Atlas and the others began scanning through the available floating islands they could contest in the upcoming Dominion Skirmish. Some of these islands were new, having only appeared alongside the start of the event. Interestingly, Flare Peak, which they often used for training, was not among them.
They examined each Rank-1 island, weighing the risks and rewards of each choice. Edrik had already provided a clear guideline for their selection strategy:
A combination of High-Risk, Mid-Risk, and Low-Risk islands. This approach would give the team more flexibility to adapt their strategy during the mid-battle phase.
“The first option is Crimson Pyre, the Volcanic Island,” Edrik began.
Atlas nodded, listening intently as Edrik summarized the key details of each island.
“Crimson Pyre: Volcanic terrain with wide lava flows, magma pools, and jagged rocky outcrops. It’s classified as Moderate-High Risk due to environmental hazards that weaken troops and limit mobility. Additionally, it will attract high competition from Lords seeking valuable crafting materials.”
“Okay,” Atlas replied, filing the information away.
“Next is Sands of Solace, a Desert Island. Arid desert with open dunes and scattered oases. This island has few natural barriers, which makes ambushes and long-range attacks highly effective. It’s considered Moderate Risk because the open terrain leaves troops vulnerable to ranged attacks and ambushes. Moreover, efficient supply management will be essential due to the harsh conditions.”
“Okay,” Atlas said again.
“The next one is Emerald Glade, a Forest Island. It’s a dense forest with magical flora, hidden pathways, and wildlife. This one is classified as Low Risk. It will face moderate competition from Lords aiming for safe Dominion Points generation. Additionally, it synergizes well with Mira and Lyrassa, as their abilities enhance resource collection and forest navigation.”
“This one sounds tempting and safe to choose,” Atlas remarked.
“I’ll continue, My Lord,” Edrik responded.
“Go ahead,” Atlas encouraged.
Edrik continued, “The last one is Azure Dunes, a Coastal Desert Island.”
“Okay,” Atlas replied, ready to hear more.
Edrik elaborated, “It’s a coastal desert with sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and freshwater oases. The coastal cliffs provide excellent vantage points but are prone to attacks from lake creatures.”
Atlas gave a thoughtful nod. “I can imagine if we secure this island, it could give Zefyros a home where he can roam freely.”
“Agreed, my Lord,” Edrik replied with a small smile before continuing, “However, this island is classified as Moderate-High Risk. The hybrid terrain may disrupt troop formations, and there’s a significant potential for interference from lake creatures.”
Atlas leaned back, carefully considering the options as Edrik paused. Each island presented a different blend of risks and rewards, and while they hadn’t yet delved into the finer points of battle strategy, it was clear that their choices would have far-reaching consequences.
The unpredictable nature of potential opponents added another layer of complexity. Greed could lead them into unwinnable conflicts, facing overwhelming challenges that could cripple their forces. On the other hand, a lack of ambition might leave them with underwhelming results, squandering an opportunity to strengthen their domain.
Each decision needed to be deliberate and well-calculated.
Edrik resumed, presenting the three islands he recommended.
“First, Crimson Pyre Isle. Reason: It offers critical crafting materials for early upgrades. Additionally, the terrain favors your team, My Lord, as they are already familiar with volcanic areas.”
“Okay, next,” Atlas prompted.
“Next is Emerald Glade. It’s a low-risk option for steady DP generation and troop sustainability. It also synergizes well with Mira and Lyrassa’s abilities.”
Atlas nodded slowly, signaling for Edrik to continue.
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“Finally, Azure Dunes. Reason: It provides high-value hybrid resources and offers tactical flexibility for ambushes and defense.”
Atlas fell silent for a moment, digesting Edrik’s reasoning. Each option seemed to fit comfortably within their broader strategic considerations, offering a mix of safety, utility, and potential rewards.
“I think all three islands sound incredibly promising, Edrik,” Atlas said thoughtfully. “I would be more than pleased to secure any one of them. My main concern is ensuring we successfully claim at least one new island, regardless of which we prioritize.”
“I agree with you, My Lord,” Edrik replied.
Atlas took his time to thoroughly reanalyze the three recommended islands. Although they couldn’t visit the islands during this preparation phase, they had access to detailed maps of the terrain and layouts. Edrik used these visuals to further explain why these three islands were the most logical choices.
