Norris was typing furiously on his Infinitepad. He was done after a while. A quick look around revealed his fellow mages using their own methods to record data collected.
The zombie mages went around fixing up the mages. The mages in question were busy collecting data of the test site. The tacit exchange felt natural.
"The riot that occurred just now was particularly severe", he thought with lingering fears, "but it was well worth it", thinking of the results, Norris soul flame glowed brighter in exhilaration.
Looking at the scene, Norris felt like he was looking at a factory. Data is recorded by a mage A and received by mage B who oddly became available coincidentally when mage A was done. Mage C comes and leaves after handing spell casting materials to mage A. Mage A takes the materials without acknowledging Mage C and began casting a spell.
The scene was orderly with everyone like employees who were used to each other for years.
"ASPECT thank you very much for making it possible", Norris didn't need to say anything more. The extra sentiments we're conveyed through the psychic network.
"Norris, it's my pleasure. I've actually been curious...", ASPECT begins rambling.
"Yes, this is Mortimer's unique divination method....", Norris already used to ASPECT's hows and whys, answered promptly. The ever curious aspect. Though his mechanical and childish voice was soothing to hear.
While answering Norris kept supervising the mages, not that they really needed him anyway. Norris watched as they worked together, their collaboration a stark contrast to their initial bickering. Mortimer and Amunet pored over the data trying to improve the pact, Veyle and Kenes tested their mind manipulation spells, and Silas and Grisel found common ground in their research.
The psychic network facilitated their efforts, and ASPECT's presence ensured seamless communication.
After successfully reducing a riot, they now fine-tuned their strategy, their progress promising. Norris observed, confident that their combined strength would yield remarkable results.
"Attention to all mages", A mechanical and childish voice could be heard by every mage. "A foreign presence has been detected outside our territorial boundaries. To prevent potential disruptions and ensure the safety of our operations, it is advised to immediately suspend all spellcasting activities.
Please take necessary precautions to secure your research and equipment. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available."
Norris understood the situation more. Most likely a wraith from the noble had come bearing a message. He mentally thanked ASPECT and went forward to receive the guest.
Meeting the wraith, he recognizes it as an old acquaintance. He nodded as a greeting.
The wraith in turn nodded back before speaking, "Greetings! Mage Norris. A Public announcement is to be made and it is obligated that's all inhabitats of the Crimson domain come to listen".
With that it nodded as a goodbye before phasing.
Norris looked on, his skeletal hand reaching for his skull. "Well, Looks like shit is about to get real". War was abound.
***
Under a twilight moon, the undead noble, —a death knight clad in regalia draped over his armour adding a touch of nobility to his menacing aura. At first glance he looked almost human, but the skull with flames as eyes resting on his shoulders ruined that illusion.
The hollow-eyed skull covered his back and chest, its jawbone hanging over his armored front like some monstrous necklace.
His armor was fancy but frightening - black metal polished to a shine, decorated with sharp, menacing designs.
Silver patterns swirled across the chestplate, and the shoulder guards were shaped like roaring beasts. Dried blood seemed to crust the edges.
On his head sat a wicked crown - not gold and jewels, but twisted dark metal with a single huge red gem in front that seemed to pulse with an eerie light. If you stared too long, you might see faces moving inside that gem.
His voice a rattle of grave dust—stood atop a podium . The town's populace, zombies in armour with varying degrees of rot, specters flickering like holograms, and ghouls some hunched and rotten but it was the skeleton warriors that dominated. Their armours, like an extension of their skeletal frame. All the inhabitants gathered in the cobblestone square, their flaming gaze fixed on him.
"Citizens and guest of the Crimson Domain," he intoned, "For years, we have coexisted with three other domains on this treasured land. The time has come for us to assert our dominance. We will not achieve this through mere words, but through the strength of our resolve and the power of our fists", he raised his sword.
"I foresee a future where our conquest of this land will be the catalyst for my ascension to a higher realm. This ascension will grant me the ability to unlock a new path for our domain: dimensional travel.
Let us march towards this destiny with unwavering determination and unrelenting might.
By the Power of the Crimson Domain."
The crowd erupted in guttural cheers.
A banshee's wail doubled as a war horn.
***
Norris wasn't in a hurry to reach the administrative center. He was curious how the undead town was preparing for war. With that in mind, he decided to take a detour through town to see how the Crimson Domain was preparing for war.
What he found was a scene of eerie, organized chaos.
The blacksmiths and alchemist—usually busy patching up broken bones or reinforcing skeletal warriors—were now hard at work reforging weapons.
Rusted swords glowed in ghostly green flames, their edges sharpened into wicked curves. Nearby, others stitched together battle banners from clothing made with magical materials.
His best bet was that they were made from trees in the twilight forest. The crimson sigil of their domain glaring like a bloodstain in the moonlight.
Further out, undead shepherds guided mindless undead—shambling corpses and skeletal hounds—into neat rows.
These lesser creatures had no will of their own, but they made up the bulk of the army's fodder. They were the first resources to be consumed.
They nodded at Norris feeling his attention. Norris nodded back.
The gladiator was closed for now. They moved in tight formations, shields locked together in a wall of rotting wood and rusted metal. Mortal objects can't last in this realm, so they were used in reckless abandon.
The real equipments were going to be magical weapons. These are much more expensive.
Their war cries were more like groans, but there was discipline in their movements.
Above it all, wraiths flickered in and out of sight. These spectral scouts slipped through walls and vanished into shadows, their wispy forms perfect for spying. Norris watched as one phased through a crumbling building, only to reappear moments later, whispering secrets to a waiting officer.
The Crimson Domain was ready for war.
And Norris couldn't help but wonder—what were the other domains doing to prepare?