C130 THE NIGHT THE ALPHA FLAME CHOSE ITS MASTERS

The sky over the Ebonridge Territory cracked with forked lightning.

Wolves scattered across the valley, howling warnings as the air filled with sparks—gold, black, and crimson—colors no flame should ever wear at once.

Something was coming.

Something ancient.

Something divine.

Something hungry.

And everyone felt it.

The villagers of Ebonridge, gathered around their bonfires