The **war had begun, but the real battle had yet to start.**
Karael stood atop the towering cliffs overseeing the battlefield. Her golden eyes gleamed, sharp and **calculating** as she watched the chaos unfold below.
The Goodie Hunters and Vinay's forces clashed, steel ringing against steel, flames rising from the shattered ground.
But this was **not** the real fight.
This was a game of **positioning, deception, and control.**
And **Karael was its master.**
She turned to the **3,000 commanders** she had assembled—a force so massive, even the strongest warriors had begun taking notice. **These were not ordinary soldiers.** They were leaders, tacticians, **and monsters in their own right.**
Raising her hand, her voice cut through the noise like a blade.
**"Elyas."**
From the battlefield, **Elyas froze.** Blood dripped from his blade as he turned toward her.
**"Don't fight."** Karael's tone was absolute. **"Come back."**
The warriors around Elyas hesitated, shocked by the command. **Was she serious?**
Vinay's forces were pushing forward. Why was she pulling back a top-tier commander?
But Elyas didn't question her.
**He sheathed his sword and walked away.**
The enemy soldiers watched in **disbelief.**
A smirk tugged at the corner of Elyas's lips as he stepped toward Karael.
**"We're top-tier commanders."** His voice was light but firm. **"You're telling me to retreat?"**
Karael's golden eyes met his without hesitation.
**"Yes."**
Elyas chuckled. **"Why?"**
Karael's voice remained cold. **"Because we fight when things get worse."**
For a moment, silence.
Then, Elyas sighed. **"You really are terrifying."**
Karael didn't reply. She didn't need to.
The battle raged on below, but she knew **this was only Phase One.**
From the northern front, a deep, guttural roar **shook the battlefield.**
The air **rippled.** The ground **split.**
**A creature emerged.**
Massive. Hulking. Eyes glowing with an unnatural energy.
A war beast, **unleashed by Vinay's army.**
It tore through Goodie Hunters' forces, scattering warriors like **insects.**
Swords barely scratched its **thick hide.** Arrows shattered against its **scales.**
Men screamed as the creature **rampaged forward.**
And in the middle of it all, **Arhaan stood.**
His spear **dripped with the blood** of those who had dared to face him.
But his focus was on the beast.
Vinay's own forces **struggled to control it.**
Arhaan's **eyes narrowed.**
"This thing wasn't supposed to go berserk," he muttered.
From the side, **Rudra stepped forward.**
Still, silent, **untouched by the chaos around him.**
Arhaan glanced at him. **"You want to handle it?"**
Rudra didn't respond.
Instead, he simply lifted his hand.
And then, **dark flames erupted.**
The battlefield **froze.**
Vinay's forces watched in **horror** as the beast—this unstoppable force—began to **writhe.**
**Its flesh was burning.**
But there were no screams.
No sounds of pain.
Just **silence.**
The flames **consumed everything.**
And then—
**Nothing remained.**
Arhaan let out a slow breath. **"Every time I see that power…"** He turned to Rudra, eyes dark. **"I wonder if you'll erase me next."**
Rudra didn't answer.
He simply **walked away.**
Away from the battlefield, in the heart of his stronghold, **Vinay stood before the throne.**
His hands were clenched. His mind was focused.
The war was his to control.
And yet—
A voice echoed through the chamber.
**"Still playing the ruler?"**
Vinay's breath stilled.
Slowly, he turned.
And there he was.
Manav.
**Unshaken. Expressionless. Unreadable.**
Vinay's **eyes burned.**
"Why are you here?"
Manav took a slow step forward. **"To talk."**
Vinay scoffed. **"Talk?"** His voice was laced with venom. **"Did you come to ask for mercy?"**
Manav's gaze didn't waver. **"No."**
Vinay clenched his fists. **"Then say what you have to say and leave."**
A pause.
Then, Manav spoke.
**"You can't win."**
The words were simple. Direct. **Unemotional.**
Vinay's rage flared. **"We'll see about that."**
But Manav only tilted his head slightly. **"You still don't understand, do you?"**
Vinay took a step forward. **"Understand what?"**
Manav's voice remained as cold as ever. **"That you were never meant to rule."**
A sharp silence.
Vinay's **breath hitched.**
For a moment—just a moment—something **twisted** inside him.
**His fingers trembled.**
But then, he laughed.
A dark, hollow laugh.
**"We'll see."**
Manav turned. **Without another word, he disappeared into the shadows.**
Leaving Vinay alone.
**And seething.