The flames roared to life around Selene, her body now a beacon of fire, crackling with the intensity of a thousand suns. The Council of Shadows, those ancient sorcerers who had sought to control the fate of the world, recoiled from her power. The air vibrated with their magic as they raised their hands in unison, casting shadows that fought against the fire that surged through her veins."You think you can defeat us?" one of the Council members, a tall figure draped in dark robes, spoke with a voice that resonated like thunder. His eyes burned with malice, but there was a flicker of uncertainty in them now. "You, a mere mortal, bound to the Phoenix's flame? The flame that has cursed your soul?"Selene's gaze was unwavering as she met his eyes. "I am not a mere mortal," she said, her voice ringing with conviction. "I am the king you betrayed, reborn. The fire inside me is not your weapon, it is my strength. And I will burn you to the ground."With a wave of her hand, the flames surged forward, a torrent of fire lashing out at the Council. But they were no ordinary sorcerers, and the fire that came from Selene could not easily be controlled. The Council's magic twisted the air, bending it to their will. Shadowy tendrils shot forward to grasp at the flames, trying to smother them. But Selene's fire did not flicker—it burned hotter, brighter, and more fiercely than ever before.She felt the power within her rising, the blood of Caelus, the fire of the Phoenix, a force that no mortal nor immortal could easily contain. The fire roared around her, a tempest of heat and fury, as she locked her eyes on the first Council member.Without hesitation, she thrust her palm toward him, sending a wave of fire that consumed the space between them. The air shimmered as it warped under the intensity of the heat, and the Council member raised his arms in an attempt to block the attack. But the flames engulfed him, his body disintegrating in an instant.His scream echoed through the temple, but it was swallowed by the fire. Selene barely noticed. The power of the Phoenix surged through her, more than she had ever known before. She was unstoppable, untouchable, a force of nature that nothing could stand against. But even as she reveled in the blaze of her power, a part of her remained tethered to her soul, aware of the cost.The remaining members of the Council gathered their strength, their shadows swirling in a concerted effort to push back the flames. A dark aura filled the room, thick with the weight of ancient magic. They were not ready to give up so easily. Each of them wielded a different aspect of magic, elements twisted by centuries of dark practice—blood magic, storm magic, mind manipulation, and necromancy. They each attacked, their spells colliding with Selene's fire, creating violent explosions of power that shook the temple.Selene gritted her teeth as she focused, pushing through the onslaught of dark energy. The power of the Phoenix roared within her, its voice calling to her, urging her to unleash her full potential. She had trained for this moment, but she had not expected the sheer strength of the Council's resistance. They were powerful, and each attack seemed to drain her, pulling on the very core of her being. She could feel her body weakening, the toll of using the Phoenix's fire beginning to catch up with her.The Phoenix's voice whispered in her mind. You must give more. You must sacrifice.She hesitated. What more could she give? Her strength was nearly spent, and the fire was beginning to feel like a weight she could no longer carry.But then, in the center of the room, one figure stood apart from the others—a woman, older than the rest, with silver hair flowing like a river of moonlight. Her eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and she watched Selene with an expression that was almost... familiar.Vespera.Selene's heart skipped a beat as the memories of the past flooded her mind. Vespera had always been the one who had sought to control her, to bind her to the Phoenix, to twist her fate to her will. But Vespera was dead—Selene had burned her to ash. Or so she had thought.The woman's lips curled into a cruel smile. "You think you've won?" she asked, her voice a low, mocking whisper. "You think you've defeated me? You've only done exactly what I wanted."Selene's blood ran cold. "Vespera," she whispered, her voice trembling with rage. "You're supposed to be dead."The woman laughed softly, her eyes gleaming with a cold light. "Dead? No, not dead. I have merely been reborn. You see, Selene, you were always the key. The Phoenix's fire was always meant to consume you. It was always meant to bring me back."A chill swept through the room as the woman raised her arms, and the shadows around her seemed to respond, twisting and writhing like living creatures. The very air grew heavier, as though the temple itself were pressing down upon Selene."You were a fool to think you could break the curse," Vespera continued, her voice echoing in the temple like a song of doom. "The Phoenix is not just a force of fire, it is a force of life and death. And now, you will be the one who gives me the power I need to bring the world to its knees."Selene's mind raced as she realized the truth. The Phoenix's fire had never been meant for her to wield. It was always a part of Vespera's plan—a plan that had spanned centuries. She had never been the true heir to the fire. Vespera had manipulated her from the very beginning, using her as a vessel to bring the Phoenix back into the world, to reignite the flames of destruction and bring chaos to the realm."No," Selene breathed, shaking her head. "You won't control me. You won't control the Phoenix."Vespera's smile widened, her eyes flashing with cruel delight. "You are too late. The power is mine, and you are nothing but a tool in my hands."With a wave of her hand, Vespera unleashed a torrent of dark energy, the very air around them distorting as the shadows reached for Selene, trying to bind her, to crush her. But the flames within her flared to life once more, a furious blaze that burned hotter and brighter than before. She could feel the Phoenix within her, thrumming with energy, responding to Vespera's challenge.The fire rose within her like a volcano, and Selene pushed back with all her might. She would not be used again. She would not be the instrument of destruction. She was more than that—she was the fire. She was the rebirth.With a roar, Selene unleashed the full force of the Phoenix's power, a wave of flame that tore through the shadows, unraveling them one by one. The Council screamed as they were consumed, their dark magic powerless against the intensity of her fire.Vespera's expression twisted into one of fury as she tried to shield herself from the onslaught, but it was too late. The flames were unstoppable, overwhelming her, consuming her entire form."No! You cannot!" Vespera screamed, but her voice was drowned out by the inferno.And then, with a final, blinding flash of light, Vespera was gone. The last of the Council fell, reduced to nothing more than ashes.Selene stood in the center of the temple, the air around her thick with the heat of the flames. Her body trembled with the exertion, but she was victorious. The curse had been broken. The Council was no more. And the Phoenix's fire was hers to command.But as the flames began to die down, Selene felt the familiar tug at her soul. The Phoenix's call, urging her to give what was owed. It was time for her to pay the price.And as the fire flickered out, she knew the cost was far greater than she had ever imagined.