Oath of the King-Chapter 55 - 54: Ember Sanctuary

The forest around Alden and Maera was alive with crackling fire, but the flames had slowed. Maera's steps faltered. The venom bandages were tight, but pain still curled in her leg. Alden half-carried her, half-led her to keep pace. When the ground began to glow red at the distant horizon, he stopped.

A golden voice boomed through the trees, distant yet clear:

"Contestants! Zone collapse imminent in twenty-four hours!"

The wall of fire recoiled, forming a wide, burning boundary that cut off the deeper forest. For now, the circle of safety was smaller. The flames hissed, but paused like a great beast holding breath.

Alden looked back at Maera. She winced and sank to her knees. He caught her under the arms.

"Easy," he said. "We'll rest here."

A shout echoed from the path behind. Two contestants burst through the burning underbrush. Both were armed with spears and cloaked in grim determination.

Alden stepped protectively in front of Maera.

"Stay back!"

The nearest one lowered his spear, panting. His eyes flicked to Maera's bandages, then to the rising wall of flame.

"We don't want trouble," he said. "But we need water and food. You have any?"

The other contestant—a wiry woman with a bow—nodded, keeping her arrow level.

Alden studied them. He knew this world: everyone was desperate.

He shook his head. "I have what I need."

The man sighed. "We have healing potions—small ones. Trade?"

Alden glanced at Maera's pale face. She needed rest more than potions later. But he kept silent. The man dropped a small vial into the brush. The bow-woman released her arrow, pinning it to a tree trunk.

"If you need to heal, find us. We're near the ridge."

With that, they melted back into the trees. The wall of fire roared behind them.

Maera looked at Alden. "You could've taken the potions."

Alden knelt beside her. "Maybe we need to earn it."

She closed her eyes. "I'm tired."

Alden scanned the clearing. A narrow cave mouth yawned in the rock wall, just above the new fire line. Smoke curled from within. He pointed.

"We rest there."

He half-led, half-carried Maera to the cave. Inside, it was cool and damp. Moss covered the floor. Water dripped from jagged rocks. At the back, an ebony hollow held a still pool.

Alden set Maera down gently on a flat stone. She shivered. He gathered dry kindling from fallen branches just beyond the cave mouth. Using flint from his pouch, he struck sparks until a small fire glowed. He fed it carefully.

Maera watched him, eyes heavy. "You do this often?" she asked quietly.

Alden forced a smile as he stoked the flames. "Fevered nights in Ironvale. We learned to make fire from nothing."

She nodded, closing her eyes. Exhaustion claimed her.

Alden turned his attention to cooking. He had two strips of dried boar meat he had stolen earlier. He built a spit from a branch and hung the meat above the fire. Then he used his knife to cut roots and wild mushrooms he found near the cave's mouth. He tossed them into a small clay pot he carried.

As the fire crackled, he filled the pot with water from the pool. The broth began to steam. He added a pinch of crushed herbs he carried in a leather pouch—the bitter leaf, the red blossom, the salted root. The smell rose, comforting.

He stirred the broth and tasted it carefully. Bitter, but warming.

A howl echoed in the distance. Alden's eyes flicked to the cave entrance. A family of forest wolves? No. Something heavier. More deliberate.

He tightened his grip on the knife. "Maera, wake up."

Maera stirred, blinking at him. "What is it?"

He pointed outside. "Something's coming."

They moved to the back of the cave. Through damp moss, he could see the silhouettes of three men – gaunt, armed with axes, eyes bright with hunger. Contestants turned feral in the fast day-night cycle.

Alden placed a finger to his lips.

Then he crept to the edge of the firelight. Grabbing a handful of ash and embers, he blew them toward the cave mouth.

A flare of orange smoke shot out. Two of the men coughed and stepped back. The third, braver, advanced.

He charged into the cave. Alden met him with steel.

They clashed. The newcomer swung his axe. Alden ducked, slashed the man's thigh. He staggered away, falling in a heap. Blood seeped, then clotted.

Alden caught his breath. The man on the ground gasped.

"Leave," Alden said. "Or die." He gestured with his blade.

The remaining two retreated silently, carrying their wounded companion.

Alden stared after them. The fire outside hissed. The zone collapse was hours away now.

He turned back to the broth. It was ready. He ladled it into two wooden bowls and shook off the pot.

He carried one to Maera. Gently, he helped her drink. The warm liquid soothed her. She sighed.

"Thank you," she whispered.

Alden sat beside her, watching the fire dance. He ate slowly, each spoonful fueling him. The cave around them felt like a fortress.

He reached under his cloak and pulled out the silver pendant given by Sylvie, hidden since the trials began. He stared at it for a moment, then tucked it back.

"You okay?"

He looked at Maera. The firelight softened her features. Her hidden ears pressed against her head. Despite everything, she looked peaceful.

"I will be," she said. Then she yawned and closed her eyes.

Alden nodded. "Rest. I'll keep watch."

He lay at the cave mouth, firelight warming his face. He listened as the forest hummed around him. In the distance, the wolves howled. The fire edged closer, but for now, they had sanctuary.

He closed his eyes. Tomorrow, we move again.

High above, the screens on the grand stand refreshed.

"Zone collapse: twenty-three hours and forty minutes."

A distant voice from the announcer crackled:

"Contestants! Remember: only those who can adapt will stand. The fire hunts the lost." freёweɓnovel.com

A ripple of excitement passed through the audience. Bets shifted. Screens glowed.

But down in the cave, Alden and Maera slept. For a few hours, at least, the forest would not claim them.

The Phoenix Trial had no mercy. But in the Ember Sanctuary, they found a moment of peace.

And that was enough.