Chapter 5 Ashes Of Return

It was hot and I could see the world burning again.

Not the way it does in war, the fire was slow – not loud, not quick but patient. It crawled across the ground like it knew exactly where to find me.

I stood in the middle of an old rough temple. The air sparkled red and gold, and in the distance, I saw her – the woman from my visions. The one they call the Ember Queen. Her crown was broken, her body wrapped in chains that glowed with light. Every breath she took released a wave of fire that consumed everything in its path.

Then she lifted her head, and her eyes locked with mine.

“Do you see now?” she whispered. Her voice was soft, but it cracked like thunder in my bones.

“What am I supposed to see?” I asked, though my voice no longer sounded like mine.

“That fire never dies. It only changes hands.”

The chain was so tight around her wrists. Sparks flew, and I felt them burn across my skin. I tried to move toward her, but the ground beneath me split open, spilling molten light. Suddenly, thousands of whispers rose from the cracks – wolves were calling my name, begging, warning and praying, all at the same time.

Then everything went blank.

I gasped and sat up. My chest felt heavy. The world around me was quiet, dim, familiar then I knew I was still in Crescent’s guest chambers. Not the temple or the Queen I just saw. Just my breath and the faint crackle of fire in the hearth.

My hands trembled as the mark on my chest burned like a fading ember, glowing once before cooling again.

I held unto my chest, “ it's just a dream”. But it felt so real I could have sworn it happened.

I swung my legs off the bed and stood as my bare feet touched the cold stone floor. The walls hummed faintly with magic of Crescent’s wards. They were meant to keep nightmares out but somehow, one had found its way in.

I walked to the window and realized dawn was still distant. The moon hung heavy and pale, spilling light across the courtyard. The world outside looked calm, but I could feel it  that same silence that came before something broke.

I couldn't get back to sleep.

I dressed quietly, putting on my cloak and stepping out into the hallway. The mountain air bit my skin as I stepped outside. Crescent’s torches burned low, and the guards on night duty barely stirred as I passed. I think they’d grown used to my restlessness.

The garden lay empty. Flowers shined faintly under the moonlight, their petals dusted with frost. I knelt beside the fire pit at the center, touched the ashes, and whispered, “Show me what I missed.”

For a moment, nothing happened. Then the ashes stirred. They rose in thin trails, twisting into faint shapes with flames curling into the outline of the Hollow Path’s cave, the woman’s face, the sigil of the Hollow Flame glowing faintly.

It was all still connected to me.

“Can’t sleep again?” Rae’s voice broke the silence.

I turned to see him standing at the edge of the courtyard, wrapped in his dark cloak. His hair was damp – maybe from patrol. His eyes found mine easily, like they always did.

“I saw her,” I said. “The Queen.”

Rae’s expression shifted slightly with concern mixed in curiosity. “What did she say this time?”

“That the fire never dies… it only changes hands.”

He stepped closer. “Maybe she’s trying to warn you.”

“Or remind me.”

“Of what?”

“That whatever she carried… is now mine.”

We stood there in silence for a while. Then Rae said quietly, “Theron wants to see you when sunrise comes.”

Before I could respond, footsteps echoed behind us. A familiar voice called out – deep but commanding.

“Aria.”

I turned. Theron stood at the edge of the clearing, his expression unreadable. The wind tugged at his cloak, revealing the silver emblem of the Crescent Alpha. But he came with Mira.

“You saw something again didn’t you?”

I hesitated. “How did you know?”

“The wards pulsed. They only react when your fire stirs beyond control.”

I sighed. “Then yes. I saw her again. And I think she’s trying to tell me something.”

Mira exchanged a look with Theron. The moon shone so bright that they easily caught each other's eyes. “The timing isn't a coincidence. The Hollow Flame must have triggered something when you touched that altar.”

“Then why does it feel like she’s still here?” I asked.

Theron’s gaze softened. “Because perhaps she is. Power doesn’t fade easily, especially the kind you carry.”

I tightened my fists. “If her fire lives in me, then it’s also her curse, isn’t it?”

Everywhere went silent for a minute.

Then Theron said, “You must learn to master it – before someone else tries to

We almost forgot Rae was there with us until he spoke.

“Theron?” Rae called. “You’re not supposed to be here till sunrise.”

“I wasn’t planning to,” Theron said, his gaze fixed on me. “But there’s news. The Moonshade scouts sent a message.”

My stomach ached as if it understood what Theron had just said. “Moonshade?” I asked.

He nodded. “They’re requesting a meeting of peace.”

For a moment, the words didn’t make sense. Moonshade, the same pack that had banished me, that had turned its back when I begged for mercy, now wanted peace?

Rae frowned. “That sounds… sudden.”

“It is,” Theron agreed. “But they claim they want to make amends, to talk about rebuilding trust between our packs.”

I laughed softly but bitterly. “Trust? After what they did?”

Theron didn’t answer.

I turned away, my chest tightening. The forest felt colder suddenly and the night heavier. I could almost see their faces again that minute, Alpha Kade’s eyes full of judgment, the council whispering, the chains around my wrists when they called me cursed.

“It’s a trap,” I said finally. “It has to be.”

“Maybe,” Theron said. “But if it’s not, this could change everything. It could prove you’re more than what they said you were.”

Rae glanced at me. “You don’t have to go, Aria.”

I took a slow breath. “No, I do.”

They both looked at me, surprised.

Mira stepped forward holding my hands, “You can stay back while we handle this”

“I’ve run from my past long enough,” I said, my voice firm. “If this is a trap, I’ll face it but If it’s peace… maybe I can finally stop fighting ghosts.”

Rae’s eyes softened with worry. “Then we will go with you.”

Theron nodded. “We leave at dawn.”

As Theron and Mira left while Rae stayed back, I looked up at the sky as the light was starting to touch the horizon. The night may be closing out, but the fire inside me still burns quietly and alive.

I didn’t know what was waiting in Moonshade.

Forgiveness? Betrayal?

I wondered what it could be but one thing was certain, the past was calling and this time, I was ready to answer with boldness not run.

Just as I turned to leave the clearing, the crystal on my necklace flared hot against my skin but brighter than it had ever glowed before. Then I heard a voice echo in my mind;

“Don’t trust the messenger.”

I froze at what I just heard. The light flashed once, then went dark.

Rae looked at me sharply. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I responded, not wanting to say what I just heard.

But deep down, I knew something had changed and the dream wasn’t just a nightmare but a warning.