Deep beneath Solvyris, the Ember Vault moaned.
The outer seal—a ring of volcanic glass etched with the names of fallen kings—had fractured in the night. Dozens of fire-wardens stood along the breach now, weapons drawn, flames dancing across their armor. But the vault no longer responded to their commands.
It pulsed with a heartbeat of its own.
In the center of the ancient chamber, hovering above a dais of blackstone, floated the Crown of Cinders—the first flame-forged circlet, once worn by the mythical Flame Sovereign. A relic said to grant dominion not only over fire, but over the will of flame itself.
The problem was… it had been sealed for a reason.
And now, someone—or something—had started to wake it.
---
Above the vault, the Ember Council gathered in chaos.
Queen Alaryss stood before the high thrones, her voice cutting through the rising fear.
"The Crown's seal is weakening. We do not know why, but we know this: if it falls into the wrong hands, the elemental balance will shatter. Fire will consume not just this kingdom—but the world."
Lord Thalos leaned forward. "And what of your daughter, Majesty? The timing is… difficult to ignore."
"She is loyal," Alaryss said coldly.
"She is dangerous," Thalos shot back. "The Mirror Gate was dormant until she touched it. The dreams began with her. And now, the vault breaks?"
Seris entered then—unceremoniously, flame still clinging to her from the vision. Kaelen was at her side, and gasps echoed as he stepped into the chamber beside her.
A skyborn. In the Ember Council.
Bold.
Suicidal, perhaps—but bold.
"Let them speak," Queen Alaryss commanded.
Kaelen bowed. "My name is Kaelen Thorne. Envoy of Cael'Thorne, bonded to the sky. The breach in your vault is not random. It is the first move in a larger game. A force older than your council, older than your walls, is stirring the deep elements."
"And you claim to know this because?" asked Lady Iness, skeptical.
"Because the skies have seen it. And because I carry the blood of the Stormforged," he said. "We, too, once sealed away a crown. And ours is also waking."
A wave of silence hit the chamber like a fist.
Two crowns.
Two realms.
One prophecy.
---
After the council adjourned
Seris paced her chambers, hands alight with fire, her mind racing.
She had seen the woman in the vision again. Tall, regal. Wearing the Crown of Cinders. Her—only not her. A mirror? A future self? Or… something worse?
"She looked like me," Seris whispered.
Kaelen sat at her desk, watching her. "Because it is you. Or what you become if the crown claims you."
She froze. "What do you mean claims?"
"The Crown of Cinders is no mere symbol," he said. "It's a binding relic—meant to awaken the ancient flame in a ruler strong enough to wield it. But the cost of such power… is always steep."
"Steep how?"
"Your will. Your soul. Your humanity."
Seris slowly sat beside him. "If I don't take it, someone else might."
Kaelen nodded. "And if the wrong person wears it, the world burns. Literally."
They sat in silence for a long moment, the tension between them heavier than ever.
Kaelen reached out. His hand brushed hers—not with magic this time, but warmth.
"I'll help you," he said softly. "No matter what path you choose."
"You believe in me?" she whispered.
"I've seen you. The fire in you isn't destruction. It's rebirth."
Her heart cracked a little. But before she could respond, a blast of flame shook the outer wall.
A guard burst through the door, smoke clinging to his armor.
"My lady—my lord—there's been an attack. The vault... someone is trying to steal the crown!"
Seris was already moving. Her eyes flared bright gold.
> "Then they'll have to go through me."
---
Below the palace
Flame burst from shattered sigils. Wards fell like broken glass. At the center of the breach, a figure cloaked in molten steel stepped into the vault, fire rising around him like a storm.
He held a blackened staff, carved with runes that hadn't been spoken in a thousand years.
And his eyes glowed with hunger.
The Crown of Cinders hovered before him—trembling.
He reached for it.
And somewhere far above, Seris's scream echoed through the stone:
> "NO!"