“Fuck the eternal emperor. And his damn Imperdom.” Spat Kammy from her cup of cold ale. She was the most free-ish person in the world. The pirate queen Kammy is the world's most wanted criminal. She is at the helm of her ship with ten loyal crewmates. Selling in the Nightmare Sea the one place in the world that Imperdom does not have control of. The Archipelago of Demons was the last frontier and place of true adventure.

There you can find true monsters.

A fist came down on Kammy's head. “Owie, that hurts Gin,” Kammy shouted.

“Then move your fucking ass from my helm.” Said the crew navigator and helmsman, Gen.

“You’re so mean to your captain. Show some respect,” Kammy ranted. She could hear laughter from crewmates behind her.

“Aren’t you afraid, Kammy, the last Pirate King, died at the hands of the 33rd incarnation, Empress Louse,” Mocks the crew cooks Denny. That lady loves to tease Kammy.

“As If.” Laughed Kammy. “Do you think some baby emperor can do anything to me?”

“Kammy is right! We stole from dragons! We slew ancient Krakens. We plunder Astorium, the capital of the world. As if the Imperdom could do anything to us.” Said, Jimmy the crew musician.

“That's It. Jimmy, you get it. we are the best pirates ever.” Kammy shouted.

Kammy grinned as her crew shouted their hearty agreement. They were a band of rogues feared across the four kingdoms, answering to no law but their own whims.

"Aye, ain't no baby emperor going to bring us to heel!" Kammy declared, raising her tankard high. "We've sent plenty of their high and mighty Protectors fleeing with their tails between their legs after a run-in with the dread ship Nightmare!"

A raucous cheer went up at the mention of their infamous vessel. Kammy's grin widened, a glint in her eye.

"While these royal fucks cower in their palaces, we take what we want, when we want!" She swept a bold hand across the horizon. "The whole of the Nightmare Sea is ours for the plundering, lads. No emperor can tame it or us!"

Her motley crew whooped, worked into a frenzy by her rousing words. They lived for the freedom of the open waters away from the Imperdom's iron grip.

"Now lads, are we content to keep picking at scraps in these tame waters?" Kammy challenged, raising her tankard again. "Or shall we hoist anchor and sail straight for Astorium itself?"

The riotous cheers shook the Nightmare as Kammy's crew slammed their fists on tables, lusting for the biggest prize of all. Their daring captain grinned, savoring their eagerness.

"Then it's settled! We feast well tonight, me hearties, for tomorrow, we set our sights on the imperial capital itself!" Kammy roared exultantly. "We'll remind those pampered nobles what true piracy looks like!"

With a final united shout, the crew of the Nightmare drowned their ship in drunken song, dreaming of the richest plunder the realms had to offer. None could stand before the wild might of Kammy's band - not even the vaunted emperor. The capital's treasures would soon belong to the world's most fearsome pirates!

***

Astarrath trembled with fury as she gazed into her scrying pool, watching the new Thorneborn emperor Aeron process through the streets of Astorium.

That a descendant of the accursed Dragonriders now sat upon the Obsidian Throne was unacceptable. The ancient pact robbed her kind of their true power, forcing them into hiding while mortals ruled the realms.

Centuries of humiliation boiled within Astarrath. But no more. Unlocking the talisman's sealed magic had increased her strength exponentially. She was now mighty enough to shatter the Dragonriders' dynasty for good.

Astarrath turned from the pool with eyes blazing. The time had come to take back what was stolen from her. She would see the Imperial City reduced to rubble and the line of Thorneborn emperors erased from history.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Let the child Aeron claim his hollow throne. Soon Astorium would be engulfed in her unbridled wrath. None would survive the coming firestorm.

"Your reign is doomed, false emperor," Astarrath hissed through gritted teeth. "I shall tear down all you hold dear. The Imperial Protectors will burn with the rest of your cursed noble houses!"

Magic pulsed through her veins, hungering for release. At last, the day of liberation and retribution had arrived. She would unleash such devastation upon the realms that none would ever dare shackle her kind again beneath their hollow laws and hierarchies.

A cruel smile curved Astarrath's lips as she envisioned the capital in flames. "Tremble in your palaces for now, mortals. Ruin shall eclipse you all soon enough."

Her inferno would blaze a new era where only the strong survived. Astorium and all its hypocrisies would perish. From the ashes, her kind's dominion could rise uncontested at last.

***

Rakoth hurried through the grimy streets, ducking his head to avoid attention. At 15 years old, the boy was already an accomplished thief in Astairum's seedy underbelly, though few knew his face or name. He preferred anonymity, unlike flashy crews boasting of their heists. For Rakoth, subtlety was key.

