The scent of scorched flesh still lingered in the square as Kael turned from the smoldering remains of the would-be challenger. His eyes swept over the stunned crowd of mercenaries, thieves, and drunks.
Ten had knelt.
More watched from the shadows, uncertain whether to flee or to kneel next.
Kael raised Ashveil high.
"You've seen the price of defiance. But let me show you the reward of loyalty."
He gestured to the ten kneeling figures. "You are my first legion. You will not be forgotten. Serve me, and I will make you more than what this rotting town ever allowed you to become."
One of the ten, a wiry young man with a jagged scar over one eye,spoke first. "What do we call you, then? Sorcerer? Warlord?"
Kael's voice was calm, but cold. "You may call me Emperor, if your tongues can handle the weight."
The man grinned. "Then we follow the Emperor."
The others echoed him. "We follow the Emperor!"
A ripple moved through the crowd. More began to step forward,hesitant, but drawn by something undeniable. Fear. Ambition. Hope twisted by desperation.
Within an hour, Kael had thirty new followers.
By nightfall, he had seventy.
Later that evening, Kael stood inside the gutted ruins of Adenfall's town hall,his newly claimed headquarters. Mira and the scarred mercenary, who now called himself Rogan, stood at his side.
"Most of these men are rats," Rogan said, crossing his arms. "They've never followed anyone but coin."
"Then they'll follow me until they believe in something more than gold," Kael replied. "Fear is a good start. Purpose is better."
Mira added quietly, "And what purpose do you offer them?"
Kael looked toward the cracked stone map on the wall,one that still bore the borders of a dozen crumbling kingdoms.
"I offer them a place in the world I will carve with fire," he said. "A world where no king rules by birth, but by conquest. Where the strong aren't chained by weak laws. A world that bows to me,or burns."
To solidify control, Kael moved fast. He identified the local crime lords, one by one.
The first was executed publicly,tied to a pillar and burned alive.
The second tried to flee. Kael hunted him with fire magic until he begged for death.
The third,an old woman named Yevra, known for smuggling slaves,was offered a choice: loyalty or obliteration.
She chose loyalty. Kael allowed her to live,but marked her forehead with a rune of obedience that glowed red when she lied.
Word spread quickly: Adenfall belonged to the Black Flame Emperor.
Three days later, Kael held his first war council.
Rogan stood over a hand-drawn map. "The Velkar Empire won't notice us yet. But if we take Stonehaven Fortress,a trade outpost to the north,they'll have to respond."
Mira added, "And if they respond, they'll come with fire."
Kael smiled.
"Then I'll give them something to burn."
He raised Ashveil and drew a thin cut across his palm. Blood hit the map.
"I swear this before all who follow me: I will not stop until I plant my banner on the bones of the Velkar throne."
The room was silent.
Then Rogan nodded.
"So it begins."