The regent ascended from her bone-forged throne, her movements imbued with an elegance that commanded the rapt attention of the assembled multitude.

She traversed the space of the elevated platform, flaunting a flicker of emerald flame at her fingertips to display her power and authority.

One by one the assembly knelt in obeisance, offering her their gesture of respect and reverence. Having gotten the mass attention, she then proceeded to address them.

REGENT: "Heed me, Outlanders! The rule of the Netherworld has brought prosperity to the wastelands for centuries. But the TRIBE and human world seek nothing but our utter destruction. They view us as savage beasts and heretical rebels simply because we refuse to bow to their hypocrisy... Simply because we choose to forge our own path.
"Who are we?"

CROWD: "[Voices out in unison.] We are the Outlanders!"

REGENT: "They assume us as sinners! They say we are out of control, but who are we?"

CROWD: "We are the Outlanders!!"

REGENT: "Now, let us address the pressing matter at hand. The initial goals of Netherworld, which would have benefited all who duel in these wastelands, have been sabotaged by the Crestivenians.
"We owe this failure to the Chaos Force and their affiliate, the Scale Shield. But fear not, for their incompetence will not hinder our ultimate goal.
"The Origin of Power has been held by our greatest foes for far too long. It is time for us to claim what is rightfully ours and reveal the universe's true salvation and domination under our reign.
"So, who are we?"

CROWD: "We are the Outlanders!!!"

REGENT: "[Smiles maliciously.] Soon, a decisive battle for change will ensue, and those who stand in our way will be crushed beneath our feet. We call upon all forces of the Outlands to unite under the banner of Netherworld and aid us in our conquest.
"Those who dare to oppose us will meet a cruel and merciless end. I ask now, who among you will have the audacity to stand against my authority?"

The air hung heavy with anticipation, the silence of the throng indicating their tacit agreement with the regent's decree.

In the absence of dissenting voices, a subtle curl of amusement graced the regent's lips, a fleeting glimpse of mischief dancing in her concealed glowing eyes as she acknowledged the unspoken compliance of her subjects.

With a graceful pivot, she turned her back to the gathered assembly, preparing to deliver her final decree.

REGENT: "Your silence speaks volumes, and I take it as a sign of your submission. Let this be a warning to all who secretly plan to oppose us. The price of defiance is high, and the consequences shall be severe. We shall show no mercy to those who stand in our way. Let darkness and fear guide us as we usher in a new era of dominance and power. In the name of the Netherworld, this meeting is adjourned!" The regent declared before departing the scene.

However, everyone maintained their bowing gesture till she completely faded from view.

******

~The Land of Flames, Crestivenia~
Three months after the events of the Scale Shield organization, Sarah gradually began to master her power and newfound abilities. She was also adapting to her new existence as a superhuman.

Drawing upon the formidable genetic legacy of the Deity family and infused with the divine essence of Aurora's DNA, Sarah became a vessel for the potent energies of the saint realm's hierarchy, wielding the cyan sky flame akin to those of the most adept practitioners.

However, despite her innate potential, Sarah encountered considerable challenges in harnessing her newfound power for combat.

Unlike her peers, she struggled to channel her flame into weaponized fiery techniques, finding herself unable to conjure even the simplest of fire projectiles.

The only thing she could do at the moment was to ignite herself in swirling cyan flames without inflicting self-harm. However, she occasionally got her outfits burned up due to carelessness, and sometimes, accidentally set up objects and items on fire, leaving unintended damages in her wake.

But despite her slacking, the Deity family was patient with the growth of her control over her flame. They assigned seasoned tutors from within the family ranks to guide her, dedicating themselves into refining her control over her fiery gift.

***

On a somber afternoon, Sarah wandered the winding paths of the Deity family estate, her mind ensnared by the web of thoughts that bound her to both past and future.

She was lost in contemplation, grappling with the weight of her newfound superhuman existence. Her mind was also occupied by the recollection of her final moments with her best friend, Richie, whom she had lost during the tragic events involving the Scale Shield organization.

The weight of Richie's absence made it challenging for her to move forward fully, and she found herself haunted by remorse and guilt for her friend's death.

While lost in her thoughts, Sarah accidentally collided with John, a second cousin of Bernard and Aurora.

<<John was a brawler of the saint realm's hierarchy, on the cusp of breaking through to the extreme stage. He was a composed teenager with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that bore the depths of his resolve. His father, the younger brother of the current patriarch, was also renowned as one of the revered elders in the Deity family.>>

JOHN: "Oh, hey! Are you okay?" John asked with a sense of concern.

SARAH: "Uhm! Yeah, I am. Eh.... Sorry, I.... I wasn't really looking.... Uh..." Sarah stuttered in response.

JOHN: "It's fine! By the way, I'm John Deity. I have just arrived with my father from the Universal Truce Of Unity," he introduced himself with a warm smile while extending a handshake to Sarah.

SARAH: "Oh! Ah.... I'm Sarah.... Sarah Deity!" She responded while quickly accepting John's handshake.

JOHN: "[Stares in confusion.] Sarah Deity? But I'm sure that I haven't seen you around before. Are you by any chance a distant family relative?" John asked in curiosity.

However, before Sarah could answer, Fiona's voice suddenly trailed in from the distance, her words cutting into the conversation.

FIONA: "[Explains to John.] She is a new member of our family - a converted member precisely,"

Fiona nonchalantly walked past Sarah, striding confidently toward John in a graceful manner. Dressed in a sleeveless top and jogger pants, she cut a striking figure against the backdrop of the estate's manicured grounds. A pair of headphone nestled beside her ears, the rhythmic song of Billie Eilish serving as her constant companion, while her hands remained nonchalantly tucked into her pockets.

As she approached John, a veneer of indifference masked her true feelings as she surreptitiously assessed his physique and power level with her stoic gaze. It had been a while since they last saw each other, and she was curious about his progress.

After a moment of silent observation, Fiona's somber demeanor softened, and without warning, she enveloped her cousin in a tight embrace, a rare smile illuminating her features. John, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected display of affection from his typically aloof cousin, found himself engulfed in her warmth, his initial surprise giving way to a sense of genuine warmth and gratitude.

FIONA: "Welcome back, cousin brother! You look well," Fiona greeted him.

JOHN: "So do you, cousin sister. You seem to have become more beautiful over the years." John complimented her.

FIONA: "[Laughs it off.] Surely you jest!"

JOHN: "Uhm, not with the military force, anymore?"

FIONA: "Dude! I'm off duty for the time being. So I'm trying to assist in some matters within the family. One of which is her!" Fiona replied while directing a finger toward Sarah.

She narrated to John all the events and adventures that had transpired within the past months. She also told him everything about Sarah and how she came into becoming their converted family member.

John listened attentively, his gaze fixed upon Sarah's shy figure with a mixture of intrigue and curiosity.

But as it stood out, he also uncovered that Fiona was actually one of the seasoned mentors recently tasked with tutoring Sarah about her powers. She also had a duty to know what kind of specialty skill was best suited for the latter.