The proclamation's echo hadn't even faded when the air itself caught fire.
Flames bled from the crack in the sky, not wild and untamed, but heavy—like molten iron poured into invisible molds. They shaped themselves into a towering figure, armored from head to toe, its plates glowing with cracks of heat. Chains clattered across his shoulders, dragging behind him like molten anchors.
When his helm tilted, the glow of his eyes was nothing but embers.
Roselia staggered back a step. "…A Herald."
Naval's grip tightened on his trident. "No. Worse. That's the Throne's avatar."
The armored giant's voice rang out, metallic and deep, carrying both fire's fury and iron's finality.
"Flamebreaker. You took the seat of Kar'veth. By decree of Ash and Iron, your claim must be tested."
