NOVEL WEB Chapter 15: Chapter 15: A Fragile Truce
The Void rift near Valoria's capital pulsed with dark energy, its jagged maw casting an eerie glow over the plains. Elian Valorian faced Duke Ravencrest, whose Syndicate rogues flanked him, their daggers glinting. Above, the dragon emissary circled, his molten-gold scales flashing as he awaited Elian's signal. The air crackled with tension—Valoria's soldiers, dwarven axemen, and orc berserkers stood ready, their unity fragile after recent clashes.
"You can't stop the rifts, Valorian," Ravencrest sneered, his raven sigil gleaming. "Ironhold's truce offer was a distraction. The Syndicate will tear your kingdom apart."
Elian's Aetherforged Blade hummed, his Expert Realm senses sharp. "Your betrayal ends here," he said, stepping forward. But Ravencrest raised a hand, signaling a pause. "Join us, or lose everything. The Void serves those who wield it."
Elian's mind raced. A truce with Ravencrest was a trap, but fighting now risked the rift's expansion. He summoned the Faith System. [Current Belief Points (BP): 50]
The dragon's aid had boosted faith. [BP increased to 1,200 due to rising morale.]
"Show me options for 1,200 BP," he thought.
[Gold: 120,000 gold coins] [Aether Crystals: 120 crystals] [Rare Aether Ward: 1,000 BP]
"Convert 1,000 BP to Rare Aether Ward," Elian decided. A shimmering disc materialized, its runes pulsing. Lady Seraphine, nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Another vault relic, sire?" she murmured, her tone probing.
"Ancient reserves," Elian replied, handing her the ward. "Deploy it to shield the rift." Seraphine's Divine Cleric powers activated the ward, its barrier slowing the rift's growth.
Elian turned to Ravencrest. "No truce. You'll answer for your crimes." He signaled the dragon, who dove, flames scorching the Syndicate rogues. Veyra, the male Shadow Rogue, darted through the chaos, his daggers felling foes. Liora's spellweavers unleashed Starbolt Barrages, while Krag's orcs and Gromm's dwarves charged.
Ravencrest fled into the shadows, his rogues scattering. Elian pursued, but a scout's cry halted him: "Sire, Ravencrest's forces hit our western outpost!" The attack was a diversion, weakening Valoria's defenses.
Elian rallied his forces, the ward holding the rift at bay. "Veyra, track Ravencrest. Liora, reinforce the outpost. Krag, Gromm, hold the line here." The dragon emissary landed, his voice rumbling. "Our pact holds, king, but the rift grows stronger."
As Elian prepared a counterstrike, the ground shook violently. The rift widened, spewing a swarm of Voidspawn, their red eyes glowing with hunger. Valoria's fragile truce with its allies teetered, and Ravencrest's shadow loomed larger than ever.