The arena shook—not from an attack,but from the sheer force rising inside Claire and Amila.
The celestial barrier around them flickered like a sun struggling to stay contained.
Amila's mother watched from the edge, her expression unreadable but tense.
Very tense.
THE STARFIRE UNLEASHES
Claire was the first to lose control.
A pulse of white-blue starfire exploded from her core, shooting upward like a comet tail.
"Claire—breathe!" Amila shouted.
"I am breathing!" Claire yelled back, voice cracking."It's the magic that's not listening!"
Starlight burst from her wrists and shoulders, spiraling wildly.
Her feet lifted off the ground.
Her eyes turned pure silver.
The Queen's lips pressed into a thin line.
"Starfire is living flame, Claire," she called out."You don't command it. You dance with it."
"That would be great," Claire gasped, "if it wasn't trying to burn me alive!"
The starfire flared dangerously—a swirling halo,a star on the brink of supernova.
Amila reached out—
"Claire—take my hand!"
"I can't—if I touch you, I'll—"
But Amila didn't care.
She stepped forward, golden fire blazing through her veins, and grabbed Claire's hand.
Their powers collided.
Starlight and Dawnfire.
Light and light.
Sister and sister.
The explosion was so bright, the Queen shielded her eyes.
AMILA'S AWAKENING
When the light died down, Claire fell to her knees, panting.
But Amila—Amila stood in the center of the arena with her hair floating, eyes glowing, and a new symbol burning on her skin.
A sun-mark.
Right over her heart.
Her mother went still.
"…no," she whispered."Not that ability."
Amila swayed.
"Mom… what's happening to me?"
"You activated the Dawnflare Core," the Queen said."That power was sealed for a reason."
Claire looked between them, alarmed."What does it do?"
The Queen hesitated.
And Claire's heart dropped—because the Radiant Queen never hesitated.
"It is the ancient birthright of the Dawnbloods," she said slowly."It can reshape life… or end it."
Amila's breath caught.
Her mother stepped closer.
"Amila. Listen to me very carefully. That power cannot be used without—"
But before she could finish—
The ground cracked.
A wave of golden fire burst out from Amila, rippling across the arena like a living sunrise.
The Queen swore under her breath.
"Claire—move!"
Claire didn't move.
She grabbed Amila again.
"Hey—hey! Look at me!"
Amila's eyes were burning pure gold.
"I-I can't stop it—"
"Yes, you can," Claire said fiercely."Because you're not alone.You're not what your aunt thinks.You're not what fate decided.You are you—Amila Dawn.My sister.And you are not going to burn this world down."
Amila's breath stuttered.
Sparks flickered.
Cracks of light fractured across her skin—then slowly, slowly dimmed.
Until she collapsed into Claire's arms, shaking.
Claire held her tight.
"I've got you. I've always got you."
The Queen stared at them both—and for the first time in centuries…
Looked afraid.
SERAPHINE FEELS IT
Far across realms, in a chamber lined with cursed sigils—
Seraphine's eyes snapped open.
A wicked smile spread across her lips.
"So," she purred.
"The Dawnflare has awakened."
Claire's mother hurried into the room."Mother—did something happen?"
Seraphine rose from her throne, power crackling around her.
"Oh yes," she whispered."The true heir has taken her first step."
She tilted her head.
"And now, my daughter… we must accelerate our plans."
Claire's mother bowed.
"Yes, Seraphine."
"Prepare the rituals," Seraphine said softly."And gather the Unbound."
Her smile sharpened.
"It is time the world learned—the Dawnblood throne belongs to me."
BACK IN THE RADIANT REALM
Amila woke in a soft bed of woven light.
Her mother sat beside her.
Claire slept at her feet, hand still holding Amila's ankle like she refused to let go.
Amila whispered:
"…Mom?Did I… mess everything up?"
Her mother's expression softened.
"No, my light.But you changed everything."
She brushed Amila's hair back gently.
"And the darkness felt it."
Amila swallowed.
"Seraphine?"
"Yes."
Amila's heart pounded.
"What do we do now?"
Her mother took a deep breath.
"We prepare you… for the day you must face her."
Amila looked at Claire.
Then at her glowing sun-mark.
Then at her own trembling hands.
"I'm scared."
Her mother kissed her forehead.
"Good.Only fools face destiny without fear."
She stood slowly.
"Rest while you can.