Aeternum Keep, Meeting room.
After Sai Mies leaves the room alone, the atmosphere in the room turned cold, silent, and eerie feeling crept up in every single of the Maidens in the room."Sareen, Selie….".(Elijah)Elijah finally opened her lips calling out 2 names, nodding at hearing their names, both of them disappeared from where they were standing and reappeared beside the main door blocking it from opening. Radian who sat beside Elijah also stood up and starts wearing her knuckle duster on her right fist."Juliet, Mot, Anna, Reven, Colleen...explain…".(Elijah)This five Maidens was the one that shows the tinge of loss in the meeting a few moments ago. Unlike their beloved master who decided to ignore their behavior, Elijah and the 4 sisters weren't thinking the same. The calm and loving elder sister's image was no longer there instead, a raging madness flares up in Elijah eyes glaring at the 5 maidens."Sister&he“They’re not fleeing the city,” I murmured. “They’re bracing. Waiting for us.”It was not rebellion with banners and open blades. It was rebellion of silence, of refusal, of a people already turning their backs on their king. And that was louder than any uprising.Bina leaned over the map, eyes narrowing. “Silent cities are dangerous cities. Soldiers backed into corners do ugly things. If we don’t strike soon, they’ll start burning districts to smoke people out.”Alessia crossed her arms, crimson eyes catching the lamplight. “Then the people will hate them even more. Every fire will be another nail in Lone Star’s coffin.”I met her gaze. “We let them destroy their own throne room while we prepare the march. But no innocents burned. If even one fire spreads too far, we cut it out ourselves.”The room went still. My decree was final. The army could be ruthless, but it would not be barbaric. That distinction was why people begged for Aeternum’s banner instead of dreading it.That night,
“From our agents in the capital, Your Excellency.”I broke the seal. Inside were notes in cipher — food riots, hangings, nobles quarreling, whispers of rebellion. And at the bottom: The people await your hand.For a moment, I said nothing. Then I folded the paper and looked at Bina and Alessia. “They already see us as saviors. That is both gift and weight. When the gates open, we cannot stumble.”Bina smirked, the edge of a predator’s smile. “Then let’s make sure the gates open the way we want them to.”As the council dispersed, I lingered in the command room, staring at the map under the dim lantern light.Lone Star’s fate was sealed — not by the power of its king, but by his own blindness. His people no longer feared us; they feared him.I whispered, not for anyone else but myself: “We don’t conquer this city. We liberate it.”The words tasted heavy, like an oath. Soon the world would know whether I was right. Star City’s embers glowed hotter by the day, fanned by cruelty within and
Elijah adjusted her spectacles and tapped a supply route traced in crimson ink. “This road here is their artery. Once severed, Star City starves.”Bina’s voice cut like iron. “They’ll fight like cornered dogs. That makes them dangerous.”I let the silence linger before answering. “Then we smother the bite before it draws blood. No mercy for tyrants. But every kindness for the people. Mark me well: we are not here to burn a city, but to claim it whole. Our strength must inspire loyalty, not ashes.”They nodded, and I knew they understood. This was not conquest for glory. It was reclamation, shaping the world into something better.South of Star City, the Silvercross River shimmered like molten steel beneath the dawn light. Lone Star forces had entrenched themselves along its far bank, confident that the wide waters were a natural shield.At first light, Aeternum artillery shattered that illusion. Shells screamed across the river, tearing earthworks to pieces. Smoke rolled like a curtai
At dawn, the sky growled. Artillery shells screamed down, tearing craters into the battlements. Tanks rolled forward, their cannons pounding relentlessly.By the second hour, half the wall was rubble. Lone Star soldiers fled into the streets, pursued by Aeternum infantry moving with mechanical precision.By the third hour, the Aeternum banner flew from the keep. Civilians peered from doorways, stunned by the speed of their deliverance.In the southern plains, General Alessia led her Eternal Night Division through the smoke of burning villages. Her soldiers moved with terrifying efficiency, striking at pockets of resistance and vanishing before counterattacks could form.One captured captain spat at her boots. “Monsters! Beasts!”Alessia leaned close, her crimson eyes glowing. “Perhaps. But we are beasts who spare the innocent. Tell me — what does your king spare?”The captain had no answer.Behind her, stabilization forces set up aid stations, distributing supplies to the freed villag
“To the people of Lone Star,” I said slowly, “your king rules with noose and whip. He sends your sons to die in chains. But we — we offer your life. We offer you dignity. We offer you freedom to work your farms, to feed your children, without fear.”I let the silence carry before I struck the final note.“To those who serve Halbrecht — lay down your arms. To those who suffer — wait for us. We are coming.”The red light dimmed. I removed the headset, meeting Elijah’s steady gaze.“You sound less like a conqueror,” she said softly, “and more like a deliverer.”I smiled faintly. “Perhaps the truth is both.”In a dim war chamber of Star City, Lone Star generals pored over maps with trembling hands. Reports arrived faster than they could be read:“Greystone lost.”“Three villages east defected without a fight.”“Conscripts deserting en masse.”A colonel slammed his fist onto the table. “We are not fighting an army — we are fighting inevitability!”But the king only sneered. “Then build mor
“To the citizens of Lone Star,” I began, voice calm but edged with steel, “we hear your cries. You flee not from us, but toward us. Know this: Aeternum does not come to enslave. We come to protect, to rebuild, to end the tyranny that starves its own children.”I leaned closer, my tone sharpening. “To King Halbrecht, who calls himself sovereign — your people are voting with their feet. Every family that comes to us is another voice declaring your reign finished. You are already dethroned.”The broadcast ended. Silence lingered in the studio. Then Rafaela, ever radiant, murmured from the wings: “You’ve given them hope, Mies. Hope can move armies faster than any engine.” I only nodded. Because I knew — she was right.In Star City’s main square, the gallows were crowded with trembling peasants. King Halbrecht himself stood on the balcony of his palace, face red with fury.“They cheer for our enemies,” he thundered to the crowd. “They betray their king for scraps from foreigners!” He raise