CHAPTER FIVE: FLAMES OF RECOGNITION

Morning came too quietly, Anna hated it

There was something unsettling about how peaceful the village looked after the chaos of the night before. Sunlight stretched across the fields, children laughed as if nothing had happened, and the world carried on like shadows hadn’t tried to tear it apart.

Anna sat on the wooden fence outside her home, twirling a small knife between her fingers.

Her eyes weren’t on the village, they were on him. Steven.

He stood a short distance away, speaking with the village elder like he had every right to be there. Anna clicked her tongue.

“Persistent,” she muttered.

As if sensing her gaze, Steven turned. Their eyes me, neither looked away.

After a moment, he excused himself and walked toward her. Anna didn't move, didn't greet him, didn't pretend to be interested.

“You’re still here,” she said flatly.

“You expected me to leave?” he replied.

“I was hoping.”

That almost-smile appeared again. Brief, annoying.

“I told you,” Steven said, stopping in front of her. “You’re connected to what’s happening.”

Anna hopped down from the fence.

“And I told you,” she shot back, “you’re making

assumptions.”

Steven studied her closely, too closely.

It made something in her chest tighten in a way she didn’t like.

“You don’t remember anything, do you?” he asked.

Her grip on the knife stilled. Silence stretched between them.

Anna’s expression didn’t change—but her voice sharpened.

“What makes you think that?”

“You fight like someone trained from birth,” he said. “You react to danger before it happens. You recognized those creatures last night.

Anna said nothing, because he wasn't wrong,

and she hated that.

Steven took another step closer.

“And yet,” he continued, “you live in a human village like you don’t belong anywhere else.”

Anna’s eyes flashed.

“Careful,” she said softly. “You’re getting close

to being annoying.”

“I already am.” he added.

She scoffed. At least he was honest, for a moment neither of them spoke. Then Steven reached into his cloak.

Anna’s body tensed instantly. If he noticed, he didn't comment. He pulled out a small object _ dark, metallic, and faintly flowing. Anna frowned.

“What is that?”

“A relic fragment,” he said. “It reacts to powerful magic.”

He held it out slightly.

“Touch it.”

Anna didn’t move.

“I’m not in the habit of touching strange things handed to me by strangers.”

“You fought shadow creatures with a stick,” he pointed out.

“Different situation.”

Steven didn’t lower the object.

“Unless you’re afraid.”

Anna went still. Then slowly she smiled. It wasn't friendly.

“Try that again,” she said, “and see what happens.”

Steven’s gaze didn’t waver.

“Then prove me wrong.”

A challenge, Anna hated challenges. Which meant she couldn't ignore it.

With a sharp exhale, she stepped forward and grabbed the relic from his hand.

For a split second—nothing happened.

Then— fire exploded, not ordinary fire.

Silver flames erupted from the relic, spiraling around Anna’s arm like a living storm.

The ground cracked beneath her feet., the air pulsed with power.

Anna gasped—not in fear, but in shock, something inside her responded, awakened.

The flames surged higher, wrapping around her body without burning her. Images flashed through her mind. A throne, chains, crimson sky, voices calling her name.

The relic fell from her hand. The flames vanished instantly, Silence slammed into the world. She stood there, breathing hard, her heart racing.

“What… was that?” she demanded.

Steven didn’t answer immediately. His expression had changed. The calm confidence was gone. Replaced by something far more serious. Recognition.

“I knew it,” he said quietly. Anna looked at him sharply.

“Knew what?”

Steven stepped closer again, but this time there was no arrogance—only certainty.

“That power…” he said. “That reaction…” His golden eyes locked onto hers.

“You’re not just connected to this.”

“You’re the source.” Anna’s jaw tightened.

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“It does,” Steven said. “You just don’t

remember it yet.”

Something inside her twisted again. That same feeling from the night before. Like a door in her mind trying to open. Anna clenched her fists.

“I don’t like this,” she said under her breath.

“Good,” Steven replied. “You shouldn’t.”

She glared at him.

“You’re enjoying this far too much.”

“I’m not enjoying anything,” he said. “If I’m right, then whatever took your memories… did

it for a reason.”

Anna went very still, a reason, not an accident, not random, something done to her. her eyes darkened.

“Then someone’s going to regret it,” she said coldly.

For the first time— steven looked impressed.

“That,” he said, “I believe.”

A sudden shout echoed from the village.

Both of them turned.

One of the guards came running toward them.

“More creatures!” he yelled. “At the northern gate!”

Anna didn’t hesitate.

She grabbed her knife and started walking.

Steven followed instantly.

“This is exactly what I was talking about,” he said.

“Then try to keep up,” Anna shot back.

They reached the gate within seconds. This time, there were more. At least ten shadow creatures clawed their way through the entrance, their hollow eyes glowing with hunger.

The villagers scattered in panic. Anna stepped forward. Her pulse steadied. Her mind cleared.

This part—this she understood.

“Don’t get in my way,” she told Steven.

He didn’t argue.

“Same to you.”

The creatures lunged. Anna moved first,

Fast, Precise, Deadly. She ducked, struck, twisted—every movement sharp and calculated. But this time… Something was different. When one creature got too close—

Flames flickered around her hand. Silver.

Just for a second. Anna froze. The creature didn’t.

Steven stepped in, cutting it down with a burst of fire.

“Focus!” he snapped. Anna blinked once.

Then her expression hardened.

“Don’t tell me what to do.” But she moved again, Faster this time, Stronger. The battle ended quickly. Too quickly.

The last creature dissolved into nothing.

Silence returned. Again.

Anna stood still, staring at her hand. The faintest trace of silver light faded from her fingers. Steven watched her carefully.

“You felt it,” he said. It wasn’t a question.

Anna lowered her hand slowly. Her voice was quiet, Dangerously calm. “Yeah,” she said.

Then she looked up at him. “And I don’t like it.” Steven nodded. “You don’t have to like it,” he said.

“Just understand it.” Anna’s eyes sharpened.

“Then start talking,” she said. “Because I’m

done guessing.” Steven held her gaze.

Then finally said the words that would change everything—

“There’s a war coming,” he said. “And whether you remember it or not…” His voice dropped slightly. “You’re at the center of it.” Anna didn’t look away, didn’t hesitate, didn’t flinch, instead— She smirked.

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