The throne room of Elysion Prime is silent, its golden circuits glowing faintly against the dark obsidian walls.
Kael Draven sits upon the high seat, one hand resting on the carved armrest, the other suspended in midair as faint holographic sigils swirl before his eyes.
[Assimilation Protocol: Standby]
[Linked Structure: Obsidian Crown Citadel]
[Authorization Required: System Emperor]
Kael's gaze narrows. "Begin assimilation."
[Command Acknowledged.]
[Warning: Nythora's mana density—30%. Synchronization stability—72%. Overload chance—9%. Proceed?]
Kael's lips curve slightly. "Proceed."
The air hums.
Golden light spreads from his palm, forming a thin web that connects to the city core beneath the palace. A vibration echoes deep through the foundation of Elysion Prime as the energy flows outward — through the link Nyra and her team uncovered.
Alyss Venera, the Head Maid, steps into the hall and kneels beside the throne. "My Emperor, the city's mana grid is reacting. Vara requests direct synchronization guidance."
Kael nods once. "Grant her access. Full priority."
[Access Granted: Vara Soulforged – Core Synchronization Active]
Somewhere beneath the palace, the golem-spirit Vara awakens, her mechanical voice calm and serene:
["Initiating link… Adjusting core frequency to match Ethernian resonance. Synchronization commencing."]
The Shadow Peaks
The Obsidian Crown Citadel lies in silence. The ancient throne glows softly, the dull crystal at its heart beginning to pulse.
Nyra, Rauk, and Isha stand at the edge of the grand hall, watching.
[Assimilation: 12%...]
[Mana Conduits Activating...]
[Stabilizing Resonance Field...]
The sigils carved into the walls light up one by one, spreading outward in a wave of faint blue light.
The ground vibrates, soft at first, then stronger.
Outside, the mist shudders. The clouds above the Shadow Peaks twist into spirals of silver and black. Lightning flashes soundlessly across the horizon.
Rauk shields his eyes. "That's a lot of power for a 'sleeping city.'"
Nyra's expression remains calm. "No. That's an empire remembering how to breathe."
[Assimilation: 38%...]
[Warning: Mana Deficiency Detected – Compensating Through Core Reserve]
[Energy Overload Risk: Minimal]
In the lower halls, ancient guardians begin to stir. Their bodies — part stone, part spirit — awaken with glowing eyes. They rise slowly, turning toward the throne room as if waiting for orders that haven't yet been given.
Isha steps forward, her hand resting on a column etched with light. "They're reacting to Kael's presence… even across the link."
Elysion Prime — Throne of the Emperor
Kael closes his eyes as the connection deepens. He feels it — the heartbeat of another city syncing with his own. Two cores, one pulse.
[Assimilation: 61%...]
[Interlink Successful – Dual City Network Established]
[Mana Conduit Bridge Formed]
The throne beneath him glows. Streams of light rise from the floor, wrapping around the room like living ribbons.
Vara's voice echoes from the central chamber:
"Stability at eighty-four percent. Expansion map forming. Awaiting your directive, my Emperor."
Kael's eyes open. "Show me."
A holographic map forms before him — a top-down view of the Shadow Peaks and the surrounding region of Nythora. The terrain glows in silver lines, revealing valleys, rivers, and ancient ruins hidden beneath the mist.
[Expansion Zone Selection]
[Recommended Radius: 42 km]
[Warning: Ambient Mana too low for extended assimilation]
Kael studies the map in silence. Then, with a faint smile, he reaches out and places his finger at the center — on the glowing mark representing the Obsidian Crown.
"Expand from the heart," he commands.
[Command Accepted.]
[Assimilation: 87%...]
[Extending Sovereign Field…]
Nythora - The Reawakening
Across the ruins, black banners rise from the ground as if pulled by unseen hands. Their fabric ripples in the rising wind, the crest of the Valefar Imperium shimmering in silver.
The runes across the Citadel's walls stabilize. A low hum fills the air as the first defensive shields come online — shimmering domes forming around the ruins like faint auroras.
[Assimilation: 98%...]
[Synchronization Link Stable]
[Energy Flow: Continuous]
Nyra looks up at the sky, her cloak billowing in the wind. "It's done."
Rauk crosses his arms, grinning. "And the Shadow Peaks just got a new king."
[Assimilation Complete: Obsidian Crown Linked]
[Territory Expansion: 42 km Radius Established]
[Population Synchronization: Pending]
[Status: Sovereign Influence Extended]
Elysion Prime
The light fades slowly. Kael exhales, feeling the surge of mana return to stillness. His eyes open, glowing faint gold.
Alyss kneels once more. "Assimilation complete, my Emperor. Two cities now breathe under your command."
Kael stands, his gaze distant, calm. "Then let this sleeping world wake… under my rule."
[New Title Acquired: The Citybinder]
[Empire Expansion Phase: Initiated]
[Next Objective: Population Awakening – Nythora Territory]