The floating fortress hung above the desert like a wound in the sky. From below, it looked like a black storm frozen in place—metal spires piercing the clouds, engines glowing with cold Pyronite light. Kael could see it even from miles away, its shadow stretching across the dunes. The fortress had no name written on its hull, only a symbol carved in red steel: a stylized flame caged inside a circle.

The voice inside him whispered again. That is where they tried to rebuild the sun.

Kael adjusted the scarf around his face and continued walking toward it. The desert wind howled, carrying particles of glass that scraped against his coat. Every few steps, he could feel the faint tremor of engines vibrating through the sand—the fortress’s power bleeding into the ground.

He had no plan, only purpose.

As night fell, lightning flickered across the clouds below the structure. From time to time, dropships descended to the surface, loading crates of Pyronite and returning upward. Kael waited for one to pass close enough. When it did, he leaped. Flames burst from his feet, propelling him into the air. He landed on the underside of the craft, gripping the steel paneling as the ship ascended toward the fortress.

The wind screamed past him. His fingers burned with controlled fire that kept him anchored. When the ship entered the docking bay, Kael released his grip and dropped onto a maintenance catwalk. He rolled silently, hiding behind a pile of crates.

Inside, the fortress was a maze of steel corridors humming with energy. Everywhere he looked, soldiers in crimson armor marched in pairs. Strange machines lined the walls—cylinders filled with liquid fire and human silhouettes floating inside. Kael’s stomach tightened.

They’re making Resonants, he realized. Or trying to.

He moved quietly through the shadows until he reached a viewing chamber overlooking the main reactor. The sight below froze him.

A massive sphere of Pyronite hung suspended in magnetic fields, pulsing like a living heart. Around it, dozens of scientists monitored readouts, and at the far end of the platform stood General Sera Raith, alive but scarred. Her armor was repaired, but her movements were slower now, her expression harder.

Sera’s voice echoed through the chamber. “The prototype units failed,” she said to a group of officers. “But their energy data was useful. We now understand the Flamebearer’s resonance. Soon, we won’t need him at all. Humanity will command its own fire.”

An officer hesitated. “And if he comes here?”

Sera smiled faintly. “Then he’ll see what perfection looks like.”

Kael clenched his fists. Sparks flared between his knuckles before he forced them out. Rage was easy. Control was harder.

He slipped back into the corridor, heading toward the reactor access tunnels. The deeper he went, the louder the hum of power became. The walls glowed faintly, veins of Pyronite running through them like arteries. He felt them resonate with his heartbeat. The fire inside him whispered warnings—they’re bending the flame, twisting it.

When he reached the lower levels, he found rows of containment pods, each holding a person. Their eyes flickered with weak firelight, their bodies thin and trembling. Resonants—but drained, their power extracted. Kael stepped closer, his throat tightening.

One of them stirred, whispering, “Please… stop the burning…”

Kael pressed his hand to the pod. “I will,” he said softly.

He unleashed a small pulse of energy, melting the locks. The pod opened, releasing steam. The captive collapsed into his arms, barely conscious but breathing. More pods hissed open one by one, firelight spilling across the floor.

Alarms screamed instantly. Red lights bathed the hallway. Kael turned toward the sound of approaching boots. Soldiers poured in from both sides, weapons ready.

Kael raised his hand. The flames answered—not wild this time, but sharp and silent. He swept his arm once, and the heat folded space like glass. The soldiers’ weapons melted in their hands; they stumbled backward as the air rippled.

“Run,” Kael told the freed prisoners. “Find the cargo lifts. Go!”

They obeyed, dragging each other toward the upper shafts. Kael turned to hold the line, fire swirling around him like an invisible storm.

Sera’s voice rang out over the intercom. “You just couldn’t stay away, could you, Firebearer?”

Kael looked up toward the ceiling. “You built this to enslave what you don’t understand. I’m here to end it.”

“Then you’ll die with it,” she said coldly.

The entire fortress shuddered as the reactor’s light grew brighter. Kael could feel the Pyronite field destabilizing. He closed his eyes, drawing the fire inward, steadying his breath. The next move had to count.

He whispered, “Let’s finish what we started.”

And with that, he disappeared into the blaze.