Three riders approached the front of Sanctum on sleek, obsidian-barded beasts, bearing crimson banners etched with a familiar symbol: Valtross's sigil.
From the walls, archers and mages stood ready.
But Iden? He watched calmly from above, arms folded.
The lead emissary dismounted and raised a scroll.
"In the name of the Coalition of Ascendant Candidates, Lord Valtross extends his mercy," the man said, voice sharp and practiced.
"Surrender Sanctum. Submit all territory, resources, and your citizens. You may retain your life—though your class shall be stripped."
Silence.
Then the second emissary added with venom:
"Refuse, and know that your bones will be fuel for our fire. Your name lost—your people farmed."
Iden's eyes narrowed.
Then he descended the steps and approached the wall. His voice echoed:
"Tell your lord—if he wants bones… then he can die trying to collect them."
"This is Sanctum. And we don't bend."
He motioned, and two Builder skeletons opened a sigil-locked vault just behind the gate—revealing the Titan Fang Mk. III, now dormant, its targeting glyphs glowing faintly red.
"The next time someone knocks, I won't answer with words."
The delegation left… shaken.
Iden turned quickly to strategy. With war inevitable, he knew they needed power.
He stood before the stone archway of the Sanctified Abyss, the private dungeon gifted by the ancient beast from the Tower.
Commander Ikaros stood behind him, wings tucked, his eyes glowing pale gold.
"Take all combat-oriented skeletons," Iden ordered. "Scouts, archers, tanks, warriors, mages—everyone above level 10."
Ikaros bowed once. "Understood, Master."
The dungeon felt different from others—adaptive.
Each floor was a micro-biome: desert ambushes, undead hordes, rapid-strike trials.
And the hidden mechanic quickly became clear.
[Dungeon Bonus Trait: Commander's Might]→ All experience earned is amplified by:• +5% per unit under Commander Ikaros• +10% if units are within coordinated attack radius• +25% if Commander deals the final blow
Current Force: 34 Combat UnitsBonus Active: +170% EXP
Within hours:
Tanks reached Level 25, gaining Bulwark Phaseform or Thorns of the Undying as evolutions.
Warriors split into Berserker Knights or Iron Vanguards.
Scouts evolved into Ghosttrackers with enemy detection or Shadowpaths with blink dash.
Mages took on Runebrand Arcanists or Voltaic Binders.
Archers evolved into Spectral Sharpshooters with heat-seeking capabilities.
Each one chose their own path—autonomous, intelligent, and lethal.
And Ikaros?
[Commander Ikaros – Level Up: 30 → 35]
Class Evolution Triggered: [Mythic Class – Legion Heart General]→ Abilities Gained:• [Field Marshal's Wrath] – Aura increasing ally ATK/DEF/RES by 20%• [Soul Rally: Eternal Charge] – Once per battle, reanimates fallen allies for 2 minutes• [Legion Anchor] – Can tether to a summoned Legion and temporarily control it remotely
Trait Gained: Bone Sovereign's Sigil – Unlocks exclusive army-wide skill trees.
Iden reviewed the report, lips twitching in quiet satisfaction.
"Now we're more than ready."
The village slept peacefully.
But outside the walls, the Coalition was preparing for war.
And Iden?
He was preparing to win it.