"In the year of fractured skies,
A fire child shall rise.
Born of dusk and dawn's last cry,
To burn the chains, or let us die."
The scrolls whispered the verse, century after century. Some called it a bedtime tale. Others, a curse in disguise. But to the rulers of the Elemental Kingdoms, it was a warning written in stars.
And tonight, the stars were shifting.
---
The Ember Temple was alive with tremors.
Its obsidian walls, etched with gold and firestones, flickered with dancing lights as High Priestess Amara placed her hand upon the Sacred Mirror. Her breath caught.
The mirror's center — once dormant — now rippled with molten red, pulsing like a heartbeat.
"No," she whispered. "Already?"
A storm rolled outside the temple, unusual for the Fire Kingdom. Lightning cracked across the sky like an angry signature, as if the heavens themselves had signed off on the prophecy's return.
All around her, the torches blazed higher. Scrolls unrolled themselves. The air turned hot — not from fire — but from power.
She turned quickly.
"Summon Queen Seraphina. At once."
---
👑 The Fire Palace, Ember Throne Room
Queen Seraphina Aurel stood by the balcony, a vision of crimson gold in her silk robe, her crown resting gently on the flames of her hair. Below, the capital city of Cindervale shimmered under the moonlight — unaware.
Unaware that their queen hadn't slept in days.
Unaware that tonight, the Ember Lineage would change forever.
Her hand rested over her rounded belly. She was nine months pregnant, due any moment. But the storm outside wasn't waiting for her comfort. Nor was destiny.
She felt it.
Not pain.
Not fear.
But something ancient — a summoning.
As if the flame in her blood had awakened.
The palace doors burst open.
Amara knelt. "It's time. She comes with the sign, My Queen."
Seraphina's lips parted. Her breath caught — and just then, a fiery pulse rushed through her womb.
The contractions began.
---
⚡ The Birth
Thunder cracked overhead.
Inside the royal birthing chamber, red candles were lit in a circle, forming the old Zodiac Seal. The flames curved toward the Queen's bed, bowing — not to the mother, but to the power about to be born.
Seraphina gripped the sheets as the midwives steadied her.
A blood-red comet blazed across the sky.
And with one final cry, the child arrived —
Eyes wide.
Breath strong.
A birthmark glowing on her chest… the Solar Crest of Aries.
The royal guards outside fell to their knees.
"She has come," whispered Amara, her voice trembling. "The Ember Sovereign."
---
🩸 The Secret Ceremony
But joy was short-lived.
Behind closed doors, Amara turned to Seraphina with urgency.
"My Queen… we must hide her."
"What?" Seraphina sat up weakly. "You just said—"
"She bears the full mark. Not just of Aries. But the flame of the Chosen One. The other kingdoms will come for her."
Seraphina looked down at her daughter, wrapped in golden silk. The mark still glowed faintly beneath her skin.
"She is… mine," the queen said softly. "She is ours. I will not let them silence her fire."
"But you must. For now."
Amara stepped closer. "Let the records name her Seraphina the Second. Do not let them see the crest. Hide her until her power ripens — or she will be hunted before her first birthday."
Thunder rolled again, but this time... it was laughter.
Far across the realm, in the Cloud Citadel of the Air Kingdom, a figure watched the same comet blaze across the sky.
So it begins, the Moon Seer thought.
The game of stars and blood.
Let the Zodiac War rise.
---
✨ Quote Teaser:
"Some stars are born to shine. Others... to set the world on fire."