The windy passageway leads them deeper into the Sanctum, its walls were alive with ancient symbols that glowed lightly as they move forward. The air grew warmer, and Elaro could feel the Red Flame coursing within her, as if struggling with the energy of the place. Every step they took brought them closer to the heart of the Sanctum, but a strange sense weighed on her mind.
Eldin glanced around. "This place… it feels alive." Lucian nod, his gaze was fixed on the path ahead. "The Sanctum is connected to the Red Flame. It reacts to those who carry its power."
Karo stepped closer to Elaro, his voice was low. "Are you sure about this, Elaro? This place seems to test you in ways we can't help with."
Elaro looked him, feeling a surge of warmth at his concern. "I need to understand the flame, Karo. If there's any chance of controlling it and stopping the Order then this is the path I have to take."
He nodded, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Then we'll be by your side." They continued, the path narrowed as it opened into a long and circular chamber. At the center of the room was a pedestal, in which lay a book bound in red leather, its pages were glowing with a light.
Lucian's eyes widen. "The Codex of Flames… it's real."
Elaro approach the pedestal, her heart was pounding. The book seemed to call to her, its power was attaching with her own. She reached out, hesitatingly only for a moment before her fingers brushed the cover. A strange energy goes through her, filling her mind with fragments of memories and visions of masters of the flame from past.
She opens the Codex; her eyes were scanning the pages. The text shifted and moved, as if it was alive, but slowly it began to make sense. It told the story of the flame's origins, of a realm called Athoria, a place of pure energy and unbound magic. The Red Flame was the key to that realm, it was a bridge between worlds.
Karo, Eldin, and Lucian stand close, watching as she read, their faces filled with wonder and surprise.
"It is more than just a power," Elaro whispered. "The flame is… a path. A link to Athoria."
Lucian's expression grew serious. "And the Order wants to open that path, to draw on Athoria's energy. But they don't understand the risks. Athoria is pure with uncontained magic and if they break that boundary, it could tear our world apart."
Eldin's expression hardened. "So, they are willing to destroy our realm to access another one?"
Elaro nodded, closing the Codex. "We can't let them. The Codex says there's a ritual to cut the link between the flame and Athoria, to protect our world. But the ritual requires a sacrifice."
The room fell silent. Elaro could feel the weight of their eyes, the gravity of the choice before them. The Codex had shown her the only way to prevent the Order from unlocking Athoria's power and it was to perform the ritual herself and to give up the flame and her strength.
Karo stepped forward. "Elaro… there has to be another way." She looked at him, her heart aches. "If there is, the Codex doesn't reveal it. The flame's power is bound to me, and only by cutting that bond can we protect our world."
Eldin clenched his fists, his gaze was filled with anger and sorrow. "We didn't come all this way just to lose you, Elaro. There has to be some other way."
Lucian's expression was unreadable. "The choice is yours, Elaro. But whatever you decide, know that we will stand by you."
Elaro looked at each of them, she feels her love for her friends, and her determination to protect the world. She knew what had to be done, but the thought of leaving behind the life she had found, the people she cared about, fills her with a sadness.
As she placed her hand on Codex, the flames within her spike. The book responded and its symbols glows even brighter as the ritual began. She could feel the flame within her changing, pulling toward the Codex, its energy was transferring into the ancient book.
But as the ritual progressed, a sudden wave of darkness fills the chamber. The flames in the Codex flickering, and a chilling voice comes from the room.
"You dare to undo the bond? The flame belongs to Athoria, and it will not be denied."
The shadows merged into a figure of darkness and flame; its eyes were blazing with a red light. Elaro recognized it as a protector of Athoria, a guardian of the flame.
Lucian drew his weapon. "A protector. They have come to stop the ritual."
The creature moved, its movements were fast and deadly. Karo and Eldin moved to fight it, their blades were clashing with its dark energy. Elaro held her ground, focusing on the Codex as she continues the ritual, feeling the flame's energy slipping away, weakening with each passing moment.
The protector let out a furious roar, sending a shockwave of dark energy through the room. Karo and Eldin were thrown back, but Lucian held his ground, his own powers were burning as he stood between Elaro and the creature.
"Elaro!" he shouts. his voice was filled with urgency. "You have to finish the ritual. We'll hold it off."
Elaro's heart pounded hardly as she resumed the ritual, her voice was steady as she read the ancient words from the Codex. The flame within her was growing weaker, its power was draining into the book. But the protector was strong, its attacks were growing more stronger as it fights to stop her.
Karo and Eldin regrouped, joining Lucian as they faced the creature. Their movements were fast and coordinated, each strike was aimed to buy time Elaro needed. But the figure's power was overwhelming, its dark flames were clashing with their weapons, pushing them back with each attack.
Elaro focused, drawing on the last remnants of the flame, feeling its warmth as it fades as the ritual was neared completion. She could feel her strength fading, her connection to the flame was slipping away. But she held on.
Finally, with a final power, the ritual reached its climax. The Codex glowed with a brilliant and fiery light, absorbing the last of the flame's energy. Elaro feels the bond between her and the flame separate, a sense of emptiness filling her as the power left her.
The protector let out a final and furious scream as the light devour it, burning away the darkness. The chamber fell silent, the air was thick with the pieces of magic and power.
Elaro collapsed to her knees, feeling the weight of exhaustion and loss. She was no longer the master of the Red Flame, her connection to Athoria detached. But despite the emptiness within her, she felt peace. The world was safe, and the Order's plans had been disrupted.
Karo rushed to her, his face was filled with relief and concern. "Elaro… are you alright?" She gave a weak smile; her voice was soft. "I'm… I'm okay. It's done."
Eldin and Lucian joined them, their expressions were filled with pride and sadness. They had come so far, faced so many challenges, and now their journey had reached its end.
Lucian expression get gentle. "You did it, Elaro. You've saved us all."
Elaro nod, feeling gratitude of her friends, for the bonds they had comes along the way. She had lost the flame, but she had gained something far more valuable, a family, a purpose, and a future.
As they left the Sanctum, Elaro knew that she may no longer be the master of the Red Flame, but she had proven her strength and her courage.
To Be Continued