Xel'Varyn turned the letter over in her hands, her sharp nails tracing the wax seal of the foreign empire. Arrogant. That was the only word to describe a ruler who thought a mere ultimatum would sway her.
The scent of ink still clung to the parchment, the words written in a flowing yet commanding script:
"You have stolen a throne that does not belong to you. Surrender your crown, or face annihilation."
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"Annihilation?"
Her golden gaze burned brighter, her fingers igniting the letter in violet flames. The words turned to embers before they could insult her further.
She turned to Kara, her ever-loyal shadow familiar. "Fetch Orin and Edric. We prepare for war."
[System Update: New Warfront Detected]
"A rival empire has taken notice of your conquest. Their forces are unknown, their tactics untested. Will you kneel or will you conquer?"
Enemy Empire: The Sun-Blade Dominion
Ruler: Emperor Vaelric the Radiant
Military Strength: Unknown
Intent: Total subjugation
Xel'Varyn laughed softly.
"An Emperor who calls himself 'Radiant'? How poetic. I will shroud his light in eternal darkness."
---
Forging the Next Step
When Orin and Edric arrived, the war table was already set.
A massive map of the known world lay across its surface, detailing trade routes, supply lines, and Shadowveil's growing influence. The eastern lands were marked in gold—the Sun-Blade Dominion.
Xel'Varyn pressed a clawed finger against the border.
"What do we know?" she asked, her voice carrying an authority that brooked no hesitation.
Edric, ever the shadow lurking in the background, placed a single scroll before her.
"Minimal intelligence. Their empire has remained isolated for decades, expanding eastward rather than clashing with other powers. However, we do know this—Vaelric's armies are not normal."
Orin, his face hard as steel, grunted. "Magic?"
Edric nodded. "Yes. His soldiers are bound by divine contracts—blessed by some unknown celestial force. They do not break, they do not falter."
Xel'Varyn tapped the table once, deep in thought.
Divine contracts…
She had fought many things—monsters, warlords, traitors. But never an empire blessed by the heavens themselves.
Good.
A new challenge.
Her eyes glowed with anticipation.
"Then we must prepare accordingly. Orin, begin drafting a new division—soldiers trained explicitly in countering divine magic. I want warlocks, assassins, and scholars working together to dismantle whatever blessings protect his men."
Orin pounded his fist to his chest in salute. "It will be done, Empress."
Her attention shifted to Edric.
"Find me a way to corrupt their contracts. If their blessings give them strength, I will turn it into their curse."
Edric grinned wickedly. "I will enjoy this challenge."
---
[Titles Updated]
Shadow Empress → Empress of Defiance (You have rejected surrender. You do not kneel—you conquer.)
[Traits Gained]
Tyrant's Insight (Passive) (You instantly sense weaknesses in political structures and military strategies.)
Flames of Denial (Active) (Any contract or divine blessing directed at you has a high chance of being rejected or burned away.)
---
A Message of War
As the council dispersed, Xel'Varyn stood alone upon her throne, gazing toward the horizon.
A raven, infused with her Qi, took flight from her shoulder.
Her message to Emperor Vaelric was simple.
"You wish to test my rule? Then come. I will burn your light to the ground."
And with that, war was inevitable.