A week had passed since Solaris breached the borders of the Sunstones. Yet
Ironvale still stood tall. Its black walls repelled every strike, its iron moat
filled with corpses, and the air stank of blood and thick oil.
Atop a siege tower, Kael Solaris glared at the city in fury. His fingers
clenched an obsidian spear, his voice booming above the roar of battle.
"A week… and that wall still hasn't fallen."
A general knelt, his face pale.
"Your Majesty, Ironvale was built to endure for generations. They've shown no
sign of surrender."
Kael scoffed, fire lacing his tone.
"Then we'll prove who breaks first. Solaris never retreats!"
The army roared back, though their cries sounded more like prayers than
conviction.
Behind the walls, Sir Elric Davonar of Riverbend raised his bow.
"Spirit arrows, ready! Aim true—drive them back!"
Glowing arrows shot into the night sky. Beside him, Lucien Draemont of Veritas
drove his golden staff into the ground.
"Light shield, close ranks! Keep them outside these walls!"
Ironvale held. Solaris was stalled.
To the east, Valoria's banners waved before Kaelenspire—the capital of
Ethereal. Its black spires pulsed with dark runes, like the beating heart of a
giant.
Arthur stood at the front lines, twin swords at his sides. Lionel Drest
beside him lifted a massive shield. Behind them, six tower mages formed a
circle, the Oculus hovering at its center, glowing blue.
Arthur gazed up at the towering walls. His voice was low but steady.
"This is the end of Ethereal."
He closed his eyes, invoking the Heavenly Valoria Technique. The army's qi
resonated, their breaths united as one. The resonance carried through the
ranks, like the invisible ringing of steel. The mages channeled spells, binding
them to the Oculus. The barrier cracked—kraaaak!—splintering quickly.
"Hold the rhythm," Arthur commanded.
The wall of light shattered into a rain of shards. Lionel lifted his shield,
his voice echoing.
"Advance! Push them back!"
Valoria's forces surged forward in tight formation, spears gleaming under
firelight.
Kaelenspire's streets erupted in chaos. Flames poured from windows, screams
and clashing steel filled the air. Ethereal's nobles led the defense: Ravon
wielding a coal-black sword, Tharos swinging a colossal hammer, Selene casting
fire magic, and Veynar with living shadows.
Ravon's blade slammed into Lionel's shield.
"Valoria is nothing but another shadow!"
Lionel braced, then shoved back hard.
"Your shadow ends tonight!"
His shield trembled, then he unleashed Iron Ram, toppling Ravon for a moment.
Tharos's hammer struck, the ground quaking, soldiers falling. Roderic darted
in with Gale Step, striking from the flank.
"Left side open—go in!"
The Valorian ranks moved as one—Formation Breaker. The gap opened, Roderic
driving his blade with precision into the giant's armor.
On the rooftops, Ren darted with Shadow Step.
"You won't escape, Veynar!"
His foe split into Shadow Doppelgängers. Reyna lifted her blade, conjuring a
Blade Mirage that bewildered. Akira hurled Silent Fang, shattering one copy.
Sebastian sealed with Light Seal, pinning Veynar to the ground.
Selene hurled a Flame Orb. Alaric countered with Barrier Breaker, Lyra swept
the fire with Wave Surge, Seliora spread a Radiant Shield over the evacuation
path. Darius shattered runes with Rune Shatter, Elandor reinforced the ground,
and Kaelenor maintained the flow as Mana Conductor.
A corridor opened. Civilians fled in panic as Valorian soldiers formed
shield walls, their qi resonating to hold the line.
At the throne, a black altar thundered. Malphas Duskbane stood in shadowed
armor dripping with mist.
"Young king," his voice heavy and cold, "you think you can tear out
Ethereal's roots with your blades?"
Arthur lifted both katanas.
"I don't think. I make certain."
Malphas raised his staff, a Soul Shield spreading wide. Arthur lunged, Moon
Splitter tearing through screaming souls. Shadow Legion poured forth, but
Arthur danced with Dual Blade Dance, his swords cutting from impossible angles.
The battle raged, altar walls cracking, the air burning with fire and
freezing with mist. Arthur's breath grew heavy, but he still stood.
"Eternal Night!" Malphas roared. The sky collapsed, a shadow dragon born
from mist. Its breath of darkness shattered the altar pillars.
Arthur ignited the Heavenly Valoria Technique. Fang of the Earth tore down
the first dragon, the Sacred Sword split the second. Black blood spilled,
slicking the floor.
Shadowy hands grasped his legs, pulling him down. Malphas laughed.
"You are but one soul, against thousands."
Arthur gritted his teeth, his heart's voice resounding: I carry more
than Valoria. I carry the hope of all who chose to believe.
He roared, the Oculus trembling as the tower mages poured their power. Rune
Shatter exploded, Mana Conductor kept the current steady. Resonance surged into
Arthur's body, his blades glowing brighter.
Dual Blade Dance became a storm, his strikes sweeping away shadows. Malphas
staggered back, his voice rasping.
"Impossible…"
The altar collapsed. Flames died, leaving only the Oculus and glowing
blades. Malphas roared, his body swelling in black mist.
"I am the night itself!"
Arthur leapt, Fang of the Earth in his left, Sacred Sword in his right. The
Oculus severed the souls' bindings. Both blades crossed—the final Dual Blade
Dance pierced the black armor.
Malphas's scream shook the city as his body dissolved into rain of ash.
Arthur stood, blood flowing, breath ragged. His blades remained raised,
though his hands trembled. A battle that felt like an eternity was finally
over.
Ravon fell to Lionel's sword. Tharos collapsed under Roderic's strike.
Selene surrendered, Veynar bound.
Kaelenspire crumbled. Ethereal was erased from the map.
Arthur stood in the square.
"Ethereal is over. From this day, you are people of Valoria."
Tears and cheers filled the air.
That night, Arthur appointed Darian Velcroft.
"You'll govern this city. Use Ethereal's treasury to rebuild. Lionel will guard
its safety—you'll lead the people."
Darian knelt.
"I understand, Your Majesty."
Bonfires crackled in the charred hall. Lionel, Roderic, the Shadow Guard,
and the tower mages sat around a rough wooden table.
Arthur spoke first, his tone calm yet firm.
"We've won here. But Ironvale still stands. The war isn't over."
Lionel grinned wearily.
"Our troops can hold, but they need to breathe too, Arthur."
Roderic leaned forward.
"Smaller forts on the outskirts remain. If left alone, they'll breed rebels.
We'll need garrisons."
Alaric raised his crystal staff.
"Malphas's runes linger. We'll purge them tonight."
Ren smirked.
"And we'll guard the civilians. They must see Valoria as something different
from Malphas."
Arthur stood, eyes sweeping across them all.
"Good. Lionel, form the garrisons. Roderic, secure logistics. Mages, cleanse
the runes. Shadow Guard, protect the people. Darian will handle the civil side,
but it's you who'll make them believe."
He exhaled, his voice steady.
"We are not conquerors. We are builders. From this night on, Kaelenspire is no
longer Ethereal's city. It is Valoria's."
The commanders rose. The bonfire danced in their weary yet resolute eyes.