The mountain behind them was nothing but smoke and ash, a grave for the old world. Kael led the way across the volcanic plains with the Emberfang strapped across his back, Seraphine close at his side. His brothers—Malric, Dareth, and Soren—followed in quiet reverence, each nursing wounds that ran deeper than flesh.
The demon clans had fractured long ago, scattered after Ashar's rise. Now, they would either unite—or be crushed.
Their destination: The Hollow Citadel, an ancient fortress carved into a dead mountain, once the heart of demonkind's empire.
"Do you think they'll follow you?" Seraphine asked quietly as they approached the obsidian gates, guarded by flame-wreathed sentinels.
"No," Kael said. "But they'll follow what I carry."
He laid his hand on the Emberfang. The sword pulsed with firelight—alive with the blood of true kings.
The gates opened slowly.
The great hall of the Hollow Citadel was vast, rimmed with broken thrones, towering braziers, and ancient statues of demon rulers. The air crackled with tension as Kael stood before the gathered remnants of the clans.
There were only five now—once there had been twelve.
The leaders stepped forward:
Lady Vharis of the Emberbound, her skin cracked like magma.
Wroth, brute of the Ironfang clan.
Talien the Pale, leader of the Shadelords.
Syra, cold-eyed heiress of the Wyrmkin.
And Vael, a sly-eyed trickster of the Smokeveil.
They eyed Kael with suspicion and curiosity.
"Ashar still breathes," Kael said, voice firm. "But he's fractured. We have one chance to rise—together—or we'll fall, scattered and hunted like beasts."
"You carry the Emberfang," Lady Vharis murmured. "That makes you heir. But it does not make you king."
"Then test me," Kael challenged. "But know this—I won't fight my kin. I'll fight for them."
A murmur passed among the council. Respect. Uncertainty. A glimmer of hope.
"We'll vote by nightfall," Talien said. "Rest. But watch your back, halfblood."
That night, Kael stood at the overlook of the Hollow Citadel, staring at the fractured moonlight. Seraphine joined him, wrapping her cloak around his shoulders.
"They'll choose you," she said.
"Maybe," Kael replied. "But one of them doesn't want a vote. They want a coup."
Down the hall, unseen, a pair of eyes watched.
Later, as Seraphine walked alone toward the lower gardens, a shadow moved behind her.
She turned too late.
A dagger, slick with venom, sliced her side.
She gasped, staggered—and caught sight of her attacker.
Vael.
"You should have stayed in your soft little human kingdom," he sneered. "You're the weakness that will undo him."
Seraphine fell to her knees, vision blurring.
"Kael… won't forgive you…"
Vael smiled cruelly.
"I'm counting on that."
Kael felt the surge in his chest before the cry ever reached him. His fire snapped awake.
He found her in the garden, pale and still, blood soaking the stone.
"No…" he whispered, dropping to his knees.
Soren came rushing behind him. "She's alive—barely. But that blade… it was Shadowfang steel. Cursed."
Kael's hands trembled as he lifted her.
"Then I'll burn every shadow to save her."
His flames surged outward, lighting the night sky above the Citadel.
"VAEL!" Kael roared. "SHOW YOUR FACE!"
The clans gathered as Kael stormed into the council chamber, holding Seraphine's bloodied cloak.
"He tried to kill her. For what? Fear of unity? Of peace?"
No one spoke.
Until Malric stepped forward, voice low and firm.
"He defied demonlaw. The punishment is fire."
Kael didn't wait for permission.
He summoned his fire—not red, but gold-white—and burned Vael where he stood.
Not a scream escaped the traitor's lips. Only ash remained.
The next morning, Seraphine slept in a healing ward, watched over by Soren and Lady Vharis herself.
The clans convened.
Kael stood alone before them.
"No more games. I'm not here to take your thrones. I'm here to rebuild our world."
Talien, surprisingly, nodded. "You burned the traitor. Protected the innocent. And held back your wrath until it mattered."
Lady Vharis raised a fist. "I vote yes."
One by one, the others followed.
Unanimous.
The Demon Clans had a new High Lord.
Kael of Flame and Thorn.