Abdullah's Final Warning

"You all knew Antonius well," Abdullah began, his voice steady but laced with sorrow. "We stood by him on the decks of warships, on the walls of besieged cities, and in the halls of governance. Together, we built this empire—brick by brick, dream by dream. But now, our admiral, our emperor, is gone. And what remains?"

He paused, allowing his words to resonate. The room grew heavy with unspoken thoughts. Some men exchanged uneasy glances, their faces revealing concerns they dared not voice aloud.

Abdullah scanned the room, his sharp eyes reading the expressions of the gathered men. He had seen these faces before, once vibrant and unburdened by selfish ambition. They had been youthful comrades, united by a shared vision, driven not by personal gain but by a dream to turn a fleet into a kingdom and a kingdom into an empire. But now? Somewhere along the way, that collective spirit had faded. Ambition had taken root, corrupting the very ideals they once fought for.