The Void rift near Valoria's capital yawned wider, its dark energy spewing a swarm of Voidspawn, their red eyes gleaming with hunger. Elian Valorian stood at the forefront, Aetherforged Blade blazing, as his forces—Valorian soldiers, dwarven axemen, orc berserkers, and the dragon emissary's flames—battled to hold the line. The Rare Aether Ward shimmered, slowing the rift's growth, but cracks were forming.
"Hold fast!" Elian roared, his Expert Realm Aether Slash cutting through a Voidspawn's hide. Liora's spellweavers unleashed Starbolt Barrages, while Krag's orcs and Gromm's dwarves fought with brutal precision. The dragon's fire scorched the swarm, but their numbers seemed endless.
Veyra, the male Shadow Rogue, darted to Elian's side, his daggers bloodied. "Sire, I tracked Ravencrest's envoy from the truce. He's Syndicate, meeting Ironhold agents in the capital's shadows."
Elian's blood boiled. The truce was a lie, and now the Syndicate was inside his city. He summoned the Faith System. [Current Belief Points (BP): 200]
The alliance's resilience boosted faith. [BP increased to 1,500 due to rising morale.]
"Show me options for 1,500 BP," he thought.
[Gold: 150,000 gold coins] [Aether Crystals: 150 crystals] [Rare Aether Ward: 1,000 BP]
"Convert 1,000 BP to Rare Aether Ward," Elian decided. Another shimmering disc materialized. General Korran, nearby, frowned. "More relics, sire? Your vaults must be vast."
"Valoria's heritage," Elian deflected, handing the ward to Liora. "Reinforce the barrier." Her spellweavers wove the ward's energy, strengthening the rift's containment.
Elian gripped the Mythic Aetherial Core, its power thrumming. "Liora, can this close the rift?" he asked.
She nodded, her emerald eyes grim. "It's our only chance, but it needs a ritual. We'll need time."
As Liora prepared, Veyra uncovered a council ledger—proof a councilor, Lady Varna, was feeding Ironhold intelligence. Elian confronted her in the war tent. Under the Rare Truth Amulet's glow, Varna confessed, "Ravencrest promised me power!"
Before Elian could act, the rift pulsed violently, spawning a colossal Voidspawn behemoth. The ward cracked, and the capital's walls shook. Elian's alliance teetered, and Varna's betrayal cut deep.