THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The night at Castrum Belli et Ignis had been a harmonious blend of elegance and strategy until chaos shattered its serene facade. Moments before the explosion and the crumbling of the ceiling, the atmosphere had been charged—not with fear, but with intrigue and danger lurking beneath the surface.

David's dance with the Archon had captivated the room, their steps weaving a narrative of power and subtle seduction. The music, the laughter, and the clinking of goblets had masked the impending storm.

Far from the grandeur of the ballroom, along the jagged shores of Lysora County, the sea stirred with an unnatural fury. The once-calm waters churned as though in agony, waves clawing at the coastline. Then, with a guttural roar that silenced the whispers of the wind, hordes of Dunemauls emerged. These monstrous beings, born of sand and darkness, rose from the surf with predatory purpose.

Their bodies, a grotesque amalgamation of stone-like armor and fleshy sinew, glistened with sea brine. Their multiple glowing eyes scanned the surroundings, and their jagged limbs carried them forward with an unstoppable hunger.

The shore, dotted with fishermen and late-night revelers, turned into a tableau of horror. Screams tore through the night as the Dunemauls descended upon the unsuspecting, their claws rending flesh and their guttural growls echoing into the night. Buildings along the coastline crumbled under their ferocious advance, wooden beams snapping like twigs.

Fires ignited as lanterns were overturned, casting an eerie, flickering light on the carnage. The lively streets transformed into a nightmare, once-filled with laughter now resounding with desperate pleas for mercy.

The tide of destruction surged forward, spreading chaos into the heart of Lysora County. The Dunemauls moved with ruthless efficiency, their numbers swelling as more crawled from the sea. Among them, however, a larger and more menacing figure emerged.

This Dunemaul stood taller than its kin, its body reinforced with an exoskeleton that seemed almost metallic. Its glowing crimson eyes betrayed an intelligence far greater than the mindless hunger of its brethren. As it strode forward, the earth trembled beneath its weight, its massive claws tearing through obstacles with ease.

This monstrous leader carried with it a glass vial, clutched delicately in one of its webbed, clawed hands. The liquid inside glowed a sinister crimson, pulsating as though alive. The Dunemaul marched unerringly toward the center of the county, its path marked by destruction. Once it reached the inner walls of the upper society, it stopped.

Lifting the vial high into the air, the creature let out a roar that silenced even the cries of the fleeing populace. Then, with a decisive motion, it smashed the vial, the liquid splattering across its claws and chest. Without hesitation, the beast plunged its own claw deep into its heart, collapsing with a thunderous crash.

The moment its body hit the ground, the air grew heavy with malevolence. Crimson mana circles formed above the fallen Dunemaul, glowing with an otherworldly light. Beams of energy shot from the circles, racing across the county to strike dark obsidian poles hidden in strategic locations. Each pole absorbed the energy before radiating it outward, forming layers of dark pools that began to blanket the county.

The first layer covered the entirety of Lysora, plunging it into a shadowy twilight. The second enclosed the inner walls, isolating the upper echelon of society. The final layer ensnared Castrum Belli et Ignis itself, sealing it within a dark, shimmering dome.

High above the castle, atop its tallest spire, a shadowy figure observed the chaos with detached amusement. The figure's silhouette, framed by the faint light of the moons, was both commanding and eerie. They carried a massive, box-like weapon, which they set down with calculated precision.

The weapon unfolded, its four metallic legs digging into the stone roof with a mechanical hiss. With a fluid motion, the figure placed their hand on the device, pushing their mana into it. The weapon hummed with power, glowing faintly as it absorbed the energy.

The figure's voice was low but filled with dark anticipation as they muttered, "Let the fun begin." The weapon emitted a pulse that rippled through the air, a harbinger of the chaos to come.

****

The air in the grand hall grew heavy as chaos loomed closer, the echoes of distant screams merging with the unsettling silence that had fallen among the guests. Elara, mustering her remaining strength, raised her arms with a commanding flourish.

A radiant blanket of fire spread across the hall, encasing the terrified nobles and shielding them from the fallout of the ceiling's collapse. The flames crackled like a protective inferno, their golden hue illuminating the fear-stricken faces of the guests.

But the effort came at a cost. Black veins began to crawl up Elara's neck, marring her alabaster skin. She dropped to her knees, her body trembling as she coughed up blood, the sound wet and ragged. Gasps filled the room as Mariana, her sister, bolted up the dais steps to Elara's side. Tears glimmered in her eyes as she crouched beside her fallen sister, placing a comforting hand on Elara's shoulder.

"Elara, stop! It's not safe for you to use magic in your condition!" Mariana's voice cracked, her desperation evident.

Elara forced a weak smile, her lips stained with crimson. "Mariana," she rasped, her voice barely audible, "I have to protect them. This is my duty."

Before Mariana could protest further, the Knights of Flame stormed into the hall, their armor gleaming with embers of their fiery allegiance. They moved with precision, slamming the ornate doors shut and forming a protective wall around their Archon. The metallic ring of their weapons echoed as they took their positions, shields interlocking to create an impenetrable barrier.

Sir Richard, the commander of the Knights of Flame, stood at the forefront, his expression fierce. "Knights, protect the Lady of Fire!" he roared, his voice carrying a resolute authority. The knights responded with a thunderous battle cry, their voices shaking the very walls of the hall.

David, having been pushed out of the formation, glared at the shield wall. "Wait! I can help her!" he shouted, frustration evident in his tone.

From within the ranks of the knights, Sir Frederick, the First Captain of the Guards, stepped forward. His low, fiery-red hair caught the flickering light as he faced David, his expression unwavering. "Your intentions are noted, Spross des Banners. But the Archon's safety is our responsibility. Find a safe place."

David clenched his fists, seething inwardly. He knew he had no choice but to comply, stepping back reluctantly. His mind raced, calculating his next move, when a sudden tremor shook the ground. A shadow fell through the gaping hole in the ceiling, and a cloaked figure landed with a deafening crash. The force of its landing sent cracks splintering across the marble floor.

David instinctively fell into a fighting stance, his muscles taut with tension. The presence was menacing, an undeniable aura of malevolence emanating from the figure. Something about it was off, unnerving even. Yet, his training and experience held him back. This was not his battle to fight—not here, not now. He had to respect the authority of the Archon's knights.

"You're holding back," came a familiar, sultry voice from the shadows. Luna's figure materialized beside him, her movements fluid and silent as ever. She smirked, her sharp eyes glinting with mischief. "Why don't we interfere, hmm? But not as a De Gor."

David glanced at her sharply, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.

Luna's smirk deepened, and her eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Let's say, under different colors." Her cryptic words hung in the air as the tension around them thickened, leaving David with no choice but to weigh his options as the battle unfolded before them.

****

A/N: Sorry for the delay, everyone! The electric company's schedule has been all over the place, and my holiday travel plans didn't help either. But I've finally managed to get things in order.....somewhat, so you can look forward to a chapter every day now. Thanks a ton for sticking with me!