The strategy remained consistent: include one high-risk, high-reward island for the potential major gains, while also securing a low-risk island that would synergize with their current team composition and ensure steady benefits.
Even with his victories in previous Lord battles, Atlas knew better than to underestimate the Dominion Skirmish. This was no straightforward one-on-one contest—it was a chaotic battlefield involving multiple Lords, some of whom might form alliances, creating a potentially overwhelming threat.
Atlas had no alliances to fall back on, a factor that placed him at a distinct disadvantage.
To date, he had neither actively sought alliances nor received any serious offers. The only exception was his indirect connection to two Rank-2 Lords, Luna and Ember. They had offered him donations during his early struggles, providing crucial support at the time.
However, they operated at a higher rank and had never met Atlas in person, making their involvement in this Skirmish unlikely.
For now, he had to assume he would face this challenge alone. This isolation made meticulous planning and flawless execution critical. Any mistake could lead to disastrous outcomes. The maps, Edrik’s strategic insights, and his own instincts would have to be enough to secure victory.
Atlas glanced at his other Elite Subordinates, who all remained silent, their expressions showing complete trust in Edrik's strategic guidance. It was clear they deferred to Edrik’s expertise, leaving the intricate planning to him. When Atlas occasionally sought their opinions, they would often simply echo Edrik's points, showing their confidence in his judgment.
The discussion continued for a while, with Edrik elaborating on their options, until he suddenly chimed in with a new topic.
"My Lord, forgive me, but I feel I must bring this up," he said, his tone careful yet firm.
Atlas looked up, his brows furrowing. "Just say it."
Edrik gave a small bow before speaking. "Master Kurogasa, please correct me if my suggestion seems too risky."
Kurogasa bowed slightly in return. "I trust that our Lord is not reckless, and with the experience in this room, coupled with a well-thought-out strategy, we should be able to minimize risks."
"What is it, Edrik?" Atlas prompted.
Edrik nodded, his expression serious as he began. "My Lord, I’ve identified an island—a dynamic environment island."
"Oh? Then why didn’t you mention it earlier?" Atlas asked, surprised. He racked his mind, recalling the Rank-1 islands they had reviewed, yet no such island had appeared.
"Because, my Lord," Edrik continued, "this island is in Rank-2."
"Rank-2..." Atlas murmured, letting the weight of that information settle.
Edrik pressed on. "It’s the Shattered Ember Isles, a volcanic Shadow Terrain."
He paused briefly before continuing. "The island is a crumbling volcanic landscape infused with shadow magic. Its Shadow-infused zones reduce healing effectiveness but amplify shadow-based abilities. The Central Fortress is surrounded by unstable magma flows, requiring precise and calculated movements to navigate."
Atlas remained silent, processing this new information, as Edrik continued.
"If we can secure this island, my Lord," Edrik said with quiet conviction, "it will solve our resource problem. The island holds the materials we need to craft the Soulbinding Armor Set."
Yes, the Soulbinding Armor Set. Atlas had already secured the blueprint, and now they just needed to gather the materials—an immense amount, since his vision was to provide every member of his island with this powerful armor.
However, the Shattered Ember Isles was categorized as Rank-2, meaning it would require Atlas to participate in battles one rank higher than his current standing.
"Chance to win," Edrik continued. "It’s Moderate to High. Our team is well-accustomed to training in environments like this. Moreover, Morganna, Kurogasa, Raze, myself, and you, my Lord, all perform exceptionally well in shadow zones. This gives us a substantial edge against opponents who lack shadow affinity."
Edrik paused briefly, allowing Atlas a moment to process the information before continuing. "If you decide to include this island as one of our choices, we can devise a detailed backup plan or a retreat strategy to mitigate potential risks."
"Rank-2 Lord Battles," Atlas murmured, his thoughts trailing as he processed the explanation.
Despite the obvious risks, he couldn’t ignore the pull of this opportunity. The dynamic environment was rare—such islands seldom appeared in Skirmishes. The Shattered Ember Isles held incredible value, both for its unique terrain and the resources it promised.
Naturally, such allure would attract countless other Lords, turning the Isles into one of the most fiercely contested battlegrounds in the Skirmish.
His mind raced as he weighed the risks against the potential rewards. His team’s compatibility with the terrain gave them an advantage, but stepping into Rank-2 battles introduced unpredictable variables.
Was this gamble worth taking?
What path should he choose?