The night of the festival's final flame.
Kaien stood alone in the Grand Arena.
Inquisitor Solath entered, carrying a Flame Oath Rod—a relic from the Flame Courts.
"You've made enough noise to shake Heaven's registry."
"Now the system demands a proof."
"A Duel of Sovereignty."
Kaien nodded.
"Then let's burn."
❖ Duel Rules Initiated:
Non-lethal. Flame Oath will rebuke fatal intent.
Witnessed by three sects.
Outcome determines provisional status of the Hollow.
The duel was not fast. It was not brutal.
It was a dialogue of fire.
Each blow revealed more.
As they clashed:
Seren whispered to the younger disciples:
"What's Kaien's current Flame Tier?"
Rin answered:"Post-Sovereign Ember, nearing Verdant Blaze."
Veyra added:
"He's bound to the Flame Contract. That means his power aligns with one of the Nine Elemental Pillars."
"His is Ashen Flame—memory-tied. Self-consuming. Renewal-born."
Meanwhile, Solath revealed his own truths:
"The Flame System once classified all power under Nine Root Paths, each tied to a realm and its law."
Solar Flame – Light & Judgment
Verdant Blaze – Growth & Spirit
Emberroot – Memory & Ash
Shadewind – Illusion & Fear
Torrent Pyre – Tempest & Soul
Boneheat – Vitality & Flesh
Quicksoul Flame – Motion & Instinct
Hollowbrand – Silence & Echo
Crownfire – Dominion & Law
"But over time, most lost their elemental identities," Solath said."Now they hoard power without knowing what it means."
Kaien struck back, one palm open, his flames curving inward—not to burn, but to witness.
"My flame remembers," he said.
"Even if your courts forget."
Solath staggered.
Not from the strike.
But from the echo in it.
He saw himself—once a disciple, lost in a wildfire. Kaien was there, helping him crawl out.
A memory he'd buried.
He dropped his blade.
"You win," Solath said, quietly.
"But it's not the Hollow that scares them."
"It's that you might awaken others."
As the festival ended, and the fire spiraled skyward like a soul ascending, a message was received:
A Tower is stirring.Not a sect.Not a Choir.A Primordial Pillar, long sealed.
Kaien felt it in his blood.
Seren felt it in the wind.
Nyel's blade trembled.
"The Flame System… is changing."