“They’re overconfident,” Mina said, crossing her arms. “They think the Wasteland is still what it was — chaos, monsters, no central defense.”“That,” I replied, “is our advantage.”And it was. They weren’t prepared for modern war, let alone war fought with a perfect marriage of technology and magic.They still believed battles were won with glorious charges and banners.We fought with mathematics.“Current orders?” Bina asked.“Shadow them,” I said. “No engagement until they reach the first choke point. I want their commanders committed, their formation deep in the canyon. Then… we test their discipline.”“Test?” Bina’s mouth curved in the faintest of grins. “By how much?”“Enough to make them stop singing.”That earned a chuckle from Andrea, though she quickly hid it under a cough. The feed refocused on Alessia. She didn’t smile, but her head inclined slightly — an unspoken acknowledgment.“Understood, my President.”The comm-line held for a moment longer, wind rushing faintly throug
“The Eternal Night Battalion has completed deployment,” she said. “Our night zones are fully active. Peripheral scouts confirm Lone Star advance units have crossed the Red Vines Ravine.”“How far?”“Less than sixty kilometers. Two days, maybe less, if they maintain their archaic formation.”“They won’t get that far,” I said.She smiled faintly.“No,” she agreed. “They won’t.”Behind her, a signal flare cracked the air. Crimson fire exploded into the evening sky.She turned her head just slightly, eyes gleaming faintly. “Night falls early for those who trespass in our dark.”Then the line cut. No ending. No farewell. Just silence again. I turned back to the room.“They’ve made contact,” I said. “The enemy has stepped into our shadow.”Across the city, sirens had not yet begun. Not yet. But the scent in the air had changed—like metal on the tongue. Like rain before it falls. And throughout the vast lands of Aeternum, something ancient stirred beneath the roads and towns, something built
The Phoenix Wing. Ten elite airships designed in collaboration between Rafaela’s Ministry of Science and Mina’s Homeland Corps. Floating fortresses with modern weapons and magical shielding. None had ever been used in real combat.Until now.“Casualty projections?” I asked next.Bina didn’t sugarcoat it. “Low. So long as they continue marching in columns. Their army formation is designed for battlefield drama, not urban or jungle warfare. They’re a war theater. We’re a war machine.”And it was true.We’d tested our weapons in war games. We’d studied old battles like science experiments. And unlike them, we didn’t cling to swords and fireballs for the sake of tradition.No glory in death. Only efficiency. Across the room, digital feeds lit up with confirmations. Governors marked assets for conscription. Local lords sent troop readiness updates. Port authorities began rerouting civilian vessels out of major harbors to clear naval lanes.And far to the east, on a tiny screen in the upper
“My people in the Shark Region are watching this feed right now. I assure you—they’re not worried about UNA. They’re worried about what happens if we look weak.”Bina grunted her approval at that one. But it wasn’t over. A flicker from the communications mirror signaled another voice.Queen Aqeesha Eloesa’s holographic figure sharpened, arms crossed across her bronze armored chest, her tone unmistakably martial.“The Island of Eloesa,” she said, “will consider any delay in your mobilization a tactical mistake. Strike now, or you hand initiative to the enemy. I say this not as a vassal—but as a fellow warrior.”From beside her, Crown Princess Ilana nodded silently. The warriors of Eloesa did not believe in half-measures.Finally, Queen Zanessia of Zaredon, her expression calm and distant, gave a final nod. “The tide is on your side, President. Don't wait for it to recede. If you must conquer Lone Star, do it quickly. The rest of us will handle the aftermath.”With that, the mirror dimm
“The Kingdom of Lone Star,” I said, “declared war first. Their actions are recorded. Their speech is public. This isn’t preemptive—it’s responsive. What we do now is sovereign defense.”The man cleared his throat. “Yes, sir, of course. But the perception—”“The perception,” I cut in, “will be managed. Our broadcasters are not incompetent. And UNA… will not be involved.”That last sentence quieted the room. I let it linger a moment before continuing.“This is not a coalition matter. Lone Star attacked Aeternum. Not UNA. We didn’t invoke Article Seven. We didn’t call for combined defense. We’re not dragging anyone in. This is our war.”Queen Zanessia's voice crackled gently from the comm mirror. “Zaredon supports Aeternum’s decision. Fully. We will maintain coastal alertness, but we see this as your just response.”A second voice followed—Queen Aqeesha Eloesa, more direct: “We stand with Aeternum. My island is ready to resupply your ships if necessary. Let the world know we choose actio
I raised my hand. "Let the Cabinet and National Assembly cast their votes now."Across the chamber, luminous panels rose from desks, and names blinked to life on the display screen above—ministers, governors, high command.Each was given a single word to tap:YES or NO.The hall was silent. You could hear a pin drop. One by one, the votes began appearing: A landslide. The final tally: 213 YES – 2 NO – 7 ABSTAIN.A soft tone chimed. The result locked. I didn’t smile. I simply spoke.“The Aeternum,” I said clearly, “has chosen to stand.”Across the nation, the words were repeated in every district, echoed from the mouths of broadcasters, guards, civilians. We had not declared war. But we had voted for it. And there was no turning back now.The war table lit up in pale blue, casting long shadows across the granite walls of the Black House's Command Chamber. The underground vault was soundproofed, warded, and shielded from every known surveillance enchantment and technological hack. Only