Theme: Power awakened, trust tested, and the danger of becoming what you fight
The ritual began at midnight.
Far beneath the palace, in a chamber carved from obsidian and grief, the Queen stood beside the High Crow Priest. A circle of mirrors surrounded them, each one bound in chains, showing glimpses of other worlds — ruined ones. Burned ones.
All had fallen to Viper.
The Queen held the crown of crow bone in trembling hands.
"She's not ready," she whispered.
"She will never be," said the priest. "But the fire doesn't wait."
Above, Vivi was still in the forbidden library.
The stone-eyed girl had vanished. Only her last words remained:
You have three days. After that, the crown chooses for you."
The crows scattered with a scream.
Suddenly, the air shifted.
Vivi fell to her knees, clutching her chest — a burn flaring beneath her skin. The flame rune carved itself deeper into her spirit. The blood mirror had awakened something ancient.
And it was calling to the crown.
In the forest…
Haken had no peace. He dreamed of fire. Of Vivi crowned in shadows. Of her voice calling out his name — not with love, but command.
And when he woke, the blade in his hand was warm.
The curse had changed direction.
Something — or someone was pulling him back to her.
"Don't go," his brother said. "She's not yours to save."
"I know," Haken said quietly. "But I'm still going."
Back beneath the palace…
The ritual reached its climax.
The Queen stepped into the circle of mirrors, placing the crown before her on an altar of blackened stone.
"May the flame bless the chosen. May shadow bind the curse."
She raised a dagger.
And just as she prepared to slice her palm — the doors blew open.
Vivi stood there.
Fire in her eyes.
Smoke curling from her fingertips.
"I am the chosen," she said.
The mirrors screamed. Some shattered. Others bent toward her — not from fear, but recognition.
The Queen dropped the dagger.
"You were never supposed to—"
"I know," Vivi said. "You tried to keep me safe. But you can't cage a flame and then be surprised when it burns down your lies."
She stepped into the circle.
The priest hissed. "This is not how the rite is written."
Vivi looked at him. "Then rewrite it."
She reached for the crown.
It pulsed once.
Twice.
Then wreathed itself in fire.
The flames didn't consume her. They welcomed her.
The crown rose — and placed itself upon her brow.
Her eyes blazed gold and red.
In that moment… somewhere in the shadows, Viper felt it.
He stood, slowly.
"She's taken it," he whispered.
The child beside him trembled. "Then the end has begun."
Viper smiled.
"No," he said. "The beginning."