Shadows on the Horizon
The streets of Highcrest were no longer burning, but the scent of war still lingered in the air. Zorath had won the war, but the task of ruling had just begun.
Alex stood in the newly established war council chamber, a reinforced section of Highcrest's former royal palace. His closest advisors—**Darius, Elara, Aldric, Finn, and Wulfric—**gathered around a massive strategy table, where a glowing TCS projection displayed the empire's growing borders.
The TCS updated their current situation.
[ Empire Report: Post-War Status ]
Total Population Under Zorathian Rule: 350,000+
Military Strength: 35,000 troops (Zorathian and Drakenlords)
Economy: Recovering (+40% Growth)
Stability Level: High, but fragile
Threat Level: Unknown forces detected
Alex tapped the table, zooming in on the eastern frontier. "This is the problem."
Aldric's eyes narrowed as he studied the report. "50,000 unknown troops? That's more than Varyndel ever had."
Finn adjusted his magical lenses. "Whoever they are, they're staying just outside our borders, watching."
Darius grinned. "Then let's go introduce ourselves."
Elara, arms crossed, shook her head. "No. We don't know what we're dealing with yet. We send scouts first."
Wulfric let out a deep chuckle. "Or we do what warriors do best—crush them before they become a real problem."
Alex leaned forward, deep in thought. He could feel it. Something bigger was coming.
---
The TCS suggested three options for dealing with the unknown threat.
[ Strategic Choices: ]
1. Send Elite Scouts – Gather intelligence and locate their base. (Low risk, moderate reward.)
2. Deploy a Preemptive Strike – Attack their forces before they invade. (High risk, unknown reward.)
3. Attempt Diplomatic Contact – Send envoys to negotiate. (Very high risk, unpredictable outcome.)
Alex scanned the choices. "We're not going in blind."
He selected Option 1 – Send Elite Scouts.
[ Mission Activated: Reconnaissance of Eastern Threat ]
Operatives: Elara's Shadow Unit
Objective: Identify enemy leadership, numbers, and military capabilities
Mission Duration: 3 Days
Elara nodded. "I'll lead the team myself."
Alex met her gaze. "Be careful."
She smirked. "Aren't I always?"
And with that, she vanished into the shadows.
---
Three days later, Elara's scouts returned under cover of night. Their expressions were tense, their armor scuffed and bloodstained.
Elara removed her hood, stepping into the war council room.
"We have a problem."
The TCS displayed the data from their findings.
[ Enemy Forces Identified ]
Faction: The Imperium of Everfrost
Estimated Troop Strength: 50,000+ (And growing)
Special Forces Detected: Arcane Knights, Frost Mages, War Beasts
Technological Level: Comparable to Zorath, with unknown magical enhancements
Intentions: Expansionist, Militarized
Alex frowned. "Everfrost?"
Aldric exhaled. "I've heard of them. A militaristic kingdom from the frozen wastes, ruled by a warlord-emperor. They don't conquer through diplomacy. They consume."
Darius cracked his knuckles. "Sounds fun."
Finn shook his head. "They aren't just another kingdom. They're an empire—like us."
Elara nodded. "They know about Zorath. And they're preparing for war."
Alex's jaw tightened. "Then we prepare first."
---
At dawn the next day, an envoy from Everfrost arrived at Zorath's borders.
The TCS identified the rider.
[ Imperium Representative Identified ]
Name: Lord Verath, War Councilor of Everfrost
Status: High-ranking military official
Mission: Unknown, but likely an ultimatum
Alex, accompanied by his generals, rode out to meet him.
The Everfrost envoy was tall and imposing, clad in dark silver armor with intricate frost-like engravings. His eyes were cold and emotionless.
He dismounted, surveying Alex with mild amusement. "So… you are the one who thinks to build an empire in these lands."
Alex remained expressionless. "Zorath is already an empire."
Verath smirked. "Not for long."
The tension crackled in the air.
Then, Verath delivered the message.
"By decree of Emperor Kael'thir of the Imperium of Everfrost, Zorath has two choices."
"Submit… or be destroyed."
Darius grinned. "I vote for the second option."
Aldric's hand rested on his sword. "If they think we'll surrender, they don't know who they're dealing with."
Alex's voice was calm, but his words cut like steel.
"Tell your emperor that Zorath bows to no one."
Verath's smirk faded.
"So be it."
He turned and rode away.
The TCS immediately issued a priority alert.
[ War With Everfrost Is Now Inevitable. ]
Alex watched the retreating figure, his fists clenched.
"This time," he muttered, "we strike first."
---
The war drums of the Imperium of Everfrost had begun to beat.
The TCS updated the war readiness status.
[ Zorathian Empire War Preparation Status ]
Total Military Strength: 35,000 Troops (Zorathian & Drakenlords)
Projected Enemy Strength: 50,000+ (Imperium Forces)
Resource Reserves: Adequate for sustained conflict
Defensive Readiness: 70%
Alex stood at the war table, staring at the projection of the world. Everfrost wasn't just another kingdom.
They were another Zorath.
Aldric's voice was grim. "This will be a war unlike anything we've faced before."
Elara, still recovering from her scouting mission, sat near the window, gazing out over the newly restored streets of Highcrest. "They've had time to watch us. They know our strengths."
Finn exhaled. "Which means they know our weaknesses too."
Darius smirked, slamming his fist against the table. "Then we give them something they aren't prepared for."
Alex nodded. "We strike first."
---
Zorath couldn't afford to be on the defensive. If Everfrost was preparing for war, then Zorath needed to cripple them before they could fully mobilize.
The TCS outlined key strategic options.
[ First Strike Plans ]
1. Sabotage Everfrost's War Economy – Disrupt supply chains, slow their mobilization.
2. Destroy Their Advance Outposts – Strike key border forts before they can deploy forces.
3. Assassinate High-Ranking Officers – Cut off command structures before the war begins.
Alex chose all three.
[ Total RP Spent: 2,500 ]
Zorath's Preemptive Strike Begins
Elara's scouts infiltrated Everfrost's supply routes, poisoning food stores, collapsing bridges, and ensuring supply wagons never reached their destination.
Darius led a brutal strike force, overwhelming Everfrost's forward camps and border watchtowers, leaving entire garrisons in flames.
Meanwhile, Aldric and his covert assassins slipped into Everfrost's war council, eliminating two key generals before they could even take the battlefield.
The TCS updated war intelligence.
[ Everfrost War Effort Disrupted ]
Food Shortages Expected in 30 Days
Delayed Troop Deployment
Chain of Command in Chaos
Morale Impact: Severe
Alex read the updates in silence.
Finn, watching the screen, finally let out a breath. "Did we just… cripple an empire before the war even started?"
Elara smirked. "We just made them bleed."
Aldric exhaled. "But they're still dangerous. They'll retaliate."
Alex clenched his fists. "Then let them come."
---
Just as expected, Everfrost retaliated.
The TCS issued an urgent battlefield update.
[ Imperium Counterattack Detected! ]
Target: Zorathian Eastern Border
Forces Deployed: 20,000+ (Elite Shock Troops, Frost Mages, War Beasts)
Objective: Take Zorathian land as revenge
Threat Level: High
Darius grinned. "Now that's what I was waiting for."
Elara, already equipping her gear, nodded. "This won't be a small skirmish."
Finn's magic glowed at his fingertips. "We need to hold the line."
Alex's voice was calm, but steel-hard. "We don't just hold. We break them."
Zorath moved to intercept.
The clash between two empires had begun.
---