Hooooooo…
A cold wind blew over Emberhold.
The city, freshly reclaimed, was quiet beneath the stars. Flames flickered gently in lanterns as the people rested. But Rivan… Rivan could not.
He stood at the balcony of the royal tower, staring into the night.
His fingers brushed the hilt of his sword, its metal warm—always warm now.
Behind him, Seris walked silently.
"You haven't slept."
Rivan didn't turn. "The shadow returned last night. It spoke of a rising 'Dark Sun.'"
Seris froze. "You heard it too?"
Rivan slowly turned, eyes narrowed. "You've heard it before?"
She nodded. "Only once. Years ago, when the stars bled during the eclipse. A voice whispered… 'Soon, the Dark Sun will rise.' I thought it was a dream."
Rivan clenched his jaw. "It's no dream."
BOOOOM!
Suddenly, the night lit up with a sickly red glow.
A burst of magic exploded in the far sky—near the Ruined Circle, the border between realms.
Kael barged into the chamber, hair tousled. "W-What in the blazes was that?!"
Rivan's eyes glowed. "The war is calling us again."
A Council of Ash and Flame
The war chamber was crowded with resistance leaders, newly freed nobles, and mages of the Flame Order. Maps sprawled across the table, ink smeared in urgency.
Elda stood tall, pointing at the glow on the map.
"That burst of energy came from the Ruined Circle—where the Ash King first opened the Void Gate years ago."
Seris added, "That place is older than kingdoms. Forbidden. Corrupted."
Kael rubbed his temples. "Why is it always the creepy, cursed places that cause trouble?"
Rivan stared at the map. "What lies beyond it?"
An old scholar spoke, trembling. "Legends say... the Obsidian Realm—a world consumed by shadow, where the 'Dark Sun' sleeps."
"Hahaha…" a deep voice laughed mockingly from the shadows.
All turned, startled.
From behind a pillar stepped an old man cloaked in black and crimson. His eyes glowed silver.
"Who are you?" Kael growled, dagger ready.
The man bowed. "I am Morthel, Flame Seer of the First Age. I have seen the coming of the Dark Sun. And if you wish to stop it, you must travel beyond the Ruined Circle."
Seris narrowed her eyes. "Why should we trust you?"
Morthel smiled faintly. "Because the darkness is already bleeding into your world. Every minute you wait… another soul is lost."
Rivan took a long breath. "Then we prepare for a journey. One that might break us."
Kael sighed. "Of course it will. Because our lives are clearly cursed."
The Journey Begins
Crunch… crunch…
Their boots sank into blackened soil as they approached the Ruined Circle days later. The land was twisted—trees petrified, rivers dried into dust veins.
The red sky churned overhead like a wound refusing to heal.
Rivan led the way, Seris at his side, Kael muttering behind them.
"Okay, can we all just admit this is the worst vacation spot ever?"
Seris rolled her eyes. "Shh."
A rumbling sound made them freeze.
GRRRRRRRRRHHHH!
From behind the trees, massive shadowbeasts emerged—six-legged, eyeless, with dripping maws.
Kael notched an arrow. "I hate this place!"
Rivan's swords flared with flame. "Form up!"
The battle was swift and brutal. Blades sang, arrows flew, and firestorm magic scorched the land.
BOOOM!
One beast exploded into black goo.
Tsk tsk tsk…
Rivan stood panting. "They're scouts. Something's watching us."
Seris pointed ahead. "Look!"
The Ruined Circle stood in the distance—a massive ring of obsidian stones, glowing with runes.
The air buzzed.
Morthel reappeared, as if from shadow. "Step into the circle, Prince of Flame. And see the truth."
The Obsidian Realm
As they crossed into the circle, the world shifted.
WHOOOOOSHHHH!
Colors inverted. The sky turned black, with a giant blood-red sun hanging above.
The land was a ruin of floating stones, crumbling towers, and rivers of glowing shadow.
Kael gasped. "Are we… in a dream?"
"No," Morthel said. "This is the Obsidian Realm. The home of the Dark Sun."
Suddenly, a scream tore through the air.
AAARRRRGHHHH!!!
They turned and saw a figure chained to a burning tree—her eyes wide with pain.
Seris whispered, "That's… a Fire Oracle."
Morthel nodded grimly. "She's one of the last. Trapped here by the Dark Sun's herald."
A monstrous form emerged from the shadows—a woman-shaped entity with a crown of thorns and wings of black flame.
"I am Nyxira," she hissed. "Harbinger of the Dark Sun. Turn back, children of Ember… or burn with your hope!"
Rivan stepped forward.
"I don't turn back. I ignite the path forward."
Nyxira laughed—a cold, rattling sound.
"HAHAHA… Then come, heir of fire. Let's see if your flame can survive in my darkness."
Nyxira's Wrath
The fight erupted.
Nyxira summoned tendrils of pure shadow, slicing the air.
Rivan blocked with flaming wings, countering with explosive strikes.
Seris hovered, casting phoenix light from above.
Kael shot enchanted arrows that burst into sunlight.
Still, Nyxira moved like smoke.
SWOOSH!
A tendril struck Seris mid-air. She screamed, crashing down.
"SERIS!"
Rivan's rage exploded.
"RAAAAAAAHHHH!"
He unleashed a pillar of fire so hot the very ground cracked.
Nyxira staggered. "You… you dare—"
"BURN!"
BOOOOM!
He struck her down, flames consuming her form.
As she vanished, a whisper escaped her lips:
"The Dark Sun… is awake now…"
Visions of Doom
After the battle, the Oracle, weakened and freed, crawled to Rivan.
"You must listen," she whispered. "The Dark Sun… is not a god. It is a curse. A being born of betrayal and fire… Just like you."
"What do you mean?"
The Oracle grasped his hand. Her eyes flared, and suddenly—
FLASH!
—he saw visions: His mother, Queen Althera, standing before a black altar. A deal. A voice in the shadows. Her face twisted in pain.
—A baby, burning in his cradle. Rivan.
—A hidden truth, locked in a vault of flame.
BOOOOM!
He gasped and stumbled back.
"Your fire was never pure," the Oracle said. "It was forged from darkness."
Rivan fell to his knees, breath ragged. "No… it can't be…"
Kael helped him up. "Hey. Whatever your past is—we choose what we become now."
Seris, bruised but alive, nodded. "We've seen your heart, Rivan. It's not shadow. It's fire."
Rivan looked at his hands, fire flickering at his fingertips.
"I'll burn through the lies."
He turned to the Oracle. "Tell me how to stop the Dark Sun."
She whispered, "You must seek the Mirror of Flame—the only artifact that reveals truth through fire. It lies in the Temple of Embers, beyond the Rift Sea."
Rivan stood tall. Determined.
"Then we travel. We fight. And we finish this war."
To be continued...