Chapter 16 The Purging Flame

• Ariella’s breath was ragged, her chest rising and falling with the intensity of the magic swirling around her. The power of the Heart flooded through her, hot and raw, mingling with the darkness that had begun to seep from Zharoth’s very being. She could feel the weight of the mountain, its pulse in sync with her own. Every beat of her heart seemed to echo through the stone, a deep, resounding thrum that matched the terrifying presence of Zharoth.
• The air was thick, the shadows swirling around her like living creatures, their tendrils seeking to smother the light she was creating. Her fingers trembled, but she fought to stay focused, the amulet around her neck glowing brighter as if recognizing the gravity of the moment.
• "Trust the magic," Selene’s voice echoed in her mind. "You are the Heart’s heir. You have the power to purify it."