings. Feathers. A golden flame with a lengthy tail.

The phoenix made a single, quiet, yet forceful cry, and the sky burst into light.

Hope was revived.

As the phoenix expanded its wings, Ash looked up and briefly caught a glimpse of her smiling once more.