🌫️ Somewhere Far from Gezana...
Lucien Virell stood barefoot on the black sand of a forgotten shore. Behind him, a ring of Thorn agents bowed silently, their masks carved with roots and bone.
A shadow approached—hooded, quiet, but carrying the scent of ink and power.
> "He refused the Council," the figure said. "He stood. He spoke fire."
Lucien smiled faintly. "Then he is growing faster than they hoped."
He turned toward the waves.
> "What of our friend in the chamber?"
> "Still loyal. Still afraid."
Lucien's voice hardened. "Good. Fear is fertile soil."
He turned. "Tell our agent this: If the boy will not kneel… make him bleed."
---
🏛️ Back at Eldemar – Two Days Later
Aaron sat in a chamber lined with old scrolls, reading by the glow of a mage lantern.
A woman entered silently—Councilor Sereth, known for her cold logic and silver tongue.
> "You surprised them," she said. "Especially the cracked mask."
Aaron didn't look up. "Was that your plan?"
> "My plan is to survive. And today, survival means understanding you."
She circled him like a hawk. Her eyes flickered—too calm.
Aaron felt it too late.
A sudden heat surged in his chest—foreign, unnatural.
He staggered. His veins lit with burning pressure.
> "Poisoned ink," she whispered. "The Thorn's method. Quick. Painless. Symbolic."
---
🔥 Flame Fights Back
But Aaron didn't fall.
The pressure inside him met something deeper.
Not rage. Not pain.
Memory.
His flame erupted—not outward, but inward—burning the poison clean in a wave of blue light.
Sereth stepped back in shock.
Aaron stood slowly, eyes glowing.
> "Tell Lucien," he said quietly, "the fire doesn't kneel. And it doesn't forget."
He raised his hand—
But she vanished in a blink, a glyph on her wrist shimmering before she disappeared.
---
🕯️ Final Scene: In the Library Shadows
Frankfurt watched from above, unseen.
> "So," he whispered, "the Thorn has roots in the Council after all."
Kain appeared behind him, silent.
> "What shall we do?"
Frankfurt's eyes glinted. "We don't burn the Council."
> "We let Aaron do it."