The power of the Eternal Flame now coursed through Rashid, a searing heat that threatened to overwhelm his very soul. As he stood at the edge of the Valley of Ashes, he could feel the energy emanating from the flame within him, stronger and more intense than before.
The whispers in his mind had grown louder, clearer, and more insistent since the moment he had touched the flame. Rashid could no longer deny that something far greater than himself was at play. The voice of the Eternal Flame echoed in his thoughts, testing his resolve, tempting him with promises of limitless power.
Malik, ever vigilant, watched from a short distance as Rashid's body radiated a faint glow. "You're playing with fire, Rashid. Literally and figuratively. How much more of this can you take before it consumes you?"
Rashid's gaze remained locked on the horizon, the silhouette of the ancient temple in the distance now more prominent. He clenched his fist, the warmth of the flame pulsing beneath his skin. "I have no choice. To protect Morocco, I must understand the flame's true nature. Only then will I have the power to stop what's coming."
Safiya, standing beside Malik, frowned. "But what if the price is too high? What if it costs you everything?"
Rashid turned toward her, his expression unreadable. "That's a risk I have to take."
The journey through the Valley of Ashes was unforgiving. Each step they took seemed to bring them closer to the heart of the Eternal Flame's power, yet the land itself appeared hostile. The air grew thick with ash and smoke, choking the life out of anyone who dared venture too far. Rashid and his companions struggled to breathe as they made their way deeper into the valley.
The relic they had uncovered in the previous chapter pulsed with its own energy, almost as if it were alive. Rashid could feel the weight of the ancient artifact strapped to his back. It called to him, just as the flame had, though its voice was darker, more ominous. He could not shake the feeling that the relic carried with it a curse—a curse that had claimed the lives of countless others before him.
As they pressed forward, they came upon a vast crater, its edges jagged and blackened as though a great fire had torn through the earth. At the center of the crater, a faint glow flickered—a smaller flame, separated from the Eternal Flame but somehow connected.
Rashid approached cautiously, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel the pull of the flame, the urge to claim its power for himself. The whispers in his mind grew louder, more insistent.
"You are destined for greatness," the voice said. "Claim what is yours."
Just as Rashid reached the edge of the crater, the ground trembled beneath his feet. The air crackled with energy, and from the darkness of the crater, a familiar figure emerged—the Ancient Guardian, the molten stone sentinel that had barred their path before.
"You again," Rashid muttered, his hand instinctively reaching for the relic.
The Ancient Guardian's eyes glowed with fiery intensity as it stepped forward, blocking Rashid's path. "You seek to claim the flame's power, yet you do not understand the cost."
Rashid squared his shoulders, meeting the Guardian's gaze. "I've already accepted the risks. I'm prepared to pay the price."
The Guardian's deep, rumbling voice echoed through the valley. "You speak of sacrifice, but you do not know what true sacrifice entails. Many have come before you, and all have been consumed by the flame's greed. You are no different."
"I'm not like them," Rashid said, his voice firm. "I've seen the flame's power, and I've felt its curse. But I'll master it. I have to."
The Ancient Guardian stepped aside, gesturing toward the flickering flame at the center of the crater. "Then prove it. Step into the flame and let it judge you."
Without hesitation, Rashid stepped forward. Malik and Safiya exchanged a worried glance but did not move to stop him. This was a trial Rashid had to face alone.
As Rashid reached the edge of the crater, the heat became unbearable. The flames flickered wildly, as though sensing his approach. He could feel the weight of the relic pressing against his back, the dark presence within it whispering promises of power.
With a deep breath, Rashid stepped into the flame.
The heat was blinding, the pain excruciating. Rashid fell to his knees as the fire consumed him, burning not his body but his soul. The flame tore through his mind, bringing with it memories—his father's death, his brother's betrayal, the fall of Morocco. He saw the faces of his people, suffering under foreign rule, and the darkness that threatened to engulf his kingdom.
And then he saw himself—standing atop a mountain of ash, wielding the Eternal Flame, his enemies bowing before him in submission. It was a vision of what could be, of the power he could claim if he fully embraced the flame.
But amid the chaos, Rashid heard another voice—a voice that cut through the flame's whispers. It was faint, but familiar. His mother's voice.
"Remember who you are, Rashid. Do not let the flame define you."
With those words, Rashid found the strength to stand. The fire around him raged, but he no longer felt its heat. Instead, he felt the warmth of the Eternal Flame within him, steady and controlled.
He had passed the flame's judgment.
As the flames around Rashid died down, he emerged from the crater, his body unscathed but his mind forever changed. The Ancient Guardian stood before him, its molten eyes watching him intently.
"You have survived the flame's trial," the Guardian said, its voice heavy with reverence. "But the true test lies ahead. The flame has judged you worthy, but it will demand more of you than you can imagine."
Rashid nodded, his resolve unshaken. "I will face whatever comes."
The Guardian stepped aside, allowing Rashid and his companions to continue their journey. But as they left the crater behind, Rashid couldn't shake the feeling that the worst was yet to come.
The Eternal Flame had accepted him—but what price would it exact in return?