The air in Shambala grew thick with the scent of lightning and blood.
Seraphina's crystal scales dimmed as another contraction wracked her massive form. The Blue Diamond in her chest flickered erratically, its pulse syncing with her labored breathing. In the birthing cavern deep beneath the palace, the walls wept molten gold—an ancient sign that a dragon heir was coming.
Kai watched from the shadows, his stolen servant's robes damp with sweat.
"Perfect," he whispered.
The Plan Unfolds
The Distraction As Seraphina's screams shook the crystal spires, Kai's crew moved: Veyraslithered into the Chamber of Echoes, her shadow-limbs absorbing the light. The Silent Apostlepressed his ear to the earth, listening for the diamonds' sleeping song. Rookpalmed a blade forged from his own petrified flesh—the only weapon that could pierce dragonhide. The Weakness With each contraction, Seraphina's power waned. The Blue Diamond's glow guttered like a dying candle. The unborn dragonet's heartbeat echoed through the stones, a metronome counting down to chaos. The Secret Unknown to all, the Crimson Diamond (Soul Forger)had begun whispering to the child in its shell:
"Little heir, little liar, you will wear a crown of fire..."