A few days later... Ryuken stood atop a hill overlooking his gathered forces, their banners rippling in the cold wind. Soldiers in disciplined lines stretched as far as the eye could see, a testament to the unified nation he had fought so hard to create.
Yet, beneath the veneer of order and strength, fear lingered in the hearts of his people.
The masses across the country were terrified. The memories of the recent war still haunted them, and now they faced the specter of yet another conflict.
Villages trembled at the sight of marching soldiers, their presence a grim reminder of the flames of war that had barely been extinguished. Families whispered in dread as the shadow of a foreign threat loomed large once more.
The news had traveled swiftly; the foreigners, who had orchestrated the downfall of their country through manipulation and betrayal, had returned.
