Chapter 6: One Throne, Two Shadows
Some thrones are made of steel.Others of silence.But the most dangerous thrones…Are the ones no one sees—until you're already sitting on them.
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Location: Geneva – The Black Concord Library – 5:47 PM
Lia Virell stood in front of a wall that didn't exist on any blueprint.
It wasn't made of bricks or data—it was encoded in history, in hidden genealogies, and sealed oaths.
Behind that wall was a name she hadn't heard in years:Amara Thorne-Virell, her mother's maiden identity.Once known in secret circles as: The White Flame—The last chosen heir of House Ardent.
And Lia?She wasn't just a rebel, or a symbol.
She was the last living successor to a global, invisible dynasty.
The wall slid open via geneprint.
Inside: a chamber. Dustless. Silver walls.A black seat—simple, cold, elevated slightly above six others positioned in a circle.
The true Ardent Council throne room.
A place never shown. Only inherited.
Lia stepped toward the center.
On the wall, a script appeared in flowing code:
"Heir Zero Confirmed.Initiate Succession Protocol?"
Her breath hitched.
She remembered her mother's voice, long ago:
"Power offered is never clean, Lia.It will always carry someone else's blood."
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Flashback – Age 10
In a mountain monastery, Lia asked why they lived away from cities, away from influence.
Amara had smiled sadly.
"Because I was meant to rule the world.And I chose to raise you instead."
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Back to Present – Ardent Chamber
Suddenly, one of the six dark thrones lit up.
A hologram shimmered: a masked figure, robed in storm-gray.
"So. The flame returns."
More chairs lit. Four others appeared.
Masked. Faceless.
The True Ardent Council.
"The Silence in Lancaster. The Archive breach. You've made quite the entrance, Miss Virell."
Lia stood tall.
"I'm not here to rejoin you."
"But you can. You have the blood. The voiceprint. The right.You could lead us. Not destroy us."
Lia didn't flinch.
"And let the world be ruled by shadows?"
One figure leaned forward.
"We already do, Lia. You just haven't accepted it yet."
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Across the World – Alex Watches
From a bunker in Lancaster, Alex watched the encrypted feed Swan had intercepted.
His sister.Standing among people who shaped wars with policy drafts and assassinations typed like memos.
Mira spoke quietly behind him.
"If she says yes, everything changes."
Alex didn't blink.
"If she says yes… I'll bring it all down myself."
Lia turned slowly in the chamber, meeting each faceless mask.
"I was taught that power should answer to people."
One councilor replied:
"People don't want power. They want peace.And peace is built on control."
Lia stared at them.
Then walked to the center.
Paused.
And sat on the black throne.
The chamber pulsed.
The system lit green:
"Succession confirmed. Ardent Prime: Lia Virell."
The council sat silently.
Then, Lia spoke:
"Now hear this—my first and only decree."
They leaned in.
"The council is dissolved.This throne is obsolete.From this moment on… Ardent is dead."
Gasps. One figure rose.
"You can't—!"
Lia raised her hand.
"Try to stop me."
She stood again—abdicating in the same moment she claimed.
"Burn it all."
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Outside the Chamber – As She Leaves
Swan met her with a fresh comm.
"You sure about this?"
Lia didn't look back.
"Empires don't need heirs.They need grave-diggers."