Shadows Gather and Hearts Stir

Morning Kuoh estate

The sun crept over the horizon, bathing Kuoh in a golden light that shimmered against the glass of high rises and temple rooftops. What was once a mere human city had become something much more a sanctuary, a neutral ground born of bloodshed and diplomacy.

At the center of it all stood the Phoenix Estate, a symbol of unity. Of strength. Of fear.

And within its heart stood Riser , once mocked for aiming to high, now a beacon of power an emperor who rules the most beautiful and respected territory in the world.

But far beneath that golden peace, darkness began to stir.

In the Depths of his home Vritra's fury knows no bound

Molten stone cracked as scales shifted. The cursed chasm, hidden deep in the ancient folds of the Underworld, pulsed with foul magic.

A great black serpent coiled through the darkness Vritra, the Evil Dragon of Resentment and Chaos, Hidden for now, has awaken bloodlust reaping off of him.

His breath alone melted iron.

Peering into a cursed pool, Vritra watched Kuoh shimmer under the sun. His slit pupils narrowed at the sight of Riser Phenex, radiating fire and strength.

"The filthy devil still bold as ever," Vritra hissed, voice echoing through the infernal halls. "He shines brighter than ever basking in his delusion of peace."

The dragon's tail smashed the rock beside him, sending quakes rippling through the earth.

"But the sun always falls."

Raising his head, Vritra opened his jaw and released a guttural roar, thick with dark command.

"My children awaken. Not for battle yet but for destruction."

From the cracks, abominations answered. Shadow born drakes slithered into the light, twisted beasts with multiple limbs and burning, black eyes. The air turned acidic with cursed energy.

The army of ruin was gathering.

Only a monster can defeat another monster.

But Riser a future sun who's destruction will soon show what a true monster is capable of.

Kuoh Estate Training Grounds

CLANG! BOOM!

Shockwaves rattled the stone arena as Riser faced off against two of his mightiest Daryun, the iron hearted general, and Nago, the titanic demon boar.

Riser, shirtless and gleaming with sweat, spun his divine axe with one hand, White fire flickering across his shoulders.

"Let's see what you've got!" he called, grinning.

Daryun lunged forward, glaive sweeping in a blur. Riser ducked and countered, parrying with a blast of fire that sent Daryun flying backwards.

"You've gotten faster," Daryun admitted, adjusting his stance. "And more arrogant."

"Confidence is earned," Riser said, then turned as Nago charged.

The ground shook. Nago's enchanted armor glowed, and Riser felt the air compress.

"RAAAAAAGH!" Nago roared, tusks glowing with runes.

Riser stood his ground, fire coiling around his limbs.

"Come then show me your power!"

He burst forward, his aura igniting like a miniature sun. When they clashed, fire exploded outward harming and burning Nago's armor his body not able to withstand Riser flames anymore.

When the dust settled, Riser stood tall, no damage like he just took a stroll through his territory, both of his warriors groaning on the ground nearby.

"You two are becoming better soon to be monsters in your own right," Riser said with a grin.

"Takes one to train one," Nago grunted.

"You're stronger than ever," Daryun admitted, wiping blood from his lip.

Riser's smile faded slightly.

"But it's not enough. I felt something today."

The two warriors looked at him, puzzled.

"Not from you," Riser said quietly. "Something else. Watching. Pressing down like a storm."

They fell silent.

Upper Terrace Sunset

Milim Nava sat cross legged on the ledge of the tallest tower, pink hair blowing in the wind. She stared down at Riser, now laughing with his warriors.

Her fingers clenched around the stone ledge.

"Why does he look like so handsome after fighting?" she muttered. "Still smiling. Still glowing. Stupid Phenex."

She turned her head, then peeked again.

"I don't get it. I'm Milim Nava! A soon to be True Dragon! I don't like people. I beat them!"

Yet her chest throbbed with a strange tightness every time Riser looked her way. But He was too busy training, leading, protecting everyone to notice or maybe he has and is waiting for her to come to terms.

Her eyes flicked to Merlin, who leaned casually against Riser's side during meals. Then to Thalia, always nearby, laughing softly. Artoria, who smiled in that reserved way that only Riser could pull from her.

"They're always around him," she muttered. "So what if he's nice to me? That doesn't mean I like him."

She covered her face with her hands.

"Right?"

Private Study Evening

Riser sat hunched over his desk, shirt draped over the back of his chair. A city map was spread before him, marked with color coded tags hotels, leyline nexuses, hidden artifact vaults, defense runes.

He stared, brows furrowed.

Merlin entered silently, her purple cloak billowing behind her. She placed a wine glass by his side.

"You're brooding," she said with a small smile.

"I'm thinking," Riser corrected. "Something felt off today."

Merlin sat on the windowsill. "In battle?"

Riser nodded. "There was a pressure. Not from Daryun. Not from Nago. Something old. Watching."

"A premonition?" she asked.

"Maybe," he said. "But it wasn't just magical instinct. It felt personal. Ancient. Like something hates the peace we've built."

Merlin's smile faded.

"Then we need to prepare. Call a council meeting?"

Riser nodded. "Soon. I want the Norse, the Shinto, and the Greek factions soon to be our true allies, a real alliance not what we have right now which can be broken with a flip of the switch."

Merlin moved closer, brushing his arm gently. "You're not alone in this."

He looked up. "I know. But whatever's coming it wants me alone."

Milim's Chambers Midnight

THUMP THUMP THUMP.

Milim rolled across her bed, face buried in her pillow.

"I can't stand this," she groaned. "Why is he always in my head?"

She sat up, hair disheveled, cheeks flushed.

"I'm a dragon, dammit! I don't get crushes!"

She thought about Riser's laugh, his fire, the way he looked at everyone like they were precious to him.

"Maybe I want to be precious too."

She stood up, pacing.

"Fine. If I like him, then I'll make him like me more!"

She punched the air with a grin.

"I'll train harder, wear cute stuff, punch anyone who touches him No. Wait. That last one might scare him off and start fights."

She collapsed back into bed.

"But I'm not sharing the blankets with Merlin. She hogs them."

Elsewhere Beneath the World

In the dark corners of reality, Vritra's army grew. Twisted creatures bred in shadow crawled from tunnels unseen. Old gods whispered. The Old Satan Faction stirred. The Hero Faction gathered to speak of what vritra wants to do. Face the Phenex alone only his army and himself.

All eyes turned to Kuoh.

To Riser Phenex, who shone like the sun.

"Let him burn brighter," Vritra whispered. "Let the world gather near his warmth. It will make their fall all the more tragic."

Kuoh estate Night

As stars glimmered above, Riser stood on his balcony, wind tugging at his cloak.

Below, his people trained, laughed, lived.

He clenched his fist.

"Come then, darkness," he said quietly. "Try to snuff me out."

Behind him, his peerage rested.

But the world was continuing to change.

And Riser Phenex the devil who will soon challenge gods would soon prove that even the sun could go to war.

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Author's notes - Hey everyone hope everyone's is enjoying the fic so far. Honestly appreciate the support and hope to see more people commenting and reviewing this fic as I like the direction I'm going in, as most don't ever go like this and I find that fun. Might post a little later again so be tuned.

PS - My Golden State Warriors got destroyed today by the TimberWolves and I need some of you to pummel me with powerstones to release the shame I feel. Don't worry I can take it.