Chaos.
Across worlds, many forces were apprehensive; they were those that remembered the agreement between the realms and the Thraines. That agreement was as good as dirt, now that a Thraine had found a reason to cross to Other-side. They could not even find a loophole, especially when she was invited and even welcomed by the four clans there. Out of the many who received this information, few understood that there was something wrong with this entire situation. Even if a Thraine crossed over, how could it have resounded across worlds and realms that fast?
Only the Harnian gate, who had ignored the treaty and played dirty in Thriegor should have heard of this first. Everyone knew that communication across worlds was as simple as having a spirit talisman, and those powerful realms and worlds would easily have their spies in Thriegor pass along this information.
Still, the distance between worlds and even more so; between realms, would have made passing this information very hard. In the right scenario, only the Harnian gate would get this information yet, it would still not be this soon. This was a warning; not for the Harnian gate, but for everyone.
Even though they did not interfere with the workings of Thriegor, they kept themselves informed. Those with eyes could see, only one person could have done this; Lady Wickshire.
Just outside Juhntt, a great army laid in wait; their presence unknown to those in the peaceful kingdom. News of this development reaches the ears of a different martial section of this army. Normal soldiers who passed by this section bowed respectfully, a clear sign that great people stayed here. The leader of this section looked up at the looming moon as this information reached him.
"Do you think she knows we are about to attack Juhntt? It seems awfully convenient, don't you think?" his subordinate asked.
"Even if she, herself said she did not know, no one would believe it. But, it matters not. We have our orders," the leader said with a sigh, "Get me the general,"
"Yes sir," his subordinate disappeared into the night and returned a second later with a very startled general. His armour was barely steady as he realized where he was.
"My lord!" he fell to his knees immediately.
"Prepare your men. We attack now," he said.
"But... what about the signal?" the general asked.
"Your king had an agreement with the prince of Juhntt, but we have plans of our own. You may wait and attack alone if it pleases you," the leader said.
"No, my lord. We will move now," the general grimaced. The only reason why their kingdom dared to move on Juhntt was because of these foreigners. Without them, they will not be able to bear the brunt of the ancients for attacking a first-rate kingdom. They had to do it with these foreigners.
"The signal has arrived, my lord!" someone entered and announced suddenly.
"You are in luck," the leader said, "Move out,"
The general rushed out to relay orders. The leader sighed deeply; he had a bad feeling about this. He never even believed that this plan would work in the first place. Use the cover of a coup planned by the prince to surround her? He scoffed at this thought. He could swear on his life that she knew he was standing right here, right now, about to attack the kingdom. His master had warned him to be careful with her.
"Just because they succeeded in killing her mother, does not mean they will succeed in killing her; she and her mother are on two different levels. The council is overly arrogant; Lord gatekeeper, even more so," his master had told him, but orders were orders.
With one word from the general, the army invaded Juhntt. Their plan was very clear; they would enter the kingdom from the southwest. This was the fastest way to reach the capital before the morning twilight smiled. This was also the best way to ensure that Juhntt will be unable to react in time.
The army moved like the hand of death, laying waste to the towns and countryside as they approached the capital. People did not even get the chance to scream before they were slain.
News of the carnage had finally reached the capital and the king. But it was a little too late, as the invading army was already at their doorstep.
"What?" King Larken's eyes rounded out.
"They wear the crest of Isne and attacked from Lithu. They are a few minutes from the capital," a martial artist under the kingdom informed.
"Ready our defences! Quickly!" the king ordered and the martial artist turned to leave when he suddenly dropped to the ground and his head rolled to the other side of the king's study.
"Who?" the king frowned.
"Don't worry father, your burial will be just as glorious as mother's," Prince Thelmus stepped into the light and the king's face turned cold.
"You,"
"Even at death's door, you still look at me with such contempt," Prince Thelmus said. The king could see a man in black stare him down from behind Prince Thelmus. He needed no one to tell him this man was a powerful martial artist.
"You wish to kill me for my throne? You may be your mother's son, but you lack her skill," the king sneered. This angered the prince greatly.
"Do you really think you will be able to escape this situation? Oh... I forget. Your new wife has some sect behind her. The Jade hand, they are called? Look again, father, those behind me are much more impressive,"
"Them? No, ancients? The Ligrel clan? Even those behind you; this is the home of Lady Wickshire! Do you think it possible for anyone to attack this kingdom without her giving them a hand?" the moment those words left his mouth, a pressure descended upon him. It felt like he was carrying the entire Ruins of Kallor on his head. His eyes rolled and he fell on the marble floors, bleeding from all holes in his body, including his pores. Prince Thelmus could feel that the man behind him was angered by his father's words. It made him wonder if they held water. The pressure only stayed a second, yet it felt to King Larken, as though a century. He gasped for breath the moment the pressure left him, struggling to sit up in his blood-soaked clothes. Soon, his heavy breathing morphed into mad laughter.
"Who rules this kingdom in the end, she already has him in her pocket! Do you think I was truly king? You do what she intends you to! She has no more need for me, I see. So, this is how I die. You wish to be king? Did you ask her? Did you crawl to her feet and beg for it? Ha ha..." the king could not contain his laughter.