Alex remained in the city during the war.
For three days, he played the role of an ordinary traveler, blending seamlessly into the background. His presence was a shadow, unnoticed by the people around him. But while the city remained physically untouched, the atmosphere began to shift, subtle at first, then undeniably tense.
At first, life carried on as usual.
The first day passed without concern. The news from the front lines was the same as always—the Earth Clan and its allies had engaged the beasts, just as expected. Business thrived, civilians carried out their daily routines, children laughed as they played after school, and the youths kept tabs on the latest news through media streams. The war was distant, a problem for others to handle.
By the evening of the second day, the first ripples of unease appeared.
The war was taking longer than it should have.
A beast tide had never lasted more than two days at most. The Earth Clan and the clans under them were renowned for their efficiency, and their ability to crush opposition swiftly. Yet here they were, entering the third day of battle with no sign of resolution.
By the afternoon of the third day, tension had seeped into the city like a slow poison.
The once vibrant markets had dulled. Vendors who had eagerly hawked their wares now exchanged uneasy glances, their voices hushed. Nobles, once boastful of their protection under the Earth Clan, murmured anxiously in private circles.
The warriors stationed within the city, men and women who had once scoffed at the idea of ever being needed, now checked their weapons with stiff hands. The illusionists, who had always been confident in their craft, stood alert, their eyes scanning the streets more frequently as if expecting the enemy to appear at any moment. Even the runesmiths, so assured in the city's defensive formations, began reinforcing them—just in case.
The illusion of absolute security was cracking.
Alex observed it all from a distance, watching the people's confidence crumble piece by piece. He sat in the lavish lounge of the Argent Pearl, sipping a drink as nobles nearby whispered urgently.
"This is unprecedented... The Clans should have finished by now."
"Why is this beast tide different?"
"Do you think it's happening?"
"I don't know, but I pray that it's just our imagination."
"Don't worry. I'm sure it's nothing serious."
Denial.
It was amusing. They clung to beliefs, convinced that the Clans were invincible.
["Alex."]
Nova's voice echoed in his mind, steady and precise.
["It's done. I have everything we need."]
His grip on the glass tightened slightly.
Finally.
He returned to his suite, activating the room's privacy enchantments before settling onto the bed. Nova's interface materialized before his eyes, scrolling through lines of stolen data.
["I have extracted all relevant files from Geb Fortress' network. Everything on the Earth Clan's internal structure, defensive weaknesses, troop deployments, and classified projects."]
Lines of text and schematics flashed past, a treasure trove of intelligence. Alex scanned through the information, his mind absorbing every critical detail. This was the blueprint of their power—their strongholds, their vulnerabilities… their secrets.
Nova continued.
["From my analysis, the Earth Clan operates at 67% efficiency. Their forces are strained, and their reinforcements are slower than projected due to unexpected battle from the beast tide."]
That explained why the battle was still ongoing.
["This war is taking a toll on them," Nova confirmed. "The casualties are higher than anticipated and still increasing, and their chain of command is under severe pressure."]
Hearing this, Alex leaned back against the headboard, his mind piecing together his next move. He had what he came for. The war had weakened the Earth Clan more than they had expected. Their forces were stretched thin, their morale shaken.
But it wasn't enough.
Not yet.
Nyxara's concern slipped into his mind like a whisper.
"So, what now?"
Her voice was softer this time. She had sensed his thoughts, the pain buried beneath his expressionless exterior. No matter how well he masked it, she saw through him. They were bound, after all.
The war has weakened them, but they are still too strong for you to take on.
Her tone wasn't accusatory. It was weary.
Alex didn't answer immediately. His golden eyes flicked over the glowing interface, watching as the casualty numbers continued to rise.
The war was far from over.
And he still had work to do.
"We wait," he finally said.
Nyxara exhaled, but she did not argue.
She understood.
This was only the beginning.