Two weeks into the war, and blood had already drenched three different fronts. Smoke choked the skies. Trees burned. Cities shuttered their gates, and civilians whispered rumors in candlelit shelters. The war between the Beastfolk Kingdom and the Human Empire, now entangled with the Holy Church's purging crusade, had escalated beyond anyone's control.
It was no longer about the missing princess. It was no longer about politics. It was vengeance, pride, belief, and fear tangled into one monstrous fire.
On the western border, the once-quiet trade city of Varnas had turned into a battlefield. Holy banners waved in the wind as inquisitors marched under the light of their Sun God. They wielded spears blessed with holy energy, and behind them, the cleansing fire of divine mages reduced homes and trees to cinders.
Facing them were the fang-cloaked warriors of the beastfolk tribes. Panther clans struck from the trees, lions roared as they tore through armor. It was chaos.
And high above, watching silently from a scorched tree, was Ivan.
"They're getting more aggressive," he murmured to himself, arms crossed. His clothes were tattered from the travel, and a thin cloak hid his presence with subtle magic.
Behind him, Kahl and Reeva, the Akatsuki beastfolk that had traveled with him since the princess investigation, crouched silently. They hadn't spoken much since the war began. Their eyes told enough.
Kahl sniffed the air. "They're burning sacred lands now. The forest spirits are silent."
"And the humans?" Ivan asked.
Reeva glanced toward the warcamp. "They've summoned the Sun Templars."
Ivan frowned. That name meant something. The Sun Templars were rarely deployed. If they had arrived this early, it meant the Church was desperate to wipe out any beast resistance before it grew into a rebellion.
He rubbed his chin. "So they brought out the elite."
On the field, a shining figure emerged, clad in golden armor, eyes glowing like fire. The holy energy around him was suffocating.
"Paladin-General Sorin." Ivan muttered. "Another piece placed."
Sorin raised his sword. Light exploded outward, turning three beastfolk warriors into ash. The rest charged, ignoring the fear rising in their guts. They didn't care anymore. Not after the burning villages. Not after the children found lifeless with prayer marks carved into their skin.
"We should help," Reeva growled. "They're slaughtering our people."
"We stay bystander for now," Ivan said firmly.
Kahl hissed. "How can you be so calm?"
Ivan didn't answer. He was calm because he had to be. Because someone needed to know everything. Because only with intelligence can he exact his revenge
And revenge always reveals the truth.
Meanwhile, in the Beastfolk Kingdom's war chamber, tension clawed at every word spoken.
The Beast King, a massive lion with gray in his mane, slammed his fist on the war map table.
"We must retaliate. They burned half our border cities. My people demand blood!"
"And blood you shall give," said General Torga, a bear beastfolk who towered over everyone. "But we must strike where it hurts most."
A scout ran in, panting. "Sires, the mountain pass is being held by the Order of Light. We cannot breach it."
The elder council members exchanged grim looks.
"Then we find another way. Through the forest. Through the underland. Through hell if we must," the King snarled.
In the Holy City of Alzeith, the Pope stood upon a balcony, watching as pilgrims kneeled below.
"How long do you think we can keep this war holy?" his advisor asked.
The Pope turned, eyes like cold moons. "As long as our enemies breathe."
He held up a parchment. It was the beast princess's old engagement documents.
"Burn this," he said softly. "We no longer need negotiations. Only victory."
Back in the woods, Ivan stared at the burning horizon.
"The world is unraveling," he whispered.
Reeva looked at him. "What are you planning?"
Ivan smiled faintly. "Just watching. Learning. And maybe... nudging the pieces."
Kahl narrowed his eyes. "You sound like you're enjoying this."
"No," Ivan said. "But if everyone else fighting... then why should I join?"
The war was only just beginning.
And Ivan was still only getting started.