Above the world, beyond the stars and storms, a light too divine for mortal eyes spread across the firmament.
In the Celestial Sanctum, where time stood still and reality knelt, seven colossal thrones began to stir. Each throne towered like a continent, carved from cosmic essence, and upon each sat a being of unimaginable power.
The Seven Thrones of Heaven—the gods who ruled all existence.
The first to move was Throne of Light — Archon Solmeris, the Radiant Judge. His body was a sun given form, every word burning truth into the void.
"The Emperor calls. The mortal flame defies Heaven."
Beside him, Throne of Fate — Lady Athelia, weaver of all destinies, unfurled her tapestry. Golden threads stretched infinitely, yet one burned crimson—Arden's thread—defiant, chaotic, rewriting its own path.
"He is no longer mortal," she whispered. "The Dragon's essence has returned to the world."
The third, Throne of Time — Chronon, whose every breath aged universes, turned his gaze toward the lower realm.
"A repeating pattern… the flame that slays gods. This has happened before."
The others—Death, Dreams, Chaos, and Law—watched in silence, their divine eyes piercing the world below.
Then, the voice of the Emperor echoed through the sanctum—calm, commanding, absolute.
"My Thrones… the balance is breaking. The North breeds heresy. The Dragon's Heir rises."
Light pulsed from his crown.
"Descend. And bring me his head."
Meanwhile, in the mortal realm, the storm had passed. For the first time in months, the sky above the North was clear.
Arden stood atop the citadel balcony, golden fire dimly flickering around him, eyes fixed on the stars. The fusion with the Northern Dragon had left him changed—stronger, yet quieter.
Celestia joined him, her white cloak brushing against his. "You haven't slept since the awakening," she said softly.
He smiled faintly. "Hard to rest when I can feel Heaven watching."
Celestia followed his gaze. "The Thrones are moving, aren't they?"
Arden nodded. "Yes. Seven of them. Each one… stronger than the last Emperor I fought in my past life."
Her hand tightened around her staff. "Then what's the plan?"
Arden's expression hardened. "We strike first."
The great hall was alive with energy. The Northern generals, elven captains, and beastkin warriors filled the chamber. The flame of unity burned above the throne—a symbol of the Duke's authority.
Ryn leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So, seven literal gods are coming to kill you. Great odds, as usual."
Arden smirked. "That's why we won't let them come to us."
Elara, the elf archer, raised an eyebrow. "You mean to attack Heaven itself?"
He nodded. "We'll break through the veil before they descend. If we fight them here, the land will burn. If we fight them there, we can cut off their power at the source."
His younger sister, Aria, spoke hesitantly. "But the path to Heaven… it's sealed."
"Not entirely," Arden said, turning toward her. "The dragon's memory showed me a way—an ancient gate beneath the northern ruins. The Gate of Eternity."
Celestia's eyes widened. "That gate was sealed by the first Seraphion himself! Even gods fear its awakening."
"Then it's exactly what we need."
The room fell silent. The flame above flickered brighter, reflecting in every soldier's eyes.
"Prepare the army. We march at dawn."
Far above, the first throne began its descent.
Archon Solmeris raised his blade of pure light, cutting through the barrier between realms. Golden fire cascaded like a waterfall, descending toward the mortal plane.
"Let the sun judge the heretic," he declared.
The world darkened as his radiance fell. Forests turned to glass, rivers to steam. Even distant kingdoms looked up in terror at the blinding sun that was descending upon the North.
Celestia's wings flared as alarms rang through the citadel.
"He's here!"
Arden stepped forward onto the frozen plain outside the walls. His aura ignited, meeting the incoming divine light with his own golden fire.
When the two forces collided, the explosion was visible across continents.
From the burning clouds emerged Solmeris—an armored titan of pure light, eyes like twin stars.
"Dragon Heir," his voice thundered. "You defy the Emperor's will. Repent, and your soul shall be purified."
Arden lifted his sword. "Repent? You burned cities that worshiped you. You enslaved races that prayed for mercy. I think you're the one who needs cleansing."
The god's eyes narrowed. "Then burn in your defiance!"
Solmeris struck. A pillar of light fell from the heavens, enough to erase nations.Arden met it head-on, his golden flame roaring upward. The ground shattered, tundra melting into rivers of fire.
Each swing of Solmeris's blade carried the weight of the sun. Each counter from Arden left craters miles wide.
Then—one moment of stillness.
Arden's eyes flashed gold, and he whispered—
"Flame Art: Heavenly Annihilation."
The sky itself split as a serpent of fire burst forth, coiling around Solmeris and dragging him downward. The god roared, light cracking under the heat.
Arden leapt, driving Heavenbreaker through Solmeris's chest.
For the first time in millennia, divine blood spilled.
"Impossible…" Solmeris gasped, light flickering. "A mortal cannot—"
"I'm no mortal," Arden said coldly. "I'm the flame your Heaven tried to kill."
With one final burst of fire, Solmeris's body shattered—exploding into shards of light that rained across the North.
As silence returned, Arden fell to one knee, panting. His allies rushed forward, but he raised a hand.
"One down," he said quietly. "Six remain."
Celestia looked toward the sky, where six new stars had begun to shine.
"They'll come together next time."
Arden stood, eyes burning brighter than ever.
"Good. Let them."