Every great story needs a hero, but not every hero starts strong. In A Flame That Never Dies, we watch Nikolaos grow from a frightened boy hiding in a fireplace to a focused, disciplined warrior infiltrating the enemy’s ranks. How does that transformation happen, and what can we learn from it?
Nikolaos’s journey is shaped by pain. When his village is destroyed and his parents are killed, he doesn’t have a choice but to survive. He stumbles into another village, lost and alone, and is taken in by kind strangers. What happens next is crucial: he chooses to grow. Not to shrink. Not to give up. He makes a promise to himself to become strong, and he follows through.
Greg becomes a huge part of that transformation. He teaches Nikolaos more than just how to hold a sword or aim a rifle. He teaches him patience, repetition, and control. Greg’s training isn’t glamorous, but it’s what makes Nikolaos who he is. Day after day, he practices the same moves. It’s not exciting, but it builds habits. It builds skill. It builds resilience.
As readers, we see Nikolaos mature slowly. He learns how the world works, how trade and money matter, how politics shape action. He doesn’t rush into revenge. He studies. He infiltrates. He thinks. By the time he’s ready to face his enemy again, he’s not just a boy with a sword. He’s a young man with a plan.
His evolution isn’t just about battle. It’s about identity. He changes his name. He blends in. He sacrifices comfort and connection to stay focused on his mission. And even when his heart breaks again, when tragedy strikes a second time, he uses the pain to sharpen his resolve.
For readers, this kind of growth hits hard. It shows that you don’t become great overnight. You become great through consistency, learning, and staying focused on your why. Nikolaos teaches us that even the smallest spark of willpower can grow into a flame if you protect it, feed it, and give it time.
So when we ask, “How do heroes rise?” The answer is simple: they choose to.
