🕓 4:00 p.m. – Noir Kingdom’s War Headquarters
The walls of the War Headquarters were reinforced with obsidian essence, enchanted to withstand even magical storms. The air inside carried weight, as if each decision made within could shape the fate of the world.
The two massive doors opened slowly.
Zareth von Noir, the King, entered.
Everyone stood tall and spoke in unison: —Hail the king!
Captains, squadrons, strategists… even Scarlett, clad in freshly polished armor, bowed respectfully.
Zareth raised a hand and spoke with calm, commanding voice: —Let this emergency meeting begin.
Dyor, royal strategist and blood brother of the late Queen Sefir, stepped forward. His war robe brushed the floor as he drew his wand, carved with ancient symbols. Placing it on the central table, he twisted it gently, conjuring a world map in green essence.
The map hovered above the table, showing the Noir Kingdom in perfect scale. Even the narrowest alleyways shimmered like living lines. Most noticeable was a massive magic dome—invisible in real space—that protected the capital.
Dyor frowned.
—Your Majesty… since 12:30 p.m., the anti-essence barrier has been behaving strangely. It detected four unknown presences entering from the cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west. Traces of essence remain, but vanish once they pass the main gates.
—Magical artifacts? —Zareth muttered.
—Most likely bracelets with embedded gems. The trail’s too clean —Dyor replied.
Before he could finish, the doors burst open violently.
Delf, a high elf of the Vert Kingdom’s forces, stumbled in—bleeding, barely standing, eyes cloudy.
—Help… Your Majesty… the Acre Fortress has been taken… on the western border by the empire.
The room froze.
—The west!? —someone shouted— Isn’t that beyond the forest?
—If the east attacks too… they’re trying to flank us!
—We’re surrounded!
Zareth raised his voice, still composed:
—Silence… for a moment.
Everyone obeyed.
He turned to Dyor.
—Your thoughts?
Dyor stepped forward:
—We must request aid from the Rouge Kingdom—they’re nearest to Vert’s west. Reinforce the eastern flank. And leave forces here to remove the infiltrators.
General August, clad in black armor with his helmet under his arm, took the floor with authority:
—Staying behind: Captain Nor, Captain Seth, Captain Sesil, and Captain Scarlett. Their squads—hunt the rats.
—Yes, sir! —they responded in unison.
—To support Vert: squadrons Dusk, Sunset, and Dawn, and their subunits. Follow General Ralf —August added, marking the map firmly.
But then… Zareth interrupted:
—I’ll lead the operation. I’m heading west. Ralf will take the east.
Murmurs swept the room. It was the prince’s birthday—the ceremony only hours away.
Scarlett stepped forward:
—Father… it’s not my place to interfere, but you should stay. I can go to the fortress.
Zareth didn’t even turn.
—No. Stay in the city. I’ll go.
Scarlett murmured bitterly:
—Always duty first…
August slammed the map shut.
—Move out!
The corridors filled with clashing armor, rumbling wagon wheels, and essence glowing through transport runes. Horses neighed under the rising night sky.
War… had already begun.
🕔 5:00 p.m. – The Dédalo Alleyways
Deep within the city, where alleyways twisted like labyrinths between old houses and enchanted walls, another world stirred.
The sun began its descent, painting buildings in hues of orange, red, and violet. Magic lamps now lit every corner with floating brightness.
In that perfect twilight… the people laughed.
Human children, elves, beastkin—played together on stairways. Some clutched wooden swords. Others cast playful spells. Their laughter was melody within tension.
Vendors draped cloth for the upcoming feast. Women hung garlands of flame essence along balconies. Minstrels played tunes on essence violins, celebrating the young prince.
For while the upper city prepared for war…
Below, the people readied to honor Neirox von Noir.
Silent Hunt, Voices in the Dark
🕠 5:30 p.m. – "Hunting rats… or falling into a mousetrap?"
Captains Scarlett, Seth, Nor, and Sesil, each with their respective squads, were positioned at the four corners of the Noir Kingdom. The order was clear: identify and capture intruders before they made a move.
From rooftops, balconies, enchanted walls, and stone tunnels, soldiers watched in silence. They used the Crimson Tracking Spell, a subtle magic that left floating threads of essence on unfamiliar presences.
Soon, the invaders were found.
- One was eating wyvern meat skewers at a street stand set up for the prince’s birthday celebration. - Another, seated on a stone bench, quietly watched children play. - One woman strolled the streets like a regular citizen, even greeting shopkeepers. - The last, a hooded figure, sipped alone in a dimly lit bar.
All wore the same worn black cloak—too obvious a marker.
The squads waited for the signal to strike.
But then… everything changed.
Two of the intruders vanished.
No smoke. No sound. They simply… disappeared. The soldiers tracking them were stunned. Without alarming the public, they began searching quietly, casting deeper tracking spells. Nothing.
Only the woman in the bar and the man at the bench remained. The latter was now standing—like he was waiting for something…
🕕 6:00 p.m. – The Roar of Hooves and the Forest’s Song
Far from the city, the royal army began its march.
Zareth von Noir, followed by generals, commanders, elite squadrons, and enchanted carriages, rode toward the border. The sky turned violet. The sun dipped low. The moon emerged between the trees.
The path to Vert, east and west, opened like glowing veins through the woods.
Horses galloped with wind-boosted magic. Carriages groaned under shielding runes. Mini forest spirits, glowing softly in multiple colors, fluttered among branches, painting a scene worthy of myth.
Midway, the army split:
- Zareth’s forces headed west to the Acre Fortress. - Ralf’s group veered east toward Vert’s snowy pass.
A cloud of dust lingered behind them, while soldiers faded into forests whispering ancient chronicles.
🕕 6:00 p.m. – The Queen’s Radiance
High within the Royal Castle, in a chamber draped with lunar silk and gold-essence tapestries, Queen Nyxaria prepared for the ceremony.
Two maids attended her.
—Your Majesty… tonight you shine like the stars watching over Noir —said the first, adjusting her magic pendant.
—This dress… white with golden trim, inlaid with crystals reflecting essence light… makes your hair look woven by gods —added the second, finishing her hairstyle with a comb made from siren scales.
Nyxaria smiled gently. Her violet eyes reflected nostalgia. Her son’s day had to be perfect… even if shadows stirred behind the curtains of the realm.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Three soft but firm knocks echoed on the door carved with lunar essence.
The maids exchanged curious glances.
One stepped forward, grasped the enchanted handle, and slowly opened the door…
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