Chapter 17 – Into the Empire of Steel
The Iron Empire was not named for its terrain—but its spirit.
Every tower, wall, and blade gleamed with purpose. The streets of Pyraxis, its capital, pulsed with the iron heartbeat of a civilization forged in conquest and fear. Banners bearing the Empress's sigil—a steel dragon coiled around a crown—fluttered in the dry wind.
Jean walked beneath them, her white hood pulled low, Radiant Fang hidden in a long case strapped to her back. Whitney trotted beside her in his wolfhound form, his size and silence drawing only wary glances.
They made their way toward The Ember Spine, the seat of government and the fortress-palace of the Iron Empress herself.
Jean had no intention of going that far—yet.
Her contact waited in the forge district, hidden beneath the smoke and noise.
She entered a nondescript weaponsmith's shop, where a one-eyed woman greeted her without a word. She gestured to a back room.
There, seated at a table littered with maps and coded scrolls, was a cloaked man with gloved hands and a scar running from brow to jaw.
"So," he said without rising. "The Luther Clan sends their prodigy."
Jean didn't sit. "And you're the Empire's traitor?"
He chuckled. "I prefer patriot with clarity. Name's Cassien. Former tactician of the Fourth Iron Legion. Now… survivor of what the Cult did to my company."
Jean's eyes narrowed. "You saw them?"
Cassien tossed her a scroll. "I saw them rise from beneath the Ashwound Temple. I saw flame without heat. I saw a priest of fire raise a wyrmling from bones. And I saw my brothers burn from the inside out."
She unrolled the scroll.
A map. Dragon sigils. Ancient ruins. Marked with a circle near the southern wastes.
"Mount Narthul," Cassien said. "A dormant volcano. Or so the Empress believes. The Cult's been seen moving relics, ancient dragon bones, and emissary blood."
Jean's heart chilled. "They're building a gate."
Cassien nodded grimly. "And not just any gate. One linked to the old skyfall crater—the last place the Dragon Lord's blood ever touched the earth."
Whitney growled. "They mean to awaken more than just Antares. They want to summon his progeny."
Jean turned.
"We need to reach that volcano before they finish."
Cassien looked up. "You won't make it through the border patrols. Not without help."
Jean stepped toward the door.
"Then we break through," she said, eyes gleaming. "With light and steel."
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