3 Days Later
Location: The Hollow Basin — A neutral territory bound by ancient law. No blood may be spilled here… in theory.
---
The sky was black. Not from night—but from flags.
Each of the Six Factions had arrived with full presence.
Armies. Champions. Generals. Monsters leashed in chains of gold.
And at the center of it all…
A single obsidian stage, shaped like a crown split into six points.
On each spoke of the crown, a faction's representative stood.
And in the middle?
Kairo Veltz.
Alone.
Well, not really.
Gix floated over his shoulder chewing on a lightning bolt.
Lyria Fenvale was behind him, flipping a dagger.
Ayleth Wren stood silent, one hand always near her blade.
---
> "Remind me why we're here again?" Kairo muttered.
> "To be threatened by old people in fancy coats," Gix said. "And maybe get kissed or killed."
> "Both?" Lyria asked.
> "Probably."
---
The First to Speak:
From the Ashen Choir, a woman wrapped in flames stepped forward.
Cardinal Selira — "The Saint of Pyres."
Her face was flawless. Her smile was murder.
> "Cursed Crown," she said sweetly, "have you come to kneel or to burn?"
---
Second:
From the Obsidian Order, Zayne Arkveil—Kairo's childhood friend turned knife-eyed menace—grinned.
> "You always did love a crowd, brother."
"Let's see how loud they scream when they see who you really are."
---
Third:
The Glass Sanctum's Mirael Venla floated forward.
She wore a blindfold laced with runes and spoke in a voice that echoed with other versions of herself.
> "He is unstable," she said.
"His Echoes are not balanced. He should be erased before he unravels time."
---
Fourth:
From the Iron Guild, a literal giant stomped forward.
Forgemaster Rhok, a beast of steel and lightning.
> "He carries a sword. He stands straight. I like him."
"But that doesn't mean we won't crush him."
---
Fifth:
From the Children of Hollow, a tiny girl sat on air and ate candy.
Nyara, the Hollow Seed. Her eyes were black holes.
> "He's funny. He bleeds funny. Let's keep him."
---
Sixth:
And then…
The air shifted.
Velvara appeared. Not from a portal. Not by walking.
She just… was there.
Red hair. White dress. Violin in hand. Eyes stitched shut.
But her presence made half the faction leaders instinctively step back.
> "He is mine," she said. Calm. Cold. Absolute.
> "And if any of you touch him—"
Her violin lifted.
The strings played without sound—and every general on the stage clutched their chest in phantom pain.
---
Kairo blinked.
"...She's really into me, huh?"
---
Ayleth stepped forward.
> "Enough."
She looked at the six leaders.
> "He is not a pawn. Not your weapon. Not your prophecy."
"He is the Crownless—and this summit isn't to question his power."
> "It's to decide if you fear it."
---
Silence.
Then:
Cardinal Selira smiled again.
> "Then let the war begin."
And the summit ended.
No agreement. No alliance.
Only warnings.
---
> "New War State Declared: All Factions — Aggressive."
"Major Arc Initiated: The Crimson War."
"Companions: Ayleth, Lyria, Gix."
"Velvara – Affection ++"
"Echo Surge Predicted in 7 Days."
---
Later, that night…
Kairo sat by a fire. Alone.
Gix floated upside down, bored. Lyria was sharpening her blade with a rock that screamed.
And Ayleth just watched the stars like they might attack.
Kairo whispered to himself.
> "What am I becoming?"
And somewhere far, far away—
A version of himself, with silver wings and black eyes, laughed.
> "Finally… he's waking up."