The Two Crowns

Why the world has factions: one broken crown, two champions, two answers to the jinn.

The Sultan’s two greatest champions each took a piece of his broken crown — and could agree on nothing else.

Sheikh Noor Al-Din the Radiant took the eastern half-crown to the riverlands and raised Sun City behind the pure water. His answer: the jinn are defeated by purity. Malik Al-Layl the Shadow Sultan took the western half into the burning lands and raised Moon City behind the lava. His answer: fire is only beaten by fire.

When the Burning One stirs, Sun and Moon must share one sky.

inscribed on both half-crowns

Each crown blames the other for the Seal’s weakening; their patrols meet in the middle desert and clash. That is the war the world is named for. Neither leader says the prophecy aloud — both know it.