Before the dawn of peace could fully shine upon the two worlds, undercurrents were already stirring in the shadows.
Kai and Linor were helping representatives from both realms set up a temporary camp for the Starcore Joint Council. Elven vines intertwined with human steam frameworks, forming the first outline of a new order. The guardian dragon circled high above the camp, golden scales reflecting the sunlight as its vigilant gaze swept across the surroundings.
"In the early stages of integration between the two worlds, resource distribution, conflicts of law, and calming public sentiment will all be difficult," the Elven High Elder said gravely, gently touching a newly sprouted bud of the Sacred Tree. "And above all, we must be wary of Victor's remaining forces."
No sooner had he finished speaking than a sharp alarm rang out from the edge of the camp. Steam whistles screamed, elven archers nocked their arrows, and dwarven smiths raised newly forged steam battle-axes.
"It's the Iron Fist Brigade!" a steam soldier in charge of patrol came running, his armor riddled with bullet holes. "They attacked the border supply line and are shouting that they'll reclaim the Starcore fragments to avenge Victor!"
Kai and Linor exchanged a glance and immediately grabbed their weapons. The Iron Fist Brigade was a militant organization personally founded by Victor—its members were fanatical believers in technology, ruthless in both methods and resolve.
When they reached the border, the supply line was already in ruins. Several steam cargo trucks lay overturned, goods scattered everywhere. Guards were locked in fierce combat with enemies clad in black mechanized armor. Leading them was a burly man whose left arm had been modified into a steam cannon, its barrel still smoking.
"Kai! Linor!" the man snarled when he saw them. "Though Lord Victor has fallen, his will lives on! The Starcore fragments must belong to the Eros Continent!"
"You're wrong," Kai said, tightening his grip on the meteor-iron wrench as the pocket watch on his chest grew warm. "The Starcore is not the property of a single world—it is a shared power of protection for both."
Linor drew her sword, icy-blue magical light flowing along its blade. "Lay down your weapons. Otherwise, in the name of the Guardians of the Two Worlds, we will pass judgment on you."
The man snorted in contempt and fired a shot. Kai shoved Linor aside and raised his wrench, Starcore energy surging into it and forming a blue energy shield. The shell slammed into the shield with a deafening explosion.
"Everyone, attack! Kill them and take back the fragments!" the man roared. The Iron Fist Brigade surged forward. Bullets, lasers, and magic collided in a scene of utter chaos.
At that moment, Ironhammer arrived with a group of dwarves, pushing steam cannons and opening fire on the Iron Fist Brigade. Elves followed soon after, riding massive flying birds, their arrows raining down like a storm.
"Kai, use Starcore resonance!" Ironhammer shouted. "Show them the true power of the two worlds united!"
Kai nodded and held up his pocket watch again. This time, he no longer activated the fragments alone, but injected energy simultaneously with Lenore and Iron Hammer. The light of the pocket watch blended with Lenore's magic and the dwarf's steam energy to form a three-color energy wave that swept towards the members of the Iron Fist Group.
Wherever the wave passed, black mechanized armor exploded, and members of the Iron Fist Brigade screamed as they fell. The leader's face turned deathly pale. He tried to resist, but Kai struck him squarely in the chest, sending him flying.
Lying on the ground, the man looked up at Kai approaching step by step, terror filling his eyes. "You can't kill me! I'm Lord Victor's most loyal follower!"
"Victor's era is over," Kai said calmly. "This is the era of peace between two worlds."
He did not kill the man, instead handing him over to the council for judgment.
After the crisis was resolved, representatives from both worlds convened an emergency meeting at the camp. They decided to establish the United Two Worlds Guard, appointing Kai and Linor as its captains, responsible for maintaining border security and eliminating remaining hostile forces. The council also enacted a series of policies to promote economic and cultural exchange between the realms.
Steam technology from the Eros Continent began spreading across the Aurora Continent, helping elves build sturdier homes and enabling dwarves to forge with greater efficiency. Magic from the Aurora Continent, in turn, flowed into the Eros Continent, providing new energy sources for steam machinery and ensuring that factory chimneys no longer belched black smoke.
Standing on the border highlands, Kai and Linor watched the people of both worlds living in harmony, smiles of quiet satisfaction on their faces.
"Do you think there will still be war in the future?" Linor asked softly.
Kai took her hand, his gaze steady. "As long as we protect the Starcore and safeguard this peace, there won't be."
At that moment, the pocket watch emitted a gentle glow. The star patterns on its dial resonated with the constellations in the sky. Kai knew—the Starcore was answering his vow.
He lifted his head and looked toward the stars. There lay the shared future of the two worlds.