Far to the east of Durnholme, nestled between jagged cliffs and roaring waterfalls, the fortress-city of Ironridge stood proud and unshaken. It was a symbol of Velkar's might, guarded by enchanted towers, steel gates, and one of the strongest known Tier 5 mages on the continent.
Her name was Selene of the Storm.
In the heart of her tower, she sat cross-legged in a chamber filled with lightning crystals and glowing runes. Her hair flowed like silver rain, and her eyes shone with the fury of a storm contained. Before her floated a report—a parchment sealed with blood.
She read it in silence.
Stonehaven had fallen. Durnholme was now under the control of an unknown warlord known only as the Black Flame. And worse, whispers had begun spreading of a godless church—one not built on worship of the divine, but of a man.
Selene stood and waved her hand. Lightning burst through the scroll, reducing it to ash.
"This cannot go unanswered."
Moments later, she stood before the High Council of Ironridge, seven nobles who held power in the name of the Empire.
"He is not just a rogue sorcerer," Selene said. "He is building a cult. A kingdom. And worse, he is absorbing power through faith. That means he is beyond ordinary Tier 4 mages. If we wait, we will lose everything west of the mountains."
The council argued.
Some dismissed Kael as a madman who would burn out.
Others feared moving the army without direct orders from the Emperor.
Selene listened, but her patience frayed with every word.
"I will deal with him myself," she said finally. "Grant me ten elite spell-knights, and I will bring his head to your feet."
Permission was granted.
Back in Stonehaven, Kael had already begun preparations for the next phase.
He knew Ironridge would respond. He wanted them to.
While Mira trained new recruits and Rogan forged steel day and night, Kael spent his time deep in the underground chamber beneath the chapel, meditating beside the crystal heart.
Each hour, new prayers whispered his name.
Each day, more pilgrims arrived.
The power gathered slowly but steadily, growing stronger than Kael had ever known. The threshold of Tier 5 was near.
He opened his eyes and stood.
"Mira," he called.
She descended into the chamber, dressed in blackened armor. "You called?"
"Send word to our spies. I want to know when Selene moves. She's the storm. But I am the fire. When she arrives, we'll be ready."
He walked past her, Ashveil strapped to his back.
"Ironridge will be mine. Its towers, its gates, its mage. All of it. And when I crush her lightning with my flame, the world will know there is only one fate for those who resist."
Mira watched him go, a strange look in her eyes. Part fear, part awe.
Above them, the black banners of the Flame Emperor flew over Stonehaven, carried by wind and shadow.
And far away, in Ironridge, the storm began to move.