> "When the pillars of power shatter,
the world itself trembles.
And those left standing must choose: rebuild, or be buried in the ruins."
---
The Shattered Realm
The once-mighty thrones of the gods now lay fractured — not broken by force of arms, but by betrayal and fear.
From the heights of the Ninth Heaven to the shadowed courts below, the echoes of rebellion roared louder each day.
The old alliances crumbled as ancient gods turned on one another, each seeking to claim a fractured shard of power.
---
The Council of the Forsaken
Aralyndra and Karna stood at the center of a gathering unlike any before.
The Council of the Forsaken — a coalition of exiled gods, mortals, and those who had refused to bow to the Usurper.
They met beneath the hollowed dome of an abandoned temple, its pillars scarred by time but still resonant with forgotten power.
> "The thrones are broken," Aralyndra announced, voice steady.
> "But from these fractures, we will forge something new."
The room murmured — some with hope, others with fear.
---
Old Wounds, New Scars
Among the council sat gods who had once been allies — now wary enemies.
Kaelen, the god of storms, his once bright eyes dimmed with regret.
Mirael, goddess of secrets, her lips tight with betrayal.
Thorne, the mortal turned rune-singer, stood between them, a living symbol of the fragile balance.
> "Trust is our greatest weapon," Thorne said.
> "Without it, we are lost."
---
The Usurper's Shadow Looms
Far above, the Usurper watched the council through fractured mirrors of shadow.
His laughter was cold, echoing through the void.
> "Let them gather," he sneered.
> "Their unity will be their undoing."
---
The Pact of Broken Blood
Aralyndra stepped forward, raising a hand.
> "We will bind ourselves with a new vow."
She held up a blood-red shard—a fragment of a shattered throne.
> "This shard will bind our fates."
One by one, council members stepped forward, placing their hands upon the shard.
A pulse of energy rippled through the chamber—fragile but undeniable.
---
The Price of Unity
As the pact sealed, a wave of power surged through them all—but not without cost.
Each felt the weight of old grudges, personal loss, and sacrifices yet to come.
Karna's grip tightened on Truthbreak, his voice low but resolute.
> "We fight not just for ourselves, but for those who cannot."
---
The First Steps Toward War
With the council united—however tenuously—they turned their attention to the battle ahead.
Plans were drawn.
Allies called.
The fractured thrones would either rebuild or collapse forever.
---
A Glimmer of Hope
Outside the temple, Saelira stood watching the skies.
Her Fragment glowed softly in the fading light.
> "Even fractured," she whispered.
> "The thrones still hold power."
Her eyes reflected determination.
> "And so do we."