THE LAST EMBER CROWN 👑

THE LAST EMBER CROWN 2

Chapter 2: The Ember Mark Awakens

The fire raged through Ashvale long after the Hollowborn vanished.

Kael slowly opened his eyes. The glowing mark on his right hand had faded, but it still burned beneath his skin like a living flame.

Around him lay silence.

The joyful village he had known was gone.

Homes had become ashes. The forge where he had worked since childhood was nothing more than broken stone and twisted iron.

"Master Rowan..." Kael whispered.

There was no answer.

With trembling hands, he buried Rowan beneath the old oak tree overlooking the village. Beside the grave, he placed Rowan's blacksmith hammer.

"I don't know why this happened," Kael said softly. "But I promise... your death won't be in vain."

A cool wind swept through the valley.

Then came the sound of footsteps.

Kael spun around, gripping the hammer.

A tall woman in a dark cloak emerged from the trees. A silver sword rested across her back, and her piercing gray eyes never left Kael's glowing hand.

"You shouldn't still be here," she said.

"Who are you?" Kael demanded.

"My name is Lyra."

"Did you attack my village?"

She shook her head.

"No. I came because I saw the light."

Kael stepped back.

"Stay away from me."

Lyra sighed.

"You don't understand what you are."

"I don't even understand what happened!"

"The mark on your hand is called the Ember Seal. It disappeared from the world a thousand years ago."

Kael looked at the faint symbol glowing beneath his skin.

"So... what does it mean?"

Before Lyra could answer, a loud screech echoed across the valley.

Several Hollowborn burst from the burning ruins.

"They found you already," Lyra whispered.

She drew her silver sword in one smooth motion.

"Run!"

"I'm not leaving again!"

The Hollowborn charged.

Lyra met them head-on, her blade flashing like moonlight. She moved with incredible speed, cutting through shadows that dissolved into black mist.

Kael swung Rowan's hammer, but it passed through one creature harmlessly.

"It doesn't work!" he shouted.

"They can't be harmed by ordinary weapons!" Lyra called.

A Hollowborn lunged toward Kael.

Instinctively, he raised his glowing hand.

The Ember Seal blazed to life.

A wave of golden fire erupted from his palm.

The monster let out a terrible scream before dissolving into sparks.

The remaining Hollowborn froze.

One of them hissed, "The Ember Bearer grows stronger..."

Then, just as suddenly as they had appeared, they disappeared into the darkness.

Kael stared at his hand in disbelief.

"I... I did that?"

Lyra nodded.

"And this is only the beginning."

She looked toward the distant mountains, where dark storm clouds gathered.

"Every king, every mage, and every enemy in Elyndor felt your power tonight."

Kael's heart sank.

"So they'll come after me?"

"Yes."

She met his eyes.

"If you stay here, you'll die."

Kael took one last look at the ruins of Ashvale.

There was nothing left to return to.

He tightened his grip on Rowan's hammer.

"Then I'll go with you."

A faint smile crossed Lyra's face.

"Good."

She turned toward the ancient forest beyond the mountains.

"Our journey begins there."

As they disappeared into the trees, two glowing crimson eyes watched from the shadows.

A deep voice whispered,

"The Ember Bearer has taken his first step..."

"The hunt begins."