Far from Junction City, three people sat in a room. Each had a dissatisfied expression as they read reports sent from all over their kingdoms. These three were the leaders of the Allaince, and for the past few weeks they had been recieving reports regarding various problems. The lack of finding the hero, dispite searches of all choas temples or affiliated places or further insights from the gods, was among them. Even having the few choas preists and preistess' within the kingdoms ask their god for answers or insights into the heroes location, yielded only one answer. 

'The hero will reveal itself if and when it's ready to do so. Do not bother me again.' 

That was the one and only answer the god of choas gave. King Von was not satisfied with that response, so after he offered to pay one of the choas preists an immense sum of money if they asked for a clearer answer. Most of them immediately turned him down, but one of them swayed by the massive fortune agreed. So he prayed for answers and more knowledge of Amatsus' plan. 

He immediatly turned to stone and soon after crumbled to dust. Everyone agreed the first answer was perfectly fine and got back to work. Which leds us to three people sitting around a table, reading reports and making plans. The entire Allaince was being mobolized for war, but it would take time. 

Ambassadors were being sent to the Elves and the Dwarves, but it was unlikely they would be able to aid them. The continued fighting with the Empire, and the conflicts in and under the Guardian Mountains would likely prevent any effort going towards the Allaince. And even if they were able to, human relations with other races weren't at their best.  Sure they still traded with each other, but thats as far as it's gotten in ages.

Speaking of the Empire, they too have become more active, more legions were being assembled and deployed. A few skirmishes have broken out in the Frontier, normaly this would be seen as the Empire simply flexing some muscle. They hadn't made any serious attempts at conquering the Frontier before, mostly because it would spread troops away from the Allaince front and they would be the targets for demons when they invaded again. That was actually the same reasons the Allaince didn't try to take control of the Frontier either. 

 But this time was different, they seemed to be preparing for a major offensive into the Frontier. The discovery of these preparations made sense after several Empire spies had been captured attempting, presumably, to relay information regarding the circumstances of the summoning. Which leads us back to the room the leaders were in and another of their many discussions they had had.

 "Anything new from the spies we caught?" King Von asked as he shifted through report after report.

"No. But I think we should act on the assumption they managed to pass on whatever information they were carrying." Empress Badu replied.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Aye. Their spies usaully aren't so sloppy in their operations. In thier haste they made mistakes, but it would not be wise to assume all is well. Their spymaster is too crafty for that." King Douglas said with considerable frustration. Being a man of action he hated this boring paper work, even if he understood its importance.

"What about the Black Temple Preistess? Have we sent messengers to her? She could help right?" King Von asked nervously. 

"Hah! I knew you were still sour about earlier. I knew it! HAHAHA."  belowed King Douglas.

*sigh* "Von, we sent a messager with the riders going to the Frontier, it will take time for them to relay a response back. Besides, it's not likely she will aid us." Empress Badu explained. Unlike Douglas she did not find Vons continued attempts at agitating the chaos god to be even a little funny. It was annoying, reckless and more than a lttle pointless.

"In all of recorded history the Black Temple has never fallen to demons, though the city itself is always razed. Knowing this why would she leave such assured safety, just to come all the way beyond the wall for us?" Empress Badu asked as she passed a series of reports to King Douglas.

"We are the Allaince! Why wouldn't she come when we summon her? We're Kings, dammit!" King Von shouted angrily. He was so flustered and upset that he threw his wine glass across the room.

"We are leaders of a coalition of kingdoms that sentenced everyone in the Frontier to essentialy be a meat shield against the demons. All the while we squable with the Empire. So, as I said before, there is no logical reason for her to come here. Now settle down and finish reviewing the reports, we need to be ready for what ever coming our way." Empress Badu said calmly, passing the last of the reports to him. King Von eventualy settled down and read through the reports.

"Is this accurate?" King Von asked, looking to them both.

"Yes, it is." King Douglas said, nodding his head in affirmation.

"Our fighting strength is roughly equal to the Empire, but they hold some advantages right now. In terms of manpower we are superior, but we also have more land and the a larger section of the Great Wall to defend, so we even out there. Also my armies are not at full strength at the moment, the Orcs began their mating season not long ago, all those eligible have left to attend various rituals. It will be some time before they are finished. And no, I won't order them to postpone their matings or rituals. They wouldn't listen anyway."

"The second advantage they have over us is heroes. While we have heroes, most of ours are older or not of a combative nature. The Empires' are more combative in their roles and gifts, so that tips their battle feild power considerably. If they weren't also used as a means of public order(police), then we would have lost a lot more ground in the war." Empress Badu said in a very serious tone. The odds were against them, but not so much as they would lose, just that victory would come at a heavy price.

"It's not all that bad though is it? Their war with the Elves and Dwarves have cost them men and supplies, both to fight and to watch their borders. And their ambitions towards the Frontier are also going to cost them. So with all of our men, wealth and supplies, I'd say the odds are fairly decent for a world war. But this choas heros' appearance and the demons being so quiet, I'm concerned everything going to get as ugly as a trolls baby real fast." King Douglas said in a concerned voice. 

No one in the room could honestly say they thought any different.