He had won.
But Ryon didn't feel triumphant.
He stood before the Throne of Embers, its obsidian surface now glowing faintly with accepting flame — not corrupted, not stolen, but claimed.
Around him, the arena knelt.
Not to a king.
To something stranger.
Something new.
> System Integration Complete
Title: Sovereign Flame – Confirmed
Access Granted: Root Commands / Bonded Soul Threads / Memory Echo Paths
Flame Network: 5 Active | 3 Dormant | 22 Unclaimed
Time Remaining: 3 Days, 16 Hours
Hidden Directive Triggered: [???]
Internal Threat Detected: Origin Seed – "Null Mother"
Before the throne, Ryon did not give a victory speech.
He gave a promise.
> "This throne belongs to no tyrant. No system. No single bloodline.
It belongs to those who burned to survive.
To those who bleed, who rise, and who never kneel unless they choose to.
Starting now, I don't rule alone.
We rule — together."
Kaela stepped forward first, sword drawn in salute.
Then Lyria.
Then Elara.
