Three days had passed since Zehn and his airbenders had set out across the sea, and in their absence, a stillness had settled over Stormhaven—a quiet unlike any before. The fog never lifted fully from the cliffs, and even the winds that usually danced along the ramparts moved with caution, as if wary of what waited.
From the highest balcony of the central tower, Riko watched the horizon, unmoving. He didn't blink often. He didn't sigh. But the weight in his posture said enough. Below him, Araka stood at the fire pit, golden embers dancing against her steady gaze. Niris moved silently between rooms, but even she lingered more frequently, casting glances through stone-framed windows toward the mist-veiled water.
No messages had come. No signs from the sky. The silence stretched longer than comfort allowed.
Then, without warning, the system stirred to life, breaking the suffocating quiet.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Unit Commander Zehn has initiated full-scale assault on Island : Dead Reef.]
Riko's breath caught—sharp, sudden. He said nothing but leaned forward, gaze narrowing.
[Status: Conquest Underway. Outcome Pending...]
The hall felt heavier.
He stood alone in that pressure for what felt like hours before the second prompt arrived:
[SYSTEM UPDATE: Conquest Complete — Victory Achieved.][Casualties: 0 Fatalities. Minor Injuries Reported.][Result: Enemy Forces Eliminated. Island Fully Subjugated. Stormhaven Banner Deployed.]
Riko exhaled—not loudly, not visibly—but the tension in his shoulders loosened ever so slightly.
Then came the next message:
[Conquest Reward Received: Summon Promotion Card — Type: Commander Class.][Bonus: 20 Summoning Slots Unlocked — Allocated: 10 earth 10 air .]
He summoned the menu with a thought, the card hovering before him like a living sigil. Riko studied it a moment longer than necessary, his fingers twitching with restrained anticipation.
[Would you like to use the Promotion Card on Commander Zehn? Y/N]
"Yes."
Golden light blossomed into the chamber like dawn breaking through the stone.
[PROMOTION COMPLETE — ZEHN HAS ASCENDED TO DIAMOND-CLASS COMMANDER.][Traits Enhanced: Air Command Aura | Tactical Reflex
Riko's expression softened with satisfaction, the shadow of a smile flickering at the edge of his lips.
[UPDATED STATUS SHEET — COMMANDER ZEHN]
Tier: 2 — Soulkindled
Role: Vanguard Commander
Titles: [Skybreaker], [Stormhaven's Blade], [Windsworn]
Traits: Air Command Aura (Enhances the agility and reaction of allied air units within 500 meters), Tactical Reflex (Improved combat decision-making under pressure), Echo Loyalty (Unbreakable loyalty to Riko Vale)
Skills: Cyclone Edge, Windstep II, Gale Tether (New), Piercing Draft
Bond Sync: 100%
Loyalty: Absolute
The system sealed the status sheet with a pulse of silver-blue energy.
He didn't speak. He didn't summon. Not yet.
Instead, Riko turned from the balcony and walked the length of the throne room, each step deliberate. "Have the earth bender guard the eastern cliffs. Zehn may return soon—but our rise begins now."
The future would be drawn not just in fire or stone, but in the winds that carried his will.
And when they blew, they would not whisper.
They would howl.