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Ashen Dawn: Rebirth of a Princess

Super_Novelist
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Synopsis
January 10th, 2037: The day the Solar Cosmic Barrier shattered, plunging Earth into the Astral Zenith Extinction Level (A.Z.E.L.) event. A century later, humanity has rebuilt, powered by Qi-energy and ruled by AI and bloodlines. Kim Xunhe, the betrayed prince of the fallen Eastern Elzareth Empire, awaits execution. Stripped of everything and forced to witness his family's brutal demise and his loyal handmaiden's murder by his betrayers, something within him dies, and something ancient awakens. He encounters Istaroth, God of Space and Time, who offers him a second chance: to return to the age of ten, reborn as a beautiful princess within his own kingdom. Armed with future knowledge and a burning desire for vengeance, the new princess will rewrite destiny.
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Chapter 1 - Prologue

January 10th, 2037.

That was the day the heavens cracked.

It began with a silence so vast, it swallowed the very breath of the Earth. Then came the tearing sound—like the scream of a dying god—as the Solar Cosmic Barrier, humanity's only defense against cosmic radiation, shattered into a thousand invisible pieces.

This cataclysm would come to be known as A.Z.E.L.

"Astral Zenith Extinction Level."

A name written in blood across the bones of nations.

The skies turned violet. The oceans rose to devour the continents. Creatures—cosmic aberrations born from stellar rot—descended from rifts beyond the stars, drowning humanity in a sea of teeth and talons.

Yet, within this despair, something ancient stirred.

Those exposed to the unleashed Qi-energy began to awaken abilities—abilities once thought to belong only to legends. With their newfound powers, the survivors built bastions of resistance: underground bunkers, airborne floating fortresses, and crystalline Qi towers that pierced through the ruined skies.

Nature, too, changed.

The scorched earth healed unnaturally fast.

Ruins merged with wild forests.

Even plants—some now sentient—radiated with spiritual light.

Humanity adapted. Slowly. Painfully.

And from ruin… civilization was reborn.

A Century After A.Z.E.L.

Earth, Year 2137.

A new age dawned. One of cultivation and steel, Qi and blood.

Swords replaced rifles.

Tombs became sacred temples.

Warriors, once scientists, now wielded blades forged from spirit-forged ores, pulsing with cosmic energy.

Artificial Intelligence ruled commerce and law. Yet it was bloodlines that governed power.

And so, as order returned, dynasties rose from the dust—forming kingdoms and empires where noble lineage outweighed truth, and ancient pride meant more than peace.

Kim Xunhe — The Forgotten Prince of Ashen Dawn

Born of royal blood in the Eastern Elzareth Empire, Kim Xunhe was once heir to the throne. A child raised beneath banners of honor, forged in the furnace of imperial tradition.

But honor means little in a world where betrayal is law.

During the final war of succession, his kingdom fell. Not from the enemy's strength—but from within.

His own allies betrayed him.

His empire burned.

His name was erased.

Stripped of power, dignity, and family, Xunhe was shackled in a cold obsidian dungeon, awaiting execution.

They fed him moldy bread and sour milk.

They laughed as he bled.

But the deepest wound... was not the blade.

It was the sight of his parents—the Emperor and Empress of Elzareth—beheaded before his eyes, their blood soaking the marble of the palace that once bore his name.

The Seven Betrayers

Xunhe carved their names into his soul. Seven demons in mortal skin. Seven who would burn.

General Myriad, the Iron Vow Breaker – Once his sword-brother. Now, the traitor who led enemy troops into the capital.

Rosaria Valenrose, the Crimson Swan – His fiancée, who cast him aside and pierced his father's heart with her jeweled dagger.

Fengluo, the Shadow Alchemist – Saboteur of their armories and supply routes.

Fengshen, the Silent Fang – His blade never missed... and neither did his betrayal.

Alexander Jameson, Lord of Coin and Corruption – The Minister of Finance, who bled the war chest dry for personal glory.

