THE LAST EMBER CROWN 👑

THE LAST EMBER CROWN 9

Chapter 9: The Burning Sands

The whisper echoed inside Kael's mind.

"The Third Crown... is already falling into darkness."

Suddenly, the world around him vanished.

Kael found himself standing in the middle of an endless desert.

The sky burned crimson.

The sun hung unnaturally low, casting blood-red light over endless dunes.

In the distance stood a colossal pyramid wrapped in black chains.

Above it floated a crown of blazing ruby fire.

The Third Crown.

But something was wrong.

Dark shadows coiled around it like serpents, slowly draining its light.

Then the sand beneath Kael's feet trembled.

A monstrous creature burst from the dunes.

It was a giant serpent, its scales black as obsidian and its eyes glowing with molten gold.

Its voice echoed across the desert.

"Hurry... before the Sand King awakens."

The vision shattered.

Kael opened his eyes.

The battle in Aetheris had ended.

The Dread Fortress had retreated after its attack failed, and the remaining Hollowborn disappeared into the clouds with General Varkor.

The city was damaged but still standing.

The silver-haired elder approached Kael.

"You saw it, didn't you?"

Kael nodded.

"The Third Crown."

"The Desert of Ashara," the elder said quietly. "A cursed land where countless heroes have disappeared."

Zeph folded his arms.

"So... another impossible mission."

Lyra looked at Kael.

"When do we leave?"

Kael didn't hesitate.

"Now."

The next morning, the four companions stood at the edge of the Sky Stair.

The people of Aetheris gathered to see them off.

The elder handed Kael a small compass.

It had no needle—only a glowing ember floating inside.

"This Ember Compass always points toward the nearest Crown."

Kael accepted it gratefully.

"Thank you."

Zeph smirked.

"I hope the desert has fewer monsters than the sky."

Lyra raised an eyebrow.

"You've never been to the desert, have you?"

"No."

"You'll see."

After several days of travel, green forests gave way to dry plains.

The air became hotter.

The wind carried grains of golden sand.

Finally, they climbed the last rocky hill.

Before them stretched the Desert of Ashara.

It seemed endless.

Ancient ruins jutted from the dunes like the bones of forgotten giants.

Far away, the top of a black pyramid pierced the horizon.

Kael checked the Ember Compass.

Its glowing ember pointed directly toward the pyramid.

"That's where the Third Crown is."

Before anyone could move—

A voice called from behind.

"Travelers!"

They turned.

An old man wearing flowing desert robes rode toward them on a giant sand lizard.

His long white beard reached his waist, and his amber eyes sparkled with wisdom.

"I am Sahir, keeper of the desert paths."

He glanced at Kael's glowing hand.

"So... the Ember Bearer has finally arrived."

Zeph smiled.

"Everyone seems to know who he is except him."

Sahir laughed.

"The desert has waited a thousand years."

His smile faded.

"But you have come too late."

Kael's heart sank.

"What do you mean?"

Sahir pointed toward the distant pyramid.

Last night...

"The Sand King awakened."

The ground rumbled violently.

The desert split open.

From beneath the sands rose an enormous stone army—thousands of ancient warriors with glowing red eyes and cracked golden armor.

At their center stood a towering figure wearing a crown of black sand.

His eyes burned like twin suns.

He slowly raised a colossal spear.

"The Ember Bearer..."

His deep voice shook the desert.

"I have waited centuries for your arrival."