Dusk crept in through the tall windows of the council hall, painting the
stone walls in copper light. Across the round table lay a map of Etheria,
silver pins marking the encirclement of Solaris. Tall candles flickered, their
glow casting the shadows of the council members across the chamber.
Arthur sat on the high-backed chair, his cloak still dusty from the road.
His face was calm, but his eyes sharp, as if he had memorized every line of the
map. The councilors stood in a circle, each carrying their own unease.
Lionel Drest opened the session, his voice steady but grave.
"Your Majesty, we cannot pretend to be blind. Solaris is besieging Ironvale,
pressing Veritas, courting Silverwood. They are burning the world bit by bit.
If we remain silent, sooner or later their sun will scorch Valoria as well."
Erel Vadison inclined his head before replying, his tone smooth but firm.
"You are right, Your Majesty. When we prepared to strike Ethereal, the treasury
was calculated to withstand only six months of war. Yet in truth, we conquered
Ethereal in less than two weeks. That means our finances are far more stable
than we once thought. With Ethereal's assets now under Valoria, we have
reserves. Even though much is being used to rebuild the lands we seized, the
cost is less than half their total worth. In other words, our strength remains
intact."
Roderic raised an eyebrow, his retort sharp.
"And what use is a stable treasury if Solaris is already knocking at the gate?
We may wait, but when that moment comes, they will choose the field most
favorable to them, not to us. To stand idle is merely to await our turn."
Bruna bowed lightly, her voice gentle but edged.
"Your Majesty, wounds of war do not live only in fields and cities—they live in
the hearts of our people. Field hospitals are still full, mothers still weep
for their sons. If we open another war too quickly, who will guarantee that the
people can endure it?"
Theon, head of diplomacy, spoke after a pause.
"Every step Valoria takes now is watched. If we move, it will not be seen as
another battle, but as a statement. The world will see Valoria as the one to
challenge Solaris. That could be an honor… or a burden."
Their words rose and fell like waves, clashing and complementing each other.
Arthur listened without interrupting, eyes on the map, hand tight on the
armrest of his chair.
When the tension reached its peak, the great doors swung open. A Valorian
soldier entered, helm gleaming in the candlelight. He bowed low.
"Your Majesty, permission to report. An envoy from Riverbend waits outside. He
carries a sealed scroll for you."
Arthur lifted his gaze, his tone calm but firm.
"Bring him in."
Steps echoed across the chamber. A tall man in a river-blue cloak strode in,
bowed deeply, and introduced himself.
"I am Sir Caldor Meryn, envoy of King Alden of Riverbend. The Azure River
wishes to flow in peace."
He raised the sealed scroll with both hands and offered it to Arthur.
"Riverbend proposes a pact of friendship: one hundred thousand kilograms of
grain each year as tribute. In return, Valoria will guard the Azure trade
routes from Solaris."
Arthur broke the seal and read the scroll aloud, his voice carrying across
the hall:
"Riverbend delivers grain as a bond of friendship. Valoria is asked to
safeguard the Azure from Solaris' grasp. This pact is offered as a sign of
trust."
The chamber fell silent. Some exchanged glances, relief in some eyes, doubt
in others.
Arthur lowered the scroll, meeting Sir Caldor's gaze.
"Valoria accepts Riverbend's tribute. That grain will feed our people, and your
friendship will be honored. But hear this clearly: Valoria will not send
soldiers to Sunstones. They are not party to this pact."
Murmurs rippled through the chamber. Some nodded in agreement, others in
shock. Lionel tapped his fingers on the table.
"Then… what is the next step, Your Majesty?"
Arthur rose, his voice resonant, drawing every head to him.
"The next step is to challenge Solaris directly. We will force their gaze
toward Valoria, not let them gnaw at the world from the shadows."
Roderic's thin smile carried a spark.
"A declaration of war, then?"
Arthur nodded.
"Yes. We send an envoy to Solaris. Valoria declares war. The reason is plain:
Solaris has opened aggression against the world, and Valoria stands as the
balance. We will not wait our turn—we will begin."
Hadrick, head of intelligence, leaned forward.
"And the army, Your Majesty?"
Arthur pointed to the map, tracing the western border.
"We pull ten thousand soldiers from Ethereal, from the frontier with Solaris.
They will form the first line of pressure. Solaris will be forced to split its
focus. Ironvale can wait. The world will know: Valoria does not bow."
The mood shifted. What was once heavy now burned with resolve. The sound of
armor filled the hall as Lionel stood and saluted.
"In the name of Valoria, we are ready."
Days later, in Solaris' war camp outside Ironvale, Valoria's envoy delivered
the declaration. Emperor Lucian Solaris read it aloud before his generals. A
crooked smile formed, followed by a dark laugh.
"Arthur Valoria… that young fool is truly bold. He thinks Valoria can challenge
the sun itself?"
The tent echoed with cold laughter, soldiers glancing at their emperor with
awe and unease.
Far away in Silverwood, news of Valoria's declaration reached King Eryndor.
He gathered his nobles and generals in the silverwood hall. Debate roared, but
for once, agreement was swift.
An elven general bowed.
"Your Majesty, Valoria freed our kin from Mordred's chains. They deserve our
respect."
Eryndor nodded firmly.
"Indeed. Then Silverwood will not aid Solaris in striking Sunstones. The world
needs balance, and Valoria has shown courage worthy of honor."
The news spread swiftly—by merchants, envoys, and messenger birds.
In Veritas, senators gasped yet sighed with relief. Some shouted that
Valoria had bought them time to endure.
In Sunstones, King Barthol Van Stones gazed at Ironvale's battered walls, eyes
damp, knowing that even without Valoria's presence, Solaris' grip was weakened.
In Stormwatch, admirals weighed new chances upon the seas.
In Eldoria, counselors whispered: the world was cleaving into two great
poles—Solaris and Valoria.
In every hall and war tent, Arthur Valoria's name echoed—as the young king
daring to challenge the mightiest empire in Etheria.
That night, Arthur stood on the balcony of his palace, gazing at a sky
scattered with stars. The cold wind carried the scent of the soldiers'
campfires below. His hand rested on the stone rail, his voice low but steady.
"This war is not merely of swords… it is of the future. And Valoria will write
it with its own hand."