Ice and fire - by Mariam Akorede

Here is the full Chapter Six: The Test of Ice and Fire: Chapter SixThe Test The Hollow Flame did not strike with blade or flame. It struck with doubt. It set a trap not on the battlefield—but in the soul. Each sister faced her trial alone, unaware that the other walked the same path. --- Kaelara’s Trial – The Mirror of Doubt In the far northern Hollow Vale, Kaelara moved through snowless trees, frost retreating from her touch. The elders had sent her here to face what they called The Still Reflection. A rite of awakening. A reckoning. The silence was complete. But inside, her mind was loud. She saw visions in the dark bark: her sister with flame in her eyes, her mother reaching out as she died, the cold growing inside her heart. And then—herself. Standing opposite her, cloaked in black ice. A reflection… not exact, but twisted. The mirror-Kaelara spoke: “You are the weaker half. You were left to silence while she took the heat of your mother’s love.” Kaelara’s hands trembled. Her breath misted in the dark air. “She will betray you. And you will shatter. Just as ice always breaks.” But then, a warmth flickered in her chest—not fire, but memory. A pull across the world. A bond older than the void. She clenched her fists. “I am not afraid of fire.” The reflection cracked. --- Seren’s Trial – The Flame of Despair In the caves below the Ember Keep, Seren walked alone into the Crucible Pit—where fire did not burn to test strength, but to consume identity. She was told this was her proving. But the fire spoke differently. Visions danced in the smoke: Kaelara turning from her, blaming her. The world frozen over. Elenya screaming in labor. A child of fire, alone in the ashes. And then—herself. Not as she was, but crueler. Crowned in flame, surrounded by ruin. “You are the destroyer,” the flame hissed. “You were made to burn, not to save. Your power will consume all… including her.” Seren dropped to one knee, eyes burning. Her breath came sharp. But then—she felt frost. A memory of something gentle. A voice, once heard in a dream. A promise she didn’t understand, but trusted. She rose. “I will not lose her. I will not lose myself.” The flames bowed back. --- The Hollow Flame felt both sisters pass the test. And for the first time… it grew uncertain. The prophecy had begun to shift. What was meant to break them had awakened something deeper. Not power. But purpose. ---

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