[Silthara Palace — Coronation Hall — Evening]
The palace of Zahryssar glowed beneath endless stormlight. Silver lanterns illuminated every corridor while ceremonial incense drifted through the enormous halls of Silthara Palace.
And tonight the empire gathered not for mourning but for ascension. The throne chamber overflowed with nobles, priests, military commanders, noble serpents, and royal bloodlines from every corner of Zahryssar.
Silver ceremonial drums echoed slowly through the palace.
BOOM.
BOOM.
BOOM.
Meanwhile, outside, the storm continued raging violently, as though the heavens themselves refused to bless the coronation.
Yet inside the palace nobody dared mention such things aloud because tonight Slyvarakh would officially ascend the throne of Zahryssar and fear already ruled the empire stronger than loyalty ever could.
