The morning before the journey dawned cold and quiet. A pale mist drifted through the streets of the First Kingdom, wrapping its crystal towers in a veil of silver. From a distance, the palace looked peaceful. It was an illusion. Inside its walls, every corridor buzzed with preparation. Royal Guards inspected weapons one last time. Messengers carried sealed letters to the Alpha Houses. Blacksmiths hammered enchanted silver into armor, while healers filled leather satchels with herbs, moonstone powder, and healing elixirs. Everyone understood the importance of the mission. Whether the meeting in the Valley of Echoes ended in peace or bloodshed, the future of every Alpha House would be decided there. ⸻ Lucian stood in the Hall of Kings. Unlike the council chamber, this room was empty except for the statues of the monarchs who had ruled before him. One hundred stone figures lined the walls. Each king held a sword pointed toward the floor. Each queen carried a moonstone orb
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