King Elnor Eleonore, the Mad Tyrant – Who defiled Xunhe's mother before his eyes, shattering her spirit.

Prince Frederick Eleonore, the Butcher of Ashen Moon – Who severed the head of Xunhe's beloved consort as if it were a game.

One Day Before Execution

The sky was gray. The stones were wet with yesterday's blood.

Alexander Jameson visited first—draped in velvet and false sympathy.

"Oh, poor prince," he said with a grin, "it's such a shame that you must die tomorrow. If only you had obeyed… perhaps I'd have spared your tongue."

Behind him, a young woman entered silently—Felyn, Xunhe's loyal handmaiden. The only one who still visited. The only one who still believed.

Her eyes were swollen with tears. Yet she smiled, bowing before her fallen master.

"My prince… I brought your favorite tea. It's not warm, but... it's yours."

He wept then. Not from pain. But from kindness.

For in a world that had taken everything from him… she still stood.

He reached for her trembling hand—

And then, a sharp sound split the air.

Shhkt!

A dagger. Cold. Precise. Buried deep into Felyn's spine.

Her body collapsed into his arms.

Her head rested against his shoulder like a doll.

And Alexander laughed.

"She begged me to spare you. So I gave her a choice. You... or her."

In that moment, something inside Kim Xunhe died.

But something else awakened.

He held Felyn's lifeless form with trembling hands, her blood soaking his chest like a final gift. A searing pain, sharper than any blade, tore at his soul. He kissed Felyn's cold forehead, his tears mingling with her blood. His sobs broke, not from rage, but from profound sorrow at the loss of his only light in the darkness.

Morning arrived, bringing with it the chill of death. Xunhe was dragged from his cell, his eyes vacant. He saw the execution block, dried bloodstains dark on its wood. His father and mother had met their end there, and now it was his turn. The crowd whispered, jeering. He didn't see them. He only saw Felyn's face, her fragile last smile.

The executioner raised his axe, the shadow of its blade falling on Xunhe's neck. He closed his eyes, letting the bitter memories flood him. Betrayal. Loss. And now, emptiness.

Shhhkkkt!

The world spun, and darkness swallowed him.

Yet, death was not the end. He found himself floating in a vast void, stars swirling around him like dust. A voice echoed, older than time itself, filling the emptiness.

"Crown Prince Kim Xunhe. Your soul is filled with rage, but also with a rare kindness. You have lost everything, yet you still hold a thread of destiny unravelled."

A luminous figure appeared before him, formless yet majestic. This was Istaroth, the God of Space and Time, guardian of the cycles of fate.

"I can grant you a second chance," Istaroth's voice continued, "to return to the past, to shattered this world. You will return to your tenth year, but with one change. You will be reborn as a woman."

Xunhe was silent. Return? As a woman? His hatred was so strong, his pain so deep, that any price seemed small compared to the chance to exact revenge and protect those he cherished. He nodded.

"I accept," he replied, his voice hoarse.

Istaroth smiled, light radiating from him.

"So be it. Remember, destiny can be changed, but consequences always follow. Use your new power wisely."

A dazzling light enveloped Xunhe. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a magnificent room, on a silken embroidered bed. His hands were small, soft. Familiar voices could be heard from outside.

He rose from the bed and ran to the mirror. His reflection was that of a young girl with long hair down to her waist, her eyes large and clear, her lips a blooming red. Her face was delicate, as beautiful as a cherry blossom petal. This was his palace, the Elzareth Palace. And he, now, was a princess.

Outside, hurried footsteps were heard. The door opened, and a woman in a maid's uniform entered, her face relieved.

"Princess! Thank goodness you're awake! The Emperor and Empress are waiting for you for breakfast."

Xunhe felt a wave of emotion wash over him. This was his mother, now younger, and down the hall, his father. They were alive. His kingdom still stood.

A century after A.Z.E.L , he had returned. But not as the forgotten prince, but as a beautiful princess. With knowledge of the future and a heart burning with vengeance, he would rewrite his destiny.