The next morning, Kavaria buzzed with quiet tension.
Though no headlines spoke of it, the city's old bones seemed to sense something had stirred beneath them. A vibration in the air. A current in the soul.
At the Grand Solaris Hotel—a discreet five-star gem hidden in Kavaria's diplomatic quarter—Chess stood by the window of the penthouse suite, shirtless, his back laced with old scars, muscles tense as he stared into the sunrise. In his hand, the second seal still pulsed faintly, as if alive.
Elsa stirred behind him, her voice soft. "You didn't sleep."
He didn't turn. "No time to."
She stepped out of bed, wrapping herself in his coat, her hair wild and beautiful. She crossed to him, her hand finding his bare back. "You're burning up," she said, touching his skin. "The seal?"
Chess finally looked at her. "It's syncing with me. I don't know if that's good or not."
Elsa looked down at the flame-shaped sigil. "What happens when all seven are found?"
His jaw tightened. "Legend says the Seven Seals will unlock the Dragon Throne—the inheritance of the Ancient Sect, and with it, the power to reshape nations."
Elsa raised a brow. "That sounds like something dangerous in the wrong hands."
Chess nodded. "That's why I left the sect. I wanted no part of that war."
"But now…?"
He exhaled. "Now it's no longer about want. It's coming, whether we're ready or not."
Meanwhile – Deep in the Highlands of Kavaria
The cloaked woman with silver eyes stood at the edge of a temple ruin—one not found on any map.
Around her, the landscape shimmered with a faint, golden aura—residual energy from the first seal. Her hair fluttered in the wind, silver and black, her eyes like twin moons.
She knelt, pressing her palm to the earth.
The energy whispered.
He's activated the second seal. The flame is alive again.
She smiled faintly. "Good. The pieces move toward their end."
A soft breeze carried a voice behind her.
"You've watched him for years. Why not reveal yourself?"
She didn't turn. "Because it's not time yet. If Chess Golding is truly worthy, he'll come to me."
Back in Kavaria – Solaris Hotel
Chess sat on the edge of the bed now, booting up his encrypted tablet. News feeds from Valemir lit the screen—business upheavals, rumors about Jefferson Global, and Kip Mandari's name starting to circulate in less flattering terms.
Elsa leaned over his shoulder.
"He's moving fast," she said. "Trying to rebuild his image before the board turns on him."
"He's losing ground," Chess replied. "But not fast enough. I don't trust his retreat."
Elsa narrowed her eyes. "He won't back down. He's too close to something. Maybe even the seals."
Chess gave her a look. "You think Kip's after them?"
"I think Kip doesn't move unless he sees a throne at the end of the path."
That gave Chess pause.
"What if someone's using him?" he asked quietly.
They both went still at the thought.
The seal on the table pulsed again.
Chess stood up. "We leave for Valemir tonight. But first—we stop by someone who might have answers."
Elsa looked surprised. "Who?"
Chess's voice was low.
"An exiled keeper. One of the last guardians of the Supreme Martial Sect."
Later – Remote Hermitage on the Edge of Kavaria
The old temple stood hidden within a waterfall's veil, forgotten by most.
Chess and Elsa made their way through slippery rocks, the roar of water echoing like thunder. At the mouth of the temple, a man waited.
Bent, grey-bearded, wearing robes so old they looked grown from stone.
He smiled when he saw Chess.
"So… you finally came," the old man rasped.
"Master Tao," Chess said, bowing his head slightly. "I need answers."
Tao chuckled. "The kind you're seeking come at a price, Dragon Son."
Chess raised the seal. "Then let's begin paying."
Elsa stood beside him, holding his hand. Together, they walked into the shadows of the forgotten sanctum—where the history of the Dragon Sect, and its cursed inheritance, waited.
Elsewhere – Jefferson Global, Valemir
In a boardroom filled with tension and suits, Kip Mandari sat at the head of the table, cool and charming as ever.
But beneath that smile, his thoughts raced.
Chess and Elsa were growing stronger, their influence rising.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a golden coin, etched with the symbol of the third seal.
He smirked.
"Let them chase shadows," he whispered.
"By the time they reach the third, I'll already be the king."