The Fire Realm glowed like a sun caged in eternal night. After the chaos of war, its lands had withdrawn, folding themselves away into a barrier of burning sky. To outsiders, the Fire Realm no longer existed—it had sealed itself in flame to endure.
But within, the flames burned brighter than ever.
---
The Queen of Fire
The coronation of Feng Jiu shook the clans. Elders whispered of calamity, generals debated in secret chambers, and phoenix lords weighed whether to obey or resist.
On the day of crowning, the Fire Palace blazed with endless scarlet fire. Banners of flame hung from obsidian spires, and the Phoenix Army stood ranked in wings that darkened the skies.
Feng Jiu stood at the center, clad in robes woven of living fire. Her crimson eyes reflected neither fear nor hesitation. They were only glowing with a never ending resolve. Anyone who saw those eyes knew that she would definitely not give up. The phoenixes, divine beasts have hidden themselves for long and it was time they showed off their might.
It is again time for the nirvana flames to be seen again in this world. She would make sure of it.
The high elder raised the crown—a diadem forged from the First Phoenix's heart flame. His voice trembled as he spoke the ritual words.
"With this flame, the Fire Realm acknowledges its sovereign. From this day forth, Feng Jiu is crowned Queen of Flames, guardian of our sealed skies."
The crown touched her brow. Instantly, the flames across the palace roared higher, as though the realm itself recognized her.
The phoenixes knelt as one.
But not all hearts yielded.
From the assembly, an elder lord stepped forward, his voice cold. "Queen though you may be, what wisdom does youth have to guide us? You are flame, yes—but flame consumes as easily as it warms. Will you burn your people in your defiance?"
A murmur spread through the crowd. Doubt was a seed that could spread like wildfire.
Feng Jiu descended the dais, her wings unfurled, eyes locked on the elder.
"You question me not out of care for the people, but because you fear my fire will melt the chains you've bound them in." Her voice cut sharp. "If you fear me, then test me."
Gasps erupted. The elder hesitated. But honor bound him—he could not retreat. He summoned his phoenix flame, scarlet and vast.
Feng Jiu raised her hand. Her fire answered, erupting in waves of gold and crimson. When the two flames collided, hers swallowed his whole. The elder staggered back, his feathers singed to ash.
"I do not burn my people," she declared, her voice echoing like thunder, "I burn those who would keep them in shadows."
The army roared, the ground trembling under their cry.
From that day, no elder dared openly defy her. Feng Jiu was not merely crowned—she had seized her throne, burning all doubt to cinders.
Yet even in victory, her heart was restless. Each night, she dreamed of a silver-haired youth whose face blurred like smoke. She woke with her chest aching, her fire surging as if called by a memory she could not name.
She longed for the world outside the sealed sky. But the Fire Realm's barrier held firm, isolating them from all beyond.
For now.
---
Far below the sealed heavens, waves thundered against coral cliffs. The East Sea was restless.
Taiyi walked the jade corridors of the Dragon Palace, his expression calm, his steps deliberate. He had just returned from the campaign against the northern rebels. Victory had been claimed in Prince Ao Shen's name, yet whispers in the palace carried another truth:
It was the adopted son, the quiet shadow, who had guided that war.
Ao Shen simmered with resentment. He could not openly strike Taiyi, for every move the younger brother made seemed cloaked in humility.
But Ao Shen was not without allies. One evening, a courtier approached Taiyi, feigning respect.
"Young Master Taiyi, His Highness Ao Shen wishes to drink with you, to celebrate victory."
Taiyi's lips curved faintly. A poisoned cup, perhaps? Or an ambush in disguise?
He accepted without hesitation.
At the banquet, laughter rang false. Ao Shen poured wine, his smile sharp. "Brother, I cannot thank you enough. Without your clever schemes, perhaps my campaign would not have triumphed."
Taiyi lifted his cup, his calm gaze never wavering. "Victory belongs to the sea. We are but its servants."
They drank.
Moments later, a general at the table collapsed, foam spilling from his lips. Panic erupted.
The court turned on Taiyi, accusing eyes narrowing.
But Taiyi remained seated, serene. "Strange. A poison that kills a seasoned general, yet leaves me unharmed, though my cup was poured first. Curious, is it not, Prince?"
Ao Shen froze, the trap snapping shut around him.
Gasps rippled through the court. To deny would make him look guilty. To confess would destroy him.
Taiyi rose slowly, bowing to the Dragon King. "Perhaps, Father, it is time I oversee the purification of our armies. Too many shadows dwell among us."
The Dragon King's golden eyes studied him long and hard. At last, he nodded.
And so authority slipped further into Taiyi's hands—not seized by force, but offered willingly, for none could deny his calm competence.
Alone later that night, holding the jade token in his hands,Taiyi gazed at the jade map once more. His reflection in its surface flickered, silver hair glowing faintly. He has schemed long enough and at last he has finally gotten control of the strongest army in the sea.
For a moment, he saw another self—a warrior standing amid flames, a woman's laughter beside him, a child's cry echoing faintly.
The vision vanished, leaving only silence.
Taiyi's hand curled into a fist. His mind was a storm, but his face remained calm.
"I cannot afford to remember. Not yet."
---
The Fire Realm crowned a queen who burned away her chains.
The East Sea raised a silent son who bared his hidden fangs.
Neither could reach the other. The sealed heavens stood impenetrable. The realms were cut apart, isolated.
But fate was patient. The flames of Feng Jiu and the schemes of Taiyi would not remain apart forever.
For already, in their hearts, the shadows of forgotten laughter stirred.
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