– Fracture
The valley woke to fire. It began with a scream—one that split the sky and echoed through stone and bone alike. Lyra bolted from her cot beneath the shattered hall, her fingers already burning with emberlight. Ira was at her side in an instant, the ember shard at his chest glowing like a beacon. They ran. Across the terraces, down into the old Circle, where smoke coiled like snakes around trembling columns. Embermarked youths stood in chaos, shouting, scattered, some kneeling, others casting wild flames into the air in panicked defense. In the center of it all stood Maerin. Her cloak was gone. Her eyes burned. And behind her, five Embermarked knelt in a circle—hands raised, glyphs etched in flame beneath their skin, mouths open in silent chant. “Maerin!” Lyra called. “What are you do
- Writer
