HAREM: WARLOCK OF THE SOUTH

> System Arc Update:

❖ New Phase: Eclipse War – Counterstrike

❖ Objective: Sever One Court Flame Root

❖ Sovereign Status: Rogue Ascendant

❖ Threads: 8 Active / 30

❖ Strategic Advantage: Emotion-Fused Threads Unlocked

The morning after the Inquisition assault, the war room blazed with tension.

A map of the Flame Realms hovered over Ryon's command table, red lines streaking across the South, North, and beyond. Each one marked a flame root — magical anchors connecting the Court's power to the world's leyline network.

"They've held these for centuries," Neive said. "If we sever even one, the entire throne's flame will destabilize."

Kaela cracked her knuckles. "Which one do we break first?"

Seris pointed at a flickering point on the map — one pulsing weirdly.

> "That one. In the Hollow Spires."

Shaera narrowed her eyes. "That's not a root. That's a vault."

Seris smirked. "Exactly. Their oldest secret is buried there."

> Mission Unlocked: Flame Root Assault – Hollow Spires

❖ Objective: Infiltrate the Vault

❖ Hidden Bonus: Locate the "Heart Core"

❖ Threat Level: Extreme

❖ Companion Advantage Required

On the way to the Spires, Ryon found Elara sitting alone—on a cliff, where cold wind pulled the flames sideways.

"You haven't spoken much since the Inquisition," he said.

"I didn't need to," she replied softly. "I was listening to something inside me."

"…And what did it say?"

She turned, her eyes glowing dim white, voice calm:

> "That I wasn't born to serve the fire.

I was born to anchor it.

And what they locked away beneath the Spires…

It responds to me."

> Thread Revelation:

❖ Elara is Flame-Anchored by birth

❖ She can neutralize Court Core Links for up to 60 seconds

❖ Trait Gained: Void-Still Heart – Can suppress flame corruption in allies

❖ Unlock Condition Met: Vault Access Authority (Elara only)

Ryon took her hand.

"I don't care what they designed you for. You're one of us."

Elara looked at him, smiled faintly.

"I know," she said. "But now I know why."

They descended into the Hollow Spires, where black stone screamed and whispered in flame-code.

Dozens of flame constructs guarded the way—programmed to erase flameborn who dared enter without Court clearance.

But Elara stepped forward—

And the entire vault bowed.

Stone unraveled. Flame receded.

And the vault opened to her.

> "Welcome, Anchor. Welcome home."

Inside: a pulsing flame heart the size of a carriage, suspended by thorned chains.

The root that powered Velka's throne.

Ryon stepped into the circle.

"Do we destroy it?" Kaela asked.

Elara shook her head. "No."

Ryon's flame lit. "We steal it."

And so, they did.

> System Shock Detected

❖ Northern Court Root Disconnected

❖ Thorn Matron Throne Unstable

❖ Emotional Pulse Surge Registered

❖ Title Earned: Thronebreaker

❖ Strategic Advantage: Gained

Back in the Ember Vault, Velka staggered as her throne flared and flickered.

"Their fire… reached this far?"

The Dusk Twins whispered in frantic chorus.

The Bloodmother screamed.

The Ice-King froze—then vanished.

And from across the Realms, Sovereigns watched as balance began to tip.

> "The first throne has cracked."

"And it wasn't war that broke it."

"It was flame that chose differently."

Ryon held the stolen root in his hands.

And whispered:

> "One down.

Five more to go."