I hadn't slept much that night. The idea of an ancient fire, a power that could give me the strength I needed to face the Lich, kept my mind racing. Valdir's words echoed in my head, promising strength, but also warning of the dangers that awaited me. I couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just another training session—this was something much more dangerous.
The sun had barely risen when I met Valdir at the city gates. He stood there, his tall figure cloaked in shadow, the early morning mist swirling around him. His expression was unreadable as usual, but there was something in his eyes—something that told me this journey would be a turning point.
"You're ready?" he asked, his voice low.
I nodded, my hand resting on the hilt of the small blade I carried, though I doubted I'd need it. My true power was the fire inside me. I had spent a year refining my control, but this temple Valdir spoke of promised something greater—something ancient and powerful.
Without another word, Valdir turned and led the way into the forest. We traveled in silence, the dense trees closing in around us as we ventured deeper into the wilderness. The further we went, the quieter it became. The sounds of Wizard City faded behind us, replaced by the soft rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures. It was peaceful, but the tension in the air was unmistakable.
After what felt like hours of walking, Valdir finally stopped at the edge of a small clearing. In the center stood the entrance to a temple, half-buried in the earth, its stone walls covered in moss and vines. The entrance was dark, foreboding, as if the temple itself was alive, waiting for us to step inside.
"This is it," Valdir said, his voice a whisper. "The Temple of Eternal Flames. Inside lies the ancient fire—the power you seek. But be warned: the temple tests all who enter. If your heart is not pure, if your resolve falters, the fire will consume you."
I swallowed hard, staring at the dark entrance. I had faced trials before—duels, tests of power—but this felt different. This was a test of something deeper. A test of my very soul.
"I'm ready," I said, though the words felt heavy on my tongue.
Valdir nodded and stepped aside, allowing me to pass. "I cannot help you once you enter. The trial is yours alone to face. But know this: if you succeed, you will leave this place stronger than you ever imagined. If you fail..."
"I won't fail," I said, more to myself than to him. With a final glance at Valdir, I stepped into the temple.
---
**Inside the Temple**
The moment I entered, the air changed. It was thick, suffocating, and filled with an oppressive heat that pressed down on me from all sides. The corridor ahead was narrow, lit by faintly glowing embers embedded in the stone walls. I could feel the fire's presence even here, pulsing like a heartbeat beneath my feet.
The deeper I went, the hotter it became. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, dripping down my face as I pushed forward. My steps echoed in the silence, the sound of my own breathing the only thing keeping me company. I could feel the magic of the temple pressing against me, probing at my mind, testing my resolve.
After what felt like an eternity, I reached the end of the corridor. The path opened up into a vast chamber, its ceiling lost in shadow. At the center of the room, a massive brazier burned with an otherworldly flame—white-hot, yet strangely calm. The fire didn't crackle or roar like normal flames. It simply... existed, as if it had been burning for eons without ever dimming.
This was the fire Valdir had spoken of.
I approached cautiously, the heat growing more intense with every step. My heart raced, but I kept my mind focused. This was what I had come for—this was the power I needed to face the Lich. But the closer I got to the brazier, the more I could feel something shifting inside me. A voice, quiet at first, whispering in the back of my mind.
*Why do you seek this power?* it asked, the words slipping into my thoughts like smoke.
"I need it," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "To protect Ooo. To stop the Lich."
The fire flared, its brightness blinding. The voice grew louder. *And what will you sacrifice for this power?*
I hesitated. Sacrifice? The idea hadn't crossed my mind. But power like this always came with a price. I thought of the wizards I had left behind in Wizard City, of Lila and the others who were counting on me. Could I really afford to give something up?
"What kind of sacrifice?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
*Your fire,* the voice replied. *The power you hold now. You must give it up to gain the strength of the eternal flame. Only one fire can burn within you.*
I froze. Give up my fire? The power that had defined me, the power I had spent the last year mastering? It felt like a part of me, something I couldn't imagine living without. And yet, here I was, faced with a choice. The ancient fire was stronger, far more powerful than the flames I wielded now. But to claim it, I would have to let go of everything I had built.
I took a deep breath, my mind racing. If I gave up my fire, would I still be the same? Would I still be able to protect the people I cared about? Or would I lose myself in the process?
*Choose,* the voice demanded, its tone growing harsher. *The fire, or your power. One must burn brighter than the other.*
I clenched my fists, feeling the heat of my own magic swirling within me. The flames I controlled were powerful, yes, but they were limited. If I wanted to stand a chance against the Lich, I needed more. I needed this ancient fire. But the cost... it felt like too much.
I stepped closer to the brazier, the heat scorching my skin. My heart pounded in my chest, and the flames danced wildly in front of me. This was it. This was the moment that would decide everything.
With a deep breath, I made my choice.
"I'll keep my fire," I whispered, the words slipping past my lips before I could second-guess them. "My power. I've worked too hard to give it up now."
For a moment, the chamber fell silent. The flames in the brazier flickered, as if the fire itself was considering my decision. Then, without warning, the heat surged, enveloping me in a blinding light. I felt the fire wrap around me, burning through my thoughts, my memories, my very soul.
But I held firm. I wouldn't let go. I wouldn't give in.
And then, just as suddenly as it began, the heat subsided. The flames dimmed, returning to their calm, steady glow.
The voice spoke again, softer this time. *You have chosen wisely. Keep your fire, but know this: the path ahead will be fraught with danger. You will need more than strength to survive. You will need resolve. You will need allies.*
I nodded, the weight of the trial settling in my chest. "I understand."
*Then go,* the voice said. *The fire within you is enough.*
I turned and made my way back through the temple, my mind swirling with thoughts of what had just happened. I hadn't gained the ancient fire, but I had gained something else—confidence in my own power. I didn't need to sacrifice my fire to become stronger. I just needed to believe in it. In myself.
---
**Outside the Temple**
Valdir was waiting for me at the temple's entrance, his expression unreadable as I approached. "Well?" he asked.
"I passed," I said, though the word felt hollow in my mouth. I hadn't gained the new power I expected, but I had learned something more important. "I didn't take the ancient fire. I kept my own."
Valdir raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "You refused the power?"
I nodded. "My fire is enough. I just need to master it."
For a moment, Valdir said nothing, his eyes studying me as if he were reassessing everything he thought he knew. Then, he smiled—a real, genuine smile. "Perhaps you're wiser than I gave you credit for, boy."
I felt a strange sense of relief wash over me. I had faced the trial, and I had made my choice. The path ahead was still uncertain, but I knew one thing for sure: my power was my own, and I wasn't going to let anyone—or anything—take that away from me.
"We should return to Wizard City," Valdir said, turning to lead the way. "The others will want to know what you've learned."
I followed him, the weight of the trial still heavy on my shoulders. The Lich was still out there, and the battle was only just beginning. But now, I was ready to face it.