Morning sunlight illuminated the Silver Kingdom.
The sounds of hammers echoed throughout Base 101.
Soldiers trained across the expanded Training Grounds.
The Royal Forge burned with brilliant silver flames.
Builders hurried along newly paved roads.
Victory over the Emerald Behemoth had changed everything.
The Silver Kingdom no longer looked like a survivor's fortress.
It looked like the capital of a rising kingdom.
Above the city...
The golden countdown shimmered.
EMERALD WILDLANDS EXPEDITION
14 DAYS REMAINING
---
Inside the Commander's Manor...
Sam stood before a large map of Eastern Aetherra.
Two emerald crystals rested upon the table.
Each one pulsed with ancient power.
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
Guardian Key Analysis Complete.
Guardian Keys Collected: Two.
Remaining Guardian Keys: Five.
Sam rested his hand on one of the glowing crystals.
"Five more..."
"And the Emerald Throne."
Before Rex could answer—
BANG!
The office doors burst open.
George rushed inside.
Dust covered his clothes.
A wide grin covered his face.
"Commander!"
"It's finished!"
Sam looked up.
George could barely contain himself.
"The Alliance Hall!"
---
A few minutes later...
The leaders of Base 101 gathered outside the western district.
Sam.
Ben.
Kael.
Runa.
Leon.
Zora.
Mira.
George.
Master Doran.
The Goblin Warlord King.
The Goblin Archmage.
Behind them...
Thousands of citizens had gathered.
Curiosity filled every face.
Before them stood an enormous structure hidden beneath a massive silver banner.
George stepped forward.
His hands trembled.
Not from fear.
From excitement.
"When I became the Kingdom Architect..."
"I promised I would build the future."
He smiled.
"Today..."
"...I'd like everyone to see it."
He pulled the ceremonial rope.
WHOOOOOOOSH!!
The banner fell.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Towering white stone pillars reached toward the heavens.
Emerald crystal windows shimmered beneath the morning sun.
Massive silver doors stood proudly beneath the crest of the Silver Kingdom.
Above them...
Ancient letters had been carved into polished stone.
ALLIANCE HALL
The crowd erupted.
Cheers echoed throughout Base 101.
George laughed.
"I actually finished it..."
Master Doran placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You built more than a building."
"You built history."
---
The great doors slowly opened.
The leaders stepped inside.
The hall was magnificent.
At its center rested an enormous circular table carved from a single piece of enchanted crystal.
Four great seats surrounded it.
Three already glowed.
Silver Kingdom.
Base 202.
Base 305.
One seat remained dark.
Waiting.
Around the chamber...
Beautiful murals told the story of Base 101.
From the first day Sam arrived...
To the fall of the Emerald Behemoth.
Every sacrifice.
Every victory.
Every hero.
Mira smiled softly.
"Our kingdom..."
"...finally has a home worthy of it."
---
Heavy footsteps echoed from outside.
A guard entered quickly.
"Commander."
"A visitor has arrived."
Sam turned.
"Who?"
The guard stood straighter.
"Commander Atlas of Base 187."
The room became quiet.
A moment later...
Atlas entered the Alliance Hall.
His long engineer's coat was stained with soot.
Several engineers followed behind him carrying strange mechanical devices.
Atlas stopped in the center of the chamber.
His eyes slowly swept across the hall.
The crystal pillars.
The mana circuits.
The architectural design.
The alliance table.
Finally...
He looked at George.
"You built this?"
George nodded.
"I did."
Atlas slowly smiled.
"I've spent years searching for engineers capable of building for tomorrow..."
"...instead of today."
He looked around once more.
"I've finally found one."
---
Atlas turned toward Sam.
"When I first heard about the Silver Kingdom..."
"I thought the stories were exaggerated."
He laughed quietly.
"I was wrong."
He extended his hand.
"Commander Sam."
"If you'll have us..."
"Base 187 wishes to stand beside the Silver Alliance."
Sam stepped forward.
Without hesitation...
He grasped Atlas's forearm.
"The Silver Alliance welcomes you."
The moment their hands met—
DING!
Golden light filled the Alliance Hall.
A massive System window unfolded above the round table.
---
WORLD ANNOUNCEMENT
Silver Alliance Updated
Commander Atlas
Base 187
Has Joined the Silver Alliance
Current Alliance Members
Base 101 — Silver Kingdom
Base 202 — Dennis
Base 305 — Elena
Base 187 — Atlas
Alliance Influence Increased.
Regional Authority Increased.
Kingdom Prestige Increased.
---
Almost immediately...
Two pillars of blue light appeared beside the alliance table.
Dennis smiled.
"So..."
"You finally finished it."
Another pillar formed.
Elena looked around the hall.
Her eyes widened.
"It's beautiful."
George rubbed the back of his neck.
"...Thanks."
Dennis laughed.
"I think we've found our permanent meeting place."
---
Sam looked around the table.
For the first time...
The Silver Alliance stood together.
Then his expression became serious.
"Our victories have not gone unnoticed."
Everyone nodded.
Leon placed the black feather onto the crystal table.
No explanation was needed.
Everyone already knew what it meant.
Sam continued.
"The mystery beyond Eastern Aetherra still remains."
He looked toward Leon.
Then toward Runa.
"Leon."
"Runa."
The two Generals stepped forward.
"I have a mission for both of you."
Runa saluted.
"We're listening."
"You'll lead an elite reconnaissance force beyond our known borders."
"Find the truth behind the western kingdoms."
"The Sovereigns."
"And the Commanders Leon discovered."
Leon nodded once.
"We'll return with answers."
---
Sam turned toward the rest of the room.
"As for Base 101..."
He placed both Guardian Keys onto the alliance table.
"They're leading us somewhere."
George leaned forward.
"The Ancient Ruins..."
Sam nodded.
"We begin searching them immediately."
"Doran."
"There may be lost forges."
The old blacksmith smiled.
"I'll find them."
"George."
"There may be forgotten cities."
George's eyes lit up.
"I'll map every one."
"Zora."
"There may be ancient magic."
She smiled.
"I'll uncover it."
"Mira."
"There may be survivors... or dangers."
"I'll be ready."
"Ben."
"Kael."
"Prepare the army."
Both Generals struck their fists against their chests.
"Yes, Commander!"
Sam looked toward the enormous windows overlooking the capital.
"The Crystal Giant will remain here."
"It will guard the Silver Kingdom until we return."
Outside...
The Crystal Giant stood silently above the walls.
Watching over the kingdom.
Always vigilant.
---
Inside his mind...
Rex spoke.
Commander...
The Silver Alliance has entered a new phase.
Objective Updated.
Investigate the Ancient Ruins.
Discover the truth of Western Aetherra.
Collect the remaining Guardian Keys.
Sam smiled.
"The next chapter of our journey begins now."
Far beyond the borders of Eastern Aetherra...
Unknown eyes watched.
And somewhere...
In the shadows of Western Aetherra...
Powerful Commanders had already begun to move.