The Candle of the North Wind

In a frozen village near the edge of the world, travelers spoke of a small chapel where a single candle burned through every blizzard.

A wanderer named Finn found it one stormy night. Exhausted, he entered and saw the flame flickering softly beside a mirror.

When he looked in, he saw not himself — but everyone who had once searched for him and never found him.

He stayed the night. By morning, the storm had cleared, and the candle had burned down to nothing. But when he stepped outside, the wind whispered his name, guiding him home.

The climax: Weeks later, another traveler found the chapel — and the candle had returned, burning steadily, waiting for the next lost soul.