The rise&fall

Fourteen years ago.

The skies above the Tian Clan's sacred compound split open with a soundless cry. A crimson comet streaked through the heavens, its tail carving fire across the stars. All across the United Nation of Fire, birds scattered into the wind, flames flickered in reverse, and even the oldest cultivators paused mid-chant.

At the central shrine, a circle of robed elders gathered in silence. They stood over a newborn child swaddled in glowing cloth. His small chest rose and fell, calm as the breeze, but the energy around him was violent—chaotic and divine.

"This... is not a normal child," Elder Shoji whispered.

"No," said Elder Myosa. "He was born under the Comet of Breaking Flame. That hasn't appeared since the days of the first Zhurong."

"And feel it," the Head Elder added. "His spirit is already pulsing. Seven months from the womb of Lady Tian. And yet, the fire obeys him."

The child stirred. The candles in the chamber bent slightly in his direction, flames dancing toward him like curious pets.

The elders stood in a tense circle, each one realizing the truth in silence.

"He is the Child of Destiny," said Elder Shoji. "The one foretold in the Records of Spiritfire."

"The one born from the cursed bloodline," another elder added grimly.

That silenced the room.

For this child—still nameless—was the son of Huan, the Fifth Zhurong who perished in the Great Saibia War. And Huan himself… was the son of Gōketsu Tian, the first bearer of the Dragon Blade, once revered and feared as the Flamebreaker — the man who nearly set the world ablaze in a bid to cleanse and recreate it.

"This child," the Head Elder spoke slowly, "was born seven moons after Huan's death. He carries the final flame of that broken line. It is power enough to shape nations… or end them."

Then, another voice entered the chamber—sharp, cold, and commanding.

"I will not allow it."

Zhurong Leevanta stepped forward, dressed in her imperial robe lined with gold flame. Her gaze burned.

"Power unchecked is rebellion in waiting. And I will not watch the legacy of Gōketsu return through this child."

"But he is your nephew," one elder said carefully.

Leevanta's eyes narrowed. "That is exactly why this must be done. Love cannot be allowed to cloud judgment."

She stepped closer to the infant and looked down, her voice lowering but sharper than before.

"His elder sister, born one year before him, will take his place as the Child of Destiny. She is the only one to be thought how to fight with xiuzhen powers."

There was silence—stunned, breathless silence.

"And this boy," she continued, If anyone dares to reveal his truth to him in the future... they will be executed. Along with the child."

Gasps rose in the circle.

"You would kill your own kin?" Elder Myosa asked softly.

Leevanta's face was cold as ice. "I would burn the sky itself before letting another Gōketsu rise to power."

Then she turned, her robe brushing embers across the polished stone floor, and disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.

No one spoke.

And the baby stirred again, unaware of what the world had just taken from him.