CHAPTER 36: THE POINT OF NO RETURN
Swain's final words hung in the air: "We are now past the point of no return."
As Kai processed the statement, Swain raised his hand. The familiar dark circle materialized on the floor beneath their feet. Without hesitation, Kai and Po stepped into the circle. The crows once again formed a vortex taller than Swain, spinning into a blur of feathers and shadow. A flash of light, a lurch in the stomach... and they found themselves back in the cold marble corridors of the Nexan Palace.
Swain: "Kai, I've had a room prepared for you. Go, recover. Gather your strength. We will convene tonight to decide our next move."
Kai simply nodded, the fatigue evident in every motion.
Kai: "Alright, Swain."
His steps were heavy as he walked toward the designated chamber, the cost of opening his Domain etched into his very bones.
Swain: "Po, Terex? When do we expect him?"
Po: "He'll be here in a day or two, Swain. Don't worry. Sailing takes time. But he'll arrive on time. We're ready for battle now. Everything is falling into place."
Swain's face turned serious.
Swain: "Good. We mustn't let our guard down. One wrong step could mean the end of this kingdom."
Swain sighed, feeling the weight on his shoulders.
Po: "You're right. The Ice Kingdom is stronger now than ever, Po. Task's move was just the beginning. We are the real target. And we mustn't be caught unprepared."
ASHURA KINGDOM CAPITAL - THE SAND PALACE
Under the scorching desert sun, a messenger burst through the main gates of the palace. His uniform was drenched in sweat, his face masked with dust and terror. Gasping for air, he sprinted past guards, down opulent halls, until he reached the doors to King Arthur's audience chamber. His hand trembled as he knocked.
A gruff voice from within commanded, "Enter!"
The messenger stumbled inside, nearly falling. He prostrated himself, forehead touching the cold marble.
Messenger: "M-My King! Disaster!"
Arthur rose from his throne of sandstone. His eyes narrowed.
King Arthur: "Stand and speak. What is the meaning of this state?"
The man tried to stand, his legs wobbling.
Messenger: "T-The excavation site, my king... Attacked. A massacre... a complete massacre!"
Arthur's face drained of color.
King Arthur: "What? By whom? Who would dare?"
Messenger: "Suddenly... while our soldiers were digging... they massacred our entire unit... every single Ashura soldier. They took them all.. They took the resources, everything we had dug up, and fled. They only... they only left one man alive. To deliver the message."
Silence fell. Arthur's face turned from white to crimson with rage. Slowly, his muscles taut, he stood. The armrests of his throne creaked under his grip.
King Arthur: "LIES! THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE! A kingdom under the World Government's protection cannot do such a thing! This must be a provocation!"
Messenger: "My King, I swear... The soldier who made it to the border outpost... He saw it with his own eyes. He described Commander Hawsk's body... frozen solid in ice. It is the work of the Ice Kingdom. Without a doubt."
Arthur was rendered breathless for a moment. The pain of Fizz's death merged with the fury of this betrayal. He felt a burning in his chest. His fists clenched so tight his nails drew blood, droplets staining the marble.
King Arthur: "So... that's how it is."
Then he threw his head back and let out a warcry.
King Arthur: "DRAGON! GET IN HERE!"
The doors flew open. Commander Dragon marched in, his armor clanking, his face alert.
Commander Dragon: "Your command, My King!"
King Arthur: "Dragon, mobilize the army. Gather our full might. We march on the Ice Kingdom. We will melt their glaciers. We will leave no stone upon another. The time for vengeance has come."
Dragon was shocked. He took a step back.
Commander Dragon: "M-My King... Please reconsider! This is an open challenge to the World Government! A full-scale war! What will their response be? Our reputation, our alliances—"
King Arthur: "DRAGON! Are you questioning me? Where is your loyalty? Where were you when Fizz's body grew cold on the sand? Will you lecture me on politics now?"
