Part I – When Lies Become War
Kingdom of Aerith. Capital: Dawnspire
The royal court of Aerith was in chaos. Reports of sabotage on their eastern border had been "linked" to the Kingdom of Virelden—thanks to the forged messages from Velatrix and Shadewalker Ren's assassinations.
King Aeric slammed his fist on the throne. "So Virelden poisons our wells and burns our farms?! Then they shall bleed for it!"
In the chambers beneath the throne room, a hidden agent of the Shadow Court lit a silent candle.The signal was sent.
In Virelden, that same day, another forged letter arrived—suggesting Aerith had formed a secret pact with a third power: Eldanar.
Three kings.Three egos.Three blades now drawn.
[Global Event Triggered: Crownless War Begins]Effect: Military Resources Drained by 21%Faith in Church DecreasedPower Vacuum Forming in Northern EudrosZerath Influence in Underground Markets +40%
Part II – The War with No Heroes
No one truly won the Crownless War.
Aerith launched a preemptive strike. Virelden retaliated by summoning elemental beasts. Eldanar used alchemical weapons banned by the Sacred Accord.
The churches called for peace.
No one listened.
And all the while, in the shadows, Zerath sold weapons to all sides—through middlemen and proxy guilds.
Scene: War Council, Black Citadel
Yurein laughed dryly. "Three kings wage war, and we haven't raised a single sword."
Gorhax grunted. "They destroy themselves."
Zerath—calm, seated on his black throne—watched the red lines blink across the Nexus Map.
"Correct," he said."But it's not enough."
Vaenira raised an eyebrow. "You want more?"
"I want them desperate enough to come to me. Beg me to end the war. Sign over their kingdoms in exchange for peace."
"And if they don't?" Velatrix asked.
Zerath smiled.
"Then we burn them down and rule the ashes."
Part III – The Hero Begins to Question
Location: Hidden Monastery near the Whispering Coast
Kael sat beside Elias after completing his second divine mission. But something weighed on him.
"The man I killed," Kael said. "Baren. He wasn't real."
Elias said nothing.
Kael turned sharply. "You knew."
Elias finally nodded. "Yes."
"Why?!"
"Because we needed you to take a step," Elias said. "You wouldn't kill a man unless you believed he deserved it. That illusion was your test."
Kael stood, furious. "You made me murder a ghost to shape me into a weapon."
"You'll need to be more than a weapon, Kael," Elias said quietly. "You'll need to be a godslayer."
Part IV – The Cracks Begin to Show
That night, Kael stood before the mirror in his chamber.
He no longer recognized himself.
Not the farm boy.Not the student.Not even the hero.
"What am I becoming?"
And in the dark, for the first time since the baptism, the voice of Astrael went silent.
Part V – The Crownless Throne
Back in the Black Citadel, Zerath stood before the sealed Spear of Astrael, still wrapped in celestial chains.
He placed a hand over it. Dark energy crackled.
"They kill each other while praying for salvation," he whispered."And when their gods fail them... I will answer instead."
"Not with light.Not with justice.But with order."
The throne behind him shifted, growing larger—its back shaped like three twisted crowns.
The Crownless War would end.But only when there was one throne left to kneel to.
His.