Following the war, the Republic of Xander was enveloped in turmoil and sorrow. The detachment of Order members dispatched by Seraphim had a singular mission: to eliminate any special forces members wielding rune-crafted weapons. With the potent weapons stripped away, Xandarian soldiers found themselves defenseless against the Tritas onslaught. Overwhelmed by sheer numbers, they fought valiantly but were ultimately defeated.
Despite desperate calls for aid, only the Beastmen Alliance responded, though their assistance arrived too late. The Tritas forces, now unhindered, engaged in ruthless atrocities. Xanderians were slaughtered, and survivors were rounded up and sold as slaves to foreign nations.
Every arc reactor, every advanced weapon, and the innovative banking system were pillaged by the Order. The once-prosperous Republic of Xander now stood as a shattered and broken country. Some noble families and cities managed to escape the Tritas' grasp, but the majority of the populace either met a grim end or faced a life of enslavement.
In the aftermath, the Tritas forces left, and the war officially ended after three days of merciless bloodshed. The Zodian Federation seized control of 75% of Xander's lands, leaving devastation in its wake. Senator Judas was appointed Chancellor of the newly formed Xanderian Satrapy under the dominion of The Zodian Federation.
As the Troca Union reveled in unprecedented profits, the air in the opulent halls of power was thick with the scent of success. Richmond, a key architect of the nefarious plot, couldn't contain his satisfaction as the coffers of his oil business overflowed with the spoils of war. The lucrative trade in enslaved Xanderians further fueled the Union's wealth, and the triumphant smiles of its leaders painted a portrait of ruthless ambition realized.
Yet, amid the celebrations and the clinking of glasses, a subtle disquiet gripped Richmond's thoughts. It echoed in the recesses of his mind like a haunting melody. The coveted arc reactors, had vanished into the abyss of uncertainty. While the immediate gains were substantial, the mysterious disappearance cast a lingering shadow over Richmond's triumph. He could not shake the unease that stemmed from the missing pieces of a puzzle crucial to his vision of immense profit.
News of Xander's defeat spread like wildfire across neighboring nations, each reaction a unique chord in the symphony of geopolitical dynamics. Sympathetic whispers echoed in some corridors, mourning the fall of a once-thriving republic and expressing condolences for the lives lost in the merciless onslaught. For these nations, Xander's demise became a poignant reminder of the fragility of peace and the constant threat of war.
Contrastingly, in the halls of power where opportunism reigned supreme, the news was greeted with a different resonance. Some saw Xander's fall not as a tragedy but as a strategic opening—a chance for territorial expansion and economic gain. Ambitious leaders, their eyes gleaming with the prospect of seizing the spoils left in Xander's wake, began to draw up plans for territorial claims and resource exploitation.
In the desolate ruins of Xander, the human toll of war unfolded with heartbreaking clarity. Families, once united, were torn apart by the cruel hands of conflict. Communities lay in shattered fragments, the remnants of lives now irreversibly altered. Amid the ashes of a nation ruthlessly dismantled, ordinary citizens faced the daunting task of rebuilding. The scars of war ran deep, etching tales of profound loss, the indomitable spirit of survival, and the enduring resilience of the human soul.
The harsh and uncertain future that awaited the remnants of Xander's people was a canvas painted with the hues of tragedy. It was a narrative of endurance, as survivors grappled with the challenge of reconstructing their lives in the aftermath of a cataclysmic event that had reshaped the course of their history.
***
As Calvin immersed himself in the grand library, the usual ambiance of hushed discussions and scholarly exchanges came to a sudden and somber halt. A royal attendant approached Calvin with a grave expression, the urgency in the eyes apparent. The prince, sensing an unusual air of tension, looked up as the attendant conveyed that the Serenian Queen urgently requested his presence at court.
Confused and curious, Calvin followed the attendant through the regal corridors of the Serenian palace. The usual grandeur seemed muted, as if the very walls mourned an impending tragedy. Upon reaching the queen's court, he was ushered into a chamber where Queen Seraphina awaited.
The queen's visage bore the weight of sorrow as she met Calvin's gaze. Her apology hung heavy in the air as she began to speak, "Prince Calvin, I deeply regret that you must hear this in such dire circumstances. The fate of Xander is a heavy burden on my heart, and I wish the news I bear could be less severe."
As she continued, her voice trembled with genuine empathy. "The Tritas invasion has left Xander in ruins. The Royal Palace has fallen, and your family, the esteemed pillars of the Xenides legacy, have valiantly fought but, alas, succumbed to the brutality of the onslaught. King Cartwell, Queen Celestia, and, I am truly sorry to say, your beloved brother Castiel - all have perished."
