The war drums echoed in the distance as the final preparations for battle fell into place.
Ryker stood with his commanders in the war room, his gaze fixed on the map of Valcaria's borders.
He could feel the weight of the looming conflict pressing on his shoulders—the war they had anticipated for so long was now at their doorstep.
Veldaran had declared war.
Kaid's voice cut through the silence.
"Our scouts confirm it. The Argentum mechas are moving toward Valcaria. Veldaran isn't holding back."
Ryker nodded, his expression hard. This wasn't a surprise. Valcaria had been preparing for the inevitability of Veldaran's aggression since their rise in the new dimension. Still, the knowledge that Alaric, a former spy from Veldaran, had played a role in this escalation weighed heavily on Ryker's mind.
Alaric had defected years ago, giving Valcaria vital information about Veldaran's forces.
But now, his former kingdom had decided that Valcaria was too great a threat to be left unchecked.
They were determined to crush Valcaria before it could fully establish its dominance.
"They know what we're capable of," Ryker said quietly, his gaze never leaving the map.
"Alaric has made sure of that. Veldaran isn't coming here to negotiate—they're coming to destroy us."
Zara, standing by the window, watched the soldiers below preparing for war. "The Argentum mechas are formidable, but we've trained for this. We've seen what they can do, and we've made adjustments."
Kaid shifted the map to reveal the path of Veldaran's advancing forces.
"Their mechas are powered by Aetherium, giving them a massive advantage in both strength and endurance. But they have one weakness—their Aetherium cores. If we can strike them hard enough, we can bring them down."
Ryker nodded.
"Then that's our target. We'll focus on the cores and disrupt their advance. If we let them gain momentum, Valcaria won't stand a chance."
As the commanders discussed strategies, Ryker's mind wandered to the cost of this war.
Veldaran had once been a distant threat, a power in another dimension.
But now, they had entered this new world with the intent to wipe out Valcaria before it could cement its place.
Ryker knew that this war wasn't just about survival—it was about proving that Valcaria was here to stay.
"Alaric gave us time," Ryker said suddenly, drawing the attention of the room.
"His defection delayed this attack. Veldaran knows we're dangerous, and that's why they're sending everything they have. But we're ready."
Kiera, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.
Her voice was cold but resolute.
"Veldaran may think they can crush us, but they underestimate what we've built. Valcaria is stronger than they realize."
The battle plans were set.
The Ironclad Legion, Valcaria's elite forces, would lead the charge against the Argentum mechas.
Zara's storm magic would be key in disrupting the Aetherium reactors, while Kaid's strategies would ensure that their forces struck with precision.
As the war drums grew louder, Ryker took one last look at his commanders.
They had fought together through countless battles, and now, they were about to face their greatest challenge yet.
"We fight for Valcaria," Ryker said, his voice firm.
"We fight to protect everything we've built. Veldaran may have the mechas, but we have something they don't."
"And what's that?" Kaid asked, his eyes narrowing with determination.
"Unity," Ryker replied.
"We're not just fighting for power. We're fighting for our future."
The battlefield was a storm of chaos and fire as Valcaria's forces clashed with Veldaran's war machines.
The Argentum mechas towered over the battlefield, their silver armor gleaming in the dying light of the sun.
Each mecha was a massive, armored titan, powered by the volatile energy of Aetherium.
Their weapons tore through Valcaria's defenses with ruthless efficiency, and for a moment, it seemed as though the battle might be lost.
But Ryker's forces were ready.
The Ironclad Legion moved with precision, targeting the weak points in the mechas' design.
Zara's storm magic crackled in the air, striking the reactors that powered the monstrous machines, causing them to falter.
Kaid's strategies were executed flawlessly, guiding Valcaria's forces through the chaos of battle.
Ryker fought at the front lines, his sword flashing as he cut through enemy soldiers.
Every swing of his blade was a reminder of what was at stake—the future of Valcaria depended on their victory today.
As the battle raged on, one of the Argentum mechas collapsed, its reactor exploding in a brilliant flash of light.
The tide was turning.
Veldaran had underestimated Valcaria's resolve.