Emperor Kronos leaned over the expansive war table inside the royal citadel of Gildreath. General Varkis pointed a gauntleted finger at the western border map.

The Vanguard forces had claimed the outer territories and halted their advance completely. The invasion force occupied the Sun-Hold fortress without making a single move toward the capital.

"The invaders breached our perimeter two weeks ago," Varkis reported. "They captured the border stronghold and simply locked the gates. Our scouts observe zero marching columns or raiding parties leaving that location."

Minister Helos paced along the length of the table. He rubbed his temples with two fingers. "A conquering force does not simply stop marching after securing a foothold. They are fortifying the stronghold to establish a permanent supply route into our lands."

Morian leaned against a polished wooden cane. He tapped the floor to draw the council’s attention. "They are waiting for retaliation. The invaders want us to march our forces into a prepared kill zone outside those walls."

"We must launch an immediate counteroffensive," Varkis insisted. He pointed to a cluster of defensive markers. "We gather our forces and strike Sun-Hold before they reinforce the gates. Leaving an enemy entrenched on our soil invites a larger invasion."

Kronos gripped the edge of the obsidian slab. "A frontal assault guarantees massive casualties. We know absolutely nothing about their elemental capabilities or their total troop count. Marching our primary forces into an occupied fortress plays directly into their hands."

"We surround the fortress and cut off their supply lines," Varkis countered. He rested his hand on the hilt of his broadsword. "We starve them out before they launch their next strike or plan something bigger."

"Our border guards reported bizarre logistical movements," Helos replied. He pulled a map closer to inspect the trade routes. "The invaders do not utilize traditional supply caravans. They produce alchemical rations out of thin air. Starving them is a mathematical impossibility."

The oak doors of the command center crashed open. Kane stumbled onto the polished marble floor. He clutched a sealed parchment scroll against his chest. His breathing came in shallow gasps as he collapsed to his knees before the table.

Kronos looked up from the map. "Report."

Kane held the crumpled parchment out with trembling hands. "Tarnstead has fallen. The Vanguard army breached the capital gates and routed the entire coalition military."

Varkis dropped his wooden marker. The carved piece clattered against the obsidian table and rolled onto the floor. "Voranthar commands the largest military coalition on the continent. An invading force cannot dismantle that empire in a matter of days."

"They paralyzed the entire defending army," Kane explained. He wiped a streak of dirt from his forehead. "The invaders bypassed the military and went straight for the rulers. They dragged Voranthar and Alden out of the palace."

Helos sank into a nearby wooden chair. He stared blankly at the far wall.

"They took Voranthar and Alden into the central plaza," Kane continued. His voice cracked. "The invaders distributed massive amounts of alchemical paste to the starving citizens. They incited a massive riot among the peasantry. The mob tore Voranthar and Alden to pieces with their bare hands."

Kronos squeezed the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white. He looked down at the map of his own borders.

"Three hundred lords died in the plaza," Kane whispered. He looked down at the marble floor. "The citizens trampled the remains of the royal families into the cobblestones. The entire Aethelgard leadership is gone."

Varkis took a step backward. His hand slipped away from the hilt of his broadsword. The absolute foundational power of the Fourth Continent had collapsed. Kronos closed his eyes and listened to the silence filling the command center.

The Vanguard unknown origin currently occupied half of the Fourth Continent. Their forces marched through the Aethelgard and Transtead borderlands without facing any resistance.

Helos traced the sprawling red lines across the western map. "They dismantled the largest military coalition in existence. Gildreath and Morval stand directly in their path. The Vanguard will reach our gates in a matter of weeks."

Morian tapped his wooden cane against the stone tiles. "We need a strategy to repel them. We must mobilize the central legions immediately."

Kronos remained perfectly silent. He let the frantic chatter echo off the vaulted ceiling. Voranthar had ruled Aethelgard with absolute arrogance, treating his allies like disposable assets.

Kronos cut through the rising panic. "Voranthar was a vile man. He ruled his people through starvation and fear. His death is excellent news. We should raise a glass to the mob that tore him apart."

Varkis stared at Kronos with wide eyes. "We signed a mutual defense pact with Aethelgard. The Radiant Monarch claims dominion over their capital. If the Radiant Monarch decides to punish us for breaking the alliance, we will all burn. And our gods will be punished too."

Kronos pushed a golden marker off the edge of the table. "The Radiant Monarch watched Voranthar die. He possesses the power to vaporize the entire Vanguard from orbit. He chose to do nothing. We will concern ourselves with our own borders and ignore a silent deity."

Helos stepped away from the table and wrung his hands together. "Ignoring the Vanguard guarantees our destruction. They deploy beasts made of living stone and soldiers armed with star-iron. We must strike them before they establish forward operating bases on our soil."

Morian leaned forward and planted both hands on the obsidian slab. "We require a mandate. Do we send the legions to the border, or do we prepare for a siege?"

Kronos looked at Varkis and Helos. The sheer scale of the Vanguard invasion required careful calculation. Rushing the legions into an unknown battlefield invited the exact slaughter Voranthar had just suffered.

Kronos turned his back on the war table. "I need time to review the troop deployments. Gather everyone. I will deliver my decision tomorrow at dawn."

Kronos walked out of the command center, leaving Varkis and Helos arguing among themselves. Sprawling corridors stretched ahead of him. Moonstone crystals illuminated the polished marble floors and the towering silk paintings depicting ancient victories.

He passed the grand archway leading into the primary throne room and continued down the hall.

A strange sound echoed from the dark chamber behind him. Kronos stopped walking. Turning around, he retraced his steps to the grand archway. He pushed the massive oak doors open and stepped into the cavernous room.

Golden energy flared from his mana core to illuminate the shadows near the royal dais.

Someone occupied his golden throne. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

Kronos drew his broadsword from its scabbard. "Who dares sit there?"