The storm that had gathered now began to crackle.
Within Iveryn's fortified castle, the training grounds sang with sweat and flame. Sword against sword, spell against spell. The scent of metal and magic laced the air as students, mages, and soldiers trained under the burning banners of Queen Ivera.
In the heart of the palace, Elysera sat on the window ledge of her chamber, brushing her fiery auburn hair. The Butterfly Blade rested against the sill beside her, glowing faintly under the sunlight.
Nirelle entered, balancing a tray of goat cheese, bread, and cherrywine, her armor polished to a shine.
"You're late," Elysera teased, tossing her braid over her shoulder.
"You slept through dawn drills," Nirelle smirked. "One of us had to train."
Elysera rose with a feline stretch. "Did you like last night's dance?"
Nirelle's cheeks flushed. "You're wild."
"Iveryn is wild," Elysera whispered. "And you'll learn why."
Their fingers brushed. For a moment, the room felt warmer.
From outside came Nyx and Lira's familiar call: "Oii, lovebirds! Training pit. Five minutes!"
Elysera chuckled, grabbing her blade. "Let's go. War waits for no kiss."
A Land Town Unveiled
Later that day, Lira, ever restless, wandered into the land town, her cloak wrapped tight as the market bustled. Dresses shimmered in open stalls. Her hand brushed over a silver-threaded fabric when a presence caught her attention.
Kade.
She froze.
He hadn't seen her yet.
She stormed forward and slapped him across the face.
"You bastard."
"Lira?" he blinked, shocked. "I—"
"You left. Disappeared!"
"I came last night," he said, rubbing his jaw. "Didn't think you'd want to see me."
He led her to a modest inn near the edge of town.
Inside, he gestured toward the bed. "You can freshen up. I'll go grab food."
Lira entered the bathing room, removed her dress, and let the warm water cascade down her body. With a flick of her hand, she lit incense and enchanted the water with calming magic.
Afterward, she wrapped herself in an Obsidian Nights Sheer Lace Robe, white and flowing. As she moved toward the hearth, her eyes fell on Kade's satchel.
Curiosity became dread.
She opened it.
A sealed letter bearing the symbol of the Dravaryn Empire.
She read it.
Her breath caught.
Kade… was a spy.
The betrayal burned through her veins. With a whisper, her magic flared. Flames erupted, consuming the room.
Lira stepped through the fire unharmed, dressed now in battle leather. She opened a portal, gripping her bag tightly.
"I trusted you," she whispered.
And then she vanished.
Council of Fire: Queen Ivera's War Decree
In the obsidian chamber of war, Queen Ivera stood before her gathered council.
"Siraen'saal thalen, vel no'dael. Iveralis ven'ar valenor,"
"Our blood may burn, but it never breaks. Iveryn stands unshaken."
Twelve Minority Kingdom leaders stood in attendance. Lysenne flanked the queen, unreadable.
"We've confirmed it," Ivera said. "Solane's hunters were slaughtered—by her own order. And Milo survived… but not whole."
She revealed the scorched scroll from Solane, and beside it, the severed leg of the famed scout—sent to Elara as proof of loyalty.
"She plays both sides," Ivera spat. "Solane's knives cut even her allies."
Whispers spread. King Dorin stepped forward. "What now?"
Lysenne answered: "We train the realm. Every soldier. Every citizen. Iveryn bleeds, but we endure."
Love and Trials: Training Between Flames
At the castle's training field, Elysera faced Nirelle.
"No'drisar, syr'ael. Saval siraen venor, vel sael'thaen."
("Don't hold back, feather girl. We bleed together, or we fall.")
Their blades met. Sparks flew. Sweat shimmered.
Nearby, Nyx sparred with Lira—who'd returned silently and more focused than ever. She hadn't told anyone what she'd seen. Not yet.
Later that night, Elysera and Nirelle sat atop the palace roof. Stars spread endlessly above them.
"Do you regret leaving your skies?" Elysera asked.
"No," Nirelle whispered. "I found something better."
They leaned closer. Lips brushed.
In Iveryn, love bloomed like fire. Soft, dangerous, necessary.
Whispers at the Firegate
Far beyond, beneath the crumbled ruins where time stood still, Ren stared at the Firegate.
"I was born in lies. But I will die in truth."
"Saal vel'rin syra'zael. Vel moren en dorai."
The gate shimmered. Flames flickered with memory.
Visions swirled — Nyx, screaming in battle… the Butterfly Blade aflame… her body vanishing into a storm of light.
Then—Elara's face in the fire.
A voice spoke:
"You are her blood. Not her blade."
He fell to his knees.
"What am I?"
The gate pulsed. Shadows circled.
"You are the future… or its end."
Ren drew his blade. "I'll decide which."
Dravaryn's Shadow Plan
In the high towers of Dravaryn, Lord Varyn sat with a goblet of nightwine.
"The girl has the blade. Elara delivers. And Ivera sharpens her claws."
One of his masked mages asked, "Do we trust Elara?"
"She plays her own game," Varyn said. "But she awakens something old. Perhaps… her legacy."
"What if she turns against us?"
Varyn smiled darkly. "Then I'll burn her legacy with her."
He looked at a map—marked with fire sigils and shadow paths.
"The war begins with whispers. Let's speak loudly."
A Letter Undelivered
At the castle gate, a soldier found an abandoned satchel. Inside—another letter bearing the Dravaryn seal.
It was meant for Kade.
Lira watched from the shadows, unreadable.
Above her, the moon split briefly in the clouds.
Somewhere beyond the stars, something ancient stirred.
And war crept ever closer.
[To be continued in Chapter 15...]