Crimson dragon-fire roared out of the shattered blast doors at the far end of the subterranean gallery.
The Vermilion God-Emperor stepped onto the black dragon-stone walkway. Nine scarlet furnace-suns revolved behind his armored shoulders. His Spirit Domain Peak pressure crashed against the vaulted stone walls like an erupting volcano.
Behind him inside the central cavern, the ancient sacrificial array spun at blinding speed. Thick chains of blood-red runes rose from the continental fire-wells. They pulsed hungrily, preparing to drain the lives of ten million citizens in the capital above.
“Three hundred years I have waited for the Sanctuary’s deadline,” the Vermilion God-Emperor snarled. His bloodshot golden eyes locked onto Kaelen Vance standing beside the floor grate in his soft white bathrobe.
“You think taking my upper vaults matters?” the tyrant barked, his voice shaking the basalt pillars. “This subterranean Nine-Dragon Sacrificial Furnace is tied to the heart of the continent. Within nine hours, ten million mortal souls will burn me into an Immortal Saint.”
The Emperor raised his right gauntlet and clenched his dragon-scaled fingers into a fist.
“And you four will be the first kindling in my stove.”
Nine thirty-foot fire-dragons condensed from the revolving furnace-suns behind his back. With a deafening hiss that turned the gallery air white-hot, all nine Spirit Domain Peak dragons lunged down the stone corridor toward Kaelen’s bathrobe.
