
Elena died protecting Balthazar's Heartscale after raising Aria to three. Aria returns the scale to the dragon castle. Balthazar, consumed by rage, is softened by her pure heart. Seraphina stages a rebellion. A memory stone in Aria's doll reveals the truth. Enraged, Balthazar crushes it. At the baptism, Aria—a worthless half-blood—awakens Dragon-God power. The tyrant becomes a devoted father.