Chapter 35 The Echo Of Flames

• The sky above the Elemental Academy was a dull, slate gray, as if the world itself was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come. Ava stared up at the swirling clouds from the courtyard, her thoughts a tangled mess of doubt, fear, and determination. The Council’s ultimatum still echoed in her mind: “If you continue to be a threat, we will stop you.”
• The words had sounded like a death sentence, but Ava knew she couldn’t afford to dwell on them. The world was teetering on the edge of chaos, and there were more pressing dangers than the Council’s distrust. The Void was still out there, growing stronger with each passing day. And then there was the Relic—the powerful artifact she had unearthed that had changed everything.
• Her fingers brushed the surface of the Storm Relic embedded in her chest. The gem pulsed faintly, as if in tune with her thoughts. Ever since she had first activated it, the power inside her had felt different—more volatile, more unpredictable. It was like standing on the edge of a volcano, feeling the rumble beneath the earth and knowing that at any moment, it could erupt.