[POV: King Barthol Van Stones –
Sunstones]
The grand hall of Sunstones was filled with tense faces. Torches burned along
the walls, their light flickering in rhythm with murmurs. I sat on the high
seat, gazing at five leading nobles, the allies from Veritas, and the envoy of
Riverbend. The decision made today would alter the history of this trading
kingdom.
I opened the council with a heavy voice.
"For four days we have argued. Today we must conclude. Shall Sunstones submit…
or resist Solaris?"
Lord Cedric Halberd rose, his wooden staff trembling in his grasp. "Your
Majesty, to resist Solaris is suicide! They command one hundred and twenty thousand soldiers.
We have only twenty thousand.
Even with the aid of Veritas and Riverbend, the numbers remain against us. Do
not sacrifice the people for pride."
Lady Mirabel Dorne stood at once, her face flushed with anger. "Pride? This
is about honor and survival! To submit is to lose everything slowly. What value
is a bustling market if all profit flows into Solaris' pockets? Sunstones will
become a puppet, no longer a sovereign trading kingdom."
Lord Renard Veylor tried to mediate. "I remain uncertain. If we submit, at
least the ports will remain open. But if we fight and lose, we lose
everything."
I turned to the envoys of Veritas. Thaddeus Veymar stepped forward, his
voice resounding.
"Listen well. If Solaris takes Sunstones, the world's trade routes will
collapse. Stormwatch is impassable—only Veritas and Sunstones remain. If one
falls, the entire continent will be in Solaris' grasp. Veritas will not allow
it. We pledge six thousand soldiers—and
free trade will endure."
Commander Lucien Draemont struck the floor with his spear. "Solaris is
strong, yes, but their power is scattered. They cannot concentrate all forces
here without weakening elsewhere. With Veritas and Riverbend at your side, you
stand a chance."
Lady Arwen Luthiel of Riverbend stepped forward, her gown flowing, her voice
sharp. "Riverbend will send four
thousand troops. Solaris cannot conquer us all with threats.
Better we stand now than wait for them to crush us one by one."
The debate grew fierce. Lord Selene Marrow shouted, "You are blind! War will
destroy our mines! My people will starve!"
Lord Alphon Grell retorted harshly, "And if we submit, your people will toil
for Solaris until death. Is that better?!"
The hall shook with shouts. I struck my staff hard. "Enough!"
Silence fell at once. All eyes turned back to me. I rose slowly.
"Solaris holds a blade to our throat with false evidence. Veritas and Riverbend
extend their hands. The path of submission means slow ruin; the path of
resistance carries great risk but holds hope. And I choose… hope."
I lifted my staff.
"Today, Sunstones refuses to yield to Solaris. For free trade, for a world not
enslaved to one empire—we will resist!"
Cheers erupted. Some nobles clapped, while others lowered their heads
grimly. But the decision was made.
[POV: Arthur – Valoria]
In Caelora, the royal hall was once again full. Nobles, council members, and
military leaders gathered. I stood before them, opening the session.
"Valoria has received Ethereal's challenge. Our decision is clear: we shall
destroy them, and Ethereal's lands will belong to Valoria."
The chamber fell silent, then whispers spread. Lionel Drest rose first.
"Yes! Now is the time! The army is ready, the people are ready. Valoria must
expand. We need one king to unite the continent!"
But Bruna, Head of Health, shook her head firmly. "Expansion means
multiplied casualties. Are we prepared to lose thousands for new lands?"
Erel Vadison raised his voice. "From an economic view, our treasury is
strong. But a prolonged war will consume much. If this is to be long-term
expansion, we need secure supplies."
The debate grew heated—some in favor, some opposed, others uncertain.
I raised my hand, cutting through the noise.
"You hesitate because you think this is merely war. It is not. This is a step
toward the future of our people. I do not want Valoria to merely survive. I
want Valoria to lead. Our people deserve prosperity, not fear of the next
attack."
I turned to Lionel. "Report troop numbers."
Lionel stood, unrolling a scroll. "Thirty
thousand soldiers ready. Twenty thousand infantry, five
thousand cavalry, three thousand archers, two thousand elites trained in the
Heavenly Valoria Technique. The magic towers will send three thousand battle mages."
I turned to Erel. "Projected costs?"
Erel answered firmly, "We can sustain a full year of war with current
reserves. Longer, if additional bonds are issued."
I nodded. "Good. Then I will lead in the battlefield myself."
An uproar broke out. Bruna cried, "Impossible! A king must not march to
war!"
Theon shouted, "If Your Majesty falls, Valoria will collapse!"
I looked at them sharply. "Precisely because I am king, I must be at the
front. I can give direct orders, reduce losses, hasten victory, and ensure our
resources are not wasted. I bear responsibility for this choice. I will not let
my people fight alone."
A heavy silence filled the hall. Then Lionel rose, fist clenched. "Then
Valoria marches with its king."
A unanimous roar of approval followed.
[POV: General Narrative – Solaris]
In the west, the Solaris palace was tense. Emperor Lucian Solaris received word
from spies: Sunstones had refused to submit.
His face hardened, his voice like steel. "Then destroy them."
Forty thousand soldiers
were ordered to march toward Sunstones' border. War drums thundered, banners of
the sun unfurled. Roads shook with the tramp of soldiers, leaving behind dust
and fear in every village they passed.
But Solaris did not rely on the sword alone. Behind palace walls, advisers
whispered of other strategies—war was not only numbers, but alliances to be
bought, betrayals to be sown.
The shadow of war now spread in three directions: Valoria against Ethereal,
Sunstones against Solaris, and the whole world holding its breath to see which
would fall first.