THE LAST EMBER CROWN 👑

THE LAST EMBER CROWN 7

Chapter 7: The Sky Thief

The celebration ended in an instant.

BOOOOM!

The clear sky darkened as thunder rolled across Aetheris. Citizens screamed and scattered while the city bells rang frantically.

From the storm clouds descended a colossal black wyvern. Its wings stretched wider than the city's largest bridge, and every beat of its wings sent fierce winds through the streets.

Standing on its back was a young man dressed in black armor trimmed with silver. A glowing sapphire crown rested upon his head.

His icy blue eyes met Kael's.

"So..." he said with a grin. "The Ember Bearer finally arrived."

The guards raised their weapons.

"Protect the city!"

The stranger laughed.

"You'll need more than spears."

He snapped his fingers.

The Second Crown blazed with blue light.

A hurricane burst from the sky, tossing soldiers and market stalls into the air.

Kael planted his feet, barely holding his ground.

"Who are you?" he shouted.

The young man bowed dramatically.

"My name is Zeph Varyn."

"The greatest sky thief in all of Elyndor."

He tapped the glowing crown on his head.

"And this beautiful treasure belongs to me now."

A silver-haired elder stepped from the palace.

"You fool!" he cried.

"The Sky Crown does not belong to thieves!"

Zeph smiled.

"Then come and take it."

With a wave of his hand, dozens of blades made entirely of wind appeared around him.

They shot toward the palace like arrows.

Kael reacted without thinking.

The Ember Seal ignited.

A wall of golden fire erupted before the palace, melting the wind blades into harmless sparks.

Zeph stared in surprise.

"So the stories are true..."

"You really can wield Ember Fire."

He leaped from the wyvern, landing gracefully in the city square.

"Let's see if you're worthy."

Kael lifted Rowan's enchanted hammer.

"I don't want to fight."

Zeph laughed.

"Everyone says that."

Then they attacked.

Zeph moved like the wind itself.

His sword flashed too quickly for Kael to follow.

Within seconds, Kael found himself knocked to one knee.

"Too slow," Zeph teased.

Kael clenched his fists.

"I'm still learning."

"Then learn faster."

Zeph disappeared in a blur.

A sharp gust of wind struck Kael from behind.

Before another attack could land—

Lyra stepped between them.

Her silver blade clashed against Zeph's sword.

The impact echoed across the city.

"I'll handle him," she said.

Kael noticed something strange.

Zeph wasn't smiling anymore.

He looked at Lyra with recognition.

"...You."

Lyra's eyes narrowed.

"You remember me."

"You left the Shadow Guild."

"And you stole something that never belonged to them."

For a moment, neither moved.

Then the wyvern roared from above.

A dark spear shot from the storm clouds.

It pierced the creature's wing.

The wyvern screamed.

Everyone looked up.

Hovering above the clouds was a massive black warship surrounded by Hollowborn.

General Varkor stood at its bow.

His voice thundered across the sky.

"The Sky Crown belongs to the Hollow King."

Zeph's confident smile vanished.

Without hesitation, he turned to Kael.

"I don't like you..."

He glanced at Varkor.

"...but I hate him even more."

Zeph ripped the Second Crown from his head and threw it toward Kael.

"Catch it!"

Kael reached out as the glowing crown flew through the air.

Behind him, Varkor drew a colossal black bow.

A single arrow of darkness formed on its string.

He aimed directly at Kael.

"...Die, Ember Bearer."