"Trial by Fire"

 The temple quaked under the Arcane’s fury.

Flames coiled around shattered pillars, warping the air with blistering heat. Nao stood firm amidst the chaos, her eyes locked onto the burning figure ahead.She closed her eyes.A breath.Not in fear but in focus.

The sword in her hand responded.Its dull glow surged to life, a radiant light not granted by enchantment, but born from sheer will.She charged.

Steel clashed with flame. Sparks scattered like dying stars.Nao moved like a tempest fluid, relentless. Each strike was a memory, a promise, a scream.

The Arcane stumbled under her fury, a final slash tearing across its molten chest, sending it crashing to the ground.But it wasn’t over.The Arcane’s body convulsed, then roared.Flames erupted outward in a shockwave of rage.

From the blaze emerged a new form taller, stronger its armor fused with molten rock, eyes blazing."This is my true form," it snarled."And now... you burn with the rest."It struck.

Nao raised her blade but the force shattered the ground beneath her and sent her hurtling across the stone.

She hit the floor hard, coughing, her hand trembling around her sword’s hilt.“Nao!!” Keal shouted, rushing toward her.But before he could reach her Time stopped.

A silent wind swept the temple.In an instant, the Arcane froze.A single, obsidian streak cleaved the air.The Arcane’s body split cleanly in two.Its flames flickered out.

Silence returned.From the shadows emerged a tall figure, cloaked in black, a curved blade in his hand darker than the void itself.Eyes like ancient stars. Voice barely a whisper."Your time is over," he murmured to the fading creature."Rest now, Arcane."

And then he vanished without so much as a glance at Nao or Keal.Nao clenched her fists, fury burning hotter than the Arcane’s flames.

"He came again," Keal said quietly.Nao’s voice cracked with frustration. "And saved me again..."She stood, trembling."I’m not a weakling!! I don’t need your help!" she shouted into the empty sky.

"God of Death or whatever you are STOP SAVING ME!"A voice echoed faintly from nowhere."I'm helping no one. I'm simply doing what must be done."

"Coward!" Nao screamed. "Show yourself!! I’m the last human I will avenge them all! I don’t need you. I’m strong enough to protect myself!"

No answer.

Only silence."Nao please," Keal placed a hand on her shoulder. "He’s gone."She lowered her head, eyes burning.

"I’m strong..." she whispered. "I can protect myself. I will find out who killed my people. without help."

Keal nodded solemnly.

"I believe you. But remember... the king promised a clue. If you defeated the Arcane."Nao looked at the scatne he will tell some clue. 

Defeat it? I didn't defeat it keal. 

The throne room was quiet now. The battle was over, but Nao’s heart was still at war.

She stood before the king, silent, eyes shadowed beneath the weight of failure.

Keal beside her, hand resting near his sword, unsure whether to speak.

The king leaned forward on his golden staff, his voice calm but laced with sorrow.

"You’re disappointed. You believe you failed."

Nao didn’t respond.

"But you faced the Arcane and lived. That alone is a feat very few can claim.""I didn’t kill it," she muttered. "He did."

The king nodded slowly. "And yet, you still faced it head-on. Without fear."He stood, stepping down from the dais. His robes whispered against the marble floor.

"You wanted a clue, and I shall give you one. Though it may not be the one you hoped for."

Nao looked up, meeting his gaze.The king turned toward the eastern window.The mountains glowed in the distance beneath the setting sun.

"In the far East," he began, "beyond the Blistered Plains and past the Emerald Caves… there lies a kingdom. A human kingdom. One that still breathes."

Nao’s eyes widened. "What…?""They are few. But they survived. We aided them with shelter, barriers, and warriors"

Her breath caught."So you're saying… my people… they might still be alive?"The king’s expression softened.

"I cannot promise who you will find. Only that something of your kind endures. If you wish to seek truth… go east."Nao looked out the window toward the distant horizon."East," she whispered. "Then that’s where we go."

The king watched them turn to leave.But as they walked out of the hall, he murmured softly to himself:"May your will be strong, child of fire... the truth is heavier than the sword you carry."