The war drums thundered on the horizon, but Minwoo raised a hand, halting his guild's advance.
"No," he said firmly. "We don't need to rush into war unprepared. The Iron Sovereign's strength is great—but so is ours."
Kinro's fiery eyes met Minwoo's, understanding the weight of the moment.
Selene nodded. "If we wait, gather allies and strengthen our bonds, we can face the Sovereign on our terms."
Kael grinned. "Then let's make sure our side keeps growing."
Word spread quickly across the shattered lands.
From forgotten valleys and ancient ruins, from hidden enclaves and shattered kingdoms, warriors answered the call of the Shadow Fang—Minwoo's guild, born of fire, shadow, and defiance.
A battle-scarred swordswoman with lightning-fast reflexes and a blade that sang like thunder.
A stoic archer whose arrows could pierce both armor and illusion.
A pair of twin mages, their combined elemental magic shaping storms and earth alike.
A towering beastmaster whose loyal companions roared and snarled, matching Kinro's fierce loyalty.
Each new member brought strength, skill, and stories that enriched the guild's legacy.
Gathered around the glowing Forge, Minwoo looked out over the growing ranks.
"This is more than a guild now," he said quietly. "It's a family. A force united not by fear or fate, but by choice."
Selene smiled, lighting a glyph that shimmered across the group. "Together, we will forge a future the Sovereign can't rewrite."
Kael tightened his grip on his spear. "And when the time comes, we'll show him exactly what the Shadow Fang means."
Kinro let out a low, rumbling growl — a promise of fire, shadow, and unyielding loyalty.