Nineteen days remained.
The Emerald Wildlands continued to pulse with ancient mana.
Across Eastern Aetherra...
Every kingdom was preparing.
---
Base 202
The training grounds thundered beneath thousands of synchronized footsteps.
"FORMATION!"
Marcus's voice echoed across the fortress.
Rows of soldiers locked their shields together.
Spearmen lowered their weapons.
Archers took position behind them.
High above the walls...
Dennis watched in silence.
Inside his mind...
His War System spoke.
Commander...
Battlefield synchronization...
Ninety-one percent.
War Cry compatibility...
Increasing.
Dennis smiled.
"Again."
Marcus raised his sword.
"IRON FORMATION!"
Blue mana spread across the battlefield.
Every shield connected.
Every soldier moved as one.
The formation looked less like an army...
And more like a living fortress.
Sophia stood beside Dennis.
"Our newest recruits have finally adapted."
"They trust one another."
Dennis nodded.
"Good."
He looked toward Victor.
"The cavalry?"
Victor saluted.
"Ready."
Helena stepped forward.
"Our supply depots are fully stocked."
Zach smiled.
"The soldiers can't wait to enter the Wildlands."
Dennis folded his arms.
"They'll get their chance."
---
Base 305
Dragon cries echoed through the sky.
Hundreds of drakes circled above the fortress.
Elena watched from the highest tower.
Captain Roland landed beside her.
"Our aerial patrols have doubled."
"We've mapped every approach to the Wildlands."
Captain Lysette approached carrying several glowing scrolls.
"The Mage Corps completed the barrier formations."
"If we're forced to establish a forward base..."
"We're ready."
Elena smiled.
"Excellent."
She looked toward the emerald pillar.
"Sam..."
"I hope Base 101 is progressing just as quickly."
---
Base 187
Steam poured from towering chimneys.
Massive gears rotated day and night.
Atlas stood beneath Project Titan.
The colossal construct towered over every engineer.
Chief Engineer Iris looked up at the giant.
"The mana core has stabilized."
Miles hurried over carrying another blueprint.
"Our reinforcement design is complete."
Nora checked several logistics reports.
"Every shipment requested by Base 101 has been delivered."
Atlas adjusted his goggles.
"Good."
He placed a hand against Project Titan's enormous foot.
"Just wait..."
"The Wildlands are going to change everything."
Inside his mind...
The Engineering System spoke.
Commander...
Ancient Titan Forge signal...
Growing stronger.
Estimated source...
Emerald Wildlands.
Atlas smiled.
"I knew it."
---
Base 001
The Beast Kingdom roared with life.
Wolf Riders raced across open plains.
Bear Guardians trained with shields large enough to stop charging monsters.
Tiger Berserkers fought one another without restraint.
Rhino Breakers smashed through stone barricades.
Battle Shamans blessed every warrior before sunrise.
High atop the walls...
Bjorn watched his kingdom.
Prince Ragnar stood beside him.
"Father."
"The warriors are ready."
General Borin approached.
"The Bear Guardians await your command."
General Fenris bowed.
"The Shadow Fangs continue scouting the Wildlands."
General Raegar grinned.
"The Tiger Berserkers grow restless."
General Grom rested his enormous hammer on one shoulder.
"The Rhino Breakers can march at any time."
Elder Shaman Kaoru slowly stepped forward.
"The spirits whisper."
Bjorn looked at him.
"What do they say?"
Kaoru gazed toward the emerald light.
"They say..."
"The forest remembers."
Silence settled over the wall.
Bjorn slowly smiled.
"Then we'll make sure it remembers us."
Twenty thousand Beastmen answered with a thunderous roar.
"GLORY TO THE BEAST KING!"
---
Far away...
Inside Base 101...
Sam stood before the nearly completed Alliance Hall.
George and Atlas's designs had transformed the foundation into something magnificent.
Workers hurried in every direction.
Master Doran inspected newly forged support beams.
George couldn't stop smiling.
"It'll be finished."
Sam looked at him.
"When?"
George grinned.
"Before the countdown ends."
Inside his mind...
Rex suddenly spoke.
Commander...
Long-range detection.
Unknown mana surge...
Origin...
Emerald Wildlands.
Threat level...
Unable to calculate.
Sam looked toward the distant emerald pillar.
For just a moment...
It seemed to shine brighter than ever before.
Then...
Without warning...
The ground beneath the Wildlands trembled.
RUMBLE...
RUMBLE...
RUMBLE...
Across every kingdom...
Every Commander looked toward the eastern horizon.
Something inside the Emerald Wildlands...
Had awakened.