THE HIDDEN FLAME OF LUTHERCHRIS

CHAPTER 9: The Whispering River

The storm had not stopped since Rylan’s departure.

Rain lashed against the tavern roof, and thunder rolled across the valley like an angry spirit. Collins sat awake long after Kael and Seris had fallen silent, his thoughts circling endlessly around one word.

Brother.

He couldn’t stop seeing Rylan’s scarred face — the same sharp jawline as his father, the same fire in his eyes. But it was that final whisper, echoing like a ghost in his head, that kept him awake.

> “Come find me, little flame…”

By dawn, the whisper had grown louder.

---

The sky was a dull gray when he left The Broken Lantern. Kael was still asleep by the dying fire, and Seris was on watch outside. Collins moved quietly, slipping out the back door, the Ember Key warm beneath his cloak.

Each step toward the river felt heavier. The rain had softened into mist, curling through the air like living breath. He didn’t know where he was going exactly — only that he had to follow the pull in his chest.

> “Follow the river north,” Rylan had said.

The path was muddy and overgrown, the forest thick and strange. The birds here didn’t sing — they murmured, like voices caught between worlds. Once or twice, Collins thought he saw movement between the trees — glowing eyes, maybe, or flickers of silver flame.

When he finally reached the river, it wasn’t what he expected.

It was wide, black as glass, and unnaturally still. Mist clung to its surface, and faint lights shimmered beneath the water like sleeping stars. The current whispered softly — not the sound of running water, but words.

He knelt by the bank, his heart pounding.

“Rylan?” he called.

For a moment, nothing. Then the water rippled.

A reflection appeared — not his own.

It was a woman. Her hair flowed like smoke, her eyes pure white light. Her voice came in a whisper that was both gentle and ancient.

> “The blood of the Flame walks again.”

Collins froze. “Who are you?”

> “I am the Keeper of Echoes,” the voice murmured. “The river remembers those who came before you. Your father. His brother. And the one who sleeps below.”

The water shifted again, showing flashes — a battle under crimson skies, two men clashing with blazing swords, the world itself cracking beneath their feet.

Then — a woman screaming.

A child in her arms.

And fire consuming everything.

Collins stumbled back, gasping. “What—what was that?”

> “The truth your guardians buried,” the river said softly. “The Flame chooses one bearer at a time. To keep balance. But your father broke that law. He divided the power — and cursed the bloodline.”

Her voice began to fade.

> “Find the Tower of Veylar, Collins Lutherchris. There lies the memory of what was lost…”

The reflection shattered — and the river went silent.

---

“Collins!”

He turned sharply. Kael stood at the edge of the clearing, sword drawn, eyes blazing with fury and fear. Behind him, Seris looked pale as the mist.

“What are you doing here?” Kael demanded, his voice sharp.

“I had to know,” Collins said, trembling. “He was right, Kael. You’ve been hiding the truth from me—”

“You think I wanted this?” Kael snapped. “You think I wanted to protect a cursed flame that nearly destroyed the world?”

The air between them crackled. Collins’s eyes began to glow faintly — gold swirling into red. “Then tell me the truth!”

Kael’s sword lowered slightly. Rain ran down his face, mixing with something else — guilt. “Your father didn’t just seal his brother, Collins. He sealed your mother too.”

Collins froze. “What?”

Seris stepped forward quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. “The night your parents vanished… they didn’t leave. They were trapped inside the Ember itself.”

The world tilted. Collins’s breath caught. “That’s not possible…”

Kael looked away. “It’s why the artifact called to you. You’re the first in a hundred years to awaken the true Ember. Your power is… incomplete. Because part of it — part of them — is still inside.”

The Ember Key against his chest pulsed violently, as if reacting to their words. Flames licked briefly from his fingers before he clenched them into fists.

“So all this time,” he whispered, “you knew?”

Kael didn’t answer.

The silence was louder than thunder.

Then, somewhere behind them — a sound.

Snap.

A branch breaking.

They turned instantly, blades and flames ready. Shadows moved between the trees — not human shapes, but twisted forms crawling low to the ground.

Seris hissed, “Remnants… they’ve followed us!”

Kael drew his sword fully. “Protect the boy!”

But Collins didn’t move. His eyes were fixed on the treeline, where a figure stood just beyond the mist.

Rylan.

He wasn’t alone this time. Behind him burned dozens of red eyes — soldiers cloaked in ash and shadow.

Rylan’s voice was calm but carried easily across the rain.

> “You shouldn’t have come here, nephew. The river whispers too loudly — and the Flame is awake.”

Then he raised his hand — and the forest erupted in black fire.