The Forgotten Kingdom: The Flamekeeper

CH06 | A Spark In The Dark

CHAPTER 6

Elara could feel the air shift as night fell over the mountain. The valley below lay in ruin, shrouded in the cold grip of darkness. But it wasn’t just the absence of light that chilled her—it was the presence of the Order of the Black Flame. They were watching, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Inside the mountain’s hollow chambers, Elara and Calla sat by a small fire, its blue flames flickering in the stillness. They had spent the last few hours strategizing, discussing everything Calla knew about Kael and his followers. But no amount of planning could erase the tension that hung between them. The enemy was closer than ever, and the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on Elara’s shoulders.

“They’ll come soon,” Calla said, her eyes fixed on the fire. “Kael won’t wait much longer.”

Elara nodded, the words sinking in like stones. She had trained tirelessly, learned how to control the flame, but the truth was, she had never faced anything like Kael. The thought of going up against a former Flamekeeper—someone who had once wielded the same power she now held—made her stomach twist with doubt.

“What if I’m not strong enough?” Elara asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.

Calla’s gaze softened as she looked at her. “You are stronger than you know, Elara. The flame chose you for a reason.”

“But Kael—” Elara began, but Calla cut her off.

“Kael’s strength comes from fear and destruction. He may have created the Black Flame, but its power is corrupt. It’s a twisted version of the true flame, a shadow of what it once was. You carry the pure flame—the flame of life, of hope. That is something Kael can never possess.”

Elara wanted to believe her, but the fear still gnawed at her. How could she face someone who had already destroyed the kingdom once? What chance did she have of stopping him?

Before she could voice her doubts, a loud crack echoed through the chamber, and the fire between them flared wildly. Elara shot to her feet, her heart racing as the ground trembled beneath her.

“They’re here,” Calla said, her voice sharp with urgency.

Elara’s pulse quickened, and she felt the heat of the flame surging inside her. She wasn’t ready—not yet. But there was no time for hesitation. The Order had come for her, and the battle was about to begin.

Calla moved quickly, grabbing a long staff from the wall and turning to Elara. “Stay close to me. We need to get to the Eternal Flame before they do.”

Elara nodded, her mind reeling as they sprinted through the dark corridors of the mountain. The flames in the walls flickered wildly, reacting to the presence of the Black Flame drawing near. Every step they took brought them closer to the heart of the mountain—the chamber that held the Eternal Flame, the source of the power that had sustained the kingdom for centuries.

As they reached the final passage leading to the chamber, the air grew heavy, thick with the smell of smoke and ash. Elara’s heart pounded in her chest as they rounded the corner, only to find the path blocked by a group of cloaked figures.

The Order.

Their dark hoods obscured their faces, but Elara could feel their eyes on her, cold and merciless. The flames along the walls dimmed, as if retreating from the darkness that clung to the Order like a second skin. At the front of the group stood a figure taller than the rest, his presence commanding and sinister. His cloak rippled like shadows, and in his hand, he held a staff crowned with a flickering black flame.

Kael.

Elara’s breath caught in her throat. This was the man responsible for the kingdom’s fall, the one who had betrayed the Flamekeepers and created the Black Flame. His power radiated from him like a storm, and for a moment, Elara felt the fire inside her falter.

Kael stepped forward, his voice like gravel as he spoke. “The last Flamekeeper. I’ve waited a long time for this moment.”

Elara swallowed, trying to steady herself. “You destroyed the kingdom. You betrayed the flame.”

Kael’s lips curved into a cold smile. “I liberated the flame. It is power, and power belongs to those strong enough to claim it. You think you can stop me? You are nothing but a child playing with fire.”

The words stung, but Elara stood her ground. “I may be young, but I’m not afraid of you.”

Kael’s eyes gleamed with dark amusement. “You should be.”

With a flick of his wrist, the black flame in his hand flared, and the air around him crackled with energy. Elara tensed, preparing herself for what was to come.

“Now,” Kael said, his voice low and dangerous, “let’s see if the flame has chosen wisely.”

In an instant, he hurled the black flame toward her, a dark mass of fire and shadow racing through the air. Elara barely had time to react before the flame struck, its heat searing her skin as it knocked her off her feet. She hit the ground hard, the impact forcing the air from her lungs.

“Elara!” Calla shouted, rushing to her side.

But before Calla could reach her, Kael’s followers moved in, their dark flames swirling in their hands as they advanced. Elara struggled to her feet, her heart pounding. The flame inside her flickered weakly, struggling against the force of the Black Flame.

“I… I can’t…” Elara gasped, her strength faltering.

“You must!” Calla urged, her voice fierce. “The flame is yours to command, Elara! Trust it!”

Elara clenched her fists, her mind racing. The Black Flame was stronger than she had imagined—twisting, consuming, destroying everything in its path. But she wasn’t powerless. She had the flame, the true flame, and it burned within her.

She closed her eyes, focusing on the warmth in her chest, the pulse of life that had sustained her through the darkest moments of her journey. The flame wasn’t just a weapon—it was a part of her, a connection to the kingdom and the people who had once ruled it. It was hope.

The moment she let go of her fear, she felt the flame surge, growing brighter and stronger inside her. Her body filled with warmth, and the blue flames flickered back to life, stronger than before.

Elara opened her eyes, the fire burning brightly in her palm. “I’m not afraid.”

With a swift motion, she thrust her hand forward, sending a wave of blue fire crashing toward Kael. The flames collided with the Black Flame, the air crackling with energy as the two forces clashed.

For a moment, everything was chaos—the flames swirling and twisting, battling for dominance. But then, slowly, Elara’s fire began to push back, driving the darkness away.

Kael’s expression shifted, his amusement fading as he realized what was happening. “No… this isn’t possible.”

Elara stepped forward, her voice steady and strong. “The flame doesn’t belong to you, Kael. It never did.”

With a final surge of power, Elara’s flames overwhelmed the Black Flame, extinguishing it in a burst of light. The force of the fire knocked Kael back, sending him crashing to the ground.

Elara stood tall, the blue flames dancing around her. She had won this battle—but the war was far from over.