Dawn broke over the western valley.
A blanket of mist drifted across the forests surrounding the Phoenix Kingdom.
Hidden high within the branches...
Leon slowly opened his eyes.
He had not truly slept.
A scout never did.
---
Below...
The kingdom had already awakened.
Farmers departed through the eastern gate with armed escorts.
Merchant caravans lined up outside the southern entrance.
Smiths pushed carts overflowing with freshly forged weapons.
Watch captains changed shifts with flawless precision.
Leon silently observed every movement.
Nothing escaped his notice.
---
Runa adjusted the crystal lens George had crafted before the expedition.
Through its enchantment...
The distant city became remarkably clear.
Her sapphire eyes widened.
"They're expanding."
Leon glanced toward her.
"What do you see?"
She slowly handed him the lens.
"The western district."
"They're building another wall."
Leon studied the city.
Hundreds of workers carried stone.
Engineers directed construction.
Earth mages raised enormous foundations.
Within minutes...
He understood.
"They're preparing for war."
---
Neither scout spoke for several moments.
If another kingdom was strengthening its defenses this quickly...
Then something dangerous existed beyond its borders.
---
A group of soldiers suddenly marched out from the northern gate.
Nearly two hundred of them.
Unlike the guards...
These warriors wore dark crimson cloaks embroidered with a silver phoenix.
Every movement was disciplined.
Every formation perfectly aligned.
At their head rode a woman clad in gleaming silver armor.
A long spear rested comfortably in her hand.
Even from this distance...
Her presence stood out.
Runa whispered,
"A General."
Leon nodded.
"Without question."
The woman raised one hand.
The entire column stopped instantly.
Not a single soldier hesitated.
Runa smiled.
"Good leadership."
Leon memorized every detail.
---
Inside his mind...
His System spoke.
High-priority target identified.
Recommendation: Observe only.
Leon had no intention of doing anything else.
Commander Sam's orders were absolute.
Gather information.
Avoid conflict.
Return alive.
---
Hours later...
The patrol disappeared into the northern wilderness.
Runa carefully rolled up a growing collection of maps and notes.
"We've learned more in three days than anyone has in centuries."
Leon nodded.
"But one question remains."
She looked toward him.
"What's that?"
He turned his eyes toward the distant mountains beyond the Phoenix Kingdom.
"If they're preparing for war..."
"...who are they preparing to fight?"
The question lingered between them.
---
Far beyond the mountains...
Hidden from both scouts...
The earth suddenly trembled.
A deafening roar echoed across the horizon.
RRRRROOOOOOOOAAAAARRRR!!
Even from dozens of miles away...
Birds exploded into the sky.
The ground shook beneath their feet.
Runa slowly lowered her telescope.
"...That wasn't normal."
Leon remained silent.
His instincts screamed a single warning.
Something powerful...
Had awakened.
Somewhere in Western Aetherra...
A new threat was beginning to stir.
And neither the Phoenix Kingdom...
Nor the Silver Kingdom...
Knew what was coming.