THE LAST EMBER CROWN 👑

THE LAST EMBER CROWN 6

Chapter 6: The City Above the Clouds

A blinding flash of gold and black erupted from the clash between Kael's hammer and General Varkor's sword.

The force of the explosion tore through the forest, uprooting ancient trees and sending both warriors flying in opposite directions.

Kael crashed onto the edge of the crystal lake. His vision blurred as the First Ember Crown slipped from his head and dissolved into a stream of golden light, merging with the Ember Seal on his hand.

"It... became part of me?" he whispered.

Lyra rushed to his side.

"You don't wear the Crown," she said. "Once it accepts you, it lives within your soul."

Before Kael could reply, the ground shook again.

The forest split open, and a pillar of silver light shot into the sky.

Seraphine looked up in alarm.

"The Second Crown has awakened."

"Where is it?" Kael asked.

She pointed toward the heavens.

"High above the clouds... in the forgotten city of Aetheris."

Varkor rose from the smoke, his armor cracked but his eyes burning with rage.

"This battle is over," he growled. "But the next one will end with your death, Ember Bearer."

Dark mist surrounded him, and in an instant, he vanished with the remaining Hollowborn.

Silence returned to the forest.

The next morning, Eldros, though badly weakened, led Kael and Lyra to the forest's northern edge.

"There is only one path to Aetheris," the ancient guardian said.

"The Sky Stair."

He handed Kael a small emerald crystal.

"This will guide you when the clouds hide the way."

Kael accepted it with gratitude.

"Thank you... for everything."

Eldros smiled.

"The forest remembers those who protect it."

With that, he returned to the ancient woods.

Days later, Kael and Lyra reached the base of a towering mountain.

A staircase of floating stone stretched upward into the clouds.

Each step hovered in the air, glowing faintly with ancient runes.

"This is the Sky Stair?" Kael asked.

Lyra nodded.

"It only appears to those chosen by the Crowns."

As they climbed, the air grew colder.

The clouds parted.

Kael stopped in awe.

Before them floated a magnificent city suspended in the sky.

Crystal towers sparkled in the sunlight.

Golden bridges connected floating islands.

Waterfalls poured into the empty sky, vanishing into the clouds below.

"Aetheris..." Lyra whispered.

"The City Above the Clouds."

As they stepped through its towering gates, a squad of armored guards surrounded them.

Their captain lowered a silver spear.

"No outsiders are permitted."

Then his eyes fell on Kael's glowing Ember Seal.

His expression changed instantly.

He dropped to one knee.

"The Ember Bearer..."

Within seconds, every guard in the square knelt.

Bells rang throughout the floating city.

People poured from their homes, staring in amazement.

"The prophecy..." someone whispered.

"He has finally come."

Kael looked at Lyra, confused.

"I've never even heard of this place."

Lyra smiled faintly.

"But they've been waiting for you... for a thousand years."

Far above them, in the highest tower of Aetheris, a cloaked figure watched from a balcony.

His eyes glowed with silver light.

"So," he murmured.

"The game has truly begun."

Behind him, a pedestal stood empty—except for a faint aura where the Second Crown should have rested.

"It has already been stolen."