The flames of destiny were spreading—and somewhere deep in the northern province of Vareth, a storm of blood and fire was about to awaken.
Far North – Crimson Mountains
The fortress known as Dreadspire Keep was carved into the side of a bleeding cliff. The skies above it churned with smoke and ash—yet no volcano had erupted. The fire came from something else.
Inside, in a hall lined with burning torches and mounted dragon skulls, a boy stood alone beneath a vaulted ceiling.
No older than seventeen.
Hair like flame-kissed coal. Eyes sharp, blood-red. He wore a cloak of deep maroon and black steel armor too heavy for most his age.
And around his neck… a chain of dragon fangs.
He stared down at a glowing egg, cradled in a cradle of black obsidian.
It pulsed.
Then cracked.
The chamber trembled.
FWOOSH!
A burst of molten fire erupted from the egg—and from it rose a dragon unlike any other. Massive for a hatchling. Scales the color of dried blood. Eyes glowing with an ancient fury.
The boy stepped forward, unflinching.
"You are mine," he whispered.
The dragon snarled—but instead of attacking, it knelt.
And so was born the third bond.
Enter: RAVEN DRAKE—The Crimson Heir
The torches around the chamber dimmed.
A cloaked woman approached the boy and bowed low. Her face was masked, her eyes hollow.
"Lord Raven," she said softly. "The blood flame has chosen you."
He nodded, touching the newborn dragon's snout. It purred—if such a beast could purr.
"Tell the High Inquisitor," Raven said, "I don't serve the King.I serve the Flame itself."
"But…" the woman hesitated. "The boy—Kael—is alive. And gathering allies."
Raven's smile was a cold blade.
"Good," he whispered."Let him run. Let him believe he's a hero.Because when we meet... he'll realize: some Riders were born to burn—And some were born to rule the ashes."
Meanwhile: Kael and Lira's Journey
The bond with Cinder had deepened. Kael could now hear his dragon's emotions more clearly—pain, hunger, rage. And something else...
Fear.
He's awakened, Cinder said suddenly, one evening.The Crimson Heir. I felt it—like a ripple of fire across the entire world.
Kael turned to Lira. "Who is he?"
Lira's face was grim.
"A myth. A prophecy. A child born of dragon fire and royal blood.The one who was meant to be the Crown's weapon—but chose the Ashborn instead."
"He was never supposed to bond. But if he has…" she looked up at the stars."Then this war has just changed."
Kael clenched his fists.
"Then we need to find the others. Fast. Before the Crimson Heir finds us."
Back at Dreadspire
Raven stood at the edge of the fortress cliffs, his dragon beside him, its wings already grown strong enough to carry them both.
Below them, a valley of soldiers trained. Inquisitors chanted. War beasts roared.
He raised his hand—and black fire coiled from his fingertips like living shadow.
"Kael…" Raven whispered, tasting the name like smoke."You have something that belongs to me."
Chapter End:
Three Riders now walk the world—One born of survival.One of storm and lightning.And one… of pure, burning conquest.
And soon, their destinies will clash—In fire, blood, and the skies above a broken world.