An outcome of fate and hope.

A negotiation

The flaming palace was unbearably hot, but only those who believe in it's true beauty, can see that there is so much more than fire, flaming rocks and pools of lava. It's structure within the mountain, resembles a strong temple like structure, that supports anything above and below it. Some exotic plants and some vines made with fire magic, twirl nicely around the pillars and onto the ceiling, forming a delicate fire symbol at the middle.

"My highness I have good news!" The doctor said confidently with a smile on her face. "It seems the man is waking up."

Lukas groaned in pain as he rises slowly up, grabbing his head, his vision was foggy which caused him to blink a few times before fully seeing the surroundings around him and he looks at it in awe. He then realises a red haired girl with leaf green eyes, was staring right at him really close to his face, as she seemed to somehow come out of nowhere. Lukas backed away out of fear and shock.

"Who the hell are you?! Also where the heck am I?! I swear I was just dreaming..." Lukas still seemed to have a bit if bad memory due to his condition, he was fortunately recovering but it felt like all of his purpose and journey had just been thrown away. The red haired girl seemed very disappointed in him, wasn't he supposed to be the hope of all? He just simply forgets everything?! What were if something similar were to happen in the future, would everything he ever did, just be forgotten like that. She had to show him the importance of his journey and she knew exactly how.

"You! You entered my kingdom, so this must mean that you face the challenge! You may not remember it, but you were told that beyond the door will have a challenge! So I have a challenge for you!" She smirked. "I want you... To plant the tree here." Lukas seemed beyond shocked and still confused considering he just woke up from his 'dream', he then noticed the nearby seed and remembered what he was supposed to do.

"No... I will not plant the tree here." Lukas said in a tough voice, holding the plant near him. The girl tsked at him and looked up at the ceiling and points at it.

"But there's a long way to go, I mean, it's just a tree right? You could plant it anywhere you wanted, so why not plant it here? Or did you forget..." She still seemed a bit upset that he didn't seemed motivated enough yet. Lukas grabbed the plant tightly feeling sad that he almost let down his mom, he probably let everyone else down and could have if he'd listened to this girl, but she had a point... He treated it like it wasn't his responsibility and that he would just let time move on once he had actually planted the tree. He looked at her determined.

"No... I will get to the top of the mountain and plant it there, once it is planted, I will take full care of it and I will treat it like anyone else should and not just as a plant... I'm supposed the saviour of this world... I'm sorry that I let you down. But thank you for helping me realise." Lukas smiled, holding his hand out for the girl to take, she just laughs and shakes it.

"I'm so glad that I finally got you to realise your mistake, my name is Heartflame, I am the queen of this palace. As beautiful as it is, I fear that one day it might die, that's why... I hope that you can restore life once again, but the challenge at the top... It isn't going to be easy, that's why I challenged you... I wanted to make sure you were prepared." Heartflame sighed in relief. Lukas looked at her hopefully.

"Say Heartflame... I'm assuming your pretty strong, considering what the other guards have said. You also have a very brave spirit and I can see... A passion in your eyes. Say. Would you like to join me against Derick to form an army of light?" Heartflame looked at him shocked, she suddenly looked flustered yet emotional at the same time. She didn't know what to say so she quickly made up a lie.

"B-but I'm not very good at fire magic and defence and I mean... I still have to protect everyone h-here! It's not like I would be any good o-or anything!"

"Then I'll teach you." Lukas smiled kindly reaching out his hand again, seemingly admitting a warm glow around him as she took his hand in happiness, finally, her long lost dream was becoming a reality and she could finally be free and do something good for a change, she seemed determined not only to help Lukas but to help others and build an army like no other, she promised Lukas that she would be there and he walked off to his next challenge with the seed and some supplies in a bag that the doctor kindly gave to him to help him in his journey ahead and some extra things incase he ever felt sick again or needed something to keep warm or cool, depending on the situation. He smiled knowing that he was almost there, but he didn't know what was going to be coming up next...