Far from the chaos of the Crimson Promenade, beneath the iron mountains of Drogmir, seven ancient thrones illuminated under a skyless dome.
A voice, calm but ancient, echoed.
> "It has begun."
They sat cloaked, faceless. Known only by their titles:
1. The Hound – Enforcer of the Council. Known for devouring entire bloodlines.
2. The Dove – Beautiful, sadistic, always smiling. Mistress of manipulation.
3. The Mirror – Sees truth in all lies, and lies in every truth.
4. The Warden – Keeper of forbidden cities.
5. The Ember – Immortal, blind, and mad. Burned alive once by a god.
6. The Crownless King – Betrayed royalty. Leads through vengeance.
7. The Empty Seat – Reserved for the heir of the shadow flame — now stirring.
The Crownless King stood. "Nyra has awakened. The prophecy unfolds."
The Mirror whispered, "And Ochieng… has taken her hand."
---
Ochieng sat on the ruined balcony of the Ivory Clubhouse, shirt bloodied, mind racing.
He could feel it. The world had shifted.
Beside him, Nyra leaned on the railing, her golden eye glowing.
"I made you a god, Ochieng. But they'll come now. Not just for you — but for everything you protect."
Ochieng didn't respond. Not yet. His gaze wandered to the city below — unaware of the black clouds gathering beyond the hills.
---
News spread: the Promenade had collapsed. Billionaire alliances turned sour.
Zarak Kingston, 39, CEO of ZenithTech, blamed Jayden for triggering the event.
Mariel Duarte, 26, heiress of the Duarte Diamonds and a deadly seductress, placed a bounty on Comfort's head, furious that her brother died in the fire.
Meanwhile, Alexei Darnov, 61, trillionaire oil baron, summoned assassins. He wanted Maggy delivered to him — alive.
> "She knows something," he growled, "about the locket and the throne of silence."
---
As the city mourned, a new player landed by private jet.
Amari Nightshade, 23, former Miss Eloria, a deadly beauty with a smile that killed kingdoms.
Profession: International lawyer, seductress, suspected poisoner
Eyes: Smoky emerald
Hair: Deep obsidian waves
Attitude: Calm storm
Background: Born into nothing. Married into a billionaire clan. Killed her husband.
She walked straight into Ochieng's circle.
And smiled at him like he was hers.
Nyra stared at her — unblinking.
> "Two queens," Jayden whispered. "One throne."
---
A mysterious envelope was delivered to each member of Ochieng's circle.
No name. No return address.
Just five words, scrawled in black blood:
"COME TO THE MASQUERADE BALL."
Location: Noir Citadel, a floating palace rumored to exist only during the blood moon.
Date: Three days.
Purpose: Unknown.
But the Council would be there.
And so would every family that ever wanted Ochieng dead.
--