Slipping into a deserted side alley, the boy allowed himself a small smile, patting the bulging coin purse now hanging from his belt. His latest mark had been almost too easy. The fool aristocrat had practically begged to be robbed, flaunting his wealth so brazenly.

Rakoth's smug triumph was short-lived. A rough hand suddenly seized his shoulder from behind.

"Well well, what have we here?" a gruff voice rasped in his ear. Rakoth craned his neck to see the scarred, leering face of an imperial soldier.

"Looks like this rat has been pilfering lordly coffers," the guard snarled. "His Majesty frowns on those who disrespect his subjects."

Rakoth's mind raced, but he saw no escape from the soldier's viselike grip. Before he could even cry out, he was hauled from the alley, the guard bellowing for reinforcements.

"Unhand me, brute!" Rakoth shouted, writhing futilely. Passersby averted their eyes, unwilling to attract the guards' wrath. The boy was dragged forcibly to the imperial dungeons and flung into a grimy cell.

Furious, Rakoth slammed a fist against the cold stone wall. That damn soldier had ruined everything! He was so close to having enough coin to finally escape this fetid city.

For half his life, Rakoth had survived on his wits alone after his parents perished from the fever plague. He'd vowed one day to be more than a sewer rat scrounging for scraps.

Now, that dream was destroyed. At best, they would whip and brand him. At worst, take his hand as punishment for thievery. Despair overwhelmed Rakoth, bitter tears stinging his eyes as he sank down in the dingy cell. How could he hope to rise now?

Then a harsh voice echoed from the cell next door. "Enough sniveling, boy. What's done is done."

Rakoth scrubbed the tears away angrily. "Mind your own business!"

A dry cackle answered. "You need a spine, not a crying rag. The name is Ben. Now, are you ready to listen?"

Despite himself, Rakoth crept nearer the barred window dividing their cells, curiosity overcoming despair. A chance for revenge flickered inside him. He would hear this Ben out.

The two prisoners conferred in hushed voices, Rakoth's sense of injustice growing. Perhaps this calamity was opportunity in disguise. Together, they would teach the wretched Imperdom that even emperors could be humbled when innocents banded together. The day of reckoning crept closer.

***

Aeron hesitated outside the towering palace doors, listening to the herald announce his lengthy imperial titles to the assembled court within. He felt like a fraud wearing the billowing robes and golden circlet of the Thorneborn.

Was he truly meant to rule these far-flung realms that still seemed alien to him? Self-doubt gnawed at Aeron's mind. Back in familiar Talheim, the prospect of becoming emperor had appeared only a hazy possibility. Here, it loomed before him in cold reality.

The herald's voice rang out: "All kneel for the Ascension of the Foretold Imperdex Aeron, Light of the West, Scion of the..."

Taking a deep breath, Aeron steeled himself and stepped forward into the cavernous hall. Hundreds of assembled nobles and officials dropped solemnly to their knees before his uncertain figure. He thought he glimpsed his mother's comforting face amidst the sea of bowed heads.

Only the Regent, Lord Neonatal, remained standing, expression unreadable as Aeron approached the towering Obsidian Throne and its crushing burden of responsibility.

"Welcome, your Eminence," Neonatal intoned formally. "Let all bear witness on this historic day to the rise of the destined Thorneborn, now come into his birthright."

Swallowing hard, Aeron turned to address the assembled masses. "I accept the role fate has granted me, though I still have much to learn..."

"Humility does you credit, but this is no time for timidity, my lord," Neonatal cut in, voice hardening. "You must embrace the full authority passed down since ancient days. The realms cry out for a firm hand to steer them."

The sharp rebuke stung, but Aeron understood Neonatal's urgency. Aeron drew himself up with as much gravity as he could muster. "Of course, you speak wisdom. I shall strive to embody the strength my station demands."

Neonatal nodded approvingly, but Aeron glimpsed veiled contempt on some faces below. Forcing confidence he did not feel, Aeron lowered himself onto the dark Throne, praying he appeared equal to this destiny thrust upon him. He could not show weakness now.

The future of the realms rested on his young shoulders alone. He must let Aeron the dream-filled boy perish so the steely Thorneborn emperor could rise in his stead. The court awaited his decree with baited breath. Aeron spoke the mythic words to seal his fate:

"In the name of my forebears, I assume the Obsidian Throne. May the light of the Imperium guide us from darkness."

As shouts of allegiance rang out, Aeron felt the heavy crown settle upon his head. He prayed it would not crush his spirit completely. The child must become emperor or see the world descend into ruin. With grim resolve, Aeron embraced the burdens and sacrifices such power required. If the people needed a legend, then he would become it or die trying.