A great storm rolled across the high skies of the world, winds howling and black clouds spinning like wrathful spirits. Lightning cracked open the air above a hidden valley in the Mirevian realms. Down through the storm burst a massive dragon cloaked in silver-blue scales, its eyes burning with quiet intelligence. The dragon swept low and landed near a concealed stone fortress veiled by thick enchantments.
Soldiers quickly surrounded it—not with weapons drawn, but with reverence. They fed the beast hunks of enchanted meat and ushered it into the cavernous shelter carved into the mountainside. Queen Ivera dismounted from its back, her silver robes billowing like mist, her braid long and adorned with crystal pins, marking her royal house of Iveryn.
Elara of Elaris stood at the fortress entrance, arms folded, her black hair coiled into a sleek high bun. Her sharp eyes narrowed, voice cool as steel. "A mighty Empire with dragons and magical beasts... yet no use of portals?"
Ivera smiled gently. "Even beasts are citizens of our realm. They must be guided, not discarded for convenience."
Solane of Solanar arrived next, her flaming red hair woven in a crown-like braid, her golden armor gleaming. "Still your fire, Elara. We are not here to judge old ways."
Last came Sky Lord Myr of Mirevia, his dark cloak swirling around him like smoke, eyes like twin moons. He spoke few words, only nodding once before the meeting began.
The Meeting of Sky Crowns
The hall was carved from obsidian, each wall inscribed with ancient scripts. The five sovereigns took their seats at a circular table carved from mirrored stone. They discussed borders, the growing black market of enchanted weaponry, rogue magic sects, and strained diplomacy after the disappearance of the Silver Fleet.
"Ivera," Elara asked, speaking in the formal Iveralis tongue. "Your daughter—how fares she?"
"She trains where she is safe. As she must."
Solane sipped from a crystal goblet. "Your daughter is the talk of the east. They say she's born with flame in her blood."
Myr leaned forward. "And perhaps the blood of queens."
Meanwhile – Forest of Ashglass
Elysera, Nyx, and Lira trained beneath a canopy of ancient redwoods. The forest shimmered with wards and illusions, its silence like a watchful eye.
A crack of magic split the air. From a glimmering rift stepped a tall man draped in obsidian robes. His name was Kaedor, a known dungeon mage of Dravaryn, infamous for trafficking magical relics and summoning forgotten beasts.
"I sensed something... delicious," he said, smiling darkly. "A girl touched by flame. And two shadows that dance too freely."
Elysera stepped forward. "This is Elaris territory. Speak your purpose or leave."
Kaedor smirked. "I collect power, Princess. You are power. I offer no duel. Only choice: serve or die."
Lira cursed. Nyx drew his blade. Elysera summoned her inner fire.
Kaedor raised his hands, summoning a twisted creature with horns, eight legs, and skin like molten stone. "Meet Vael'Zareth. Let us begin."
The battle erupted. Nyx slashed through the beast's limbs, Lira launched sigils of light. But Vael'Zareth struck fast, its tail slamming Nyx into a tree. Elysera's eyes burned bright gold. She channeled fire into her limbs, every movement a blur. Her hands erupted with burning sigils as she pierced Kaedor's shield.
"You want power?" Elysera hissed. "Then drown in it!"
She released an infernal burst, fire laced with memory and wrath. Kaedor screamed as the flames consumed him. Blood splashed across her cheek.
Lira stepped back. "You… look just like Queen Ivera once did."
Back at the Meeting
A breathless soldier burst into the hall.
"You dare interrupt—" barked the Dravaryn Lord.
"Forgive me. This is urgent. Princess Elysera just killed Kaedor the Dungeon Summoner in the Ashglass."
The room went silent.
The Dravaryn Lord rose. "Queen Ivera. Your daughter wages war?"
Elara cut in sharply. "Kaedor was a criminal."
Solane smiled. "And yet your feared mage fell to a 'naughty princess'?"
Ivera stood. "I do not forget your threats, Dravaryn. But neither do I deny this: Elysera is no ordinary girl."
Elara rose, voice strong. "Elysera may be the most powerful woman of our age."
The Dravaryn Lord shouted, "Enough jest!" He turned to Myr. "Will you stand idle?"
Myr stood slowly. With a wave of his hand, his voice echoed across the realms, enchanted to be heard by all corners of the empires.
"Let all hear: I, Sky Lord Myr of Mirevia, name Princess Elysera as Vairathi'el—the Peak Flame of this generation. May the empires remember this day."
The Castle Arrival
As the trio packed to leave the forest, a new magical beast approached. Its body shimmered like moonlight, its eyes soft but urgent. On its side was etched a glowing message, in the flowing script of Iveralis:
"Teyara'syr, vorn tharel shorenar. Venar doma. Talin'in siran. Aran'saal karen – Lysenne."
("My princess, danger moves faster than wind. Come home. Your fire is needed. With all my love – Lysenne.")
A portal opened. Nyx looked at Elysera. "That was your mother's beast, wasn't it?"
"Yes. She sent it herself."
They stepped through. On the other side, in Lysenne's castle, Lysenne stood waiting. Her robe glowed with the sun sigil of her house. She spoke in Iveralis, teasing Nyx and hugging Lira.
But the joy was brief.
A shadow stirred in Dravaryn. Lord Varyn stood in a chamber of obsidian, facing Kaedor's burned remnants. His fingers curled into a fist.
"They made a mistake."
Behind him, cloaked figures bowed. "What are your orders?"
"Release the Silent Blades. It's time the Peak Flame learns what burns in darkness."
To Be Continued...