Ember Academy
She crossed the chamber slowly, reading the ancient script, and felt her blood run cold as understanding finally settled into place.
The crown chooses its bearer through blood freely given, not blood taken by force. Only she who willingly offers what the old order would steal shall wear what the Founder left behind. Beware, heir of fire: the crown does not simply mark a ruler. It binds a fate, and fate, once bound, cannot be unbound again.
"A binding." Renna's voice was hushed with dawning horror. "This isn't simply a symbol of the prophecy, Sera. It's a literal choice, one that permanently binds whoever wears it to whatever fate the crown represents."