The brazier's flames danced wildly, illuminating the chamber with a flickering, golden light. Shadows played across the walls, and the statue of Almira seemed almost alive, the carved flames on her armor glowing with a faint warmth.

The old man shuffled closer to the brazier, leaning heavily on his staff. He gestured for them to gather near, his weathered face solemn.

"Sit," he said, his voice steady despite his age. "There is much to tell, and the truth cannot wait."

The group exchanged hesitant glances before lowering themselves to the cold stone floor. Amaya sat closest to the brazier, the heat licking at her skin, but it didn’t bother her. If anything, it felt familiar—comforting.

“Let’s start with this,” Kai said, his tone cautious. “Who exactly are you?”

The old man chuckled, his voice carrying a rasp like dry leaves. “Names are fleeting, but you may call me Eldrin. I am the last Keeper of the Flame, bound to this temple until my final breath.”

“What’s a Keeper of the Flame?” Lina asked, her curiosity evident.

“I am the caretaker of this place, the guardian of its knowledge, and the storyteller of its past. And you, child of earth,” Eldrin said, his sharp gaze turning to her, “are part of a story older than you know.”

Reya leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “What do you mean by that? All of us?”

Eldrin nodded, his expression unreadable. “You are more than you appear, but your roles in this tale are yet to be fully revealed. For now, let us focus on her.” He gestured to Amaya.

Amaya stiffened. “Me? Why me?”

“You bear the bloodline of Almira,” Eldrin said, his voice firm. “Though distant, the connection is undeniable. The fire in your veins speaks to this temple—it is why you were drawn here.”

Amaya frowned, the memory of her dream flashing in her mind. “You’re saying I’m her descendant?”

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“Yes, but not as you imagine,” Eldrin said. “Almira lived centuries ago, during a time when the Guardians of the Elements stood united to protect the realms. She was the First Fire Guardian, chosen not by chance, but by the will of the ancient forces that govern this world.”

Kai crossed his arms. “If she’s been gone for centuries, how does that make Amaya connected to her?”

Eldrin tapped his staff against the stone floor. “Bloodlines are not mere lines of inheritance. They carry echoes of power, of duty, and of legacy. Almira’s fire burns in Amaya, as it did in others before her. It is a spark that cannot be extinguished.”

Amaya stared at the statue, the memory of the woman’s face in her dream still vivid. “But I don’t know anything about her. About any of this.”

“That is why you are here,” Eldrin said gently. “To learn.”

He pointed to the sword in Almira’s hands, its stone blade gleaming faintly in the firelight. “The weapon she wields is no ordinary blade. It is one of the Legacy Weapons, forged by the Ancients and imbued with elemental power. Each Guardian bore such a weapon, a symbol of their bond with their element.”

Lina’s eyes widened. “Legacy Weapons? Are they still here?”

“Some,” Eldrin said. “Others are lost to time, scattered across the realms. This temple holds the Blade of Embers, Almira’s sword, but it has remained dormant since her passing. Only one who is truly connected to the fire can awaken its power.”

The brazier flared brighter, casting a fiery glow over Amaya. She swallowed hard, her hand brushing against the hilt of her own sword. “And you think that’s me?”

“I do not think,” Eldrin said, his tone serious. “I know.”

Reya frowned. “If these weapons are so powerful, why were they left behind? Why weren’t they passed down?”

“Because power is a burden, not a gift,” Eldrin said, his voice heavy with sorrow. “After the fall of the Guardians, the Legacy Weapons became symbols of a bygone era. They were hidden, protected, to ensure they did not fall into the wrong hands.”

“And now?” Kai asked. “Why reveal them now?”

Eldrin looked at each of them in turn, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity. “Because the shadows stir once more. The world is on the brink, and the Guardians must rise again. Whether you wish it or not, you are part of this fight.”

Silence fell over the chamber, broken only by the crackling of the brazier.

Amaya clenched her fists, her mind racing. The weight of Eldrin’s words pressed heavily on her, but a spark of determination flickered within her chest.

“What do we do?” she asked finally, her voice steady.

Eldrin smiled faintly. “For now, you learn. The temple holds many secrets, but the Blade of Embers will be your first trial. If you can awaken it, you will take the first step toward fulfilling your destiny.”

Amaya nodded, her resolve hardening. “Then I’ll do it. Whatever it takes.”

Eldrin’s smile deepened. “Very well, child of embers. Let the trial begin.”