Dawn broke blood-red over Pyraeth.
From the city walls, the defenders saw them—King Theron's army, stretching for miles. Crimson-cloaked battalions. Siege golems forged from enchanted stone. A flying citadel shadowing the sky, pulsing with cursed flame.
Kael clenched his fists. "He brought everything."
Joss spat. "Shows he's scared."
Arien stepped onto the battlements, Crownflame blazing from her shoulders like a burning cape. "Let him fear. Today, we fight for every soul he tried to break."
The army outside roared.
Within, Pyraeth answered.
Flame druids summoned walls of molten stone. Skyship crews launched firebombs from above. Maev chanted protection spells that wove through the air like silver mist.
Then, the king appeared—atop a black-winged beast, cloaked in armor that bled smoke. His voice echoed across the plain:
> "Arien of the Embers! Surrender the flame and kneel!"
Arien stepped forward, no fear in her voice.
> "Come take it, you coward king."
With a scream, the sky fell into war.
---
The battle shattered the world.
Kael fought at the gates, blades spinning, cutting down war-knights in plated gold. Joss led a fire-wagon straight into a siege tower, leaping clear just before it exploded.
Maev raised ancient spells that turned enemy flame against itself.
And Arien?
She soared.
Crownflame bursting from her hands, she flew toward the flying citadel, dodging bolt and arrow, landing in the throne chamber itself—where the king waited.
Theron rose. "You think yourself worthy of legacy?"
"I think your legacy ends now."
Their swords clashed—shadow against light.
---
He was powerful.
Centuries of bound flame, dark rituals, stolen blood. Every blow from him cracked stone, shattered air.
But Arien fought with truth.
With loss.
With hope.
As the final strike neared, she let go of her fear—let the Crownflame consume her, not as a weapon… but as a shield.
She caught his blade in her bare hand.
And the king's sword melted.
His scream echoed as the citadel broke apart, magic unraveling. Arien dove from the falling fortress, fire carrying her back to Pyraeth.
Behind her, the king's shadow fell.
The Crown had cracked.
But the war was not over.
In the
ashes, a darker truth was rising.
And something—someone—watched from beyond the veil.