The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 128

"Lower," he commanded.

The throne of fire descended. He turned and flopped onto the seat. It immediately began to rise again, stopping when he was about sixteen feet in the air.

His fiery eyes darted left and right. The throne is a bit wide. Should I shrink it? ...Nah. Bigger looks more imposing.

He tilted his young face up, his gaze fixing on the figure floating in the void. A tendril of fire extended, wrapped around her slender waist, and gently pulled her to the foot of the throne. The tendril set her down and dissipated.

His gaze traveled up to the pure white crown. Rhoyce... Humans in this world really are fascinating. He shook off the stray thought, his eyes narrowing.

Red flames gathered on the white crown.

Fwoosh.

The fire flared. A shrill wail echoed in the void as a purple skull burst from the crown. "WHO?! WHO DARES BREAK MY CURSE!"

Noisy pest. The indifference in his eyes deepened. Four tendrils of pure flame materialized and instantly pierced the purple skull.

"AGH!" it shrieked, finally getting a clear look at the situation.

Atop the high throne of fire sat a small figure, the fiery crown burning above his red hair. The purple soul-fire in the skull's sockets flared. The Ninth Crown!

"Great Ninth Crown! Forgive me! Nekaros meant no offense to your majesty!"

The four tendrils tightened, compressing. Feeling its soul being crushed, Nekaros understood the Crown's intent.

"NO—!"

The flames completely enveloped the skull, tightening, compressing. The sphere of fire shrank to the size of a marble and flew back to the figure on the throne.

A pale little hand opened. The flames vanished, leaving a small purple orb. Aiden popped the orb into his mouth, tossing it in a perfect arc.

Tasteless. Bland. Nowhere near as... flavorful as that elven goddess.

Garbage.

He swallowed. The purple fiery sigil in his eyes brightened, just barely. Blech. Definitely trash.

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"Mnn..."

Her eyelashes fluttered, and her eyelids slowly lifted. She pushed herself up on her small hands. Hearing the sound, Aiden looked down from his throne. She's awake. Right. Time to put on the act.

"Human!"

At the voice from above, Isolde looked up, her golden eyes widening.

"I AM one of the high Crowns. The great Ninth Crown. The Crown of Fire. Human, tell me your—"

"Mister Aiden?" Her soft voice was hesitant.

Hmm? What's with this short-lived species? How did she recognize me? Wait... she's not sure.

"Mister Aiden, pretending to be a Crown invites divine punishment."

Okay, now she's sure.

Damn it, how did she know?

The throne of fire dissolved. His form shifted, swelling from the small boy into his massive draconic body.Much better. This form always feels right.

Seeing the red dragon before her, a smile spread across Isolde's face. It really is him. The massive red dragon head drew close, his right eye, with its reptilian pupil, fixed on her.

"How did you know, contractor?"

"Your scent. I'd never forget Mister Aiden's scent."

His eyes narrowed. Scent? Do I have a scent? His nostrils flared. He couldn't smell anything. He stared at her earnest face. She was telling the truth, or at least, her truth.

Fine, scent it is.

His gaze shifted to the crown on her head. "Contractor, you've accepted the Rhoyce inheritance, then?"

"Yes." She nodded, though her golden eyes were clouded with confusion. Becoming the heir to Rhoyce was all too sudden; she was completely unprepared.

"As the heir of Rhoyce, what will you do? Your Empire is being invaded by orcs."

"I... I don't know."

Seeing the lost look on the short-lived species' face, his eyes lit up. Doesn't know? Perfect!

"It seems you require guidance."

"Mister Aiden, will you guide me?" Her confused golden eyes locked onto him as if he were her only anchor.

"Of course!" His muzzle split into a grin. "Tell me your true name, contractor."

"Isolde.Rhoyce. Cassian."

"By my name, I grant Isolde.Rhoyce. Cassian. Fire!"

Red flames erupted from the void, enveloping her body.

His eyes watched the figure transforming in the flames. Heir to the Rhoyce Empire. A very useful title indeed. Heh heh... An empire that old must have a very, very full treasury.

***

Valerius Estate

She sat in her white dress, calmly observing the estate as it burned. Servants rushed frantically, moving valuables. Her slender fingers toyed with the Ring of Valerius on her left hand.

The white crown, the golden hair, those eyes... She truly is of the Rhoyce royal bloodline.

A small smile touched her lips. Isolde... your identity is quite the surprise. Now, I will do everything in my power to help you ascend that Throne.

FWOOM!

A pillar of pure fire descended from the sky, landing in the middle of the inferno. She shot to her feet.

divine favor!

The words flashed in her mind. She looked up. Could it be... the new Crown?

***

The White Throne

A figure sat reclining on the White Throne. His closed eyes snapped open. He sat up, staring at the dark dome of the great hall. A purple, skeletal hand crawled onto his shoulder.

"It seems you were... injured."

The skeletal torso pressed against his back, the purple skull craning over his head. Wisps of golden energy streamed from his white hair into the skull's empty sockets.

"What of it?" the man on the throne growled.

The skull's voice echoed: "It means I will haunt you. I will haunt Rhoyce. I will haunt you until all of humanity is destroyed!"