On the battlefield of the Mo Eclipse Mountains, the embers of war gradually died out. The smoke slowly dissipated, leaving the air thick with the stench of scorched earth and blood. After the great battle, the scene was one of utter devastation. The rocks between the peaks had been blasted into fragments by artillery fire, the trees reduced to blackened husks, and the ground was littered with countless shards of weapons and armor.
Fa stood on a high outcrop, gazing over this land that had once teemed with life and was now deathly silent. A storm of emotions churned inside her. Around her stood her team—Arya, Salsa, Kayla, TISK, and Rex—each bearing the exhaustion and scars of battle, yet their eyes shone with the joy of victory and hope for the future.
"We won," Fa said softly, her voice trembling. "But the cost was too great."
Her gaze fell upon the distant piles of corpses—lives that had once burned bright, now reduced to cold shells. The cruelty of war had carved deep wounds into her heart. The blood-soaked earth seemed to cry out in endless sorrow. Yet she also knew this victory had been for a greater justice: to protect the innocent, to stop Grom and Rok's conspiracy.
Arya gently took Fa's hand and spoke with warm certainty. "Fa, we did everything we could. This war was fought to save more lives."
The light of the Five Elements Crystal glowed softly on her longbow, radiating a soothing power. The wind stirred Arya's long hair; dust from the battle still clung to her face, but her expression remained resolute.
Kayla nodded, gripping her Thunder Claws that let out a low hum. "Yes. We stopped Grom and Rok's plot and protected countless innocents and civilians."
Her beastman voice carried its characteristic toughness, and flames of vengeance burned in her eyes. Electric arcs danced across the claws as she squeezed them tighter, as if trying to quell the rage and grief for fallen comrades with their power.
General Balg stepped forward and spoke gravely. "War is always cruel, but we had no choice. Now we must clean the battlefield, tally the dead and wounded, and decide what to do with Grom and Rok."
His eyes swept over the group with a soldier's decisive wisdom. The purple-glowing warhammer in his hand was etched with ancient runes, symbols of his authority and the countless battles he had endured.
Fa nodded, took a deep breath, and forced herself to rise above the sorrow. "You're right. We have to handle the aftermath properly."
She turned to Rex. "Rex, can you oversee the casualty count? We need accurate numbers for the next steps."
Rex's mechanical eye flashed blue. "Of course. I will deploy all nano-drones for a full scan and compile the data."
A faint mechanical whir came from his arm as hundreds of tiny drones poured out, spreading across the battlefield to scan every body and every wounded soldier with cold, flawless efficiency.
Amber rubbed his long staff and spoke quietly. "TISK, help me lead the dwarves in clearing the field—bury the dead, collect the weapons."
Though his voice was heavy, respect for his fallen kin flickered in his eyes. He turned and barked orders to the dwarf warriors. Despite their own exhaustion, they quickly assembled and began the grim work: carefully burying comrades, piling enemy weapons for salvage.
Salsa's soul-form flickered beside her mechanical cat body. "I'll keep watch over the surroundings and make sure no enemy remnants try to strike back."
Her gentle voice carried sharp alertness. Then she vanished into the void, beginning her reconnaissance. The mechanical cat's eyes glowed faintly as it moved nimbly across the battlefield, cataloguing every potential threat.
While everyone carried out their duties, Fa sat with Balg, Kayla, Amber, and Stone to discuss Grom and Rok's fate.
"We should escort them back to the Lieclaw Empire for trial," Balg said firmly. "That way the truth will be known to all, and they will receive the punishment they deserve."
Amber and Stone offered a different view. "Grom was one of Green's killers, and Rok is a traitor to the Steelforge Alliance. They should be tried on our soil."
Pain flashed in Amber's voice; Stone clenched his fists, fury burning in his eyes. They spoke for the Alliance's need for justice on their own land, for Green and all the soldiers who had died.
Fa listened quietly, then spoke. "Why don't the three of you report to your kings and let them negotiate the decision? That way the people of both the Steelforge Alliance and the Lieclaw Empire will learn the truth, and the friendship between our nations will not be broken."
A silver gleam passed through her starlit eyes, as if she were glimpsing possible futures. She knew this was not just about punishing criminals—it was about rebuilding trust between two great powers.
Kayla's fists tightened, anger flaring. "They must pay for their crimes. I want to see them judged with my own eyes."
Her Thunder Claws growled, lightning dancing along the blades.
Finding Green's Grave
Once the discussions and cleanup were underway, Fa and the others decided to first take Amber to Green's grave. Green had been Amber's childhood friend and a general of the Steelforge Alliance; his death had broken her heart.
The clamor of the battlefield gradually faded. The setting sun bathed the ruined land in warm light, lending a gentle hue to the desolation.
"Where is Green's grave?" Amber asked, voice trembling.
"Deep in the Mo Eclipse Mountains, inside a hidden cave," Fa answered softly. "We chose that place to protect his body."
Sorrow flickered in her starlit eyes as she remembered hastily burying him after his final stand.
Amber nodded and followed Fa across the battlefield to a concealed cave entrance masked by vines and boulders. The wind made the vines rustle softly. Without Fa's starlit perception, no one would ever have found it.
"So this is where you hid him… No wonder we could never find him," Amber whispered, surprised. She reached out and touched the stones, as if feeling the last trace of Green's presence.
