Chapter 17: The Dawning of Five Flames
Five years.
In the ever-breathing, mana-rich world of Arcania, time flowed like an enchanted melody—each day a note in the symphony of the extraordinary. And now, that symphony had reached a special crescendo: the fifth birthday of Prince Phoenix Bennith Nightshade, heir to the Dragon Empire and Vampire Dynasty.
He had grown—his snow-pale skin now kissed with a healthy blush from the thousands of sunrises he'd run under; his dark violet hair fell to his shoulders in soft waves; and his eyes—those fierce, mysterious orbs, one red as bloodfire, the other violet like stormlight—sparkled with wonder and mischief alike.
A thousand skywhales soared across the heavens in tribute. Thousands more mana-charged ribbons weaved through the clouds as the entire realm of dragons and vampires declared a week-long festival.
Yet today—this day—belonged only to one child.
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A Palace Awoken by Celebration
The sun had barely crested the horizon when the Dracovian Imperial Palace roared to life. Castle maids sang cheerful hymns laced with light magic, the air shimmering in harmony. Dragonic guard units donned ceremonial armor lined with purple velvet, while vampire battalions prepared blood-silk banners to line the grand courtyard.
In the heart of the sky-high palace—on the ninety-ninth floating balcony, specially enchanted with perpetual moonlight and a view of the entire continent—Phoenix slept, unaware.
Or so they thought.
"Ten. Nine. Eight…" Phoenix whispered, peeking out from under his bed's many silken covers.
His sisters had tried to surprise him every year. He wasn't falling for it this time.
"Three… two… one—"
BOOM!
The bedroom doors burst open in a dramatic whirl of sparkles and giggles.
"SURPRISE!"
A gust of magical confetti flew through the room, as nine powerful, stunning women appeared, all dressed in an assortment of themed birthday costumes—from knight to neko-maid to magical healer—and all of them his doting older sisters.
Phoenix groaned dramatically. "Ugh, I'm under attack again…"
"By love and affection!" cried Diana, the third sister, a silver-haired dragon mage who immediately tackled him with a pillow.
"Phoenix, today's your day!" sang Aurora, the sixth sister, with hair of golden flame, as she floated upside-down, dropping enchanted glitter into his hair.
"No! I demand sleep!" he tried to protest, but it was too late.
In mere seconds, he was buried under hugs, tickles, and a mountain of magically summoned stuffed toys.
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The Ceremony of Stars
The royal birthday of a child born of two empires wasn't just a party—it was a global event. Today, every continent's top dignitaries, monarchs, generals, and guildmasters were attending the grand ceremony on the Celestial Skystage—a floating platform above the Central Continent, shaped like a lotus flower with star-like petals.
Phoenix, now fully dressed in his ceremonial robes—midnight-black silk with glowing crimson and violet trim—stood beside his mother and father. Rose Nightshade and Rudeus Bennith were radiant together. She wore a gown of living blood roses; he wore armor forged from core-dragon scales.
Trumpets forged from wind magic echoed across the platform as the Master of Ceremonies, a nine-eyed fairy sage, stepped forth.
"By decree of the Great Empires, we gather in honor of the Fifth Year of Prince Phoenix Nightshade Bennith—Son of Flame, Light of the Stars, and future beacon of the realms!"
Thunderous applause and cheers shook the clouds themselves.
But Phoenix was only half-listening. His attention had shifted to the newly arriving royal guests... and their daughters.
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Glimpses of Fate
Among the elegant, glowing carriages and regal beasts that arrived, one by one, each ruler stepped onto the stage with grace befitting their status.
Empress Lara Stardust of the Fairy Continent arrived atop a giant butterfly of stardust and illusion. At her side walked a girl with hair that shimmered like moonlight on water and translucent wings veined with runes. She seemed shy, but when her eyes met Phoenix's… time paused.
Empress Elsa Morality of the Witch Continent conjured her entrance through a mirror of cosmic stars. Her daughter emerged behind her, wearing a playful grin and a cloak made of enchanted night mist. She gave Phoenix a wink—one that made his face go redder than dragonfire.
Empress Riya Fennir, ruler of the Werewolves, marched in with booming laughter, her fur cloak dragging lightning behind her. Her daughter, taller than Phoenix, with silver hair and amber eyes, sniffed the air and muttered, "He smells like trouble." But she smiled anyway.
Empress Athena Yggdrasil, from the Elven Continent, stepped with the grace of centuries. Her daughter glowed with healing light. When she bowed, even the air seemed to sigh with enchantment.
One after another, the daughters of rulers from across Arcania took their place. And Phoenix, despite being five years old, felt something... different in the air.
Not pressure. Not fear. Something warmer.
Connection.
Destiny.
And it was just beginning.
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Private Moments and Magical Mishaps
Later that evening, the official banquet took place in a flying crystal ballroom. Dozens of food stalls hovered mid-air, each offering a specialty: caramel mana apples, roasted soulfish, cinnamon stardust pastries, lava fudge, floating nectar balls…
Phoenix was supposed to be on his "best princely behavior," but after accidentally tripping over a mana-spun tablecloth and launching a bowl of pudding into the sky (which a fairy girl caught with a squeal and a laugh), the rule sort of evaporated.
He was running. Playing tag with royal daughters from all across the world. Being chased by a werewolf girl who called him "twig legs." Being teased by a witch girl who tried turning his hair pink (successfully). Sharing laughter with a birdkin princess who flew loops around him.
Meanwhile, from the edge of the balcony, Empress Rose watched in silence, a soft smile on her lips.
"He's growing up," she whispered.
Rudeus nodded. "The world will chase him soon."
"And so will their daughters."
They clinked glasses and turned to the stars.
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The Midnight Blessing
When the festival drew to a close, the royal family returned to the Sky Throne, where Phoenix stood upon the Mirror of Light, a holy artifact said to reveal the essence of one's soul.
As he stepped onto it, the entire sky shimmered. From the east, dragons roared. From the west, ancient vampire songs echoed. From the heavens, celestial mana rained down in slow golden droplets.
The mirror glowed.
And for the first time in Arcania's history, it showed two flames—one red, one violet—swirling around a bright, golden core.
Gasps echoed. Even the Oracle Seers fell silent.
Empress Rose's heart stopped for just a moment. Rudeus gripped his throne tighter.
The Oracle stepped forward, trembling. "The Phoenix Flame has awakened… early."
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Phoenix had no idea what just happened.
He just yawned and said, "Can I get more pudding?"
The entire realm laughed.