Torchlight flickered against the obsidian walls of Solaris's war hall. A
massive map stretched across the table, covered with red pins and arrows
marking the battlefields. The air was thick with resin smoke and unspoken
tension. The generals' eyes were dim—some lowered in silence, others darting
nervously toward Emperor Lucian Solaris, seated upon his black throne. They all
knew Ironvale had not yet fallen despite the thousands sacrificed, and the
Emperor's fury was only a heartbeat away from erupting.
Strategos Varenius Drakemont stood firm before Lucian. His hair had begun to
gray, but his eyes were sharp, filled with calculation. He had seen enough wars
to know brute force alone would never conquer the world. His voice was calm,
but every word cut like a blade.
"Your Majesty, of the forty thousand soldiers besieging Ironvale, only thirty
thousand remain combat-ready. If we continue to press frontal assaults, we
won't break those walls—we'll only bleed our army dry."
Lucian tapped the haft of his obsidian spear, each strike pounding into the
officers' chests like a hammer. "Continue," he said coldly.
Varenius stepped forward, pointing at the map with a long wooden ruler.
"Solaris still has eighty thousand reserves in the capital. I recommend we move
forty thousand south to strike the Republic of Veritas. That will force the
Veritas forces aiding the Sunstones to abandon Ironvale and rush home to defend
their capital."
He slid more pins across the board, his eyes sweeping the chamber.
"Then we send twenty thousand fresh troops to press the Sunstones directly.
Dual pressure will fracture their defenses. And finally—we extend an alliance
to Silverwood. Offer them a quarter of Sunstones' lands as payment. With
Silverwood striking from the east and Solaris from the west, Ironvale cannot
endure between two giants' hammers."
The generals whispered among themselves—some nodding approval, others paling
with dread. At last, a young general dared to speak.
"Your Majesty… what if Valoria intervenes? They've just conquered Ethereal. If
they march to aid the Sunstones, this plan could backfire upon us."
Lucian's cold gaze fixed on him, then he let out a short laugh.
"Valoria is busy swallowing Ethereal. By the time they realize what's
happening, the world will already burn beneath Solaris's sun. Let them chase
shadows—we'll always be a step ahead."
Lucian rose slowly, his robe whispering as his voice thundered across the
hall.
"Well done, Varenius. Order our forces at Ironvale to hold. Dispatch envoys to
move forty thousand south to Veritas, twenty thousand to Sunstones. And send a
formal proposal to Silverwood."
He lifted his spear high, torchlight gleaming on its blade.
"Let the world know: Solaris never retreats. Solaris only prepares the next
step."
Cheers laced with fear echoed through the hall. Varenius bowed deeply, a
thin smile curling his aged lips. He knew the chessboard of the world had just
been reset.
Meanwhile, on the far side of the continent, Valoria's banners fluttered
along the road home from Kaelenspire. Fifteen thousand soldiers marched in
disciplined ranks. The rhythm of boots, the creak of supply wagons, and the
clatter of armor blended into a war symphony that rolled through the valleys.
Arthur rode at the front, his cloak billowing in the wind. Lionel and
Roderic flanked him, while the tower mages cast light spells to preserve the
army's stamina. The scent of woodsmoke from village hearths drifted through the
air, clashing with the iron and sweat of marching men.
A scout galloped ahead, dust covering his face, then dropped to one knee
before the king.
"Your Majesty, news from the west. Solaris has not breached Ironvale. They
maintain only a siege."
Arthur frowned, eyes narrowing toward the horizon.
"Solaris standing idle? That is not their way."
Lionel turned, worry etched on his face.
"If Solaris redeploys their troops, can Valoria withstand two fronts at once?"
Arthur drew a long breath, his voice low but steady.
"We will not wait for them to choose. We will decide the time and place—not
Solaris."
The ranks fell silent for a moment before marching on, now with the grim
awareness that their return home was only the beginning of a greater war.
In the capital of Veritas, warning gongs thundered through the council hall,
shaking its pillars as senators filled the chamber. Messengers rushed in,
breathless.
"Forty thousand Solaris troops have reached the southern border!" one cried.
Thaddeus Veymar, leader of the council, stared down at the great map before
him. His old hands trembled.
"We have only six thousand soldiers here…"
Lucien Draemont, military commander, slammed the table so hard ink spilled.
"One to six! We cannot hold long without reinforcements."
A young senator shouted in panic,
"Recall our forces from Ironvale! Send messengers at once, or the republic will
fall!"
Chaos erupted—voices clashing in frantic debate. Thaddeus closed his eyes
briefly, steadying himself, then nodded with a grave face.
"Send envoys now. Recall all troops from Ironvale. The republic must endure—or
the entire west will be consumed by Solaris."
Beyond the council hall, the people heard the gongs and whispers spreading
like wildfire. Markets emptied as merchants shuttered stalls. Mothers pulled
children home, while patrol soldiers sprinted through the streets with grim
faces. The city's mood darkened to hushed dread, as though Solaris's shadow
already loomed over Veritas's skies.
Far to the northeast, the silverwood halls of Silverwood shook with noble
debate. King Eryndor Silverwood sat upon his carved throne, eyes heavy as he
studied Solaris's proposal scroll.
"They offer us a quarter of Sunstones' territory if we attack from the
east," a counselor declared eagerly.
A tall noble shouted in support.
"A golden chance! With it we gain fertile land and western trade routes."
But another noble retorted fiercely, his face red.
"Are you mad? If we side with Solaris, Valoria will defend the Sunstones. Trade
routes from the west of Ethereal already flow to Valoria. We would be their
next target!"
The hall erupted in argument, voices split between ambition and fear. At
last, Eryndor raised his hand, and silence fell.
"Solaris is strong, but Valoria rises faster. If we stand against Solaris
alone, we are doomed. If we oppose Valoria, our future is ash. We are caught
between two fires. We must choose carefully."
The chamber broke into fresh clamor, the decision of Silverwood hanging
unresolved—like a double-edged sword poised to fall on either side.
A week later, Arthur's host finally reached Valoria's gates. The people
lined the streets, cheering for their king. Yet Arthur's face remained grave,
his mind clouded with questions.
In the royal hall, a courier burst in, dropping to one knee, breath ragged.
"Your Majesty… urgent news!"
Arthur turned sharply. "Speak."
"Solaris has moved forty thousand troops to the Veritas border. And… they
have sent envoys to Silverwood, offering an alliance to strike Sunstones from
the east."
Silence gripped the chamber. All eyes turned to Arthur.
He rose, his gaze narrowing as though he had long foreseen the storm's
approach. His voice rolled across the hall.
"So… they have finally made their move."
He looked upon Valoria's council, his expression cold yet resolute.
"The great war has just begun."