Dragon swallowed, his face pale.
Commander Dragon: "Never, My King! Forgive me! It's just... just for the good of your kingdom—"
King Arthur: "The good of my kingdom is that INSULT DOES NOT GO UNPUNISHED! Carry out my orders. The army is to be ready by dawn tomorrow. Any soldier who refuses to fight, who mutinies... deal with them. My word is law. NOW GO!"
Dragon bowed deeply, a resolute look settling on his face.
Commander Dragon: "As you command, My King."
He turned and strode from the chamber, breaking into a run toward the barracks, already shouting orders.
Arthur turned to the trembling messenger.
King Arthur: "You. Return to the borders. Alert every outpost. Eyes are to be kept wide open. Watch for any movement from the Ice Kingdom. Anyone who fails will lose their head."
Messenger: "Y-Yes, My King!"
The man scrambled toward the door, almost tripping over himself.
Alone, Arthur turned to the window overlooking his vast desert. The sun was sinking westward, the horizon bleeding crimson.
King Arthur: "You'll see, Task. You will pay not only for my soldiers' blood, but for Fizz's as well. You will pay in full."
ICE KINGDOM CAPITAL - THE GLACIAL PALACE
Deep within the glacial corridors, King Task, Morde, and Flower entered the main hall. The tension in the air was sharper than the cold of the icy walls.
King Task: "Morde, retire to your quarters. You need rest. Your wounds are not insignificant. Ashura's response will not be delayed. They are likely mustering their armies as we speak."
Morde touched his bandaged abdomen. His eyes held the echo of his final clash with Flower.
Morde: "Will I be part of this fight?"
A thin, calculating smile appeared on Task's lips.
King Task: "Not in this war, Morde. This is merely... a prelude. The real war begins later. Against Nexan. That is when you will take the stage with your full power. For now, you are a hidden trump card."
A ripple of discontent stirred within Morde, but he voiced none of it. He merely nodded.
Morde: "Understood."
He turned left and headed toward his assigned room, passing through a door carved with icy motifs.
Watching him go, Task turned and met Flower's gaze. He lowered his voice to a whisper meant only for her ears.
King Task: "Flower. Watch Morde. Keep him contained until the war begins. He... can become unbalanced. And he is our most potent weapon. Without him, we cannot pierce Nexan's heart."
Flower gave a slight nod, her expression unchanging.
Flower: "Do not worry, My King. My eye will be on him."
King Task: "Good. Now, the main issue. Prepare our army. The Ashura forces will be at our borders within a day or two. We must be ready to receive them."
Flower frowned.
Flower: "My King, if I may... How are you so certain this clash won't escalate into a 'real' war? Will the World Government allow it?"
A glint of intelligence shone in Task's eyes.
King Task: "They won't, Flower. That's the beauty of the plan. They will intervene. A few elites from the Hunter Brigade will be sent to 'restore peace.' They will stop the conflict and seek to punish the culprits—ostensibly, us."
Understanding dawned slowly on Flower's face.
Flower: "Ashura will protest... Because they were the ones attacked."
King Task: "Precisely. And others, like the Ileian Kingdom, may rebel, thinking the World Government is taking sides. Trust will be shaken. And most importantly..."
He paused, letting the weight of each word sink in.
King Task: "...they will expel us from the World Union. We will be declared a 'rogue' kingdom. That is when, free from all bonds, we will take our first true step toward ruling this world with Morde's power."
Flower exhaled, impressed by the audacity of the plan.
Flower: "My King... and Morde? That much power... Will you be able to control him completely? He is more than a weapon. He has a will of his own."
The smile vanished from Task's face, replaced by absolute coldness.
King Task: "He is my creation, Flower. His will is an extension of mine. He will never slip from my control. Remember that."
Flower ceased her questioning. She bowed.
Flower: "As you will it, My King."
King Task: "Now go. Ensure the army is ready by dawn. It is war time. Let us meet the inevitable."
