Three Years Ago – Kingdom of Fire
The throne room blazed with light.
Flames danced along the walls, torches crackled above marble pillars, and lava flowed gently through carved channels in the floor.
At the center, on a throne wrapped in molten gold, sat Mira Flameheart, Queen of Fire.
She was twenty-seven, dressed in a glowing orange gown with armored plates along her curves. A crown of living flame hovered above her fiery red curls. Her cleavage shimmered in the heat.
Before her, a man knelt, trembling. His hands pressed to the floor.
"Please, Your Majesty," he begged. "I—I was only late by a minute. I swear it won't happen again."
Mira stepped forward, boots sizzling against the stone. Her expression was stone cold. She placed her foot on his hand.
"I told you," she said. "Tardiness is disrespect. And you know what I think of disrespect."
"My Queen, I beg you,"
She turned her back to him, paused… then smiled.
"Fine. One more chance."
He let out a relieved gasp.
She raised a single finger.
"In hell."
A burst of white-hot flame shot from her fingertip.The man screamed. Then vanished.
Ash.
Only ash.
"Are you serious?!"The voice came from the left of her throne.
Michael, eighteen, her younger brother, stood from the prince's seat, wide-eyed.
"He was late by a minute. A minute, Mira!"
Mira rolled her eyes. "I was bored."
She sat back down, tossing her curls over her shoulder.
"I issue orders all day, Michael. No thrill, no challenge. A little fire clears the mood."
Michael stepped forward. "This isn't ruling. This is murder. You wanna be queen? Fine. But don't pretend this is leadership. If you can't rule with sense, then hand me the damn crown!"
Mira stood, slow and deadly.She raised a hand and fired a flame bolt at him.
Michael dodged just in time.
"You still don't get it," she growled. "This world runs different. It's ruled by power, not kindness. If you become king, the women will eat you alive. I'm protecting you, dumbass."
Michael glared at her. "Protecting? You're burning anyone who blinks wrong. Even women get torched for stepping out of line. This isn't justice. It's your little game."
"Game?" she laughed. "Please. I've built this place from nothing. You wouldn't last a week in my shoes."
Michael's hands curled into fists. His voice cracked.
"You killed our parents."
Mira froze.
"You slaughtered them for this throne, you psycho. Dad was strict, yeah. But he was our father. And mom? She raised us! She loved us!"
"She lost to me in combat," Mira said coldly. "Dad never loved us. He trained us like soldiers. I beat them both, fair and square. Fire doesn't lie."
"You're disgusting."
He stormed away.
Suddenly, a burst of cold hit the chamber. Frost crept along the stones.
Soldiers burst in. At their front: a tall, pale man in a silver cape.
Titaros, King of Eden.
"Oh, Mira. You always make an entrance," he purred.
She instantly shot fire at him.He froze it mid-air with a glare.
Michael leapt at him with a kick.
Titaros caught him mid-air, then smashed a fist into his gut. Michael hit the floor, gasping.
"Tsk. Soft."
"What do you want, freak?" Mira snapped.
Titaros smiled. "Just dropping by to say goodbye. Eden's moving. Won't be your neighbor anymore."
Mira rolled her eyes. "Touching. Now piss off."
He looked to the side.
"Lika. Water."
A cloaked servant stepped forward. Fully covered. Silent. She handed him a silver cup.
Mira stared, confused. "Why are your women dressed like funeral brides? You serious?"
Titaros sipped.
"They don't need to be seen. Temptation is weakness. I dress them for control."
He leaned closer.
"But you… your rage turns me on."
Mira raised a brow. "Spare me. I know I'm hot. Don't need a simp to tell me."
"Fair enough," he chuckled. "Bye, Michael. Next time you lunge at me, I'll freeze your balls off."
He turned and walked away.
Mira walked to Michael, offered a hand.
He slapped it away.
"Don't need your help."
She scoffed.
"Whatever."
Present Day – Four Hours Before the Mission
Rain dripped from the trees. The safe house lights flickered in the distance.
Kylie sat alone on a fallen log. Her cloak clung to her curves, her wings folded tight behind her.
From the shadows, Molly appeared.
"You again," Kylie muttered. "What, stalking me?"
"I like this forest at night," Molly replied. "You looked sad."
"Cute. What are you, my therapist?"
"No. Just curious."
They sat in silence.
Then Molly said, "It's the redhead, huh?"
Kylie chuckled bitterly. "You girls pick up on everything."
"You love her?"
Kylie nodded, slowly.
"We slept together. It wasn't just sex. It was… pure. Real. At least for me."
Molly tilted her head. "She didn't feel the same?"
"She cared. But she's distant. Focused on missions, power, the system… She won't love unless the damn game tells her to."
Molly looked down. "I don't understand love. I never kissed anyone. Never wanted to."
Kylie blinked. "What?"
"I don't feel the need. Sorry."
"Don't be," Kylie smiled. "I respect that. Just… you're missing out on a lot of pain."
Suddenly, a sound.
Sharp. Fast.
"You hear that?" Kylie stood.
Molly nodded. "Stay."
She vanished.
Kylie looked around.
Thunk.
A dark arrow lodged into her shoulder.
She gasped.
Her vision swam.
"I… wanna… slee…"
She collapsed, face first into the wet grass.
Safe House – Minutes Later
Kuina turned in her bed.
A soft red glow appeared in the corner of her eye.
"Side Quest Alert: Kylie Down. Forest Sector C. ETA: Urgent."
Her eyes snapped open.
"Fucking hell."
She jumped up.
Sword. Boots. No time.
She bolted out the door barefoot, hair flying, rain soaking her skin.
"Kylie," she whispered. "If you die… I swear I'll kill you."
To be continued.