The core of the Citadel of Nightfallen was a place few had ever seen. It lay deep beneath the towering fortress, a chamber where the power of the Citadel was most concentrated. The room shimmered with ethereal energy, its walls made of dark obsidian engraved with runes that pulsed with a faint violet glow. A large, circular stone table stood in the center, surrounded by eleven empty thrones, each representing one of the guardians. Above the chamber, suspended in the air, hung the Citadel's Heart—a crystalized orb of immense power that anchored the fortress and its inhabitants to this new world.
Vaelor, the Death Knight General, stood at the head of the table, his armor gleaming under the dim light. His hollow gaze lingered on the Citadel's Heart for a moment before he turned his attention to the room. One by one, the floor guardians appeared, answering his summons.
Lira, the Shadow Sorceress, materialized in a swirl of black mist, her dark robes trailing behind her like tendrils of shadow. Her crimson eyes glanced around the chamber before locking on Vaelor with curiosity. She took her seat without a word.
Following her was Elandris, the Elven Blademaster, his silver hair flowing behind him as he strode into the chamber with the grace only an elf could possess. His twin blades hung sheathed at his side, their runes faintly glowing as he took his seat next to Lira.
A low growl echoed through the chamber as Tharos, the Demonic BeastLord, entered. His enormous, bestial form was hulking and feral, his eyes burning with a primal fire. His heavy footsteps caused the ground to quake as he approached his throne, barely fitting his massive frame.
Seraphine, the Abyssal Priestess, appeared in a flash of deep blue light. Her presence was serene, her long, flowing robes radiating an ominous energy. The sacred tome she carried floated beside her as she gracefully took her seat, her gaze fixed on Vaelor.
The next arrival was Kain, the Phantom Assassin, his presence barely noticeable. He emerged from the shadows, his form flickering in and out of visibility. He took his seat silently, his expression unreadable behind his dark hood.
Azrael, the Eternal Watcher, entered the chamber with a cold wind, his towering figure cloaked in ancient armor. His helm obscured his face, but the haunting glow from his eyes revealed his unwavering focus on Vaelor's summons.
Then came Cassandra, the Enchantress of Illusions, her figure drifting into the chamber with an otherworldly grace. Her features shimmered with ever-changing illusions, and her eyes sparkled with playful mischief as she claimed her seat.
Reynard, the Arcane Strategist, was next. He entered with a regal air, his robes of dark crimson billowing behind him. Known also as the Demon Lord, Reynard's gaze was sharp, always calculating. He inclined his head slightly in respect to Vaelor before sitting at the table.
Lunara, the Silver Valkyrie, descended from above, her silver armor reflecting the dim light of the chamber. Her wings folded gracefully as she landed before taking her seat with quiet strength.
Lastly, Orion, the Silent Warden, appeared with no sound, his movements ghost-like. His presence exuded an air of quiet authority as he took his place, his gaze fixed on Vaelor in silent acknowledgment.
With all the floor guardians now present, Vaelor stood at the head of the table, his eyes scanning each of them in turn. The tension in the air was palpable, for they all knew this meeting was different from the ones before. This was no ordinary assembly—it was the beginning of a new chapter in their existence.
"Floor guardians of the Citadel," Vaelor's voice echoed through the chamber, deep and resonant, "we find ourselves in a world unknown to us, a world where the rules we once followed no longer apply. We are free from the limitations of the Eternal Night world, and yet, the threat of the unknown looms. It is time we establish our foothold here and begin our conquest."
The eyes of the guardians were locked on him, waiting for his next words.
"Lira," Vaelor said, his gaze shifting to the Shadow Sorceress, "you have always been skilled in the art of subterfuge. I assign you the task of infiltrating the nearest kingdom or empire. Use your shadows to gather information on this world's political structures, its powerhouses, and any potential threats to the Citadel. We must know the lay of the land before we make our move."
Lira's lips curled into a faint smile, her crimson eyes gleaming with interest. "Consider it done, General," she said smoothly. "I shall return with all the knowledge we need."
Vaelor nodded before turning to Seraphine. "Seraphine, you shall assist Lira in this task. While Lira gathers intelligence, your role will be to assess the religious and mystical elements of this world. Find out what powers the people worship, what forces influence their beliefs. We must understand their spirituality if we are to manipulate it."
The Abyssal Priestess bowed her head slightly. "As you command, General. The shadows and the faith of this world will be laid bare before us."
Vaelor's cold eyes then shifted to Reynard, the Arcane Strategist. "Reynard, your talents are best suited to large-scale operations. I task you with forming a new force, far from the Citadel, to draw attention away from us. Establish a presence in a distant land, gather followers, and engage in warfare if necessary. Keep the powers of this world occupied while we expand our influence in secret."
Reynard nodded, his expression one of calm confidence. "I shall create a force that will make them tremble, General. By the time they realize the true threat, it will be too late."
Vaelor turned his gaze back to the entire assembly. "The rest of you shall remain on standby until further orders. The Citadel must be protected at all costs. We do not know what forces exist in this world, but we must assume that they will become aware of us soon enough."
The guardians, one by one, nodded in acknowledgment of their tasks. Vaelor's hollow eyes gleamed with cold determination. "We were created to conquer, and that is what we shall do. The world before us is vast, but it will be brought to heel under our lord's rule. You know your tasks—carry them out without fail."
As the guardians began to rise, preparing to execute their orders, Vaelor's voice echoed one last command. "Remember, everything we do is for the glory of Lord Lucian. Failure is not an option."
With that, the floor guardians departed, each vanishing into their respective domains or missions. Vaelor stood alone in the core chamber for a moment longer, his eyes fixed on the Citadel's Heart. He could feel the weight of the task ahead, but there was no hesitation in his movements.
The conquest had begun.