Flower: "As you command."
Flower exited the room silently, the weight of her task heavy on her shoulders.
HORTEX - THE SACRED LANDS - RION CASTLE
Deep within the colossal, ancient castle that served as the heart of the World Government, the news had climbed layer by layer to the highest chamber of power.
Senior Officer Argus stood before the meeting hall of the "Five Elders," breathless. The intricate carvings above the door depicted kingdoms from across the world. He straightened his uniform and took a deep breath before daring to enter. He knocked.
A resonant, emotionless voice came from within: "Enter."
Argus slipped inside. The room was vast and dim, the only light coming from five candles on a long table. Around it sat the shadowed silhouettes of the Five Elders. The air was thick with the weight of absolute authority.
The man bowed deeply, his forehead nearly touching the floor.
Argus: "Elders... I bring urgent and grave news."
One of the shadows shifted. The aged, yet powerful voice of Mars echoed in the chamber.
Mars (Five Elders): "Speak."
Argus cleared his throat.
Argus: "My Lords... Between the Ice Kingdom and the Ashura Kingdom, at their joint excavation site... there has been an act of betrayal and massacre. Ice Kingdom soldiers violated the treaty and completely annihilated the Ashura unit. They left a single soldier alive to spread the word. As we speak, Ashura is mobilizing for full-scale war. Conflict appears inevitable."
Silence fell. The candle flames flickered.
Then, Mars slowly rose to his feet. The tip of his cane tocked against the marble floor. His voice was cold and sharp.
Mars: "Foolishness. Utter foolishness."
Argus: "My Lord?"
Mars: "These two hot-headed kings endanger the world order for their personal grudge. It is our duty to preserve the peace. Argus."
Argus stiffened.
Argus: "My Lord!"
Mars: "Relay orders to the Hunter Brigade. Select three of their best. They are to deploy to the region immediately. They will halt this childish conflict. They will bring the responsible parties—whoever they may be—before the World Government for judgment. This is the direct order of the Five Elders. Is that understood?"
Argus was sweating. Three Hunters... This was a serious show of force.
Argus: "C-Crystal clear, my lord! I will relay it at once!"
He bowed again and nearly scurried from the room, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere.
Out in the corridor, he leaned against the cold stone wall and took a shaky breath.
Argus: "Gods... Entering there every time... The pressure inside is indescribable."
He wiped his hands.
Argus: "Now... to the Hunter Brigade. Immediately."
FORT LEVIATHAN - MAIN NAVAL BASE
On the massive artificial island base in the middle of the ocean, another messenger was running toward the naval command center.
He knocked on the door to Admiral Kaizen's office and entered without waiting. Inside, the three admirals of the World Navy were bent over maps: the cold and strategic Kaizen, the fiery Terizla, and the calm Shim.
Messenger: "Admiral Kaizen! Urgent intelligence!"
Kaizen looked up, his grey eyes piercing through the man.
Admiral Kaizen: "What is the commotion?"
Messenger: "Sir... The situation in the north has erupted. The Ice and Ashura Kingdoms are on the brink of war. Massacre reports confirmed. Ashura army is on the move. And... and the World Government has dispatched three Hunters to intervene!"
Admiral Terizla slammed a fist on the table.
Admiral Terizla: "Damn it all! Here it begins! Peace is over!"
Admiral Shim murmured, calm yet concerned.
Admiral Shim: "Three Hunters... This is serious. The order is under significant threat."
Kaizen stood, looking out the window at the endless ocean.
Admiral Kaizen: "Put all fleets on alert. Monitor all communication networks. This is not merely a regional clash... This could be the first spark in the reshaping of our world. And we cannot merely wait to see where the waves will crash."
The world trembled on the edge of a precipice. The rage of two kings, the cold calculus of an empire, and the intervention of the order's guardians... All pieces were now in place. The war horn had sounded. The only question remaining was who would be left standing.