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The road to Skyrift was not a road at all.
It was a chain of floating stone slabs suspended over the clouds — known as the Skysteps, a forgotten path between the Plates and the Heaven Layer. The air grew thinner with each step, and the sky burned brighter than ever before.
Kairos huffed as he climbed, sweat running down his back. He glanced down — nothing but swirling clouds beneath his feet.
"Who builds a staircase through the sky?" he groaned. "Couldn't the Academy just send an elevator or something?"
Aeron, walking ahead, didn't turn back. "You want to be stronger, right? Then climb."
Kairos grunted. "I've fought monsters, survived the edge of the world, and punched through armor. But stairs? Stairs might actually kill me."
---
☁️ Midway to Skyrift – The Storm Break
As they reached the 88th step, a cold wind swept through the Skysteps. The clouds suddenly shifted — parting unnaturally.
Aeron stopped.
"…Something's wrong."
From the mist above, a shadow descended — wings spread wide, armored body cloaked in crimson and black flames. Its face was masked, but its voice was clear.
> "Kairos Velhart. By decree of the Choir, you are to be eliminated."
Aeron cursed. "Skyborn Executioner. They sent a Flame-Touched."
Kairos squinted. "Wait — why is a fire guy hunting me? Aren't we supposed to be on the same team?"
> "You're not flame," the Executioner growled. "You're the curse born from it."
In a flash, the Executioner dove.
A wave of black fire crashed toward them, splitting the Skysteps. Aeron leapt backward, glyphs forming under his feet as he sliced the firestorm in half.
"Kairos!" he shouted. "Don't hold back!"
Kairos clenched his fists. His veins pulsed golden again, the same mysterious energy from the Vault awakening inside him.
> But this time… it felt different.
His chest burned — but not from pain. From something deeper. Something old.
A voice echoed in his mind.
> "Will you bear the Flameborn Oath?"
He gasped. "What… was that?"
The Executioner slammed down in front of him, blade drawn.
> "No more time to think, Vault-borne."
---
⚔ The Battle: Executioner vs. Kairos & Aeron
The Executioner struck, each blow sending shockwaves through the air. His flames were controlled, precise — unlike Kairos's wild bursts.
Kairos dodged one strike, then another, trying to strike back — but the Executioner read him like a book.
"You swing like a child."
Kairos gritted his teeth. "Then let me show you what a wild child can do."
But the Executioner launched another burning slash — and this time, it pierced Kairos's shoulder.
Kairos hit the stone hard, blood dripping.
Aeron shouted, "Kairos—!"
Kairos's vision blurred.
He remembered his mother. His village. The Vault. The flames that destroyed everything he loved.
And he remembered…
> The fear of being weak.
His blood hit the stone.
The Essence inside him responded.
His heart roared.
The wind around him ignited.
And then—
> The air exploded in flame.
---
🔥 The Flameborn Form
Golden light surged from his body, and his skin cracked like volcanic stone — not broken, but glowing from within. His hair flared upward, now streaked with molten red.
His pupils became slitted, like a dragon's.
Golden fire wrapped around his fists like living serpents. His voice echoed, layered with something ancient.
> "You wanted to see the curse born of flame?"
> "Then burn with me."
The Executioner's mask cracked. "Impossible. That's not normal fire…"
Kairos moved — faster than sound, his body launching through the Executioner's guard. His punch shattered the blade. His kick broke ribs.
He grabbed the Executioner by the chest and ignited him from within, golden fire erupting outward.
The Executioner screamed — not in pain, but awe.
> "Primordial… Flame…"
The fire consumed him and vanished into sparks.
---
💥 Aftermath: The Oath Complete
Kairos dropped to one knee, chest heaving, flames dying down.
Aeron approached slowly, stunned. "…That wasn't just an awakening. That was a bonding."
Kairos looked up, confused. "A what now?"
Aeron explained. "There's a legend… that those chosen by the Vaults can bond with their Essence so deeply, it changes their soul. They become Flameborn. Not just users of Essence. But beings made from it."
Kairos blinked. "…That sounds cool."
Then he passed out.
---
🌌 Dream Space – Inside the Flameborn Core
In unconsciousness, Kairos floated in a space of fire and memory.
He stood before a titan of flame — a dragon-shaped being made of stardust and lava, slumbering beneath the universe.
> "You are the Thirteenth Flame," the being said. "The last spark of the forgotten gods."
> "Take the Flameborn Oath, and I shall burn with you."
Kairos looked up. "What's the catch?"
The voice rumbled.
> "When you burn… everything burns with you."
Kairos smiled.
> "Then let's start with the ones who hurt my friends."
---
🌁 Scene Change – Skyrift Academy Gates
The massive floating towers of Skyrift loomed above the clouds. Students wearing Essence-imbued cloaks flew through the air, riding spirit glyphs. Massive statues of ancient Arc-Wielders stood on the cliffside, weapons raised to the sky.
As Kairos and Aeron approached the gate, two mechanical guardians stepped forward.
> "Kairos Velhart," they said in unison. "You are recognized by the Vault. Access granted."
Aeron frowned. "Wait, what about me?"
The guardians stared at him. Then one said, "You are… dangerous."
The other nodded. "We like dangerous."
And the gates opened.
---
🧤 Inside the Academy
Dozens of eyes turned as Kairos and Aeron entered.
Whispers erupted.
> "That's the Vault kid."
"He took down a Reaper."
"They say his fire eats shadows."
Suddenly, a girl leapt down from the rooftop — silver hair, lightning eyes, and a spear crackling with wind.
She pointed it at Kairos.
> "You the idiot who blew up a capital city?"
Kairos blinked. "…Define idiot."
She smirked.
> "I'm Eira Stormvain. Welcome to Skyrift."
---
🧿 Final Scene – The Choir Responds
Zareth stood in the Sanctum once more, staring into a dark mirror.
> "The Thirteenth Flame has taken form."
Crucia licked her lips. "Shall I go?"
Zareth turned.
> "No. Let the Academy polish him. We'll carve him after."
He raised a scroll, and its runes ignited.
> "Begin the False Trial."
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END OF CHAPTER 3
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