The demon lands churned beneath an angry sky. Crimson lightning licked the black clouds, and rivers of molten stone flowed between jagged cliffs like the veins of a dying god. The Demon Ruler stood at the edge of his throne hall, his cloak snapping in the sulfurous wind.
Behind him, six figures knelt — the Generals of the Abyss, each representing a sin twisted into form.
"You have failed to retrieve the Vessel," the Ruler's voice rumbled, more like a quake than a sound. "The Silver Flame remains protected. The prophecy nears its awakening."
One of the generals, a massive creature of stone and shadow, dared to look up. "The boy is no longer the same. Something ancient shields him. The man of riddles interferes."
The Demon Ruler turned slowly, his eyes glowing like twin infernos. "Then perhaps it is time the shadows remind the world of fear."
A slender general — serpentine and sharp as a blade — hissed, "Do you wish us to strike now, my lord?"
"Not yet," the Ruler growled. "The Vessel must be broken first. His heart… his attachments... are the key. When his hope burns, his soul will follow."
Far away, in the mist-laden peaks of the Silver Sanctum, Kael jolted awake — the same words echoing in his dreams. His forehead dripped with cold sweat, and for a moment, he swore he could still hear the whisper of the Demon Ruler's voice.
Lira rushed to his side. "Another nightmare?"
He nodded. "It wasn't a dream… it was a warning."
Outside, the wind howled. Nerai stepped through the door, her robes dusted with frost.
"You both need to see this."
They followed her out into the open courtyard. The night sky was scarred — a massive tear of crimson light flickered in the distance, spreading slowly like blood through water.
"The barrier between worlds is weakening," Nerai said grimly. "They're coming faster than I expected."
Kael clenched his fists, still trembling from the vision. "Then we go to them first."
Lira turned to him, shocked. "What? Kael, you can barely control your power!"
"Then I'll learn to control it on the battlefield," he said, voice low but steady. "I won't wait for them to burn everything again."
Nerai studied him for a long moment, then gave a faint, knowing smile. "Spoken like one who carries the Flame. But understand this — fire consumes as easily as it protects."
Lightning cracked over the horizon, illuminating the valley below. From the dark fissures in the land, the shadows began to move — armies forming, banners of the Abyss rising once again.
And far behind them, in the heart of the storm, the Demon Ruler whispered to the wind:
"Burn bright, little dragon… until there is nothing left to burn."