HAREM: WARLOCK OF THE SOUTH

There were maps.

And then there were lies drawn as maps.

The edge of the Southern Empire ended at the volcanic Sea of Ash, where the sky never cleared and the earth wept embers. Beyond it, legend said, was nothing.

But Maris knew better.

So did the System.

And now, so did Ryon.

> System Directive Override:

Sovereign is crossing into Red Zone Territory

Warning: You are leaving System-regulated space

Thread Stability May Fracture

Last Known Coordinates of Q-Ω: Hidden Realm – Gravemind Expanse

Entry Cost: One Sovereign Core

Status: Irreversible

Ryon didn't go alone.

He chose six to accompany him:

Kaela – because war would follow them like shadow to light.

Lyria – to interpret prophetic echoes near the Graveyard.

Neive – to read the ancient System runes etched into lost Sovereign bones.

Shaera – because the wild lands beyond would devour the weak.

Maris – the key to unlocking the hidden gate.

Elara – not because she asked… but because she never did.

As they departed, the palace watched them like a silent god. Unblessing. Unhelping.

But they carried their own flame.

They crossed it on a flame-powered skiff, its hull reinforced with dragonbone and coded magic. It took three days and twelve attacks—from flame-wyrms, fire banshees, and collapsing molten bridges.

Kaela lost a part of her blade.

Shaera nearly lost her arm.

But no one died.

When they reached the other side, there was no welcome.

Only silence—

And a gate.

A massive one, carved into the side of a canyon of black stone. Covered in glowing runes none of them recognized except Maris.

She whispered the name.

> "Gravemind Expanse."

> System Entry Seal Detected

Lock: Sovereign Thread Only

Required: Blood Offering of a Chosen One

Cost: One Bond Thread Must Burn Out Temporarily

Ryon turned.

No one volunteered.

But Elara stepped forward.

"I'll burn for you," she said softly. "Just for a while."

Ryon's heart twisted. "Elara…"

"Don't argue," she said. "I'm already ash. I know how to come back."

She kissed his cheek—

Then walked into the rune circle and vanished in a burst of blue fire.

> Bond Severed: Elara – Status: Stasis Flame

Countdown to Reactivation: 24 Hours

Thread Pain Registered

Sovereign Core Unlocked: 1

Gate Opening…

Beyond the gate, they stepped into a vast, silent city.

It was not made for mortals.

It was shaped from black flame-glass, with towers like ribs and plazas like ancient altars.

And everywhere—

Bodies.

Statues.

Remains of former Sovereigns—each frozen mid-movement, weapons half-drawn, eyes glassy with final thoughts. Dozens. Hundreds.

Some still glowed faintly.

Some whispered as they passed.

Neive dropped to her knees.

"They were all… like you."

Lyria wept openly.

Kaela said nothing.

Shaera growled. "This is a trap."

But Maris stepped ahead and whispered:

"No. This is a warning. These are the ones who chose wrong."

> System Fragment Detected

Message Playback Initiated:

"If you hear this… then you've survived the lie.

You are flame-born, Sovereign-made, and bound for ruin.

But ruin is not the end.

Find me.

I am not dead yet."

– Q-Ω