8:00 p.m. - Capital of Ingrissia - Grinrelis:

  The night was in full swing in the capital Grinrelis, every street and alley was animated by the various activities of the population.

  From the Royal Palace, you could observe various types of lights illuminating the capital, giving it a breathtaking view.

  But while joy reigned in the city, at the Royal Palace, the atmosphere was different.

  In a large room, bathed by the glow of the moon that passed through half-open curtains, Arianne, dressed in an elegant nightgown, watched Raphael put on the last parts of his armor.

  When Raphael finished wearing his entire armor, Ariane approached him from behind and tenderly hugged him, while resting her head on her husband's back.

  "After that... everything will be over, won't it?" She said in a soft voice.

  Raphael grabbed his wife's gentle hands, and kissed them.

  "Yes," he said tenderly.

  "I wanted to stop this war sooner, but I couldn't disobey my mother," he added calmly.

  Arianne sketched a small smile and said:

  "Don't worry, I understand you perfectly," she said in a soft voice.

  "Otherwise, how will you proceed with Darshelm?" She asked calmly.

  Raphael, caressing Ariane's hands, replied calmly:

  "Four of Ingrissia's six swords have already infiltrated the four corners of Darshelm. They are all accompanied by a group of three royal magicians, and five royal knights. "

  "As soon as the western ramparts of Darshelm fall, the knights and magicians of the four ducal houses will enter the kingdom, and head towards the capital while neutralizing all enemy forces. "

  After his words, he turned around, grabbed Arianne by the hips, and pulled her against his cold breastplate. Arianne closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the smell of the man she loved.

  Raphael began to caress her hair, then whispered:

  "As for me, I will directly attack the capital of Darshelm with Valthor. "

  After hearing Valthor's name, Arianne raised her head directly, and stared Raphael straight in the eyes.

  "Valthor... are you sure everything will be fine?" She asked with an ounce of concern in her voice.

  Raphael stared at her tenderly, then answered calmly:

  "Don't worry, everything will be fine. "

  "Not to mention that in this way, all the pillars of Darshelm will have fallen before dawn breaks".

  Raphael looked down at her and, in a soft voice, concluded:

  "Wait for me. I'll be back very soon. "

  Arianne nodded, then she slowly moved away from Raphael. After that, the king of Ingrissia turned his heels and left the room, under the tender gaze of his wife.

  Meanwhile - Capital of Drashelm:

  While a pleasant atmosphere reigned in Grinrelis, the atmosphere in the capital of Drashelm was quite different.

  News of Ingrissia's planned attack spread quickly through families, carried across the border into Darshelm.

  And in a few days this information kept secret by the state, is spread like a trail of powder in every corner of the capital, thus causing a massive displacement of the population.

  Meanwhile, at the Royal Palace, in the throne room, the nobles and generals had gathered around the king. A huge map of the kingdom covered the central table, pricked with figurines representing their troops.

  The air was heavy, saturated with uncertainty.

  The king, sitting on his throne, stared at the map deployed in front of him. His severe features expressed a cold anger.

  "Why would Ingrissia declare war on us, when they promised to end their war of expansion?"

  "Do they think we are easy targets?" he declared in an imposing voice.

  A shiver ran through the entire room, but one of the generals present marked by the years, remained impassive, then answered calmly:

  "I can understand your highness's frustration, but we must not forget that they managed to take control of all of Glast two days ago. "

  "We all know that Ingrissia is a kingdom that always keeps its word."

  "So we can be sure that they will end their expansion in three weeks. But even knowing this, I doubt our defenses can fall in three weeks. It took them almost seven months to annihilate Glast," he added in a calm tone.

  After these words they all nodded, then, an old duke with a gray beard, spoke and said:

  "General Ledger is right on this point. Our foundations cannot fall in three weeks. "

  "Then anyway, without counting the presence of the troops of Solaris and the Holy Empire, we can count on Prince Badel, as well as the other heirs to protect our kingdom. "

  The eyes met, and whispers of approval ran through the room.

  The king nodded slowly.

  "Well... we're going to show Ingrissia and this damn Ingriss family that we are not at their mercy. "

  They were all reassured by the king's words, but they were completely unaware of the extent of Ingrissia's real power that was about to strike their kingdom.

  And meanwhile, in a wing of the Royal Palace, the young Prince Narel was having fun in his apartments with some maids.

  Prince Narel was the youngest prince of Darshelm's royal lineage.

  The royal family had seven children as a whole. Four boys, and three girls. Six were adults, seasoned with weapons or strategy. But Narel was a cheerful and expressive boy, loved by all the inhabitants of the Royal Palace for his liveliness.

