The capital city burned as the Eternal Flame's power surged through the streets, consuming everything in its path. Drake, standing at the heart of the library, felt a strange sensation in his chest—a flicker of fire that wasn't coming from the outside, but from within him. The ember that had been his constant companion pulsed with intensity, growing warmer with every passing second.
As the ground beneath them rumbled, Tyr looked around, his face pale. "What's happening?"
Drake clutched at his chest, feeling the ember's heat rise within him. "It's... it's inside me," he gasped. "I can feel the Flame—like it's part of me."
Mira hurried to his side. "You've had the ember for too long. It's starting to affect you, isn't it?"
Drake nodded, fear creeping into his voice. "I don't know what it means. But whatever's happening, it's only going to get worse."
They raced out of the library, dodging falling debris as the capital crumbled under the Eternal Flame's assault. Outside, the sky was a swirl of fiery red and ash-gray, casting a nightmarish glow over the city. Buildings collapsed as waves of flame devoured them, and panicked citizens screamed as they fled the destruction.
"We need to regroup with the others," Drake said, gritting his teeth as another surge of heat flared in his chest. "The Flame is taking control. If I don't stop it, it's going to consume everything."
Mira glanced at him, concern in her eyes. "Can you fight it?"
"I have to," Drake replied, his voice filled with determination. "But we need answers—real answers. If I'm tied to the Flame, I need to understand how to control it."
They made their way to the safehouse where the remnants of their group had gathered. Inside, the air was thick with tension. Tyr and Elyra were already there, along with a handful of soldiers and civilians who had escaped the carnage.
Tyr stood as they entered. "Drake, what's going on out there? The city's falling apart!"
Drake shook his head, his face grim. "The Eternal Flame's power is growing. It's already taking hold of me."
Elyra stepped forward, her eyes wide. "You mean... the ember? It's changing you?"
Drake nodded. "The prophecy we found at the library mentioned a vessel. I think the Flame is trying to make me that vessel."
The group fell silent, the weight of Drake's words sinking in. For a moment, no one spoke—until Tyr broke the silence.
"Then we need to act fast. If the Eternal Flame takes control of you, there won't be anything left to save."
Drake clenched his fists, feeling the fire burning inside him, growing stronger with every second. "There has to be a way to stop it. There has to be something we're missing."
Mira looked at him, her expression serious. "We'll figure it out. But we need time."
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Everyone tensed as one of the soldiers moved cautiously to open it. On the other side stood a cloaked figure, their face hidden in shadow.
The figure stepped inside, their voice low and calm. "I know what's happening to you, Drake. And I know how to help."