Continue your journey on empire
But before she could finish her question, Madam Clark cut her off, her tone now laced with finality.
“Within three months, all the resources will be dispensed to their respective locations. Do not concern yourselves with this.” Her eyes flicked across the room, daring anyone to question her further. “And don’t forget the Fist Mark on your arms, It exists for one reason, and one reason only: to remind you of the cause. To remind you of the price of failure.” She added, her voice cold and ominous.
A heavy silence followed her words, the weight of her authority bearing down on the room. There was no more room for debate, no more questions to be asked. The fate of the Nine Realms was sealed with her decree, and everyone in that hall knew it.
Madam Clark slowly rose from her throne, her eyes sweeping over the gathered leaders one last time. “The days ahead will test your resolve, your loyalty, and your strength. But remember this: the cause will carry us through. And we will prevail.”
With that, she turned and walked out of the hall, her presence lingering even as she disappeared from view. Anjan followed closely behind, his massive sword held firmly in his hands, his expression as unreadable as ever.
As the doors closed behind them, the hall remained silent. The leaders, witches, and wizards present were left to ponder the weight of the decisions that had been made. The war was coming, and there was no turning back. Each one of them knew that the next time they gathered in this hall, the Nine Realms would be a very different place.
–
The volcanic mountain was alive, an unusual joy that spread from the deepest caverns to the very peak, where flames danced in harmony with the echoes of laughter.
The solemn war seriousness of the Fire Kirins was replaced by a festive atmosphere. Kavi’s mother laid out an array of foods—fire crystals that gleamed with a fiery light, spiritual fruits that radiate an aura of life force, and dishes infused with the essence of the volcanic flames.
Jabil, with his muscular frame hunched over a large plate of fire crystals, tore into them with vigor, his usually stern face softened by a rare smile. The baby dragon rolled around the table, playfully nudging Jabil with its snout before snatching a fruit from Kavi’s mother’s outstretched hand.
But not everyone shared in the joy below. At the peak of the volcanic mountain, where the flames licked at the sky, Kent stood alone, his face solemn, his heart heavy.
His eyes were fixed on the ground below, where the remnants of a fierce battle lay scattered. The bodies of fallen Fire Kirins and Dwarf Phoenixes littered the ground, their once majestic forms now lifeless and still. The leaders of both races moved quietly among them, their faces etched with grief as they carried away their dead, careful not to ignite another conflict.
Kent’s mind was dull with thoughts, darker than the shadows cast by the dying sun. The sight of the battlefield below, of the lives lost in a struggle for power, stirred a deep unease within him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning—that greater battles lay ahead, battles that would tear apart not just these lands, but the very fabric of the Nine Realms.
His thoughts drifted to his parents, their opposing factions, and the inevitable clash that would leave nothing but destruction in its wake. ‘Will I be the one to pick up the pieces?’ he wondered, the weight of the responsibility pressing down on him.
Suddenly, the space around Kent began to ripple, the very air distorting as if reality itself were being twisted by an unseen force. His thoughts were interrupted as a familiar energy filled the atmosphere—a stormy presence that sent a chill down his spine despite the intense heat.
Before him, the image of the Storm God materialized, his form crackling with lightning flickers, his eyes like twin thunderbolts.
Kent’s heart skipped a beat, but he quickly composed himself, bowing his head in respect. “Brother,” he greeted, his voice steady despite the surprise.
The Storm God raised a hand, gesturing for Kent to rise. “There’s no need for formalities, Brother, I’ve come with a message, one of great importance.” He said, his voice rumbling like distant thunder.
Kent’s brow furrowed in curiosity. ‘A message?’ He wondered what it could be that required the Storm God himself to deliver it.
The Storm God’s gaze was intense, as he began unveiling the message. “A great war is coming, Brother—a war that will shake the foundations of all Nine Realms. The scale of this conflict is unlike anything we’ve ever witnessed. It will tip the balance of power, not just among mortals, but among the gods themselves. Even we will be drawn into the chaos.”
Kent’s eyes widened as the Storm God’s words sank in. He couldn’t help but think of his parents once more, their inevitable confrontation now seeming like a mere precursor to the storm that was about to break.
The Storm God continued, his voice growing more solemn. “This war will be the greatest test for us all. And it is a test that the War God himself must face. It is the final trial before he ascends to the position of the Old Gods.”
Kent felt a cold shiver run down his spine. The War God, the embodiment of battle and conflict, was preparing for his ultimate trial—a trial that would determine the fate of him.
The enormity of it all was overwhelming, but Kent forced himself to focus. “What does the War God want from me?” he asked, his voice filled with determination.
The Storm God’s eyes softened, just a fraction. “The War God has chosen you, Brother. He wants you to prepare for this war, to be ready for the battles that lie ahead. And to aid you in this, on the day of your entry into the Spirit World, he has decided to promote you to the status of the Pleasure God. Also offering a physical body and returning her status to the Lust Goddess.”
Just as the Storm God talked about the Lust Goddess, the soul spirit of the lust goddess rushed outside from Kent’s body. “Stop your child games, Storm God.” The Lust Goddess angrily retorted with a cold look.
–
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