The forest was quiet now, save for the soft crunch of leaves and twigs underfoot as Aelin followed Kaelor deeper into the trees. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, and though it was still early in the morning, an ominous chill had settled over the land. The distant growl of the Shattered Order's war hounds could still be heard echoing faintly through the woods, sending a ripple of dread through Aelin's chest.
She didn't know how much time they had, but Kaelor moved with an urgency that told her it was not a question of if they would be found, but when. Her heart pounded in her chest as she kept pace with him, the weight of the leather tome clutched tightly in her arms.
Every so often, Kaelor would glance back, his golden eyes sharp and watchful, but he never spoke a word. Aelin's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, and every step seemed to lead her deeper into the unknown. Who was Kaelor Dhain? Why was he so certain that she held the key to defeating the Shattered Order?
As they pushed further into the woods, the landscape began to shift. The towering trees began to thin, and the underbrush gave way to a rocky path. Aelin could see the faint glow of distant light through the trees, though the source of it was still hidden from view.
She looked to Kaelor, her voice barely a whisper, "Where are we going?"
Kaelor didn't answer immediately. Instead, he slowed his pace just slightly, enough that she could catch up with him.
"A place called Firyngrove," he said quietly. "It's an old sanctuary, hidden deep within the heart of the wilds. It was once a home to the Pyromancers—before the Order destroyed everything."
Aelin's brow furrowed. "The Order destroyed it? But… if it was so powerful, why didn't they just take it for themselves?"
"They did." Kaelor's tone darkened, and for the first time, Aelin saw a flicker of pain in his eyes. "The Order used the Pyromancers to fuel their own twisted ambitions. They burned everything that stood against them, and in doing so, they killed the flame. But some of us survived. We've been hiding for years, watching, waiting for the right moment."
Aelin could feel the weight of his words pressing down on her like a heavy cloak. She could only imagine what had happened to the Pyromancers—the very people who had once controlled the power she now felt pulsing beneath her skin.
"So you want me to learn everything about this power," she said slowly, "so that I can fight back?"
Kaelor glanced at her then, his gaze sharp and piercing. "No. Not just to fight back. To master it. The Eternal Flame doesn't just burn—it shapes the world around it. It's the key to everything. And if the Order gets their hands on it…" His voice trailed off, leaving the threat hanging in the air like a sword poised to strike.
Aelin swallowed hard, her stomach turning at the thought. "I don't know if I'm ready for this. I don't know if I can do what you're asking."
Kaelor's steps slowed further until he stopped altogether, turning to face her. "I'm not asking you to do this alone. We're not enemies, Aelin. Not yet. But time is running out. The Order's reach is vast, and they won't stop until they have the power they seek. You are the only one who can stop them."
Aelin's mind spun as she looked into Kaelor's eyes. There was no malice there, no deceit. Only a hard, desperate truth that hung between them like the burning heat of an unseen fire.
She nodded slowly, a feeling of resolve growing in her chest. She didn't know if she was ready to wield the power of the Pyromancers, but she couldn't ignore the fire inside her. It was real. It was alive. And if she didn't learn to control it, it would consume her.
Kaelor's lips twitched, as though he could sense her decision before she even fully made it. Without another word, he turned and resumed his pace, his strides long and confident. Aelin quickened her steps to keep up, her mind racing with the possibilities of what lay ahead.
The forest opened up before them, revealing a large, rocky expanse with a sheer cliffside on one side. It was a natural clearing, and in the center stood a massive, ancient stone structure—half ruin, half sanctuary. The air around it crackled with the unmistakable heat of old magic.
Aelin's breath caught in her throat as they approached the structure. It was a temple of sorts—an old, forgotten place that seemed to pulse with an energy she could feel deep in her bones. The walls were covered in intricate carvings, some of them familiar, others strange, all of them intertwined with flames.
"Is this…?" she began, but Kaelor nodded before she could finish the question.
"Firyngrove," he confirmed. "The last of the Pyromancer sanctuaries. The place where the flame was born."
Aelin stepped forward, her heart racing as she took in the sight of the temple. Its stone was dark, almost obsidian, and veins of gold shimmered in the cracks that ran through its surface, as though the very earth was alive with power. She could almost hear it—whispers in the air, the faint crackling of fire, though there was no visible source of heat.
"Why here?" she asked, her voice quiet with awe. "Why is this place important?"
Kaelor's expression was unreadable. He reached out and placed his hand on one of the stone pillars, his fingers brushing the intricate symbols etched into the surface.
"This is where it began," he said, his voice low. "This is where the first Pyromancers forged their bond with the Eternal Flame. But it's also where the Order sealed its dark fate. They thought they could control the flame. They thought they could bend it to their will. But fire cannot be tamed. Not without destroying everything around it."
Aelin felt a shiver run down her spine as she stepped forward, drawn to the structure like a moth to a flame. She had no idea what to expect, but she knew one thing: The answers she sought—about herself, about the Flame, and about the Order—were within these walls.
With a deep breath, Kaelor pushed open the massive stone doors, and they creaked loudly, protesting against the centuries of neglect. Aelin stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light as she took in the vast hall before her.
The space inside was enormous, the ceiling arching high above them, supported by massive columns carved to resemble flames. The floor was covered in thick dust, but Aelin could still see the remnants of old symbols and runes scattered across the stone, faded with age but still potent.
"Welcome to the heart of the Flame," Kaelor said softly, his voice echoing in the chamber. "Here, you will begin to understand the true power of the Pyromancers. And here, you will learn to control it."
Aelin nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the leather-bound tome tighter. She could feel the weight of the world pressing down on her as she stepped further into the chamber, the heat of the flame stirring within her chest.
It was time to begin.