CHAPTER 207 — UNDER THE DOME
Twin Rivers had always been large.
In three days, it would become impossible.
The city already stretched farther than most kingdoms. Seven great districts surrounded the central market like spokes around a wheel, each governed by one of the ruling houses beneath Marquis Lucien. Roads wide enough for caravans ran between them, while countless smaller streets branched outward into a maze of commerce, estates, workshops, inns, and residential districts.
And yet all of it remained contained beneath the Dome.
The colossal barrier shimmered overhead like a second sky.
By day its presence was easy to ignore.
But By night it became impossible.
Silver light washed across rooftops and towers, casting the entire city beneath an artificial moonlight.
For generations the Dome had protected Twin Rivers from the dangers beyond its borders.
For three more days it would continue to do so.
Then it would open.
And the world would flood in.
---
Far above the crowded streets, a gathering was taking place within one of the highest towers overlooking the city.
The chamber itself was circular.
Wide windows overlooked every district beneath the Dome.
A large map occupied the centre of the room, depicting the entirety of Twin Rivers and the territories surrounding it.
Several markers had been placed across its surface.
New markers arrived almost daily.
The room contained only a handful of people.
Yet every one of them possessed enough authority to alter the fate of hundreds of thousands.
Master Shen sat quietly near the map.
Across from him sat Lucien.
The Marquis remained silent, his attention fixed on the countless markings spread across the city.
Nobody interrupted him.none attempted to anyway
Unlike many rulers, Lucien never needed to remind others of his authority.
The room seemed to organise itself around him naturally.
Nearby, Selene sat with one leg crossed over the other.
Her silver hair spilled across one shoulder while her gaze drifted lazily toward the city below.
She appeared entirely uninterested in the gathering.
Nobody believed that for a second.
Marvin, meanwhile, appeared interested in everything except the meeting.
A black card spun effortlessly between his fingers while several others floated above his hand.
The cards constantly rearranged themselves into different patterns.
Sometimes towers,other times circles.
Sometimes symbols nobody else recognised.
Eventually he sighed Loudly.
But even with such action..Nobody reacted.
Marvin looked offended.
"I refuse to believe this room is naturally this boring."
The card tower collapsed and immediately rebuilt itself.
Still nobody answered.
Seeing this, His eyes narrowed.
"You know, normal people would appreciate my efforts."
"Normal people don't survive around you long enough to appreciate anything."
Marvin immediately pointed at Selene.
"There. See? That was conversation."
Selene didn't even look at him.
"It was a warning,now shut up and let me think in peace."
"Fair enough."
Master Shen pinched the bridge of his nose.
Across the room, the Nature Twins shared a look.
Neither of them spoke.
They rarely needed to.
Near one of the windows stood the Nameless Knight.
As always, he remained standing.
Black armour concealed every inch of his body.
His twinsword rested across his waist
Motionless.
Nobody could remember ever seeing him sit during one of these gatherings... soulis
Nobody had ever been foolish enough to ask why.
Marvin glanced toward him.
"You know, one day I'm going to win."
The Knight didn't move.
Getting no response,Marvin grinned
"One day you'll answer one of my questions."
still..Nothing.
Marvin sighed dramatically.
"See? This is exactly what I mean. Terrible conversation.
---
Lucien finally looked away from the map.
The movement alone caused the room to settle.
His gaze swept across the gathered rulers.
"How many?"
The question required no clarification.
Master Shen glanced toward the map.
"Current estimates place arrivals at roughly two hundred thousand."
Nobody looked surprised.
The number had been climbing for months.
Merchants.Cultivators.
Mercenaries,Pilgrims ..Families.Fortune seekers.
All moving toward Twin Rivers.
Lucien's gaze remained steady.
"And after the Dome opens?"
This time the answer came from Aurelius.
The golden-haired lord leaned back in his chair.
"Six hundred thousand at minimum."
Even Marvin's smile faded slightly.
That was no longer a city.
That was migration.Entire populations would move.
Trade routes would shift.
Fortunes would be made and lost in weeks.
Twin Rivers would become the centre of the region.
Every road would eventually lead here.
---
Outside the windows, lanterns illuminated the streets below.Even from this height they could hear fragments of the city.
Music.Laughter.Arguments.Commerce...Life.
All of it unaware of what was approaching.
Marvin stared down at the streets.
Then he flicked a card toward the ceiling.
It spun once.
"Speaking of six hundred thousand idiots."
Master Shen sighed.
"Don't."
"Too late."Marvin grinned.
"When are we telling them?"
The room became quieter.
Even the atmosphere seemed to change.
Because unlike the Dome's opening..Unlike the gathering of merchants...Unlike the arrival of nobles...One detail remained hidden.
The location.
Nobody outside this room knew where the Soulis Conflagration would begin.
Rumours existed.Thousands of them.
Every single one wrong.
Marvin caught the falling card between two fingers.
His grin widened.
"They're going to lose their minds."
Selene finally looked away from the city.
"Some already have."
A faint chuckle escaped the Nature Twins.
The first sound either had made since entering.
Lucien remained silent for several moments.
Then he stood as The room instinctively focused.
His gaze shifted beyond the city.Beyond the Dome.
And Toward distant lands hidden beneath the horizon
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm.
"Tomorrow."
Nobody objected,Nobody questioned it.
Tomorrow the announcement would be made.
Tomorrow the first true wave would begin moving.
Tomorrow every house, every faction, every genius, and every opportunist in the region would learn exactly where Soulis awaited them.
And once that happened..Events would no longer belong to any of them.
Far below, Twin Rivers continued celebrating beneath its silver sky.
The people laughed.
The merchants traded.
The children played.
Completely unaware that by this time tomorrow, the entire region would begin marching toward the same destination.