The storm came at dusk.
Winds lashed Marcus's cottage, and thunder rumbled like war drums in the sky. He barely noticed. His eyes were locked on the egg.
It was glowing now—not with the soft warmth of days before, but with fire in its core. Veins of golden light pulsed along the shell like a heartbeat. Marcus had spent the past nights trying to understand it. Reading old tales. Whispering to it. Watching it.
Tonight, it answered.
As he placed his hand on the egg again, the ground trembled. A crack formed—thin and spidering across the surface. Then another. Marcus stumbled back as the egg pulsed with heat and light.
And in that moment, he saw a vision.
Not a dream, but a memory—flames sweeping across kingdoms, thrones burned to ash, and a single rider cloaked in black and gold atop a dragon whose eyes matched his own.
When he awoke on the floor, gasping, the egg was still. But the crack remained.
The dragon was coming.
—
Far from Marcus's cottage, the great kingdoms stirred.
The Realm of Man was divided into eight powerful kingdoms, held together by fragile peace and even more fragile loyalty:
Sapphire – The central kingdom and political heart of the realm, ruled by King Levi Daemon, known for his justice and strength. Its wealth and neutrality have kept it in power, but enemies circle like wolves.
Ironholde – A brutal, iron-willed kingdom in the mountains, ruled by House Varran, warlords who forge steel and soldiers alike. They distrust magic and believe dragons are a threat to mankind's dominion.
Velmora – A scholarly kingdom of secrets and sorcery, ruled by Queen Selene of House Marros, who believes knowledge is the greatest weapon. She has long sought signs of ancient magic returning.
Thalorwyn – A proud, forest-rich kingdom ruled by King Renmar Thorne, known for his traditionalist views and disdain for change. His people are devout followers of the Old Faith and resist the rise of fireborn legends.
Zar-Khalan – A desert kingdom of forgotten glories, ruled by Empress Vireya, descendant of dragon-worshippers. She believes the return of dragons will mark the rise of her bloodline once again.
Morvain – A northern land of ice and honor, led by High King Edrik Greymoor, whose people still tell stories of dragons slain by their ancestors. They fear fire, but respect strength.
Drel'Thar – The darkest of the kingdoms, shrouded in mystery and death. Its ruler, Lord Malrec of the Black Court, rarely leaves his fortress. Whispers claim he communes with the dead and knows when the flame will return.
Aethermere – A sky kingdom once thought lost, ruled by Lady Solari Vael, a visionary who believes dragons are not beasts, but messengers of balance. Her floating cities are a marvel of lost technology and prophecy.
Each kingdom has its secrets. Each ruler, their own ambition.
But as rumors of tremors in Sapphire spread, and whispers of flame reach distant ears, the game begins.
Old alliances will break. Blood will be spilled. And the last ember will spark a fire that could burn—or bind—the entire realm.