Arrival at Fort Saint-Louis

February 1697 .

After three grueling months at sea, the Elysean Expeditionary Force finally spotted land. The coast of Pan-America stretched before them—a vast, untamed land of dense forests, rolling hills, and winding rivers. But their destination was not the wilderness.

Their fleet was headed for Fort Saint-Louis, the only known Elysean settlement in the region. It was supposed to be their foothold on the continent, a functioning outpost that would serve as their staging ground for expansion.

But as their warships approached, something felt off.

First Sight of the Fort

Marshal Armand Roux stood at the bow of the lead ship, his eyes narrowing as he examined the fort through his spyglass. The wooden walls were intact, but there was no movement—no sign of soldiers on the watchtowers, no patrols along the walls. The fort's flag, though still present, hung limp and faded.