The room was silent as King Aythore began recounting the events that led to the fall of Eldham. His voice was steady but carried an undertone of grief and frustration.
Every detail painted a grim picture of the demon invasion—a swift and calculated attack that left no room for defense.
“They came in the daylight with sudden force,” King Aythore said, his hands gripping the edges of the table in front of him. “There were no signs, no warnings. At first, it was only a few sightings of low-grade demons near the outskirts. But within an hour, their numbers swelled. They moved with precision, tearing through Eldham’s defenses with ease.”
The dignitaries listened intently, their faces a mix of shock and concern.
“Their leaders,” the king continued, his voice faltering slightly, “were unlike anything the warriors had seen before. Higher-grade demons—powerful, coordinated, and strategic. They targeted key locations first: the small barrack, merchant depots and stores, and the town square. By the time the people realized what was happening, it was too late.”
King Aythore took a deep breath, his gaze lowering. “Eldham fell that night. Those who survived scattered to a nearby city, but the devastation was absolute. There was no rebuilding Eldham except from the scratch.”
The room remained silent as his words sank in. Emperor Tagharn, seated at the head of the room, leaned forward, his piercing gaze sweeping across the gathered dignitaries.
“We face a crisis unlike any before,” the Emperor said, his tone measured but heavy. “Now is the time to put aside our differences and focus on survival. But before we can act, we must understand the enemy we face.”
He gestured toward the group of mages, researchers, and scouts seated to the side. “What do we know about these demons?”
One of the scouts, a man with sharp features and a weathered appearance, rose from his seat. “Your Majesty, lords, and kings,” he began, bowing respectfully. “Over the past year, we’ve been monitoring demon activity along the borders as we were assigned to do by the council of Lords. What we’ve observed is troubling.”
The room leaned in, hanging on his every word.
“The demons have become more organized,” the scout continued. “In the past, they acted as individuals or small groups, driven by primal instincts. But now, they move as one.”
Each of his word seemed more troubling than the previous. “They’ve started herding together in large numbers, and their attacks are no longer random. They’re targeting weaker settlements, hitting humanity where we’re most vulnerable.”
A murmur spread through the room, the weight of the scout’s words unsettling the gathered leaders.
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“Why now?” Lord Sketcher asked, his voice cutting through the noise. “Why are they suddenly moving with such purpose?”
The scout hesitated, glancing toward the researchers. One of them, a mage with silver hair and a long, flowing robe, spoke up. “It’s likely they’re being led,” he said.
“Powerful demons could be organizing these attacks. If that’s the case, their end goal might be far worse than simply raiding small towns.”
“But where have they gone now?” Lady Leah interjected, her tone sharp. “After destroying Eldham, they disappeared. Why?”
The scout nodded, his expression grave. “That’s the most troubling part. We’ve tracked their movements since the attack, but they’ve scattered. It’s as if they’re regrouping, waiting for something—or someone—to give the next command.”
The room fell into uneasy silence once more. The questions hung heavily in the room, each one more unsettling than the last: Why had the demons begun organizing now? What was their ultimate goal? And where would they strike next?
~~~~~
Lord Sketcher broke the silence, his voice firm. “It’s clear these demons aren’t acting alone. They must be under the command of something—or someone—far more powerful.”
The mage researcher nodded in agreement. “It aligns with what we’ve observed. These attacks are too calculated to be the work of mindless beasts. There’s a guiding hand behind all of this.”
Elder White Fang, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. His voice was calm but carried an edge of urgency. “Scout, based on your observations, how soon do you believe the first war will begin in earnest?”
The scout’s jaw tightened. “Elder, it may have already begun. If my estimates are correct, the demons are moving faster than we anticipated. At most, we have six months before they launch a real assault.”
A collective gasp rippled through the room. Six months was far less time than anyone had prepared for.
The mage researcher frowned, his brows furrowing deeply. “Six months? That’s half the time we initially estimated. Why has the timeline accelerated?”
The scout’s expression darkened. “There are… rumors,” he said carefully, his voice lowering. “Speculations, if you will. About an intelligent demon faction—a group of demons who think and strategize as well as, if not better than, humans. They’re working together to bring humanity to its knees, systematically and strategically.”
The silence that followed was deafening.
An intelligent demon faction. The very thought sent a chill down the spines of even the most hardened leaders in the room.
“This… was not expected,” Lord Leah said, her voice breaking the silence. Her lips curled into a curious smirk, though her eyes betrayed her concern. “An organized group of demons capable of planning and executing such a strategy? That changes everything.”
Elder White Fang nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. “It explains the precision of their recent attacks,” he said. “If true, this faction represents a far greater threat than any of us anticipated.”
The Emperor’s gaze swept across the room, his expression hardening as the weight of the revelation settled in. The leaders of nations and families exchanged uneasy glances, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
“What we’ve learned here today,” Emperor Tagharn said, his voice steady, “changes the scope of our preparations. We are no longer dealing with scattered attacks but a coordinated enemy. This council must act swiftly and decisively.”
He turned his attention back to the scout, his eyes sharp. “Continue. Tell us everything you know about this intelligent demon faction.”