⚔ The Ascendria Empire — War Council, Eastern Military Command
Beneath towering banners of crimson and gold, the generals of Ascendria gathered in the war tent.
Their empire had devoured five kingdoms in twenty years. Their armies were vast. Their appetite endless.
At the head of the table, seated in ornate steel armor, was Marshal Kaedros, supreme commander of the Ascendrian Eastern Legion.
His eyes were sharp as drawn blades. His voice colder than winter winds.
A scout captain saluted, voice laced with dark satisfaction:
> "The Verentis heir… Achilles… he's been exiled to the border."
"They've made him commander of the 3rd Legion—nothing but broken conscripts and dying soldiers."
A ripple of amusement passed through the council.
---
🩸 The Predator Smells Blood
General Voss, his map scarred with countless victories, chuckled:
> "The nobles eat their own when they fear them."
"Perfect. A fractured border weakens the kingdom more than any siege."
Kaedros leaned forward, fingers drumming against the war table:
> "Achilles Verentis…"
"Unnatural duelist. Untamed mage. Feared by his own aristocracy."
"And now… isolated at the front."
"What a waste of talent. They did him dirty."
A predatory smile curled his lips:
> "Send our infiltrators. I want his movements watched. If he falters—"
"We break their border in a week."
---
🧭 Strategic Patience
Advisor Nalia, master of whispers, cautioned:
> "But tread carefully, Marshal."
"The reports say he rewrites spells as if the world speaks to him."
"Unchained, Unpredictable."
Kaedros' smile widened:
> "That's why we don't strike now."
"We let the warfront grind him down."
"Either his kingdom devours him…"
"Or we do."
---
🌑 Across the Borderlands
As Achilles' transport rattled across frost-bitten roads, Ascendrian spies already watched from the shadows.
Their orders:
> "Observe."
"Exploit."
"And when the Verentis boy bleeds…"
"The Empire devours what's left."
In distant tents, Kaedros whispered to his officers:
> "This Achilles… he's no demon."
"He bleeds like any man."
"And soon, his blood marks the path to conquest."