The sun rose over Dawn's Refuge, casting its golden light across a village transformed. No longer a mere starting point, the settlement now thrummed with energy, ambition—and looming dread.
Only 48 hours remained before the entire world of Lords would know their exact coordinates.
And enemies were already gathering.
[System Notification]
"Lord Arjun's Territory will become a Public Target in 48 Hours.""World Event Triggered: First Fusion Skill Detected.""Hidden Lords, Rogue Factions, and Bloodmarked Units are being deployed near the Frontier."
Shayra slammed her blade into the war table. "They'll come from all sides. Our scouts already spotted two Bloodmarked Wraiths on the east ridgeline. One was riding a hellbeast."
Bhanu frowned. "The western forest is crawling with Death Vultures. They never show unless someone's summoning them."
Arjun remained calm, eyes scanning the map.
"We're not going to defend the village…" he said, pausing as everyone turned to him.
"We're going to expand."
"What?" Meera blinked.
"Retreating or hiding would make us look weak," Arjun explained. "We go forward. Hit nearby ruins, take their cores, and use the energy to power the Beacon Forge. We'll raise defenses that no army can breach."
"And if it doesn't work?" Shayra asked.
"Then we make them bleed for every inch they take."
[Beacon Forge – Activation Initiated]
"Lord Skill Detected: Resource Multiplier – x1000 Applied""Cost: 10,000 Units of Etherstone – Reduced to 10.""Forging Ritual Begins: 6 Hours Until Completion."
Massive spires of molten silver and flame rose from the center of the village. Artisans and priests alike stared in awe as the Beacon Forge came alive, pulsing like the heart of a titan.
Meera, standing beside Arjun, whispered, "It's… divine."
"It's our symbol," Arjun said. "Let the world see our flame."
Priya's control over the Beast Hatchery had deepened. The chambers now stored five eggs—two rare, one epic, and the mythic wyrm Kaala, who had grown to the size of a horse overnight.
Kaala coiled protectively around Priya as she inspected a new egg that shimmered with golden veins.
[Beast Egg Identified: Fireborn Roc Hatchling][Incubation: 72 Hours Remaining][Trait: Aerial Control, Flame Dive, Territory Loyalty: Absolute]
"It'll be our sky guardian," Priya said, already envisioning Kaala and the Roc flying in tandem.
She opened the Beast Communication Link—a telepathic bond unique to her role—and gave silent orders to the rest of her bonded creatures.
"Defend the outer posts. No one touches this village."
Scout Report – Ruined Spire Temple (1.2 km West)
Bhanu led a team of elite militia—now upgraded to Flamebound Sentinels—toward a crumbling temple.
Inside, they found twisted effigies, signs of ancient battles, and something worse: a Corrupted Core.
[Ruined Spire Temple – Mini-Dungeon Cleared][Corrupted Core Purified using Beacon Spark][Arjun's Territory Gains +15% Resource Regeneration for 7 Days]
Bhanu returned victorious, face grim. "It's starting, Arjun. These aren't just ruins—they're sealing points. Someone... or something... tried to hold back what's coming."
Lord Varakash received his first set of scouts. His smile stretched cruelly as he reviewed the reports.
"Hmm… Mythic beast in the hands of a child. Tier 2 already. Fusion skill. Pregnant consort. Flame defense walls…"
He leaned back.
"I want that Lord captured alive. And his women—especially the beast girl—delivered to me. I'll make her birth monsters."
His war beast—an abomination fused with blood and bone—snarled in agreement.
Back at Dawn's Refuge, the mood was tense. But in a small cabin near the Beacon Forge, Arjun and Shayra found a quiet moment. The warrior woman had been restless, emotions pent up from days of war planning.
"I didn't become your vanguard just to swing swords," she murmured, eyes blazing as she unbuckled her armor.
Arjun reached out, brushing her hair back gently. "You don't need to prove anything."
"I want this," Shayra said simply. "Before the world turns to flame."
They fell into each other—fierce, passionate, and raw. Not just warriors… but people clinging to the hope of something lasting.
Outside, the sky bled red with the auroras of war.