The Burned ceremony. An event during which Ruby – the brother of Flame V was burned to death. This news spread across the entire Lava lake within a few days and throughout the whole of Middleworld before the end of the Yellow month.

  All of Middleworld was greatly shocked by this news. The kingdom of the red Crystal was heavily based on old traditions, and the fact that the daughter of the previous ruler was currently sitting on the fiery throne was extremely insane, considering that it broke one of the most important ancient traditions.

  Surprisingly, a large majority of Lava lake was fine with Ruby not sitting on the throne. In fact, they were very glad that it happened this way. The day before the Burned Ceremony, another old tradition was broken. Ash interrupted the speech of the main Firekeeper to say what she thought about her father in front of a large population of Lava lake. People really liked what Ash did. Ash fascinated them greatly. The people of Lava lake were satisfied with Ash on the throne. They liked Ash’s goals even more.

  Since that day no one is allowed to enter the territory of Lava lake without being checked by the army of the kingdom of the red Crystal. On the other hand, anyone can leave at any time. The kingdom’s army began to grow rapidly. Anyone can join the army. Poorer citizens took advantage of this, because the army guarantees food and shelter.

  The city that experienced the biggest change was Fiery hills. This city was under Ruby’s control and he was taking care of it… “taking care of it”. Ruby was very bad at taking care of Fiery hills due to his side intentions. After Ruby’s death, the citizens of this city were very happy and expressed great thanks to Ash. The actions of the people of Fiery hills had a major impact on the rest of Lava Lake, because it was the final stick added to the fire. After this moment, 90% of the territory of Lava lake declared that they had no problem with Ash on the throne.

  Ash declared that her goal was for Lava Lake to become the strongest and best kingdom in all of Middleworld, but that she could not do it without the help of the citizens of Lava Lake. By combining Ash’s goals and the freedom to join the army, the army of the kingdom of the red Crystal grew by 50%. But Ash definitely does not plan to stop here.

  Yellow month, day 37.

  Ash watched as another place was being built around her where the army of the kingdom of the red Crystal could train. This place was mainly for inexperienced and newly arrived members of the army. Ash has big plans and needs her army to be worth something. That said, it is said that most of the ideas for expanding the army and growing the kingdom did not come from Ash’s mind. It is said that Ash’s mother came up with most of the new plans… maybe even all of them.

  One of the experienced members of the army arrived to Ash. - “My queen, your sister has arrived.” - Ash went to Spark in a closed structure where Spark was waiting for her.

  “Ash… what the hell is happening… I don’t understand it.” - Spark and Ash had not spoken since the Burned ceremony. Spark needed answers… many answers.

  “I’m sorry, Spark, I’ve had a lot on my plate lately. I’ll gladly tell you what you need to know. And then we can go get some good food, there’s a tavern not far from here.” - Ash spoke to Spark in a very calm voice and with a smile, while Spark looked like she had been on the verge of losing her mind for several days.

  “W-why? Why did you start murdering… burning people? Why is this happening, Ash… why??” - Spark raised her voice at Ash, denial could be heard in it. Denial that Ash had become a murderer. Yet Spark knew very well that what she had heard was true.

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  “Oh yes, all of this may seem insane… I’ll tell you everything. It started before father’s funeral. Mother told me one crazy story. I wondered why… why would she tell me something like that, you know. So I asked her that during her story. Spark… do you know what she told me? ''People try to gain power in any way possible… some ways are very dirty. What matters is that the right person is in power.'' She also told me this so I would learn more about her past. But hey, do you know what I realized? I think it would be best if no one tried to gain power at all… and I can only achieve that if there is no way to gain power. Spark, you will stand by my side. Together we will make sure that no one destroys what we build. No one will destroy it out of hunger for power!”

  Spark looked into Ash’s eyes. She recognized that everything Ash was saying came straight from her heart… Spark was terrified.

  “Aha! Now everything makes sense, let’s go get that food.” Spark forced a smile. In reality, Spark was terrified of her sister. On the other hand, Spark was afraid to say anything that would go against Ash’s goals. It was going to get very hot in Lava lake.

  On the other side of Middleworld, another event took place that day. A wagon transporting people sent from the kingdom of the black Crystal to the Northern prison – the only place, besides prison cells some castles, where prisoners are held. These prisoners committed minor offenses. Instead of being punished, it was decided that they would be transported to the Northern prison. For most prisoners, this is a very unfortunate situation, because instead of receiving, for example, a few lashes of the whip, they must rot in a very cold prison.

  One of the members of this wagon was Shard. The older son of False - the man who murdered Horwann’s wife and was executed for it.

  The wagon arrived in front of stone walls. In the middle of the walls was the prison gate, guarded by two trusted prisoners. Prisoners have free movement within the prison. Their task is to take care of the workers in the prison. The main task of these workers is to supervise the sea separating Middleworld and Northlak. A passage for ships is being built across this sea.

  A major project of the kingdom of the black Crystal....kind even the whole Middleworld, is to cross this sea. The sea is very restless and any ship would be swallowed if it attempted to cross it. More than a century has passed since the beginning of this project, and it is almost complete. The passage that should ensure that a ship can pass has been built. Only final adjustments are now being made. Soon, the first expedition to Northlak will take place, led by Vein VII – the leader of this project.

  Despite the prisoners having free movement within the prison, if any of them step outside the prison grounds, a terrible fate awaits them. Escaping the prison is nearly impossible. The prisoners are not properly clothed or prepared for the journey through the vast forest located on the road to the prison. Anyone who tries to escape will either freeze to death or be killed by forest animals.

  Shard stepped out of the wagon and began staring at the massive walls separating Middleworld from freedom. While he was looking, another man traveling in the wagon jumped out and began shouting.

  “SO HERE WE AREEEE HAAAAAA.”

  All eyes turned to him. The travelers in the wagon were forbidden to speak. Now this rule no longer applied.

  “The project has been under construction since the legendary conquest of Horw. I AM AMAZED.” - The man looked at the other prisoners. - “Just look at this!! This is amazing!! My dream has come true!”

  One of the prisoners slapped him. “Are you kidding me? A dream? Dude, we’re going to rot here for the rest of our lives. You can’t be serious, right?”

  Before the celebrating man could answer, a two-meter-tall man emerged from the gate, accompanied by two armed men. This tall man was the one in charge of several people who supervise the prisoners.

  “Hello! I warmly welcome you here. Call me supervisor. Nice to meet you.” The supervisor extended his hand for a handshake as a greeting. One of the prisoners extended his hand, ready to greet him.

  Before their hands touched, the Supervisor punched him in the head with full force. The prisoner fell to the ground. “What the hel-” - “You speak without my permission?” - The supervisor kicked the prisoner and then shoved his head into the snow that covered most of the ground of the Northern prison.

  “Now listen to me carefully, you filth. Small crime, big crime… I don’t give a damn. You’re all one big pile of filth and I’ll make sure your stay here will be absolute shit…Welcome to the Northern Prison. Or as I like to call it… cold hell.”