Rain lashed against the cracked windows of the orphanage, its steady rhythm a constant companion to the whispers inside. Ash, a wiry boy of twelve with a mop of dark hair and a restless spirit, sat perched on the windowsill, staring at the horizon. The distant mountains were cloaked in mist, their jagged peaks hidden like secrets yet to be uncovered. “Dreaming again, Ash?” came a voice from behind. He turned to see Miri, his best friend, balancing a stack of books. Her fiery red hair clung to her face, damp from the leaks that plagued the old building. “Not dreaming,” he replied, his voice low. “Planning.” Miri rolled her eyes, but there was a smile tugging at her lips. “Planning to get caught again? Last time you tried sneaking out, Miss Rannel had you cleaning the stables for a week.” Ash grinned. “Worth it. I saw something—up there in the hills. It’s hard to explain, but… I think it’s calling me.” Miri set the books down, her curiosity piqued. “Calling you? Like what, a treasure map?” “Something better.” Ash leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “A flame. But it wasn’t normal—it was alive, like it was waiting for someone. For me.” The room fell silent, save for the rain. Miri’s skepticism faded, replaced by an uneasy curiosity. She had known Ash long enough to tell when he was serious. “If you’re going after it,” she said finally, “you’re not going alone.” Ash smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” With that, the two slipped into the shadows of the orphanage, unaware that their search for a living flame would ignite an adventure that would change the world.

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BY Rion Von Ashford