Chapter 662 Letters of War and Betrayal

Dawn had not yet fully pierced the horizon when the earth began to tremble. The rumbling sound was not just the thundering of warhorses, but the eruption of Earth's machines breaking the morning's boundary. From two corners of the world—north and east—the thin mist that usually carried dew was now replaced with the scent of hot iron and wild magic.

Amidst the whistling wind, the approaching rumble made her heart race, signaling that the time for preparation was over. As if the ground beneath her predicted the arrival of disaster, every Earth warrior felt the tension enveloping the battlefield like a dark, heavy blanket.

The Earth command room in the border city of Merenos was filled with maps, tactical glyphs, and the sounds of magitek communication devices. In the center stood King Ardaius with sharp eyes, flanked by his five main generals. A large table displayed two primary targets: the kingdom of Gaia to the southwest and the Sanctuary of Plum Blossom belonging to the Oda Clan in the far east.

Ardaius pressed his palm against the digital map connecting the two battlefields. A creation of magic and technology, the map shimmered with a calm light, reflecting the tension in the air. He knew this was a clever move, but the consequences of this battle would haunt them forever. "Today, the world decides its own fate. We will not wait for a single prophecy to annihilate an entire generation. Launch the two fleets; do not give them a chance to rewrite the spiral history."

General Talgar nodded, signaling. The two main commands—Regiment Obsidian to Gaia, Division Iron Blossom to Oda—moved in unison. Every Earth commander had been warned: no mercy, no prisoners. The "Void Eater" glyph and disruptor mana bullets were ready—special weapons capable of penetrating the oldest magical shields.

As the attack began, the air was filled with dazzling magical light and the destructive sounds of launched weapons. The Earth warriors felt a strong surge of courage and anger. They all knew what was at stake—not just land and honor, but also the right to survive against the lurking threat.

Queen Iris had already suspected that this night would arrive earlier than all omens. The sound of magical alarms echoed underground, causing the entire palace to tremble. The protective paladins spread out, donning glyph armor and full helmets, forming a living barricade at every entrance of the palace. Outside, the full moon struggled to pierce the thickening fog that began to envelop the area, as if nature itself sensed the tension hanging in the air. The echoes of prepared swords and clashing shields painted a picture of the darkness drawing near.

In the watchtower, a messenger ran down the stairs, breathless: "Regiment Obsidian has crossed the Elthara River, 4,000 Earth soldiers and at least 12 main magi carrying Bellator Ultima. They will arrive before dusk, Your Majesty!" The shout echoed in the room, adding weight to the atmosphere. Iris could feel the burning spirit among the guards, as if every heartbeat vibrated with an inevitable sense of urgency.

Iris had no time to wipe away her tears of exhaustion. She stood, gazing at the old mirror reflecting her frail body—one that was no longer just hers, but also the last home of the Fitran bloodline in Gaia. With trembling hands, she brushed the shadow of her face, strengthening her resolve to face this dark night. The sound of clashing weapons vibrating from afar made her think: If her blood could flow to save her loved ones, she would do it without hesitation.

"Do not release the protection spells. Send the protectors south. If the walls fall, retreat to the underground altar. I... I will be with them." Iris's voice was filled with determination, even though her heart was torn. Outside, the gusts of wind whispered, carrying the aroma of tobacco from the burning protective incense, reminding the warriors of their commitment to protect this land, an ocean of sincerity that would never recede.

When the first explosion sounded from the north, the Gaia palace knew they were no longer the center of civilization—but rather the last bastion of the old world. Behind its gates, dark shadows began to move, creeping from the night's darkness, ready to destroy anything they encountered. The Queen realized that every second was now crucial—this battle was not just for life, but for the souls and spirits tightly bound to the land they loved.

Far to the east, the fog still hung over the plum garden when the emergency alarm of the Sanctuary of Plum Blossom roared. The samurai awoke from meditation, immediately fastening their chest armor, hanging two swords at their waists, and lighting brave incense at the temple door. Cold sweat trickled down their brows; the cool night wind carried the scent of wet earth and tension in the air, as if nature itself felt the impending threat.

The oldest general, Hayate, knelt before Nobuzan, who lay weak on the bed. Her face radiated anxiety even as she tried to remain strong. "My daughter, the enemy is approaching. Division Iron Blossom carries magic cannons we have never seen before. The eastern wall will surely fall. Do you wish to be moved to the underground chamber?"

Nobuzan bit her lip, holding back pain and fear. "No. I will remain in the sanctuary. Every attack they make, I will endure here. If I die, let my spirit be the last protector of Tsukino."

With a tone full of conviction, she added, "I will not retreat. This is our time to show our strength and fighting spirit." Hayate responded with an admiring gaze, realizing the magnitude of his daughter's courage.

Hayate bowed deeply, giving orders to ten young generals: "Today, the name Oda is at stake not on the battlefield, but at the front of the birthing room. Prepare barrier spells, spirit shields, and be ready to sacrifice everything." His voice echoed, filling the space with rooted tension. In the surrounding tension, each young general nodded firmly, ready to face the approaching storm.

Outside, the marching sounds of Division Iron Blossom grew closer—a blend of iron drums, electromagnetic magic, and the roar of magical vehicles. The atmosphere was biting with tension as the shadows of the enemy forces stretched under the moonlight. The trees trembled, as if shaken by the spirit of war that swept through.

As the pounding footsteps approached, Hayate gazed outside sharply, seeing the shadows of the enemy drawing near. He felt the evil aura enveloping the foe, and for a moment, the ground beneath his feet trembled, preparing for the inevitable moment.

