𝙉𝙮𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙖 ✧

The Flame's Burden

The sun hung low in the sky, casting fiery streaks across the Natlan horizon. Frisk sat in the dirt, panting heavily.

Six hours. Six hours of relentless training, and their entire body throbbed in protest.

Every muscle felt like it had been lit on fire, and the world around them swayed from exhaustion.

But Frisk clenched their fists, gritting their teeth.

The abyss is coming.
I have to be ready. I can't let it happen again.

The memories of that horrible night clawed at their mind-chaos, darkness, fire, screams. They shook their head violently, trying to push those thoughts away.

Must... stay... determined.

Their arms trembled as they tried to push themselves off the ground, but a hand reached out gently, pulling them up.

"You've done enough for today." said a warm, familiar voice.

Frisk blinked, their eyes focusing on the figure before them-Mavuika, the Pyro Archon herself.

Her presence was magnetic. The flicker of flames danced in her hair, glowing brighter in the dimming light of the evening.

But her expression wasn't fierce or regal-it was kind. Calm.

Something in those fiery eyes held not just the strength of a god, but the weight of responsibility she carried for her people.

"Come with me, Frisk. There's something we need to discuss."

The grand meeting room behind the stadium was unlike anything Frisk had seen before.

The walls shimmered with vibrant murals, depicting Natlan's victories, ancient battles, and stories of the six tribes.

But at the center of the room stood the
sacred flame, a swirling fire that burned with more than just heat-it pulsed with life and history, as though the very essence of Natlan resided within it.

Mavuika gestured for Frisk to sit, then stood by the sacred flame, her expression growing serious.

"Citlali told me about you," she began, her voice low but deliberate. "She spoke of your ancient name-how you bear something unique, something unseen in generations."

Frisk shifted uncomfortably in their seat.

The ancient name felt like both a gift and a curse-a mark that made them stand out when they only wanted to blend in.

"There is great potential within you, Frisk," Mavuika continued.
"Potential that could save this land."

Frisk's heart pounded, but before they could respond, Mavuika's expression darkened, and she gazed deeply into the sacred flame.

"But the threat we face is greater than you know," she said, her tone heavy with unspoken fear.
"The abyss will invade Natlan soon. Their power has grown beyond anything we faced in the past."

She turned toward Frisk, and the flicker in her eyes became something more solemn.
"I have a plan to stop them... but it is not without consequences."

Frisk's breath hitched.
"What kind of consequences?"

Mavuika took a slow, deliberate breath.
"If I use my gnosis to stop the abyss, I can unleash a fire powerful enough to sever their connection to our world. But... it will cost us everything."

Frisk's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Mavuika looked at them, sadness clouding her fiery gaze.
"The memories of the people. Their culture, their stories... Everything that makes Natlan what it is will be erased. Our victories, our struggles-all forgotten in an instant."

Frisk's heart dropped. Erasing Natlan's identity? It was unthinkable.
"But... there has to be another way."

Mavuika gave a small, weary smile.
"That's what I'm hoping for. And that's why I haven't used my gnosis-yet."

At that moment, the doors to the room opened, and Citlali entered, her steps quick and purposeful.

The elder's eyes flicked between Mavuika and Frisk before she spoke.

"I looked into Ororon's memories," she said without preamble.
"He knows what the Captain is planning."

Mavuika's expression hardened.
"What did you find?"

Citlali crossed her arms, her usual playful demeanor replaced with grim seriousness.
"The Captain's plan... is to reconstruct the leylines."

Frisk blinked, confused. "Leylines?"

Mavuika's jaw clenched. "The leylines are the veins of this world, flowing with energy from our history. If they were reconstructed..."

Citlali finished her thought.
"It would be like resetting the foundation of Natlan itself. It's just as dangerous as using the gnosis-memories could be lost, and the balance of our world would be at risk."

Frisk felt the weight of the situation settle on their shoulders.

Two paths, both perilous: Mavuika's gnosis, which would erase everything in an instant, or the Captain's plan to manipulate the leylines, which carried its own unpredictable consequences.

Mavuika crossed her arms and exhaled deeply, the fire in her hair dimming for a moment. "We're running out of time."

Mavuika turned toward Citlali.
"We'll need help-more than just you and me."

Citlali gave a quick nod.
"I've already called for Kinich and Xilonen to join us. They're on their way."

At the mention of Xilonen, Frisk perked up slightly.

Xilonen was another ancient name bearer from the Children of Echoes, just like them.

And sure enough, when she arrived moments later, her vibrant energy filled the room.

"Frisk." Xilonen grinned, waving as she bounded over.
"It's been ages, You look exhausted. Been training too hard, huh?"

Frisk gave a tired smile. Xilonen's cool spirit was infectious, a rare comfort amid all the chaos.

Mavuika continued without missing a beat. "Kinich will act as our messenger. He'll spread the word to the people-warn them of the impending invasion and rally them to prepare for battle."

Citlali added,
"And Xilonen will join the force that will track down the Captain. We can't let him carry out his plan to manipulate the leylines."

Frisk's chest tightened.
"What about the celebration? Are we still... having it?"

Mavuika gave a small, determined smile.
"Yes. The celebration will go on as planned. We can't let fear rule us. But..." She paused, her expression growing serious again.
"We'll make sure that by the time the monsters arrive, the abyss will already be dealt with."

Frisk's mind raced. The invasion. The Captain. The celebration.

So many things happening at once, and every choice carried a dangerous cost.

Mavuika placed a hand on Frisk's shoulder, her gaze steady and warm.
"I need you to stay determined, Frisk. I believe in you."