  That evening, his laughter resounded as he ran after two maids, trying to catch them in an improvised game.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  In his eyes shone an innocent flame, and full of life, not suspecting the misfortune that would befall them.

  22:00 - Capital of the Solaris Empire - Cindoria:

  Sitting on a golden throne, the emperor of Solaris quietly read a letter, with a slight smile on his lips.

  "Was your announcement just a bluff, or have you decided to show us something exciting... Rapha?l," he said in a slightly amused voice.

  Capital of the Naxthor Empire - Draktharion:

  The Emperor of Naxthor, stood at his balcony, watching the lightning spread on the horizon.

  "What do you think of Ingrissia's statement, son..." he said calmly, observing the lightning.

  There was one of his sons standing at the entrance of the balcony, watching him wisely.

  "I think Ingrissia was not entirely sincere in his statements," he said stiffly.

  The emperor sketched a small smile.

  "This is where you are wrong son, King Raphael is a man who always keeps his word," he replied calmly.

  "Forgive my closed mind, father," replied the son while tilting his head slightly.

  The emperor of Naxthor gestured with his hand, and replied quietly:

  "Don't worry son, a mistake of youth is understandable... I'm just waiting to see what King Raphael has prepared for us"

  City of Darfust - East of Darshelm - Popular Neighborhoods:

  The streets were full of soldiers and knights. The patrols circulated throughout the city, controlling every crossroads, every alley. Rumors of an attack by Ingrissia were already circulating, but in this part of the kingdom, the atmosphere remained unchanged.

  In a busy tavern in the city, voices rose. People were drinking, eating, and laughing, despite the tense situation in the kingdom.

  Sitting at the back of the room, Arya, with a hooded face, drank a mug of beer in large sips.

  Arya Ingriss, apart from being the general of the royal knights, was one of the Swords of Ingrissia.

  Around her, the three royal magicians, and the five royal knights who accompanied her stared at her with concern.

  "General... I think you've already drunk enough. In addition, it will soon be time," said one of the knights, lightly placing his hand on Arya's back.

  She raised her mug with a playful look, and then said:

  "It's okay calm down, the attack is only at midnight. "

  She then emptied her mug in one go, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

  "Let me enjoy this alcohol first. Because after that, we all know what will happen," she said with a slight smile, hiding enormous cruelty.

  His men exchanged a silent look. No one dared to insist again.

  00:00 - City of Darfust:

  The bells of the city's central clock began to ring in the middle of the night.

  Listening to the sound of the bells, Arya slowly got up from her chair, the wood grinding.

  Her knights straightened up at the same time as her, and put their hand on the guard of their sword which was hidden in their long coats.

  Arya ran a hand through her hair, and made a bun. His laughter had disappeared, and only a cold determination remained in his eyes.

  "On the way," she said calmly.

  The troupe came out of the tavern, their steps echoing in the cobbled alleys.

  They then went to the headquarters of the Knights of Darshelm.

  "Tonight..." said Arya, placing her hand on the guard of her sword.

  "...The whole of this kingdom will collapse." she said with an excited look.

  At the same time - Ramparts of the capital of Darshelm:

  On the high walls of the capital, the night air was fresh. The torches attached to the ramparts crackled gently, spreading a flickering light on blackened stones.

  Some soldiers stood guard, their spears placed against the stone, while others, tired, exchanged jokes. One of them bit absently into a piece of dry bread, another scraped the dust from the ground with his dagger.

  "Hey... do you really think Ingrissia could attack us? " asked a young soldier, his gaze turned to the horizon.

  "Tss... we have been told for days that the enemy is approaching, but according to rumors nothing is happening in the West," said one of them sighing.

  Another, younger, answered with a nervous smile:

  "It's for the best. If this rumor was just a simple rumor, I wouldn't say no..."

  Everyone laughed weakly, trying to ward off fatigue and anxiety. But suddenly a sound similar to metal snaps crossed the air.

  One of the young boys frowned and approached the wall.

  "Hé guys, did you hear? "

  His companions exchanged glances, then they started laughing.

  "It looks like fatigue makes you hear anything. Come on and rest with us," said one of the soldiers with a mocking air.

  The young soldier frowned, and continued to stare at the horizon for a moment.

  Then, his eyes widened, and his heart froze.

  "Shit..." he breathed.

  In the distance in the night sky, a huge figure was advancing. This figure was so huge that its wings stretched like two shadows covering the moon.

  "A-Alert! A dra— ?

  He did not have time to finish his sentence, that a torrent of flames fell on the wall.

  The stones burst in the heat, the screams of the soldiers drown in the roar of the flames.

  Raphael and Valthor announced their arrivals, as well as the beginning of Ingrissia's offensive.

  What was supposed to be a peaceful night for Darshelm, had just turned to "The night of fire"