---
š Chapter 4: A Name the World Forgot
The sun peeked over the shattered walls of Caelora Hall. Light filtered through the cracks in the broken ceiling, landing on the newly cleared central courtyard.
For the first time in a century, smoke rose from the old forge.
For the first time in generations, footsteps echoed in the Great Hall.
Caelora was stirring.
---
Eron stood before a broken slab of stone where the old family banner once hung. In his hand, he held a piece of torn clothāa scrap of his father's battle flag.
Beside him, Rurik and Lyra watched silently.
> "This land doesn't know our name anymore," Eron said.
"The world thinks Caelora is dust."
"Today, we remind them that fire leaves embers."
He tied the cloth to a makeshift pole and planted it into the ground.
The breeze caught it.
Tattered. Small. But flying.
---
> [System Alert]
First Banner Raised: +Clan Identity Formed
Clan Rank: Initiated (Level 1)
Territory: 1
Clan Members: 3
Influence: Negligible
Threat Status: Low
Eric AI Core Sync: 17%
External Scan Capability: Activated
---
Suddenly, the blue core embedded in the vault wall shimmered brighter. Eric's voice echoed across the chamber below:
> "Heir Eron, territory boundary scanned.
Local wildlife patterns mapped.
Underground chambers detected: 2.
Hostile markers: None ā for now."
Eron nodded.
> "Then it's time to expand."
---
That night, Lyra approached him near the edge of the courtyard.
> "Why rebuild something that was already destroyed?" she asked.
> "Because no one else will," Eron said.
"Because I saw what the world becomes when good people stop building."
She didn't reply. But the next morning, she was already at the forge with Rurik, shaping tools and boiling herbs.
---
š§± The Plan Begins
Over the next few days:
Rurik reinforced the outer walls with scavenged stone and molten braces.
Lyra cultivated a medicine garden in a corner of the ruined temple.
Eron trained with Eric's simulated combat programs in the vault, building stamina and unlocking flame-based techniques.
---
> [Skill Unlocked: Soulfire Pulse (Tier 1)]
Emits a radial blast of pure Caelora flame.
Cooldown: 24 hours.
Stamina Cost: High.
---
Meanwhile, Eric monitored outer regions and received something unexpected.
> [External Ping Detected]
Source: Unregistered AI Node ā Sector 7.
Status: Aggressive. Identity: Unknown.
Action: Observe only.
Eron frowned.
> "Someone else just lit a beaconā¦"
> "Affirmative," Eric replied.
"Dynasties are waking. Yours is not the only one."
---
Elsewhereā¦
In a fog-covered mountain fortress, a young girl in silver armor stepped into a hall of flames.
The banners of House Serrin swayed gently above her.
A voice whispered from the fire:
> "Caelora has returned."
The girl smiled.
> "Then let's see if the fire still bites."
---
To be continued in Chapter 5: Sparks on the Wind
(Where Eron sends his first signal to the outer worldāand draws attention he might not be ready for.)