Chapter 64: The Road to War

The battlefield was silent, but the weight of what had just happened settled over them like an unshakable force. The Inquisitors and their war constructs lay defeated, their corrupted cores flickering out one by one as the last remnants of the Academy's attack force vanished. The once-abandoned halls of Solmara now stood as proof of their resistance, its long-dormant defenses roaring back to life, its war machines standing at the ready. Elias felt the hum of the Vanguard Core within him, stronger than ever. The integration was complete. He had become something else, something more than just an engineer. And the world would soon learn that the balance of power had shifted.

Reinhardt stretched, rolling his shoulders as he surveyed the damage. "So, we just took down an elite unit, wrecked their best war constructs, and now Solmara is fully awake again. Safe to say we pissed off some very important people today."

Lira leaned against a fallen column, twirling a dagger between her fingers. "Yeah, and something tells me they're not the type to just let it go."

Ivy was already scanning the perimeter, her bow still in hand. "We need to move. This was a response team, not a full invasion force. If the Academy and the Primordial Lords are working together, they'll hit us harder next time."

Marco adjusted his glasses, flipping through energy readings on his interface. "Solmara's power grid is stabilizing, but we took some heavy hits during that fight. The automated defenses are holding for now, but if we don't reinforce the structure, we're going to be vulnerable."

Cecilia flicked the blood off her blade, smirking. "Then let's make sure we're ready for round two."

Kierian's gaze was fixed on the ruins beyond, his voice calm but carrying a warning. "We can't stay here. We need to start thinking bigger. If the Academy sent forces here, they'll have already reported back. They won't just send more troops. They'll escalate."

Elias already knew that. The battle had bought them time, but time was a fleeting resource. He turned toward the glowing runes lining the walls of Solmara, the remnants of the Obsidian Vanguard's knowledge and technology waiting to be unlocked. The war machines they had restored were strong, but they weren't enough. Not yet.

He clenched his fists, feeling the raw energy coursing through his suit. "Then we stop waiting. We don't sit here and let them decide the next battle. We take the fight to them."

Lira raised an eyebrow. "You're serious?"

Elias turned to her. "You saw what they did to those Warcasters. That wasn't normal magic. They're altering people, turning them into something else. If they're already experimenting on their own, it's only a matter of time before they push further. We either stop them now, or we wait until they unleash something we can't fight."

Kierian nodded. "Then we take Solmara's knowledge and use it before they do. There's more here than just weapons. There are blueprints, battle strategies, hidden strongholds the Vanguard once controlled. We need to uncover them before they do."

Marco exhaled sharply. "So let me get this straight. You want us to dive into the war records of a long-dead faction, uncover ancient technology, and then wage war on an enemy that's been winning for centuries?"

Elias's smirk was razor-sharp. "That's exactly what I'm saying."

Cecilia chuckled. "Damn. I like this plan."

Reinhardt crossed his arms. "Then what's the next step?"

Elias walked to the nearest war console, activating the interface. Blue holographic displays flickered to life, revealing a vast network of abandoned fortresses, hidden armories, and buried weapons caches scattered across the continent. The Vanguard had been wiped out, but their knowledge had survived. And now, it was in his hands.

"We find the lost strongholds," Elias said. "We recover what's left of their weapons. We gather allies. And then we crush anyone who tries to stop us."

Ivy glanced at the display, her expression unreadable. "You're talking about building an army."

Elias nodded. "We have no choice. Solmara is strong, but it's just one place. If we want to survive what's coming, we need more than just this fortress. We need a movement."

Lira's smirk returned. "You're turning this into a full-blown rebellion, aren't you?"

Elias met her gaze without hesitation. "Damn right I am."

For a moment, no one spoke. Then Reinhardt laughed, a deep, satisfied sound. "About time someone started fighting back properly."

Marco sighed, rubbing his temples. "You're insane. Absolutely insane." He adjusted his glasses. "But fine. If we're doing this, we need resources, contacts, and a way to move without the Academy tracking us."

Cecilia sheathed her dagger. "I know people. Mercenaries, rogue mages, outcasts who hate the Academy more than we do. I can make some calls."

Kierian studied the holograms carefully. "We should start with the closest stronghold. If the records are right, there's an abandoned war facility two hundred miles south of here. If the Vanguard left anything intact, it could give us a serious advantage."

Elias nodded. "Then that's our next target."

The tension in the room shifted. The battle was over, but war had begun. They weren't just defending themselves anymore. They were preparing for something bigger. Something the world wasn't ready for.

Ivy adjusted her quiver. "Then let's not waste time."

Elias stepped away from the console, feeling the hum of the Vanguard Core in his armor, a silent promise of what was coming.

They weren't just survivors. They weren't just outcasts.

They were about to become the greatest force this world had ever seen.