Chapter Nineteen: The Storm Unleashed
The world was holding its breath.
Sapphire, once a symbol of prosperity and unity, now stood fractured, its future uncertain. The news of King Levi's death had shattered the kingdom's delicate peace, and Marcus's flight, along with Alina, had marked the beginning of a new chapter—a chapter that no one could predict.
The winds of change were sweeping across the kingdoms, and each ruler was preparing for the inevitable war that would decide the fate of the throne. The alliances were shifting, and old enemies were sharpening their blades, waiting for the right moment to strike.
---
Sapphire, the kingdom that had once held the power of the dragons and commanded respect among the others, was now fractured. Marcus, now with the Morvain at his side, was beginning to gather support, but even with the strength of the desert warriors behind him, it would not be enough to secure the throne without the backing of other kingdoms. His eyes turned toward the horizon, to the distant lands of the Ironholde , Thalorwyn and Aethermere , each with their own ambitions, each with their own claim.
---
In Ironholde, the heart of the kingdom was cold, like the steel that ran through its veins. King Varren, a ruthless monarch, had always believed in power by force. Ironholde's ironclad army had been the backbone of the kingdom's strength, and King Varren's bloodline was known for its ruthless efficiency in war. His daughter, Princess Ingrid, was a skilled warrior in her own right and shared her father's thirst for control.
Varren's eyes had been fixed on Sapphire for years. With Levi's death, the opportunity to strike was more tempting than ever.
"If Marcus Daemon thinks he can command the throne of Sapphire, he's gravely mistaken," King Varren growled to his council. "We've waited long enough. It's time to strike."
Princess Ingrid stood silently at his side, her gaze cold and calculating. "If we move too early, we risk provoking Valmora. But if we wait too long, we may find ourselves playing a losing game."
Varren's grip tightened around his sword. "We strike when the time is right. And that time is soon."
---
In Valmora, the ambitious Prince Alric had been quick to consolidate his power. With the conquest of Drel'thar and Zar-Khalan, he was now one of the most powerful figures in the region. His forces were vast, and his reputation as a ruthless strategist was well-known. His younger sister, princess Vaenya, had her own ambitions, and though they were united in their thirst for power, each harbored dreams of ruling on their own.
Alric had heard whispers of Marcus Daemon's alliance with the Morvain, and he knew that the key to winning the throne of Sapphire was to destroy that alliance before it could grow too strong.
"We will not let a bastard with a dragon claim what is rightfully mine," Alric said, his voice cold. "We will strike before Marcus can rally enough forces. The Morvain will be dealt with. And when we take Sapphire, no one will stand in our way."
---
In Thaloram, an ancient kingdom of scholars and mystics, King Renmar Thorne had always believed that power came from knowledge, not armies. The land was rich in arcane magic, and the people of Thaloram had long relied on their deep understanding of the world's mysteries to maintain their sovereignty. But now, as the winds of war approached, Thorne knew that even magic might not be enough.
"I can feel it," King Thorne muttered to his advisors. "The balance is shifting. The dragons are stirring again, and with them, the ancient forces of the world."
His advisor, Master Lucius, stepped forward. "Then we must act, Your Majesty. We cannot afford to let the other kingdoms control the fate of Sapphire. We must secure our own claim."
"I agree," Thorne replied, his voice grim. "But we will not be drawn into the open conflict just yet. Our time will come. We must prepare. We will wait until the right moment—until the dragon returns."
---
In Zar-Khalan, the desert kingdom ruled by Empress Vireya, preparations for war were already underway. Zar-Khalan had long been a land of nomads, but was captured by the Valmora's
His daughter, Princess Zira, was no stranger to the battlefield. "We will not let Velmora or Ironholde take Sapphire without a fight. If the dragon truly has returned, it will be ours." so she says but she's on the run since their kingdom has been captured
---
In Aethermere, the kingdom known for its seafaring warriors and powerful fleets, lady solari vael had her sights set on the throne of Sapphire as well. Aethermere was a land of merchants and pirates, but its navy was unmatched. Vael had long desired to expand her kingdom's influence, and now was the perfect time.
"If we cannot take the throne through blood," Vael mused, "we will take it through the sea. The others will be too distracted by land wars. We will take the throne from the coast."
Her son, Prince Lorian, stood by her side, eager to prove himself. "We will take them by surprise. Our ships are faster and stronger than anything the other kingdoms can muster."
---
Back in Sapphire, the weight of the decisions weighed heavily on Marcus's shoulders. He had secured the Morvain, but that was only the first step. To win the throne, he would need to unify the fractured remnants of his kingdom. His mind raced with plans and strategies. There was no time to lose.
"Alina, we need to strike now. Before the other kingdoms realize how weak we've become," Marcus said, his voice filled with urgency.
Alina nodded, her eyes sharp. "We can't wait any longer. The kingdoms are already making their moves. They will come for Sapphire soon. If we don't act, we'll be swallowed by them."
Marcus's resolve hardened. "Then we make our stand now. We'll rally what we can, and we'll fight."
The fire in his eyes burned brighter than ever. He had made his choice, and there was no turning back. Sapphire, the once-mighty kingdom, had been brought to its knees—but it would not fall without a fight.
---
The armies of the Seven Kingdoms were gathering.
Velmora with its brutal conquests and relentless ambition, Ironholde with its ironclad might, Thaloram with its magic, Zar-Khalan with its fierce desert warriors, Morvain with their deadly desert blood, and Aethermere with its swift fleets—all were preparing for war. And at the center of it all, Sapphire, with its last hope in Marcus Daemon, its bastard heir, and a dragon that had long been hidden from the world.
A brief history on how the war is grooming with his brother (Cael) as king of Sapphire
War was coming.
And the Last Ember of Sapphire's greatness would either rise or burn to ash.