HAREM: WARLOCK OF THE SOUTH

> Incoming Flame Court Transmission

❖ Source: North Flame Court

❖ Title: Thorn Matron of Balance

❖ Directive: Summon the Rogue Sovereign

❖ Message Format: Bloodbound Flame Echo

The sky turned violet.

A bloom of flame-threads—woven into a thorned crown—descended from above, hovering over Ryon's camp like judgment made manifest.

It burned cold.

Not like fire.

Like law.

A voice echoed from within:

> "Sovereign Ryon of the South.

You have awakened forbidden bonds.

Unsealed an abandoned queen.

And rejected the Core Flame's design.

The Court demands your presence."

The flame shimmered—

And the figure of a woman formed.

Tall. Regal. Eyes blindfolded with silver thread. Skin of dusk-iron and lips red as smoldered wine.

She was not beautiful.

She was final.

> "I am Thorn Matron Velka.

I speak for Balance.

You will answer."

Kaela's blade was halfway drawn. "No one speaks to him like that."

Seris narrowed her gaze. "She's not a judge. She's a leash with a crown."

Maris trembled slightly. "I feel no emotion from her. No flamepulse. No soul."

Lyria murmured, "This one sees only outcomes. Not hearts."

Shaera growled. "Let me tear her apart."

Neive, eyes darting across the strange interface, added quietly: "She speaks in a format older than the System."

Elara simply asked, "Do we burn this message… or answer it?"

Ryon stepped forward.

His words were calm.

> "We answer. But on my terms."

> Response Sent:

"I will come. But not to bow.

I bring fire. I bring bond.

I bring the Sovereign the world forgot."

– Ryon, Flamebound Eight

The image of Velka pulsed once.

"I expected pride," she said. "But not clarity."

Then:

> "You will attend the Convocation of the Flame Court.

There, you will stand before the other risen Sovereigns:

– The Ice-King of the Eastern Rift

– The Dusk Twins of the Hollow Winds

– The Bloodmother of the Scorched Deep

– And Me."

> "One seat remains.

Yours.

If you survive."

And then—

> "If not, we'll reclaim your threads. Piece by piece."

The crown shattered into sparks.

The message ended.

> System Echo:

❖ New Arc Initiated: Flame Court War (Ch. 46–65)

❖ Objective: Attend the Court / Challenge the Thrones

❖ Risk Level: Extreme

❖ Hidden Objective: Break the Crown Protocol

❖ Bonus Path Unlocked: Thread Ascension Trials (Optional)

That night, as the camp cooled from tension, Ryon sat with Seris alone.

"They'll never accept what we are," he said.

"No," she agreed. "Because they see fire as control. We see it as choice."

He looked at her.

Then at the flickering flames of his eight threads.

And whispered—

> "Let's show them what happens when fire chooses freedom."