Chapter 45 — When Kings Walk the Same Ground
Valoria had never known a season like this.
Roads that once echoed only with merchant carts now thundered beneath the wheels of royal carriages. Banners were replaced. Streets were widened. Mage-lamps were reforged to burn day and night, their light woven with illusionary sigils that painted the sky in gold and sapphire.
The capital—Helioscrest—was no longer merely a city.
It was becoming a stage.
For the first time in centuries, three sovereigns would walk the same land.
And Valoria was determined to make the world remember it.
---
A Kingdom in Celebration
From dawn to dusk, Helioscrest roared with life.
Floating platforms—held aloft by solar crystals—were installed above the main avenues, creating layered streets where nobles shopped above commoners, and performances unfolded midair like living murals. Alchemical fountains poured shimmering liquids that changed color with the sun's arc. Artisans from every corner of Valoria set up stalls, selling enchanted fabrics, memory crystals, self-heating cookware, illusion toys, and spell-bound jewelry.
It felt less like preparation for a tournament—
And more like a festival of liberation.
Citizens whispered that this was what peace looked like.
Others whispered that such brilliance only appeared before disaster.
Guards doubled patrols. Phoenix Guard —the elite military force of Valoria—were visible everywhere, their crimson-and-gold armor reflecting sunlight like burning stars. Every gate was reinforced. Every tower warded.
The capital was alive.
And watching.
---
The Iron Emperor Approaches
Far beyond Valoria's polished roads, the land changed.
Magic thinned.
The earth hardened.
Steel replaced stone.
A massive caravan carved its way through the mountains—each carriage reinforced with interlocking metal plates, pistons hissing softly with every movement. The banners bore no flowing sigils or glowing runes.
Only iron.
At the center rode a colossal armored carriage pulled not by beasts—but by mechanical constructs, their limbs clanking with terrifying precision.
Inside sat Emperor Harkon Steelbrand of Thalgrun.
A mountain of a man, his body a fusion of flesh and forge. One arm gleamed with alchemical steel, engraved with rotating glyphs. His spine was reinforced by exposed metal ridges. Even his breath sounded heavier—measured, powerful.
Between his two empresses, he scoffed.
Emperor Harkon: "Valoria reeks of dependency."
First Empress Emily Steelbrand, sharp-eyed and calculating, adjusted her armored gown.
Emily: "Magic is convenient. That is all."
Second Empress Scarlett Steelbrand smirked, her crimson mechanical eye whirring faintly.
Scarlett: "Convenience breeds weakness."
Harkon laughed, a deep metallic rumble.
Emperor Harkon: "Exactly."
He leaned forward, resting his metal hand against the carriage table.
Emperor Harkon: "Magic burns mana. Mana has limits."
His gaze sharpened.
Emperor Harkon: "Steel does not tire."
The carriage door slid open.
Four youths stood before him.
Crown Prince Darwin Steelbrand—tall, broad, his arms reinforced with combat augments, eyes burning with ambition.
Beside him stood Princess Ashley Steelbrand, calm, lethal, her movements precise like a blade measured before a strike.
Behind them were Prince Martin and Prince Stanley, twins from the second empress—both fitted with partial mechanical enhancements, faces molded into disciplined obedience.
Emperor Harkon: "Darwin."
Darwin stepped forward.
Emperor Harkon: "You will win."
Darwin bowed sharply.
Emperor Harkon: "Ashley."
She inclined her head.
Emperor Harkon: "I want you in the finals."
Her lips curved into a cold smile.
Emperor Harkon turned to the twins.
Emperor Harkon: "Martin. Stanley."
They snapped to attention.
Emperor Harkon: "You will face your brother and sister in the semifinals."
Scarlett's voice cut in, amused.
Scarlett: "Break them if you must."
The twins answered in perfect unison.
Martin & Stanley: "Yes, Father."
Harkon leaned back.
Emperor Harkon: "Show these magic monkeys who rules the future."
The caravan rolled on.
---
The Forest That Breathes
In stark contrast, deep within ancient woods—
The forest moved.
Trees shifted to open paths. Roots pulled back. Vines lifted, creating roads where none existed before.
A carriage of living wood glided silently through the greenery, its wheels never touching the ground.
Inside sat Queen Lysandra Aurelius of Eryndale.
Her presence was serenity itself.
Silver-green hair flowed freely down her back, woven with leaves that never wilted. Her eyes glowed faintly with ancient magic—old, patient, and impossibly deep.
Before her sat her twin daughters.
Jennifer—serene, observant, eyes sharp with empathy.
Yennifer—curious, restless, her gaze constantly drifting toward the forest beyond the window.
Lysandra spoke softly.
Queen Lysandra: "I know you do not wish to participate."
Jennifer nodded.
Yennifer frowned.
Yennifer: "We are not warriors."
Queen Lysandra smiled faintly.
Queen Lysandra: "No. You are something rarer."
She grew serious.
Queen Lysandra: "But peace requires presence."
She placed a hand over a crystal embedded in the carriage wall.
Queen Lysandra: "Our oracle has spoken."
The twins stiffened.
Queen Lysandra: "Another cataclysm approaches."
Jennifer inhaled sharply.
Queen Lysandra: "And Valoria holds an anomaly."
Yennifer's eyes widened.
Yennifer: "An anomaly?"
Queen Lysandra: "Someone untouched by fate. Unbound by destiny."
She looked ahead.
Queen Lysandra: "Our goal is not victory."
Queen Lysandra: "It is finding him."
Jennifer met her mother's gaze.
Jennifer: "And if we do?"
Queen Lysandra: "We bring him to our side."
The forest parted.
Eryndale moved forward.
---
The Quiet Storm
Back in Valoria.
Far from festivals.
Far from politics.
Daniel stood alone in a secluded training field.
Before him loomed a massive boulder, split, cracked, and scarred beyond recognition.
It had once been solid.
Now it looked like something had tried to erase it from existence.
Daniel exhaled slowly.
Sweat dripped down his brow.
Sensei's voice echoed calmly.
Sensei: "Assessment complete."
Daniel: "And?"
A pause.
Sensei: "Congratulations."
Daniel clenched his fists.
Sensei: "You are ready."
Daniel looked at the ruined stone.
Daniel: "Ready for what?"
Sensei did not answer immediately.
The air around Daniel shimmered faintly.
Not dark.
Not fire.
Not lightning.
Something… sharp.
Controlled.
Contained.
Sensei: "For the tournament."
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
Daniel: "Then let them come."
The wind howled once.
The stone behind him collapsed into dust.
And somewhere far away—
Prophecies trembled.