The moment Arjun and Meera touched the pedestal, the Eternal Flame flared to life, engulfing them in its golden brilliance.
Arjun felt the world around him dissolve, consumed by the pure radiance of the Flame. It wasn't fire that burned flesh or bone—it was something far more profound. It burned away illusions, stripping everything bare until only truth remained.
For an instant, he felt weightless. His body, his fears, his memories—everything seemed to scatter like ash carried by the wind. And yet, his soul remained steady, tethered to something unshakable within him.
Then, like the first breath after drowning, the light receded.
Arjun stumbled back, gasping for air. Beside him, Meera swayed unsteadily, her face pale but her eyes alight with something fierce and new.
The Eternal Flame floated calmly above the pedestal now, its once-golden hue tinged with faint traces of blue—subtle, yet unmistakable. Arjun's heart raced as he stared at it. Something had changed.
"What… what just happened?" Meera whispered, her voice hoarse.
Arjun turned to her. "The Flame…" He paused, struggling to find the words. "It's alive. It knows us now."
Before Meera could respond, the voice of the temple returned—soft, melodic, yet filled with timeless authority.
"You have been seen. You have been tested. And you have endured."
The air in the chamber vibrated with the weight of those words.
"But this is only the beginning. The Flame has chosen you, Arjun, bearer of questions. And you, Meera, shield of purpose. What you seek lies beyond this place, scattered like embers across the earth. The truth you desire can only be earned through fire and sacrifice."
Arjun swallowed hard. "What truth? What lies beyond this?"
The voice grew quieter, almost tender. "You will find the answers when you are ready. For now, take this flame with you, and let it guide your path."
Suddenly, the Eternal Flame flickered violently. From its center, a smaller ember separated—brilliant and pulsing. It hovered in front of Arjun, waiting.
"Take it," Meera whispered.
Arjun reached out, hesitating for just a moment before cupping his hands. The ember floated into his palms, its warmth spreading through him like the rising sun. It didn't burn; instead, it filled him with a deep, resonating calm.
The voice spoke one final time. "Carry the flame, but beware—its light will attract both seekers of truth and creatures of shadow. Protect it, or all will be lost."
As the last echo faded, the temple began to tremble. Dust fell from the ceiling, and cracks spread across the ancient stone walls. The runes dimmed, their glow extinguishing like dying stars.
"The temple's collapsing!" Meera shouted, grabbing Arjun's arm.
"Let's go!"
They turned and sprinted toward the exit, the chamber shaking violently behind them. The narrow corridor they'd entered through was still open, though chunks of stone now littered the path. The golden light of the Flame in Arjun's hands lit their way as they ran.
The ground split beneath their feet. Meera leaped over a widening gap, landing hard on the other side. "Hurry!"
Arjun followed, barely making the jump. They kept running, their breaths ragged and chests burning. The walls groaned as they crumbled, but just as it seemed the entire mountain would collapse around them, they burst through the stone doors and stumbled into the open air.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the doors slammed shut with an earth-shaking boom.
They collapsed onto the rocky ground, panting, their bodies drenched in sweat. Behind them, the mountain rumbled one last time before falling silent.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Arjun lay on his back, staring at the endless sky. The cool mountain breeze caressed his skin, carrying the scent of pine and rain. It felt surreal, as though the past hours had been a dream.
Meera finally broke the silence. "Did that really happen?"
Arjun sat up, looking at the ember still pulsing faintly in his hands. "It did. And we're still alive."
Meera exhaled slowly, then looked at him with a rare smile. "You did it, Arjun. You found the Eternal Flame."
Arjun shook his head. "We did it, Meera. I couldn't have done this alone."
She didn't argue. For the first time, the tension between them seemed to ease, replaced by something quiet and unspoken—trust.
Arjun looked back at the sealed temple, now just a silent monolith against the mountains. "This is only the beginning, isn't it?"
Meera nodded, her expression serious. "The voice said the flame would attract shadows. If that's true, then this—" she gestured to the ember—"is more dangerous than we realize."
Arjun's fingers curled around the flame protectively. He could feel its warmth seeping into his very soul, a reminder of the power they'd been entrusted with.
"We'll figure it out," he said, his voice firm. "We came here seeking answers, and now we have a path to follow."
Meera studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then let's make sure this isn't all for nothing."
They sat there in silence as the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. Arjun watched the horizon, his mind turning over everything they had faced—the trials, the flame, the voice of the temple.
The world had suddenly grown much larger, and its mysteries deeper. He didn't know what awaited them next, but for the first time, he felt ready.
He held the flame close, its light reflecting in his eyes.
"The journey isn't over," Arjun whispered. "It's just begun."
And as the first stars appeared in the darkening sky, Arjun and Meera rose to their feet, ready to take their first steps into the unknown.