TISK pushed the boulders aside, revealing the dim interior. Damp air rushed out. In the center stood a simple gravestone bearing Green's name, the carving rough but full of respect. A few withered wildflowers lay before it—the only offering they had been able to give at the time.
Amber knelt, and the tears she had held back finally burst forth. "Green… I came to see you," she sobbed. "I avenged you. The ones who killed you have paid the price."
Her tears fell onto the stone, seeping into the cracks.
Fa and the others stood silently behind her, keeping vigil.
After a while, Amber wiped her face, stood, and spoke with new resolve. "Fa, I want to bring Green's body home to the Steelforge Alliance so he can rest in his homeland."
"Of course," Fa said gently, placing a hand on Amber's shoulder. "We'll help you fulfill that wish."
Mance's Arrival and the Casualty Report
Just then, the roar of engines echoed through the mountains, breaking the cave's silence. Fa and Kayla instantly tensed and turned toward the sound.
"It's Mance," Salsa's voice drifted from the void. "He's coming on his Sonic Charger."
Mance streaked in on the Sonic Charger—a sleek vehicle of lightweight mithril alloy powered by dual-core magitech engines, its tail flame painting a brilliant blue arc across the sky like a shooting star. He stopped on the battlefield, removed his helmet, and revealed a face hardened by war. Scratches marred his armor, but his eyes remained sharp as an eagle's.
"General Balg," Mance said gravely, "I bring the agreement between the Steelforge Alliance and the Lieclaw Empire. The kings have decided: Grom and Rok will be taken to the Steelforge Alliance for trial—but only after General Komir assumes control of Fierce-Melt City and the Mo Eclipse Mountains and officially strips Grom of his beastman general rank."
Everyone nodded. "Good news. We will comply," they said.
Kayla clenched her fists, vengeance blazing in her eyes. "Finally, they'll face justice. I want to see it happen."
Mance continued, turning to Stone. "General Stone, the Dwarf King orders you to take command of Fierce-Melt City and the Mo Eclipse Mountains with five thousand dwarf troops to maintain order here."
At that moment Rex stepped forward to deliver his report. His mechanical eye glowed blue as he spoke with cold precision:
"Enemy beastmen and dwarf rebels: 6,000 total.
1,342 dead, 2,621 wounded, 2,037 surrendered prisoners.
Our forces: 20,000 beastmen and 14,000 dwarves—34,000 total.
1,161 dead, 2,376 wounded, zero surrendered."
The numbers landed heavily. The losses had, by some mercy, stayed within their earlier estimates.
Fa spoke softly. "We paid a price, but we won. We will remember every hero who fell."
General Komir clapped Rex on the shoulder. "These numbers remind us that victory is bought with blood. We cannot let their sacrifice be in vain."
General Komir's Arrival and Kayla's Choice
While awaiting General Komir, Fa's team continued cleaning the battlefield and prepared to depart for the Steelforge Alliance. They carefully placed Green's body in a specially made oak coffin engraved with the Steelforge hammer emblem. Grom and Rok were locked in a prison wagon, chains binding their limbs.
Soon afterward, General Komir arrived with five thousand troops at Fierce-Melt City. The towering white tiger beastman wore heavy armor and carried a massive bow that glinted with red frost. His armor bore the marks of countless battles, and his presence radiated overwhelming power.
Balg stepped forward and clasped his hand. "General Komir, welcome. We are ready for the handover."
Komir nodded, his voice deep and commanding. "General Balg, you and your forces have done exceptionally well. Today I officially assume command of Fierce-Melt City and the Mo Eclipse Mountains, and I hereby strip Grom of his rank as beastman general."
His gaze fell on the prisoner wagon; disgust flashed across his face.
After the handover ceremony, Kayla stepped forward to bid farewell to Komir and Balg.
"General Komir, Uncle Balg," she said firmly, "I have decided to continue adventuring with Fa. I must find my father and uncover the secret of the Star Morning Heart fragments."
Komir nodded with a trace of blessing in his eyes. "Kayla, you are the pride of the Lieclaw Empire. I support your choice. May the road be kind to you."
Balg sighed and placed a heavy hand on her shoulder. "Child, you've grown up. I respect your decision. Remember—the Lieclaw Empire will always be your home."
Kayla's eyes glistened. "Thank you both… General Komir, Uncle Balg. I will never forget everything you've taught and done for me."
Clues About the Star Morning Heart Fragments and the New Journey
Before setting out, Fa asked Balg, Amber, and Stone about the Star Morning Heart fragments.
"Ten years ago," Balg said thoughtfully, "the fragments vanished along with Kayla's father. He took them on a secret mission and was never heard from again."
Amber added, "In the Steelforge Alliance we have an ancient document written in strange symbols we cannot fully read. It may be connected to the Star Morning Heart. But you'll need the king's permission to see it."
Fa nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "Thank you. I will travel with you to the Steelforge Alliance and seek those clues."
Kayla stepped forward and took Fa's hand. "I'm coming too. I need to find my father and solve this mystery."
Fa smiled warmly. "Thank you, Kayla. We'll face whatever lies ahead together."
The party assembled—bringing Green's coffin and the prisoners Grom and Rok—and set off for the Steelforge Alliance. The setting sun painted their backs in golden light. The smoke of the battlefield faded behind them, and a new adventure awaited on the horizon.