While battles raged in the distance, a different kind of war was being planned within a grand, sunlit room in Astria. Four of the most powerful men in the world sat around a heavy round table: King Heinz of Astria, King Reyland of Houlhart, King Vistara of Weiss, and the Great Scholar Oliver from the GALU Republic.
"Everyone, look at these documents," King Heinz began, his voice grim. "I have received disturbing reports from the Principality. It seems they are creating artificial life—monstrous things—and super soldiers."
Scholar Oliver, looking skeptical. "Is that even possible? Can someone truly breathe life into a corpse?"
"It seems so," King Reyland added. "This researcher named Wells must be a terrifying talent to pull this off."
King Vistara frowned as he flipped through the pages. "But the size of these creatures... they are astronomical. Are you sure these numbers are right?"
"I'm afraid they are," Heinz replied. "But there is a silver lining. Our spy in the Principality managed to steal the technique for making these super soldiers. It's incomplete, but if we can get him back safely and finish the technique, we can create our own army of super soldiers."
"And who could possibly finish such a complex method?" Reyland asked.
Scholar Oliver spoke up. "My Republic can do it, but we need massive funding. We've never investigated lifeform enhancement before. No one in the Republic even knows exactly how it works yet."
"I will fund it," Vistara offered, "but I need results. How can I be sure?"
"You can't," Oliver admitted bluntly. "It's a complete gamble."
King Heinz leaned forward. "I have a person in mind who can help: Rei Alenshade. He created a brand-new technique when he was only four years old. If anyone can solve this puzzle, it's him."
Scholar Oliver looked worried. "Are you sure? Replicating this process is dangerous. If we mess up, we lose our best soldiers before we even face the Fate Demon."
"What if we test it on the young ones first?" King Reyland suggested coldly. "Perhaps those who are only temporarily in the military?"
King Heinz nodded slowly. "Fine. It is decided. Let's discuss the terms."
Deep in the dungeon, the battle between the Paladin and Eugene's team reached a boiling point. The Paladin spun his golden spear, sending out relentless, rhythmic waves of thunder.
"Earth Wall!" Bart shouted. "Ice Wall!" Ava cried. "Holy Barrier!" Eugene added.
The defense held for two waves, but by the third, the magic shattered like glass. The team was blown back, gasping for air.
"Now you've done it," Eugene whispered.
His face shifted into an expression of pure, cold rage. A glowing holy symbol burned onto his forehead. "Heaven-Breaking Palm!" Eugene thrust his hand forward, sending a massive projection of a palm that smashed through the thunder waves, destroying them instantly.
But the effort was too much. As the holy symbol faded, Eugene collapsed. Daina caught him just before he hit the ground. "Eugene! What's wrong?"
"He's out of mana," Ava said, checking his pulse.
Bart slammed his hands into the earth, raising a massive wall between them and the Paladin. "No time! You two take Eugene and get to the upper floors. I'll hold the line and reinforce the barrier!"
"Don't die, Bart!" Daina called out as she and Ava carried Eugene toward the 7th floor.
The Paladin smashed through the earth wall, looking disgusted. "I have no interest in fighting someone who uses such uncouth, dirty methods," he sneered at Bart.
"Like I care what you think!" Bart barked.
They charged at each other. "Better not trip!" Bart smirked. Suddenly, stone hands reached out of the floor and grabbed the Paladin's ankles. The Paladin quickly threw up a holy barrier, but Bart didn't stop. He shifted the earth around his own legs, forming heavy stone spikes, and delivered a kick that shattered the holy shield.
The Paladin rolled away, narrowly dodging a stomp that would have crushed him. He stood up, his armor sparking with lightning. "Got tired just from that?" Bart taunted.
Enraged, the Paladin slammed his spear into the ground. A new, powerful barrier formed around him as he began to chant.
On the 7th floor, Daina and Ava watched the ground tremble and saw some signs as they followed the signs they again reached the floor where the battle was taking place however this time they saw a dome of earth forming around the battlefield. "Bart, you sly dog," Ava whispered. They left Eugene in a safe corner and moved into position for an ambush.
The Paladin's voice echoed through the cavern:
"Upon the obsidian throne of storm he stood,
The Thunder Emperor, veiled in crackling air,
His lightning blade sang sharp with captive mood,
A steel of skies no mortal hand could bear.
When war drums stirred the clouds to trembling fear,
He drew the edge that split both fate and flame,
Each swing unmade the dark, made tyrants kneel,
And etched his reign in thunder, not in name.
Lightning Blade!"
A massive blade of pure lightning sliced through the air. Bart countered with "Earth Spikes Clash!" but the lightning tore through the stone easily. At the last second, Bart rose high into the air on a stone pillar, avoiding the blast.
Thinking he had Bart trapped, the Paladin threw his spear with all his might.
"NOW!" Bart screamed.
"Ice Prison!" Ava's voice rang out. Thick blocks of ice encased the Paladin before he could even blink. Daina jumped, her sword ringing as she deflected the flying spear away from Bart.
They landed together, breathing hard. "So," Bart grinned, "how was my plan?"
"We are never letting you make a plan again," Ava huffed.
Suddenly, the ice began to spider-web with cracks. The Paladin was breaking out.
"No time for talk!" Bart yelled. "Run!"
They grabbed Eugene and sprinted toward the exit. A few moments later, the ice shattered into a thousand pieces. The Paladin stood in the center of the crater, his spear flying back into his hand.
"I never saw that coming," the Paladin whispered, a dark thrill in his voice. "But I've always loved a good hunt." He began to walk slowly after them, his golden armor glowing in the dark.