The Reforged Dominion's capital had become a nexus of tension, a place where mortals and whispers of the divine converged. Even in daylight, the air hummed with residual energy from the Infernum's seal, and the citizens, though resilient, could sense the change in the empire's heartbeat.
Eryndor stood in the central hall of the Iron Citadel, overlooking a map that stretched across the table like the veins of the world itself. Purple and gold markers flickered under his gaze — territories under his control, neutral realms, and distant lands beyond mortal comprehension.
"This is only the beginning," he murmured.
Lyra leaned over the table, her eyes scanning the layout. "The northern threat is contained, but the divine interest… it grows. They are not idle observers; they are manipulators. You need allies who can withstand them."
Eryndor nodded. "Then we gather them. The war is no longer just ours. It spans realms."
---
The Call to Allies
A herald arrived from the Eastern Peaks, carrying a crystalline scroll that shimmered with divine light.
"By decree of the Reincarnated Emperor," the messenger announced, "all sovereigns and leaders of neighboring realms are summoned to the Iron Citadel to discuss the emerging threats of the Infernum and the interference of celestial entities."
Aristea's expression was sharp. "This is unprecedented. No mortal leader has ever been called to such a council. Some will see it as a summons; others as a challenge."
Eryndor's gaze hardened. "They will see it as survival. And we will give them a reason to fight alongside us."
Within days, envoys and representatives arrived. Humans, elves, dwarves, and even beings who defied categorization appeared in the citadel, bringing with them their customs, suspicions, and subtle hostilities.
---
First Council of the Realms
The hall was vast, vaulted with iron and crystal, echoing with every word spoken.
Eryndor took the center platform, the Iron Throne behind him gleaming as a symbol of authority and rebirth.
"Leaders of the realms," he began, voice carrying over the murmurs. "We are at a turning point. The Infernum were only the first wave. The gods themselves are intervening. If we remain divided, all will fall. If we unite… we stand a chance to shape destiny rather than be shaped by it."
A dwarf chieftain scoffed. "Why should we follow a man who has not even ruled a century?"
Eryndor's aura flared slightly, causing the torches to flicker. "Because I have lived two lifetimes and remember what the first emperor failed to accomplish. My experience transcends mere years. Join me, or witness what happens to those who remain idle."
Murmurs spread across the council. Some were impressed, some wary. Lyra's eyes met his — steady, unwavering, reminding him that trust would need to be earned through action, not words.
---
Revealing the Threat
Aristea stepped forward, projecting images of the northern fissures and the residual Infernum energy across the hall.
"These beings are but a fragment of what lies beyond," she explained. "The divine war is imminent. Powers that surpass our comprehension are already maneuvering across dimensions. Eryndor's ascendance has drawn their attention, and our world is now a chessboard in their hands."
Eryndor's expression hardened. "Then we become the players, not the pawns."
From the back, a human sorcerer from the southern plains spoke cautiously. "And how do we trust that these so-called gods are the true manipulators? They may be deceiving us to weaken our unity."
Eryndor smiled faintly. "Then let their actions reveal their intent. Our duty is to prepare, to adapt, and to survive. Doubt is a luxury we cannot afford."
---
Formation of the Coalition
Over the following days, Eryndor organized the coalition.
The Eastern Alliance: soldiers experienced in mountain warfare, assigned to guard northern passes.
The Southern Plains: cavalry and archers, tasked with rapid response to incursions.
Arcane Scholars: mages from distant realms, specializing in dimensional magic and divine wards.
Elven Rangers: scouts and intelligence operatives to monitor subtle movements of celestial energy.
Lyra trained with the mages and warriors, refining skills that combined physical prowess with divine resistance. Aristea worked alongside her, enhancing wards and magical constructs across the empire to withstand attacks from beyond.
Eryndor himself studied the celestial phenomena with intensity, reviewing every observation, every divine signature, and every fragment of prophecy that the first emperor had left behind.
> System Notification:
Quest Update: War of the Gods – Coalition Established
New Ability Unlocked: Strategic Foresight – Predicts enemy movements and potential divine interventions.
---
Subtle Manipulations
Even as the coalition solidified, not all eyes were loyal.
In the shadows, certain envoys whispered to each other, their motives unclear. One elf lord spoke of a secret pact with unseen celestial forces. A human merchant revealed knowledge of dark artifacts tied to the Infernum.
Eryndor observed these interactions with a careful eye. "Power is tested not only on the battlefield but in the halls of diplomacy," he said to Lyra. "Every alliance contains seeds of betrayal."
Lyra's hand rested on his arm. "And yet, you trust them enough to stand together?"
"I trust the empire. And I trust that, in the end, our survival depends on unity, no matter the hidden knives."
---
First Skirmish of the Coalition
A week after the council, scouts reported a small breach at the eastern frontier. Infernum had reemerged, testing the coalition's readiness.
Eryndor led the response personally. His aura flared across the battlefield, coordinating troops with unmatched precision.
Lyra commanded the mage squads, creating containment fields of fire and energy.
Aristea guided reinforcements, warding key positions against divine disruption.
Eryndor struck at the heart of the Infernum, using the Emperor's Strike combined with Strategic Foresight to predict and counter every attack.
The battle was swift but intense. Infernum forces were repelled, leaving the coalition's unity strengthened and their confidence renewed.
---
The Divine Signal
That night, the skies above the citadel glowed with an unnatural light. A single celestial symbol appeared, hovering over the throne room — a mark of the gods' attention.
Eryndor studied it, understanding instantly: a challenge, a warning, or perhaps an invitation.
Aristea whispered, "This is not random. They are sending a message — one that only someone with your memory could interpret."
Eryndor nodded. "Then we will respond. But we will respond on our terms, not theirs."
Lyra placed her hand on his shoulder. "And we face it together."
Eryndor smiled faintly, the weight of the empire pressing down upon him, the gods' gaze fixed on him, yet his resolve unshaken. "Together," he agreed.
The Reforged Dominion stood stronger than ever, but the true war — the inter-realm and divine conflict — had only begun. The chessboard of worlds was set, and Eryndor's next moves would determine the fate of countless realms.
> System Update:
Quest Unlocked: Investigate Divine Maneuvers
Empire Status: Ascendant Tier – Coalition Ready
New Abilities: Alliance Command, Dimensional Awareness, Counter-Divine Tactics