Location: Bronze Dragon Territories → Demon Realm Border (Dragon Domain, Upper Realm)
Time: Day 215 (Doha Actual) - Dawn → Midday | Calendar: 6 Voidmarch, 9938 AZI
Dawn broke over bronze dragon territories like molten copper bleeding into ash—red light filtering through smoke that hung thick as funeral shrouds, painting everything in shades of violence and endings.
Heihuo stood at his window, wine cup forgotten in his hand, watching fire paint his grandfather's empire in colors of collapse.
The eastern district burned brightest. Three estates consumed—not by accident but by rage. Loyalist dragons and reformers tearing each other apart in streets that yesterday had gleamed with bronze dragon pride. Bodies lay scattered across courtyard stones, scales catching dying firelight like scattered coins. Some he recognized. Warriors who'd served his grandfather for centuries. Elders who'd taught him combat. Dragons he'd trained alongside, drunk with, competed against for status and favor.
