Chapter 33: THE DUEL OF FLAMEBLOODS.
The Arena of Embers was full.
Not of cheers—
but of silence.
Every citizen of Emberlight, every warrior, scholar, and priestess knew what was at stake:
Not just the throne,
but what kind of world would follow.
Two flames stood at the center of the arena:
Ryon, reborn, bonded, chosen by will.
Vireya, noble-born, temple-backed, crowned in corrupted light.
Between them: the broken crown.
Above them: the System’s invisible eye, calculating every move.
> System Engagement:
FLAMEBLOOD TRIAL – FINAL SEAT INITIATION
Duel Type: Sovereign vs. Challenger
Support Links: Active (4 Pillars)
Wild Disruptions: Detected
System Loyalty Bias: Vireya – 83%
Public Support: Undetermined
Bonded Power Channels: 4/4 Active
Combat Conditions: Lethal Allowed
Vireya raised her hand. From her palm bloomed a black lotus of fire—unnatural, System-modified.
"This kingdom was never meant for you," she said. "You corrupt everything you touch."
Ryon rolled his neck. "Funny. I was thinking the same about you."
They launched forward at the same time.
Her black fire lashed like serpents.
His flame burst upward, bright and defiant—not just his.
Theirs.
Kaela’s power surged through the North Pillar—every strike now twice as hard, every parry lit with divine echo.
> [Boost: Kaela – Flame Reaver]
+30% attack precision | +1 combo multiplier
Aggression Line: Surging
But Vireya was fast. She twisted like a dancer, flinging mirror-flame shards that reflected Ryon’s own heat back at him.
One struck true—piercing his ribs.
He staggered.
Elara’s pulse flared at the South Pillar.
Her ash-cloaked soul wrapped around his wound like a salve.
> [Boost: Elara – Ashguard]
-50% incoming magic damage
Wound Stabilized | Regeneration Initiated
Mid-duel, the air shimmered.
> System Breach Attempt Detected.
Injecting False Thread Recognition
Attempting to Redirect Bonded Flames...
"Don’t look!" Neive shouted from the West Pillar. "It’s feeding illusions!"
Suddenly, the arena shifted around Ryon—each of his bonded women appearing with cold eyes, accusing stares.
> "We never loved you."
"You used us."
"You’re just like the Northern kings."
Ryon gritted his teeth. "Nice try."
Lyria’s East Pillar surged—
> [Boost: Lyria – Prophetic Flame]
Illusions Dispelled | Future Sight x2 seconds
Vision Lock: Vireya’s next 3 moves
He countered.
Dodged.
And then struck—
Straight into her blind spot.
Vireya screamed as her mask cracked—revealing not a woman...
But a vessel.
Her chest glowed—an artificial soul-node pulsing inside her ribcage.
"She’s not bonded," Neive whispered, horrified. "She’s implanted."
Ryon’s voice rang out.
"You never earned your fire. You were manufactured for it."
Vireya shrieked and unleashed everything—walls of black flame, shards of code, forbidden runes.
The arena trembled.
Even Kaela staggered.
Even Shaera leaned forward.
Ryon stood firm.
He raised both hands—
And let all four flames surge through him.
> Kaela’s rage.
Elara’s protection.
Lyria’s insight.
Neive’s disruption.
Then he channeled it into a single, radiant spear—
And hurled it through her chest.
Vireya collapsed.
The fake soul-node shattered into sparks. Her body went limp, but did not die.
She whispered:
"Who... gave you the right...?"
Ryon knelt beside her and answered softly:
"I gave it to myself."
> System Shattered Node Detected.
User: Ryon
Status: VICTOR
Bonded Status: Stabilized
Throne Authority: TRANSFERRED
System Root Layer: UNLOCKED
Title Earned: Sovereign Flame
Harem Threads: 5 / 30
Time Remaining: 3 Days, 19 Hours
As the arena erupted in thunderous silence, Ryon turned to face the people—
Not as a king.
But as the one who rewrote the rules.