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Rav Angon Egor is still a young boy and barely old enough to understand words. Princess took him on a secret journey.
Sage had forbidden it. He wanted the boy to be raised with discipline and silence, away from demon lineage.
However, Princess's heart always belongs to her people, who hide in the underworld Jungles of the South under the shadows of a once golden city.
One night, under twilight, Princess carried her son across rivers that reflected no stars. As each step took them deeper, the world grew quieter and more fearful about what lay ahead.
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The Dark Cavern
The fallen king, Sumal, is only alive to see his heir born of prophecy. The Princess entered the dark cavern, vast as a cathedral.
Sumal, who had withdrawn into deep meditation, slowed his heart to beat only 5 beats per minute. He hadn't moved from the Throne of Bone and Coal for years. The throne started to glow in the presence of Rav, and coal started to return its original gold form.
Sumal's heart beat increased, and he opened his eyes and saw Rav; his eyes burned with the fire of loss. Rav's laughter echoed through the stone cavern.
He didn't smile like a grandfather.
He knelt, as if the boy were already emperor.
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Sumal came to his senses after a few seconds and sat straight on the throne.
"So, this is the hybrid", he said.
"The curse born of wisdom and fury."
Princess bowed,
"He is your blood, My King, He will rise higher than any of us, Father."
Sumal leaned forward, his breath smelling of smoke and iron.
"Rise? You mean reclaim!"
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Sumal placed his skeletal hand on the boy's head.
The moment he touched the boy, the lights in the cavern trembled, and shadows bent towards the Rav.
The child's eyes are flared one with gold and crimson.
"Boy remembers" whispered Sumal
"The blood of kings recognises the weight of the throne."
He raised his voice, his words echoing through the underworld:
"The gods stole what was ours. The Sky King sits upon a stolen dawn."
"But my grandson…"
"My grandson shall return light to the South. He shall take back Dawnfire, the burning citadel of the fallen."
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The Child's First Words
Princess places the boy on the lap of the fallen king. Sumal looked at the boy with a smile. The boy starts playing by touching the throne.
Princess swept in silence.
And for the first time in his life, Rav Angon Egor spoke a word.
It was not "Mother"
It was not "Father"
He simply said, "Mine"
The cavern shook. A crack split the roof. And molten light spilled through, as if the Earth itself acknowledged the claim.
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The Blood Boon & The Promise
Sumal smiled, and his two teeth, sharp as old weapons, came out like a bore.
"Then remember this, little lion.
When they call you a demon, wear it as a crown.
When they call you cursed, speak with thunder.
For the world fears what it cannot rule."
Then he cut his hand, and embers fell all over the rock floor. And pressed it to the boy's hand, letting their blood merge.
"By the blood of kings and the bones of gods, you will reclaim the throne of Dawnfire or burn the skytrying."
And thus the promise was made.
Once molten gold glowed the boy's spiral mark; now it began to glow crimson, and embers from the mark.
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The Sage's warning
Princess returned, and Sage looked at the boy and saw the mark. A faint spiral of red burned into his palm from the blood pact.
He sighed and whispered to the winds,
"The gods will not forgive this"
And somewhere high above, in the citadel of storms, Thundral turned his gaze toward the south.
"The heir of the flame remembers his throne", he said.
The Fallen King took the last word,
"He remembers, and avenge", he spirit merged The Dot's Realm. And the physical body turns to dust.