Riorno was not born a king.
He was born on the far edges of the world of Hood Way,in a city unmarked on any mapa city spoken of only in whispers:
"Those who enter either leave burned… or never leave at all."
His name back then was Rir.
A child with pitch-black eyes,completely black hair,and no sign of fire—no markings, no destiny written on his skin.
. The City That Devours Its Children
The city was ruled by ancient rituals,rituals that showed no mercy to the weak.
One day, his father placed a heavy hand on his shoulder and said:
"In this world, Rir…you either burn to become stronger,or you let the fire consume you."
Rir did not understand those words—not until years later.
At the age of thirteen,he was forced into the Pit of Flames,a place where demonkind tested its offspring.
The fire there was not natural.It was fire that judged willpower.
Many screamed.Some burned.Others died.
Rir…did not scream.
He did not burn.
The flames stopped at his skin—as if waiting for his command.
The First Markings
After he emerged from the pit,the first black markings appearedalong his neck.
An elder whispered in fear:
"This is not normal…these are the markings of kings."
But in that city,the word kingwas a curse.
Fear spread.Eyes followed him everywhere.
Friends vanished.Relatives distanced themselves.
Even his father said one night:
"Hide your power…fire attracts those without mercy."
But it was already too late.
. The Night of the Fall
On a moonless night,the city fell.
Not by earthquake.Not by plague.
But by Zebra.
He descended from the skywith the Masked Legion.
They did not burn everything.They chose.
They gathered the strong.They gathered those with markings.
Zebra stood before Rirand studied him in silence.
Then he spoke, coldly:
"Silent fire…rare."
A faint smile appeared.
"Come with me,and I will make you eternal."
Rir looked around.The city was burning.People were screaming.
He asked:
"What about them?"
Zebra replied without hesitation:
"Worlds are consumed.That is their nature."
In that moment…hatred was born.
The Price of Refusal
Rir refused.
Zebra smiled—and gave a single command.
In moments,everyone in the square was dead.
Before his eyes.
Then Zebra said:
"This is the result of weakness."
He struck Rir once.Not to kill him.
But to break something inside.
He left him among the corpses,the city burning behind him.
The Flame Chooses Its King
When Rir rose again…nothing remained.
He knelt in the ashesand slammed his hand into the ground.
For the first time…he screamed.
🔥 Flames erupted from within himnot to destroy—but to obey.
The black markings spread across his body:neck, arm, forehead.
And in that moment,an ancient voice echoed:
"He who rules the flame…is ruled by none."
He stood.
From that night onward,Rir ceased to exist.
He took the name Riorno.
The King Who Kneels to No One
He did not take the throne by force.He took it by choice.
He fought tyrants.Freed cities.
And when they asked him to be king…
He said:
"I will not be your master…I will be your guardian."
Thus,he became the Demon King.
Yet his gazewas always fixed on the sky.
For he knew—Zebrastill lived.
. Return to the Present
Riorno stood before Lloyd,the flames calm around him.
He spoke softly:
"Zebra did not only take my world…he tried to take my will."
He looked Lloyd straight in the eyes.
"And you…remind me of myself before I burned."
Lloyd smiled quietly.
"And you…prove that fire does not corrupt everyone."
Riorno extended his hand.
"Then we walk together."
Lloyd accepted it.
Narrator
Some kings are born in palaces…
Othersare bornfrom ashes.