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The grand war chamber was drenched in an eerie silence, the kind that suffocated words before they could be spoken. Mana-infused torches lined the cold obsidian walls, their bluish flames casting ghostly flickers across the faces of those present. At the head of the table sat Tiara, the Queen of Calamity, her crimson eyes glowing faintly, their predatory gleam sharp enough to pierce through steel.
Her presence alone seemed to distort the air. Every general in the room, seasoned warriors with power that rivaled storms on a tranquil lake, stood as though carved from stone. Not one dared breathe out of rhythm, their imposing forms dwarfed by Tiara's mere existence. Their combined might could decimate armies, yet now, they remained still, statues in the shadow of their queen.
To her left stood Vekris, her trusted assistant. His face was a mask of calm detachment, though his sharp eyes betrayed a keen interest in every word spoken. The room trembled faintly as Tiara tapped her armored fingers on the table, each metallic clang a deliberate reminder of her command over life and death.
"Report," Tiara demanded, her voice like frozen steel. The single word carried the weight of inevitability, leaving no room for hesitation.
A lone general, his posture rigid, stepped forward. "My Lady, the towers remain intact. We destroyed one, but the remaining defenses…" His voice faltered under her gaze. "They are protected by an impenetrable barrier created by a sage-class mage. His name is Ryan."
The mention of the name drew a flicker of interest from Tiara. Her lips curved slightly, a dangerous smile that promised devastation. "Ryan," she repeated, savoring the name like a predator tasting blood. "A mortal dares stand against my forces?"
The general nodded, sweat beading on his brow. "He struck down one of our colossal-class monsters with a single blow, my Lady. His magic… It defies comprehension."
Tiara leaned forward, her silver hair spilling over the sharp edges of her armor like molten moonlight. "A mere human," she mused, her voice soft yet laced with disdain. "And yet, he has managed to hold my forces at bay." Her gaze snapped to the general, freezing him in place. "Do you find this acceptable?"
Before he could respond, Tiara moved. The sharp edge of her gauntlet connected with his arm, the crack of bone echoing through the chamber. The general stifled a scream as his arm hung limp, blood pooling at his feet.
"Regenerate it if you dare," Tiara said, her tone dangerously calm.
The general fell to his knees, trembling as he fumbled for the dagger at his side. With a desperate cry, he severed his own regrowing limb, the blade clattering to the floor as he gasped in pain.
Tiara's smile returned, cold and unyielding. "Good," she said, turning her gaze to the rest of her generals. "Remember this. Failure is met with consequences. Do not test me."
She rose from her seat, her imposing figure commanding the room's attention. "Now, this Ryan," she continued, pacing slowly. "If he is as formidable as you claim, he may provide me with entertainment. Or he may simply be another disappointment."
Vekris's voice broke the tense silence. "My Lady," he began, his tone measured. "I must ask… Why did you retreat after seeing that man Eryndor? He appeared injured, yet you chose to fall back. Was it… caution?"
The generals' heads turned slightly, their curiosity barely masked. Tiara stopped, her crimson eyes narrowing as she regarded Vekris. The faintest trace of a smirk tugged at her lips.
"Eryndor," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, yet it carried an undeniable weight. "He is no ordinary warrior. That technique he used… Agroth." Her gaze grew distant for a moment, her tone shifting to something almost reverent. "It is an ancient art, known only to the dragon clans. Its mastery is passed down through bloodlines, a power that should not exist in the hands of a mere human."
She turned her piercing gaze back to Vekris. "He is hiding his true strength. That much is certain. If I had pushed him further, he would have unleashed it… and I would have been forced to awaken myself."
The air in the room grew colder, the weight of her words pressing down on everyone present. "My plans do not account for such recklessness," Tiara continued, her voice like a razor. "Awakening my true power now would disrupt everything."
Vekris nodded, his expression unreadable. "I see. Your foresight is unmatched, my Lady."
Tiara allowed herself a small, satisfied smile. "Indeed. But do not mistake this retreat for weakness. Eryndor will face me when the time is right—when I dictate the terms of our battle."
She turned her attention back to the room, her commanding presence leaving no doubt about her authority. "Prepare the armies. I will face Ryan myself. If he proves worthy, perhaps I will allow him to see the depths of my power. If not, he will serve as an example of what happens to those who defy me."
Her words hung in the air, a chilling promise that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present. The generals responded in unison, their voices trembling but resolute. "Yes, my Lady!"
As the chamber emptied, Vekris lingered, his sharp eyes observing Tiara as she strode toward the towering doors. "Do you truly believe Ryan will be a challenge, my Lady?" he asked carefully.
Tiara's lips curled into a dangerous smile. "Challenge? Perhaps. But mortals have a way of surprising even the gods." Her voice dropped, laced with a quiet intensity. "And if he does… I will enjoy breaking him."
Her steps echoed through the corridor as she vanished into the shadows, her crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation.