The glowing name rippled across the prophecy circle like molten gold.
KAI RHEN.
Lina stared at it, her breath trapped somewhere between a sob and a scream.
"No…"Her voice shook violently."No—this can't— this CAN'T be the choice—"
Kai grabbed her shoulders immediately.
"Lina, look at me—DON'T LISTEN TO IT—"
But she pushed him back, tears blurring her vision.
"Kai, your NAME is written there! Mine isn't — Reyon's isn't — Seren's isn't — ONLY YOURS!"
Kai shook his head fiercely.
"I don't care what some ancient shadow wants us to believe—"
"It's not just a shadow!" Lina cried."It's tied to my flame — to prophecy — to the night Arienne died — to everything—!"
The entity's voice rumbled like a mountain shifting.
"The Seventh Flame sees truth.It reveals what will be…unless you fight what must."
Reyon stepped between them, shaking.
"Okay, I vote we STOP listening to the interdimensional horror creature—"
The entity ignored him completely.
"Little Flame…your heart has chosen its protector."
Lina choked.
Kai went still.
"The one who protects is the one who burns."
"No!" Lina screamed, hugging her arms around herself."I'm not killing him— I WON'T—"
Kai stepped forward.
"Lina—STOP— the prophecy doesn't control you. NOTHING controls you."
But as he reached for her—
Her flame flared.
Not gold.
Black.
Kai froze.
Lina gasped, horrified.
"No— no no no— I don't want this— I DON'T WANT THIS—"
Seren cried out, "Lina! Your flame— it's destabilizing!"
Reyon pulled Seren back as shadows crawled across the ground.
"EVERYONE MOVE BACK NOW!"
Kai didn't move.
He stepped closer to Lina, even as black fire cracked through the floor.
"Kai—DON'T— GET AWAY— I don't know what I'll do—"
"I do," he whispered."You'll fight it."
She shook her head violently.
"What if I can't?! What if the flame inside me already made its choice?! What if I'm destined to kill you—"
"You won't," Kai said firmly.
"You don't know that!"
"I do," he insisted."Because even when you didn't know me… you still tried to protect me."
Lina froze.
"What…?"
Kai's eyes softened — just barely.
"Back then. At the ward. You were out of control — you weren't awake — you weren't YOU. But even through all that… you reached for me."
Lina trembled.
"I don't remember—"
Kai touched her cheek.
"I do."
Her breath hitched.
A memory flickered in the broken cracks of her mind—
A burning ceiling—A collapsing rune—A frightened girl—Lina's unconscious body—Kai pulling her out—His voice breaking as he whispered:
"I won't lose you too."
Her chest caved at the realization.
"Kai… you saved me first."
He nodded.
"And I will save you again. Even if prophecy hates it."
The entity's presence thickened.
"Foolish shadow-child.Your vow broke once.Break it again… and the flame will consume."
Kai's Shadowsteel burned against the seal.
He lifted his chin defiantly.
"Then let it consume me."
The seal cracked.
A pulse of pain shot through him.
"KAI—!" Lina grabbed him as he staggered.
He coughed blood but stayed standing.
"No more running," he whispered."No more fear.If you're destined to kill me… then let me be the one who decides whether that future happens."
Lina sobbed, shaking.
"Kai… don't say that—"
He gripped her hands tightly.
"You won't destroy me, Lina Veris."
"You don't KNOW that!"
"Yes, I do," he said softly."Because even now… you're trying to protect me from prophecy instead of yourself."
Her flame flickered painfully — gold warring against black.
The entity lowered itself until its shapeless face was level with hers.
"The heart that burns must choose.Save the academy…or save the shadow."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"Her choice is hers. Not yours."
The shadows coiled.
"The one she saves is the one she dooms."
Lina shook her head violently.
"No—NO— I'm not choosing ANYONE—"
But the prophecy circle began to glow brighter.
Seren let out a strangled gasp.
"The ninth tear… it's forming—RIGHT NOW—"
Reyon grabbed her.
"What does that MEAN?!"
Seren's voice was barely human as the prophecy echoed through her:
"When the ninth tear falls,the flame locks its fate.And the world fracturesat the name it chooses."
Kai squeezed Lina's hands.
"Look at me.Not the prophecy.Not the entity.Me."
Her tears fell.
"I don't want to choose."
"You won't," Kai whispered."I won't let your flame decide alone."
The entity rose to its full towering height.
The entire Forbidden Wing shook.
Shadows swirled around Lina like a storm preparing to swallow her whole.
"The choice begins."
Kai pulled her into his arms.
Her flame ignited.
His Shadowsteel shattered the floor.
The prophecy symbols blazed.
And Lina screamed—
"KAI—!!"
Kai held her tighter.
"I'm here.I'm not leaving.Not again."
The shadows struck.
The flame exploded.
And as Lina's power tore the chamber open—
A single line burned itself into the air:
THE SEVENTH FLAME CANNOT SAVE WHAT IT LOVES.
Lina's sob echoed through the collapsing wing.
And the chapter ends as the prophecy begins sealing itself into her chest.
To be Continued
© Kishtika., 2025
All rights reserved.