Gaia

Regiment Obsidian came like a storm. Hundreds of Void Eater magic balls were fired into the sky—striking the protective shields and shattering ancestral glyphs. The Gaia paladins held strong, forming interlocking shield formations, locking the main doors. The first magical explosion toppled the observation tower; the sound of wailing filled the hall. Amidst the chaos, the aroma of smoke and crushed earth filled the air, creating a dark atmosphere that enveloped every soul present on the battlefield.

The Earth magi began to chant root-destroying spells, targeting energy sources beneath the palace. Ancient stones shattered, holy water overflowed, and the ground began to crack. The sky above became a silent witness to the destruction, as flashes of lightning watched over trembling hands in fear. Iris retreated to the underground altar, accompanied by five female paladins. There, the sound of a baby's cry echoed faintly—not from a womb, but from the hearts of the protectors who knew their world was on the brink of collapse. "We cannot fail," whispered one of the paladins, her eyes shining with determination as she held a sword glowing with sacred light.

Oda

Division Iron Blossom deployed the "Storm Petal" magic cannons—spiral energy projectiles capable of splitting centuries-old walls. Each shot ignited a purple blaze in the sky, destroying the outer layers of the sanctuary and shaking the plum garden until its leaves fell like rain of blood. In the distance, the sound of enemy troops grew closer, the sound of thundering hooves merging with the deafening roar of magic. Tension enveloped the battlefield, like poison creeping into the hearts of every warrior.

The Oda samurai advanced in threes, sevens, or even alone, confronting every enemy force attempting to breach the altar's corridor. In this narrow passage, the scent of iron and blood mingled with the cold wind, creating a chilling atmosphere. The sounds of battle and war cries blended into a symphony of death that suffocated. Behind every shadow, the flickering lights of magic produced by the sorcerers provided a dim glow for the warriors fighting tirelessly. The battle unfolded in silence: the clash of swords, the rumble of spells, and the cries of victims that could only be heard between the stone walls. Each time a sword met another, sparks of magical energy shot into the air, radiating shimmering colors before fading, leaving behind traces of burnt spices and remnants of dark aura surrounding them. Hayate himself led the line of protectors at the entrance to Nobuzan's birthing room, reciting ancient spells to keep the spirits of their ancestors waiting at the gates of heaven. With every lyric that left his lips, it felt as if the voices of the souls trembled in response, adding strength and determination within him.

In both battlefields, not all protectors remained loyal. Shadows of traitors lurked among the crowd, their sharp eyes observing every movement of the samurai, as if waiting for a weakness to exploit. In Gaia, a member of the Psionic Council sneaked into the Earth command room, carrying a secret map of the palace's underground routes. He moved quickly, stepping over the bodies lying as silent witnesses to betrayal and bravery, aware that every step he took was a gamble of life and death. In Oda, a young samurai quietly wrote a letter: "The child of Fitran is here. If the Sanctuary falls, meet me in the Plum Room; I will open the door." Outside, the sound of thunder rumbled, as if ushering this dangerous message through the darkness. The wind blew fiercely, carrying the aroma of hope and fear that mingled into one.

These letters reached the hands of Earth, giving them a golden opportunity to infiltrate deeper. Leaving small traces among the tireless warriors, this information delivery created an almost unbearable tension, as if every heartbeat awaited a decision that would determine the fate of all beings there. While the protectors fought and died, the traitors waited for the right moment to open the doors of death from within. In the shadows, guilt and longing burned in their hearts, igniting an inner conflict that would only strengthen the trend of betrayal to be revealed at the most critical moments.

In the Gaia sanctuary, Iris clutched her belly with tears that could no longer be held back. She knew that up there, every explosion meant the death of someone who had once promised to protect her. The sounds of explosions and horrific screams echoed through the cracks in the walls, reminding her of a home once filled with laughter and happiness.

"Forgive me, my child. This world is unfair. I can only offer tears—not safety."

In the Oda sanctuary, Nobuzan stared at the stone ceiling, praying to the spirits of her ancestors. She did not know if she could survive until tomorrow morning. Every tremor of the walls was a reminder that death was at the door. Black smoke billowed high from the distance, carrying a burning scent that stung, as if dragging her back to a dark past.

Outside, the chaos of war created a striking harmony with the tranquility enveloping the sanctuary. The sounds of soldiers running, the turmoil outside, painted a clear picture of how tragic the world was out there.

Yet, amidst the darkness, there was also a faint glimmer of hope. She thought of the warriors fighting bravely, holding onto hope for future generations even as they faced the apocalypse before their eyes.

As the sun fully rose, the two palaces had turned into seas of fire and magic. The Earth flag waved atop several towers, but the voices of paladins and samurai still echoed in every corner. Underground, two mothers continued to fight—not just for themselves, but for the future of a world that might only be a name. The bitter taste of failure filled the air, but the spirit in their hearts still burned.

Amidst the dust and blood, relentless attacks continued to transform the battlefield into ruins. "We must not retreat!" shouted one of the rebel leaders, his voice echoing amidst the horror, igniting a surge of spirit among the weary ranks. Swords and magic clashed, creating brilliant flashes of golden light, while the fate of the world hung in the balance at the tip of a sword.

That day, the letters of war had been read, betrayal had been sown, and blood began to write a new history on the lands of Gaia and Oda. No one knew how many would fall, but one thing was certain: the next day would not bring peace. The once beautiful trees now stood bare, the remnants of a once-thriving life had become silent witnesses to the suffering that continued, as if nature itself mourned the destruction occurring in their world.