Barely a day later, black banners appeared on the desert's horizon.
The False King had anticipated their move. His army of branded beasts marched for Zephar—dragonoids, corrupted manticores, shadow-bound gryphons, and tamed humans whose eyes glowed red.
The city's defenders were unprepared.
Takeshi didn't hesitate. He rallied every sanctuary and monster village he had visited. Beasts he had once tamed—or befriended—arrived in droves. Vine Erikson, the goblin tribes, the reformed horned hares. Even the skeletal dragon, now named Onyx, flew overhead with a protective roar.
The Battle of Zephar began at dawn.
Fyria led aerial units in fiery swoops. Elira picked off corrupted commanders from tower perches. Mochi acted as mobile cover, absorbing blasts and shielding the wounded.
Takeshi moved at the heart of the chaos, forging bonds with any beast not fully lost. He saved dozens.
But the False King made his move.
He descended atop a chimera behemoth, wielding a corrupted whip of soul-fire.
"You play king, but lack the will to rule!" he shouted.
Takeshi raised the Codex. "And you rule with fear. Let's finish this."