[POV: General Narrative – Ethereal Capital, Nerezza Castle]
The skies over Ethereal were shrouded in dark clouds, as though the gods
themselves raged. Within Nerezza Castle, the towering black fortress at the
heart of the capital, emergency bells tolled without pause. The eastern border
wall—known for decades as the Eastern Shield—had fallen in just one day.
In the throne hall, King Malphas Duskbane sat upon a seat carved from
obsidian. He was a ruler feared across the land for his mastery of dark magic.
His pale eyes glared coldly at the nobles before him.
"Valoria breached our fortress… in a single day," his voice boomed across
the chamber. "Tell me, how did we allow such disgrace?"
The five highest lords of Ethereal stood in tense silence.
Duke Ravon Blackfyre – Supreme Commander of Ethereal's armies, master of the
front lines.
Countess Selene Vorath – Head of the Mage Tower, commander of Ethereal's
sorcerers.
Lord Kaelen Draemir – Chief of spies and covert operations, leader of the
intelligence network.
Baron Tharos Grimveil – War treasurer, keeper of supplies and the kingdom's
wealth.
Marquis Veynar Hollowshade – Commander of the Shadow Corps, the elite famed for
guerilla strikes and assassinations.
King Malphas struck his black staff against the floor. "I want answers."
Duke Ravon stepped forward, bowing. "Your Majesty, the border garrisons were
too few. Most troops had already been recalled to the capital. Valoria attacked
with their full force, including siege engines. They chose the low plains—an
unexpected strategy."
Countess Selene added bitterly, "I recognized the fallen barrier. It was the
same pattern we used for the Demonic Cult. Arthur Valoria shattered it with
combined fire and lightning. None of our mages were prepared for such an
elemental fusion."
The air grew heavier. Malphas turned to Kaelen. "Our spies. What do you
report?"
Lord Kaelen lowered his head. "Valoria advances swiftly. They plan to seize
six major cities and ten minor towns. One city will fall each day. They command
their soldiers not to kill civilians, only to detain. Already, the people begin
to see them less as invaders and more as liberators."
Malphas' eyes narrowed. "So they strike with swords and propaganda alike."
Baron Tharos stepped forward grimly. "The royal treasury can sustain a great
war for a year. But if Valoria cuts our trade routes, collapse will come much
sooner."
At last Marquis Veynar spoke, his voice cold. "We cannot face them in open
battle. But my Shadow Corps can spread terror. We'll strike their supply lines,
destroy their stockpiles, assassinate their officers under cover of night."
King Malphas rose, his black cloak flowing. "We cannot wait. This is our
strategy: Ravon defends Dravenloch. Selene fortifies new barriers in the great
cities. Kaelen infiltrates the enemy's ranks. Tharos unlocks the emergency
stores. Veynar unleashes the Shadow Corps so Valoria never sleeps in peace."
Purple light flared from his staff, sweeping the chamber. "Arthur Valoria
thinks Ethereal will fall easily. He has merely opened the door to hell."
[POV: Arthur – Valoria March]
The afternoon sun hung low as war drums beat again. Valoria's army advanced
swiftly, leaving behind Ethereal's shattered wall and heading toward the great
city in the east.
"We do not stop," I called from horseback. "Before sunset, one city must
fall."
The city soon rose before us—its walls tall, Ethereal's banners flying. Yet
its defense was weak. The remaining troops tried to fight, but the Heavenly
Valoria Technique made my soldiers far stronger.
Their movements were sharp, their stamina nearly endless. One Valorian
soldier could match two or three foes. Our tower mages broke Ethereal's spells,
while Lionel led the cavalry through the gates.
The battle was brief. By dusk, the city belonged to Valoria.
[POV: Arthur – The Captured City]
I stood in the central square, surrounded by rubble and smoldering flames.
Soldiers raised Valoria's banner over the fortress. Lionel reported, "Heavy
casualties for Ethereal. On our side, only light and some serious wounds."
I nodded. "The Heavenly Valoria Technique truly makes the difference."
I pointed to the walls. "From today, this city is our fortress. Divide the
troops into small units. Hundreds will rotate guard duty day and night."
I traced runes upon the ground, linking them with resonance symbols. "These
will detect killing intent. If enemies approach, the resonance will sound the
alarm. None will enter unseen."
The runes pulsed faintly, then faded—the defense system was active.
"Do not harm civilians. If they resist, subdue. Soldiers who surrender are
prisoners of war. But if any threaten our men's lives—show no mercy."
The troops answered in unison, then moved at once. Prisoners of war were
gathered, while civilians returned to their homes. Fires lit again, this time
not from war, but as the sign of a new rule beginning.
I stood atop the tower, gazing over the now silent city. "This is only the
beginning. Every city of Ethereal will fall, one by one."
[POV: General Narrative – Citizens' Reaction]
That night, the newly conquered city was quiet. Families hid in their homes,
waiting to see what fate awaited them.
An old merchant whispered to his kin, "They did not kill us… they even fed
the orphans in the street."
A young woman murmured, "They are not like what we were told. Are these
truly the enemy's soldiers?"
But others trembled, hatred buried deep. "They won today. But this is
Ethereal's land. Blood will demand repayment sooner or later."
Whispers spread through the city—a mixture of fear and doubt. Valoria may be
the enemy, but the manner of their conquest sowed seeds of uncertainty in
Ethereal hearts.
[POV: General Narrative – Solaris]
Meanwhile, news spread that Ethereal's first city had fallen.
Emperor Lucian Solaris stood in his throne hall, face flushed with fury.
"One city in a single day… and we are still stalled at Sunstones' border?"
A general knelt, body shaking. "Your Majesty… Sunstones resists more
fiercely than expected. They are aided by Veritas and Riverbend. The defenses
are difficult to breach."
Lucian descended from his throne, eyes blazing. "I do not want excuses. If
Sunstones does not fall in three days, your head will."
The general bowed lower, sweat dripping down his face. The threat was no
mere rhetoric; all present knew Solaris often executed his officers for
failure.
Outside the palace, Solaris' drums thundered, their armies still on the
march. Yet now, their steps were haunted not only by enemies—but by fear of
their own emperor.