HAREM: WARLOCK OF THE SOUTH

> System Directive:

❖ Event: First Flame Court Convocation in 2,000+ years

❖ Status: Active

❖ Attendees: 5 Thrones + 1 Challenger

❖ Host: Thorn Matron Velka

❖ Location: The Ember Vault (Realm: Timeless Flame)

Ryon stood at the edge of the world—literally.

A rift had opened beneath the ruins of the old Southern Flame Temple, and through it pulsed a steady heartbeat of law and power. A floating obsidian bridge led to a cathedral suspended in flame and mist: The Ember Vault.

He walked forward.

Kaela at his side.

Elara behind him.

Shaera, Maris, Lyria, Neive—and finally, Seris, flame trailing from her fingers like memory smoke.

Each thread shone in their own hue.

Each flame answered to him.

But ahead… the air was cold.

And waiting.

Inside the Ember Vault, five thrones stood in a perfect circle, floating above a crucible of controlled flame.

They were not seated by mortals.

They were force made flesh.

1. Thorn Matron Velka – Eyes still blindfolded, spine straight, her voice like verdicts.

2. The Ice-King – Wrapped in blue fire and frost, face hidden beneath a glacier helm, words slow as time.

3. The Dusk Twins – Two children, conjoined by flame at the back, whispering over one another like nightmares in rhythm.

4. Bloodmother Zharra – Skin red and cracked, veins like lava threads, smiling always—and never kindly.

And now, stepping in—

5. Ryon Flamebound Eight.

The Vault sealed.

The fire stilled.

Velka's voice filled the chamber.

> "Let the Convocation begin.

One flame enters. Many watch.

You are not here to speak.

You are here to answer."

The Ice-King asked:

> "Do you accept the bond as weakness?"

Ryon: "No. I've seen it become strength."

The Dusk Twins asked:

> "Will you sacrifice one of your threads to prove loyalty to flame law?"

Ryon: "I won't sacrifice them. They're the reason I'm standing here."

Bloodmother Zharra leaned forward, lips curling:

> "If we make war on your kind… will you kneel or burn?"

Ryon stared back.

> "Neither. I'll win."

Thorn Matron Velka rose, her presence weighing like a thousand judgments.

> "You are not a flame the System chose.

You are not of the ancient order.

And you reject the new flame court.

Why should you be allowed to stand here at all?"

Ryon stepped forward, flames igniting beneath his feet.

> "Because I survived where your systems failed.

Because I built something none of you dared to try—

A throne made of trust.

A crown of choice.

And flames that don't obey.

They love."

For the first time—

The thrones fell silent.

Velka raised her hand.

> "By flame, we vote:

Should Sovereign Ryon be granted a seat at this Court?"

One by one:

❖ Ice-King: ❌

❖ Dusk Twins: ❌

❖ Bloodmother Zharra: ❌

❖ Velka: ❌

But as they moved to finalize the rejection—

A sixth throne ignited.

Seris.

> "I was not invited. But I burned before you ever formed.

I vote YES."

The flame cracked. The circle broke.

And the Court was no longer unanimous.

> System Fracture Registered

❖ Court Flame Binding Broken

❖ Ryon's Status: Sovereign Outside the Flame

❖ Title Granted: The Fire That Refused the Circle

❖ Flame Authority Gained: Partial Override (Court Level)

❖ New Threat Detected: Court Hostilities Rising

As Ryon turned to leave the Vault, Velka's final words echoed behind him:

> "Then know this, Sovereign.

You've been seen.

You will never be one of us.

But you will always be in the way."

Ryon didn't flinch.

"Then build your empire around me," he said.

"And pray it doesn't fall."