[POV: General Narrative –
Valoria–Ethereal Border]
A week after the great council in Caelora, Valoria's army reached the border
with Ethereal. This battlefield was different. No longer the steep cliffs and
highlands where Mordred once dragged Valoria to the brink of ruin. Arthur had
chosen another path: the low plains, flat and wide, with Ethereal's towering
wall rising just a kilometer ahead.
The decision was born of careful thought. Arthur knew the enemy's
strength—filled with sorcerers. Fighting on cliffs would drag time and give
them advantage. On the plains, open ground favored coordination and siege
engines.
"Here we make camp," Arthur ordered firmly.
Within a day, a vast encampment rose. Tens of thousands of tents were
pitched, trenches dug, kitchens built. Smoke curled into the evening sky.
Arthur commanded the troops to hunt wild game in the nearby forest—deer, wild
buffalo, boar, even a bear. All were cooked together, feeding tens of
thousands.
"Use the hunt. Save our supplies. Every sack of grain spared today could
mean lives tomorrow," he said.
That night, the army ate together. Campfires crackled, orange light dancing
across faces. Tension lingered, but so did a growing conviction. They knew that
by morning, history would be written again.
[POV: Arthur – Morning]
Dawn broke, and the war drums thundered, shaking chests and summoning the
spirit of thirty thousand soldiers
and three thousand mages.
I walked to the front ranks, eyes locked on Ethereal's wall, looming only
four hundred meters ahead. Enemy soldiers already stood guard atop it, rows of
black shields and drawn bows ready to fire.
Behind me, Valoria's siege engines—catapults, trebuchets, wooden
towers—stood ready.
I drew qi into my palms, light flashing in my eyes. "Yes… it's true," I
murmured. "The mastermind behind the Demonic Cult was Ethereal. This barrier's
structure is the same as the one protecting their cult's fortress."
I raised my hand, signaling. "Strike where I mark."
The mages around me held their breath. I summoned fire and lightning
together, forging a massive fireball five meters wide, sparks of lightning
crackling within, making the air shudder.
"There," I pointed to the right of the gate.
With a roar, I released it. Flame and thunder tore through the air, smashing
into the barrier.
The ground shook as it exploded. Blue light from the barrier cracked,
splintered—and collapsed. Before it could recover, volleys of catapult stones
rained upon the same spot. The wall crumbled, dust rising, screams echoing from
above.
I raised my sword high. "Forward!"
The Valorian tide surged. Arrows poured from the walls but were deflected by
qi shields.
Ethereal's mages unleashed their fury—fire, frost, and lightning cascaded
down. But Valoria's tower mages countered, detonating blasts midair. The sky
became a battlefield of red and blue light, like stars exploding at noon.
The army pressed on. War cries merged with the thunder of marching feet. In
less than an hour, Valoria had breached and seized Ethereal's wall.
The black-silver banner of Valoria flew atop the ruins. The drums ceased,
replaced by a roar of victory shaking the heavens.
I stood upon the shattered wall, sword raised high. "Today, Valoria has not
only triumphed. Today, Valoria shows the world… Ethereal can fall."
[POV: Arthur – After the Battle]
Smoke still lingered as Ethereal's forces retreated. I turned to Lionel Drest.
"Assess the situation. I want a full report."
Lionel moved swiftly, returning with a grave look. "No deaths, Your Majesty.
But five serious injuries and more than a hundred minor wounds recorded."
I nodded in relief. "Fortune favored us today. Treat all the wounded. Those
unfit to fight, send back to Valoria for proper care."
I turned to Hendrik. "The nearest cities—numbers and strength?"
Hendrik unrolled a map. "Six large cities and ten smaller towns within a few
days' march. Most lack full garrisons. Many Ethereal troops were pulled back to
the capital."
I nodded. "We strike the larger cities first. Smaller ones can wait. Do not
kill civilians. If they resist, subdue and detain. Soldiers who surrender are
prisoners of war. But if any endanger our men—cut them down without mercy."
I raised my sword, pointing eastward. "We march for the nearest city. One
city must fall each day. Valoria will not stop here."
A thunderous cheer erupted, drums resounded again. Valoria's army advanced,
leaving Ethereal's fallen wall behind.
[POV: General Narrative – The World
Reacts]
The victory spread like wildfire. Spies raced to deliver word: Ethereal's
border wall, known as the Eastern Shield, had fallen in a single day.
In Veritas, the Republic Council reeled. "Valoria… breached Ethereal in one
day?" a senator whispered, trembling. Another stared at the map, face pale. "If
this continues, the world map will change."
In Riverbend, King Alden read the report in silence. Elara stood beside him,
trembling. "He truly did it," she whispered. Alden drew a long breath. "If
Valoria subdues Ethereal, the world will fall under his shadow."
In Sunstones, King Barthol Van Stones received the news. The nobles fell
silent, some whispering uneasily. "Did we bet on the right side?" one asked.
Barthol struck his staff. "We must. If Valoria can shatter Ethereal, they are
the only counterbalance to Solaris."
In Greenhaven, farmers heard the news from traders. "That young king… he
really is bringing change," one said. The rumor spread from mouth to mouth,
stirring new hope.
[POV: General Narrative – Solaris]
In the west, Solaris' palace rang with uproar. Emperor Lucian Solaris received
the report with a hardening face.
"What did you say? Ethereal's wall fell in a single day?"
The envoy bowed, trembling. "Yes, Your Majesty. Valoria led in person. The
barrier shattered under fire and lightning. Ethereal's troops retreated without
resistance."
Lucian rose, his black cloak sweeping. "Impossible! Ethereal fell too
quickly… and we haven't even broken Sunstones."
He turned to his general. "Send more forces to Sunstones' border. I don't
care the cost. Solaris must not lose face before the world."
Outside the palace, Solaris' drums thundered. Another forty thousand soldiers
marched, but the shadow of Valoria's victory haunted their steps.
For the first time, Solaris' blazing sun seemed dimmed by the rise of a new
star shining bright.