The obsidian chamber was a study in darkness and authority, its black walls seeming to absorb light rather than reflect it. At the center of the circular room stood a massive obsidian chair, its surface polished to mirror perfection, while five figures stood in a semicircle before it—the most powerful rulers in the Land of Spade.
King Nano of the Magic Kingdom in Region Three paced restlessly, his ornate robes shimmering with arcane energy. Queen Mirano of the Light Kingdom in Region Five stood with regal bearing, her golden crown catching what little light existed in the chamber. King Thornoe of the Thorne Kingdom in Region One leaned against his massive war hammer, his scarred face set in perpetual grimness. King Ragnarok of the Animal Kingdom in Region Six towered above them all, his beast-hide armor radiating primal power. Finally, Queen Nogia of the Technology Kingdom in Region Two stood analyzing data on a holographic display that emanated from her cybernetic implants.
"We've been at this for hours," Nano said, his frustration evident. "The Judge and the Council need our list of the top three candidates for Region Four's throne, and the Tournament of Power begins in two days."
"The Sound Kingdom has been without proper leadership since Saber's... departure," Mirano added.
"We have two solid candidates," Thornoe rumbled, his voice like grinding stone. "But we need a third name on that list, or the Council will choose for us—and we all know how that usually goes."
Ragnarok's eyes gleamed with predatory intelligence. "The Council's choices tend to favor their own interests over regional stability. We need someone who can actually rule, not just serve as their puppet."
Queen Nogia's holographic display flickered as she processed data streams. "I have an idea," she said slowly, "but it's... a stretch."
The other four rulers turned to her with keen interest. In the years since the Eclipse Sovereignty threat had emerged, Nogia's analytical approach had proven invaluable in their strategic planning.
"Who do you have in mind?" Nano asked.
Nogia's cybernetic eye whirred as she accessed secure files. "What about..." She leaned forward and whispered a name. The reaction from the other four leaders was immediate and shocking.
"There is no shot he'll agree," Mirano exclaimed, her composed demeanor cracking with disbelief.
"Are you serious?" Thornoe asked, his grip tightening on his war hammer. "After everything that's happened?"
Ragnarok was quiet for a long moment before nodding slowly. "It's better than nothing. We might as well give it a try. Put his name on the list, and I'll send a team to see what his interests are."
"If he even considers it, the political landscape will shift dramatically," Nano observed. "But you're right—it's our best option."
The five rulers gathered around the obsidian chair as Nogia materialized a crystalline tablet containing their final list of three candidates. Each ruler pressed their palm against the tablet, their unique energy signatures serving as unbreakable seals of agreement.
A figure emerged from the shadows—a Personal Delivery Mage of the Council, trained in discrete and secure information transfer. The mage's face was hidden beneath a hood that seemed to absorb light, and they moved with practiced silence.
"Deliver this to the Council immediately," Ragnarok commanded, handing over the sealed tablet. "Time is of the essence."
The mage nodded once and dissolved into shadow, carrying their precious cargo toward whatever dark halls the Council called home.
The exterior of Fort Vigilance stretched across the landscape like a metallic mountain range, its 1,500-mile diameter now completed after days of expansion. But the true marvel lay not in its impressive outer shell, but in the Dimensional Compression Technology—or "Infinity Architecture" as Captain Solari Lyra had dubbed it.
Captain Solari Lyra stood on an observation deck, looking out over a vista that defied all conventional understanding of space. The interior of Fort Vigilance now spanned 1.5 quintillion miles, a pocket dimension capable of housing the population and replica every planet and moon from all five universes.
"The latest calculations are remarkable," Zeraxis Prime reported, his multiple optical sensors scanning holographic displays. "We've successfully relocated the entire populations of the Areala and Kaipo Universes. Approximately 47 trillion beings now call Fort Vigilance home."
"And they're adapting well?" Lyra asked, though she could see the answer in the bustling cities that stretched to every horizon within their dimensional sanctuary.
"Better than expected. The Infinity Architecture allows us to recreate familiar environments for each species and culture. They're not just surviving—they're thriving."
Lyra nodded, but her expression carried the weight of responsibility. "What about Queen Lila and King Kael? Any word on the rescue and relocation plans for the Seventh and Requiem Universes?"
"The plans are 73% complete," Zeraxis replied. "However, both rulers are still engaged in active conflicts with King Arion's Sentient forces. Direct communication has been... challenging."
"Keep working on it. We can't leave them to face the Arion and the Eclipse Sovereignty alone when the time comes."
In a secure briefing room deep within Fort Vigilance, Queen Nia stood before a holographic map of Region Five. Red markers indicated areas still under Queen Mirano's control, while green markers showed territories that had been secretly liberated.
"Operation Exodus Dawn" had been running for a couple days now, and the results were more successful than anyone had dared hope. Nia's carefully selected task force had been extracting entire populations from Mirano's neglected territories, bringing them to safety within Fort Vigilance's protective embrace.
"Mirano's negligence is actually working in our favor," reported Commander Vex, the task force leader. "She's so focused on maintaining her image and preparing for the Tournament of Power that she hasn't noticed entire cities going quiet."
"How many total so far?" Nia asked.
"Twelve villages, three towns, and one small city. Approximately 2.8 million people total. They're all settling into the Agricultural Sector of Fort Vigilance."
Queen Nia smiled grimly. "Good. The less people under her 'protection' when the Eclipse Sovereignty makes their move, the better. But maintain operational security—we can't risk an all-out war with the Light Kingdom right before the Tournament begins."
In one of Fort Vigilance's massive training facilities, Seraphina and Saber stood before twenty of the most powerful mages from the destroyed universes. Ten came from the former Areala Universe, ten from the Kaipo Universe.
The training hall itself was the size of a small continent, its Infinity Architecture allowing for combat scenarios that could simulate any environment or challenge. Today, it resembled a vast colosseum under artificial stars.
"I know this isn't ideal," Seraphina addressed the gathered mages, her voice carrying both authority and compassion. "Under optimal circumstances, we should have representatives from all five universes for the Tournament of Power. But these are not optimal times."
The mages—some human, others decidedly not—listened with expressions ranging from determination to grief. They were the survivors, the last champions of worlds that no longer existed.
"The Azure Universe remains under King Arion's dominion," Seraphina continued. "The Seventh and Requiem Universes are currently at war with his Sentient forces. We cannot secure additional representatives from those three universes without risking their discovery and destruction."
Saber stepped forward, his presence commanding despite his recent fall from power. "This means our team of twenty will be representing not just your home universes, but all five universes in the Tournament. Captain Daichi, myself, and three other secret mages will form an additional team to ensure we have full representation."
A mage from the former Areala Universe raised her hand. "Who will lead us into battle when the Tournament begins?"
Seraphina's expression grew resolute. "We will lead ourselves. Together. Because that's what unity means—not one leader commanding from above, but all of us fighting as equals for the same cause."
They were all that stood between the Eclipse Sovereignty, the 6 Kingdoms, and the total domination of all existence.
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and then Add to home screen.