The air in Astralis was thick with tension. The Dreadborne Horde had been discovered—an unknown force lurking beyond the mountains, preparing to strike.
The First King stood at the heart of the Everflame Hall, the flickering light casting long shadows as his people gathered, waiting for his decree.
Leon watched from above, his divine presence unseen but felt. This was the first true test of the Astralians.
The system flickered.
───[War Event Triggered]───
First Major Conflict Detected
Opposing Civilization: Dreadborne Horde
Diplomatic Options: Available
Leon studied the new options. He could allow the Astralians to choose their path, or he could intervene—granting them visions, weapons, or even divine miracles.
But power given too soon would lead to weakness. They had to forge their own destiny.
A King's Decision
The First King's voice echoed through the hall.
"The Creator has given us fire. The Creator has given us wisdom. Now, He gives us a choice."
The people listened in silence.
"We can wait behind our walls and pray for mercy… or we can march forward and claim our fate."
A warrior stepped forward, his face marked with fresh scars from the beast hunt.
"My king, we do not know their numbers. We do not know their weapons."
Another elder, a woman with eyes sharp as a hawk's, spoke next.
"We cannot fight an enemy we do not understand. Let us parley. Let us learn their ways before we strike."
The king's gaze darkened.
"And if they seek our destruction?"
"Then we will be ready."
A heavy silence fell over the hall.
Leon smirked. Wisdom and caution… but also strength. The king was proving himself worthy of leading a people that could stand the test of time.
The First Contact
The Astralians prepared their emissary—a group of five warriors and one elder, chosen for their wisdom and skill.
At dawn, they left the safety of Astralis and journeyed into the unknown.
Leon's interface flickered.
───[Diplomacy Attempt Initiated]───
Chance of Success: 30%
Risk of Hostility: 70%
Outcome: Uncertain
Days passed.
Then, on the seventh night, a single rider returned.
His armor was broken. His body was covered in wounds. He had ridden through the night to deliver a single message.
He collapsed at the city gates, gasping his final words.
"They… are coming…"
The Call to Arms
The First King's fists clenched. The Dreadborne had rejected peace.
A deep, resounding horn echoed from the east—the sound of an army marching to war.
Leon's interface flickered again.
───[War Declared]───
The Dreadborne Horde has begun its march.
Time until attack: 7 Days.
Astralian Forces: Unprepared.
Leon's divine gaze sharpened.
Seven days.
Seven days to prepare.
Seven days until the first great battle in the history of this world.
And when the dust settled, only one civilization would remain standing.
Seven Days Until War
The fate of Astralis had been sealed. The Dreadborne Horde had chosen war, and their march had begun.
The people of Astralis had seven days to prepare.
Leon observed from above, his divine presence stretching across the land. Would his chosen people survive? Would they thrive? Or would their civilization crumble before it had truly begun?
His interface flickered.
───[Emergency Civilization Task Issued]───
Prepare for War: 7 Days Remaining
Objectives: Strengthen Defenses | Arm the People | Rally the Warriors
Failure Consequence: Potential Extinction
Leon's fingers tapped against the divine console. They needed guidance—but not a miracle.
Power given too soon would make them dependent. But power earned would make them strong.
"Let's see how you rise to the challenge."
Day 1: The War Council
The First King stood atop the Stone Altar, the sacred ground of Astralis. His warriors, elders, and builders gathered before him.
He looked at their faces—some determined, some afraid.
"The Creator has given us fire. The Creator has given us strength. But strength alone is not enough. We must have strategy."
The council broke into three factions:
1. The Warriors, who demanded an immediate attack, believing the Astralians should strike first before the Dreadborne reached them.
2. The Defenders, who urged for a fortified defense, arguing that Astralis should use its walls and terrain to its advantage.
3. The Builders, who proposed a hidden escape route, fearing that the enemy's numbers were overwhelming.
Leon smirked. Good. They were thinking ahead.
The First King took a deep breath. He had one day to make a decision.
Would they fight, fortify, or prepare for retreat?
His choice would shape the future of Astralis.
Day 2: The First Training Grounds
The decision had been made. Astralis would stand and fight.
The first military force of Astralis was officially formed—the Dawnblades, an army of warriors, hunters, and blacksmiths turned soldiers.
For the first time, true weapons of war were forged.
Stone-tipped spears
Wooden shields hardened with fire
First metal weapons: Bronze Daggers
Leon's interface flickered.
───[Technology Advancement: Bronze Age Weapons Discovered]───
Effect: Military Strength Increased
Civilization Progress: 42%
He chuckled. The first steps toward an empire.
But weapons alone wouldn't win the war.
The people needed to fight like soldiers, not desperate villagers.
For the next two days, the first military training camp was established. The warriors learned formations, tactics, and how to fight together.
Their movements were sloppy. Their strikes were wild.
But day by day, they improved.
By the fourth day, they were no longer just a group of hunters and blacksmiths.
They were an army.
Day 5: The Black Fortress
Meanwhile, the Defenders worked tirelessly to turn Astralis into a fortress.
Walls reinforced with sharpened stakes.
Watchtowers built for early warning.
First traps placed—pitfalls and spiked barricades.
The city was no longer just a settlement. It was becoming a citadel.
Leon's interface flickered again.
───[Civilization Progress: 50%]───
First Fortress Established: Astralis Stronghold
Military Organization: Dawnblades (Official Army)
War Tactics Developing
Leon's divine gaze swept across Astralis. They had risen from mere survivors to true warriors.
But was it enough?
Because on the sixth day, the sky darkened.
The Dreadborne Horde had arrived.
Day 6: The Enemy at the Gates
From atop the watchtowers, the Astralian scouts trembled as they saw the horizon burn with torches.
Thousands of figures marched toward Astralis.
The Dreadborne were not like the Astralians.
They were larger. Their bodies were twisted, marked with strange runes. Dark magic flickered around their shamans, their weapons glowing with unnatural power.
And at the head of their army stood a colossal warlord, clad in jagged bone armor, wielding a massive, bloodstained axe.
Leon's interface flashed a new notification.
───[Dreadborne Warlord Identified]───
Name: Gral'Zhor the Undying
Power Level: Overwhelming
Army Strength: 10x Astralis Forces
Threat Level: Catastrophic
Leon's smirk faded.
"This might be harder than I thought."
The Astralians had done everything right. They had trained. They had built their defenses.
But against this overwhelming force, would it be enough?
Day 7 would decide the fate of Astralis.
Leon leaned forward, watching the battlefield unfold.
Because by this time tomorrow…
Either Astralis would rise victorious… or it would be wiped from history.