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A solemn silence enveloped the chamber as the weight of the devastating news settled upon Calvin. The queen, aware of the profound loss he was experiencing, offered words of solace, "Xander was a beacon of progress, and your family played a pivotal role in its brilliance. The Serenian court mourns with you, and I extend my deepest condolences for the irreplaceable losses your heart now bears."
"As a mother, I cannot fathom the pain of losing one's kin. In the face of such calamity, Serenia mourns with you," Queen Elara continued, her voice touched with genuine sympathy. "If there is aught that Serenia can offer in this dark hour, be it support, solace, or a haven for your grieving heart, know that our kingdom stands by your side."
As the queen concluded, another figure entered the chamber - Princess Elara, the one who had been saved by Castiel. Her eyes, too, reflected the somber reality. She spoke softly, her voice laden with sorrow, "Prince Calvin, I owe my life to your brother. His brilliance and courage will forever be etched in my heart. I am truly sorry for your loss."
In that court, surrounded by the echoes of sorrow, Calvin, once a prince with dreams of contributing to Xander's marvels, now stood as a solitary figure grappling with the unimaginable void left by the annihilation of his world.
His hands trembled as his breath caught in a silent scream that echoed through the depths of his soul. The pain, raw and unrelenting, tore through him as the realization of his profound loss settled like a heavy stone in the pit of his stomach.
The vibrant colors of Serenia turned to shades of desolation. Calvin, now a prince without a kingdom, a brother without family, sank to his knees in the court. His anguished cry, heard by the world around him, echoed inside the Serenian Court.
The once-promising student, the beacon of Xander's future, was now a shattered soul. His dreams of standing alongside Castiel, contributing to the marvels of their homeland, crumbled like fragile parchment. The weight of responsibility, the burden of grief, and the harsh reality of loss bore down on Calvin's shoulders, threatening to crush the very essence of who he once was.
In that moment of profound sorrow, the stars above Serenia seemed to lose their luster. The universe, indifferent to the tragedies of mortals, carried on its cosmic dance while Calvin, the last scion of the Xenides bloodline, grappled with the void left by the annihilation of his world.
***
After Queen Celestia's final act Rebecca was the sole survivor without the right hand. Her once flowing black robe, adorned with intricate silver patterns, was now tattered and stained. The pale glow of her remaining hand, a testament to her mastery of light magic, stood in stark contrast to the devastation around her. The lingering scent of charred magic and the echo of the Queen's sacrificial incantation still hung heavily on her.
Rebecca made her way back to the secret chamber of the Order, her determined steps carrying the weight of both loss and survival. The Grandmaster, an enigmatic figure shrouded in darkness, awaited her report. As she entered the dimly lit chamber, the Grandmaster acknowledged her presence with a simple nod.
"Rebecca," the Grandmaster spoke, her voice a low rumble that seemed to resonate within the very walls of the enclave. "Report!"
Rebecca took a deep breath, her gaze unwavering. "My lady, the mission was a success. All the remnants of rune-crafting have been seized. The rest of the order members will be bringing the items with them very soon, but Seraphim and some of our members have met their demise. The Xanderian Queen's use of sacrificial magic was devastating. The flames of darkness consumed everything in their path, sparing none. Seraphim was caught in the inferno, along with the King, his Spymaster and the other members of the Order. I only survived thanks to Light Magic."
The Grandmaster's hooded figure remained impassive. "And Prince Castiel? What of the Xenides heir?"
Rebecca hesitated for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "My lady, Castiel did not survive the ordeal. He was dead before the flames claimed him. There was no chance for escape. The Queen's sacrifice was absolute, taking everyone within the room."
The Grandmaster, a master of concealing emotions, absorbed the information without visible reaction. "Hmm…..A heavy loss, indeed. Seraphim's demise, along with the potential of our younger members, is a setback. However, there is something more, isn't there? Speak, Rebecca."
Rebecca, her expression still and composed, decided to withhold the information about the teleportation of Castiel's body. In her mind, it was inconsequential, given the certainty of Castiel's demise. "My lady, the flames left nothing behind. The Queen's sacrifice ensured the eradication of all traces. Our mission is complete."
The Grandmaster studied her for a moment, her hood casting shadows over her features. "Very well, Rebecca. Your dedication to the Order is commendable. There is still the matter of Prince Calvin, We still need to know if he is of Dragon blood or not. But for now, rest and regain your strength.”
Rebecca bowed and retreated from the chamber, “Grandmaster.”
The chamber's silence spoke volumes, punctuated only by the distant echoes of destruction that still resonated in the air. The Grandmaster, a master tactician in the clandestine dance of power, contemplated the twists of fate and the shadows that concealed both opportunity and peril. The events at the Royal Palace had unfolded with unforeseen consequences, but the eradication of Dragon blood was successful. The dark tapestry of the Order's plans had been unaltered, and now, in the quiet aftermath, the Grandmaster pondered the next moves in the intricate game of secrets and shadows.