Prosarea, Peacius, 29th Day 13th Phase 1456th Set.

6 days before Xenis laid siege to Hemia.

"Motherfucker... This is exactly why I didn't want to be an information broker!" whined the Noct-Persidius information broker, Kieurn as he sprinted through the dark and long back alleys of Prosarea shopping alley. 4 cloaked Verserien spies followed after him, 2 on each side of the roof of the alleys and 2 directly behind him. Each of their steps made no sounds as if they were levitating off the ground. Kieurn accidentally knocked over several crates that contained goods that were supposed to be sold the next day but this attempt was in futile. The cloaked pursuers leapt over every crate with ease, treating them like puddles of water. The brightly serene moon spectated the chase, enthusiastic to know whether the information broker will outrun the Verseriens.  

Kieurn darted his eyes nervously around the dark alley, straining his eyes to search every part of the alley for the key to escaping. But his night blindness condition failed him tonight, not knowing that a single cobblestone stood up like a sore thumb. He tripped over it and landed face first on the rough ground. The lesions that were inflicted on him are nothing compared to what he will be facing as the 4 spies pinned him to the ground with joint locks, forcefully stopping the information broker from moving any further.

"Wow, what a fucking great way to get caught. Tripping over a damn stone," whispered Kieurn despondently to himself.

***

Undisclosed place, Peacius, 29th Day 13th Phase 1456th Set.

Directly after arresting the information broker, the spies brought him to a dilapidated shed in the middle of nowhere. Now even the previously enthusiastic moon hid behind clouds, trying its best to not witness the gore presented to it in the shed. Without the moonlight now, the only thing that lit up the shed was sparks from the sharpening of blades. The 4 spies circled a hysterical man who is strapped down to a wooden chair with rough ropes that grazed the skin of the victim even with the slightest fidget. Kieurn is no longer the information broker that he was just a few hours ago, exchanging information with contacts from the Empire of Noct and Persidius. His mind was filled with euphoria when he first heard that he was to act as a middle man for the communication between the royal courts of Noct and Persidius. However, that very same mind was now desolate of any emotion. Kieran's skinny body was filled with lacerations from the slow and painful cuts that the spies applied on him. Crimson blood seeped out from every pore of his body in reaction to a minute amount of poison injected into him. Patches of skin hung off his muscles, almost like a freshly filleted fish with skin.

"Now, if you tell us the information you are supposed to transmit to Persidius, we won't harm your beloved family," threatened one of the spies as he pulled back his black hoodie, revealing a psychotic smile.

"PLE-S DO-N'T. I WEL TEL Y-UO!" shouted Kieurn in agony while he coughed out clotted maroon blood.

"Then please, tell us," said the sadistic spy as he leaned in towards the ear of Kieurn and sliding his sharpened dagger over the scarred face of his unfortunate target. The other 3 spies immediately took out their papers and dipped the tips of their bird feather quills in the fresh blood of their victim and placed the tips of the quill onto their own papers, ready to jot down every information. In order to hear the information clearly, the sadistic spy took out a clean handkerchief and wiped the inside and outside of the tortured information broker's mouth.

"I was supposed to inform a Persidian contact who will inform the Persidian royal court that the Alantian city of Hemia will be besieged by the 100,000 men strong battalion Xenis of Noct on 5th Day 1st Phase 1457th Set," Kieurn said reluctantly.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"And why is such a big army used to besiege a minor city?" questioned the sadist.

"Emperor Desion stated that Xenis will be the vanguard for an all out invasion of Alantieus with Persidius being an ally. The Xenis will be holding ground in Hemia while Persidian and Noctian coalition forces arrive to assist in the invasion,"

The psychotic face of the spy turned into a poker face immediately hearing the last part of the information and immediately ordered the other spies to finish up their recording before they leave for the Empire of Verserius. Just before the sadist leaves the shed, he threw a dagger at the feet of Kieurn. Seeing the sudden movement, the information broker flinched and shuddered in fear but soon realised what the dagger was for. To escape from the binds. What an unexpected kind act from a sadist.

***

Prosarea, Peacius, 2nd Day 1st Phase 1457th Set.

News of the nation of Peacius being annexed by the Empire of Verserius spread around the nation like a wildfire. Each Peacian had a worried look on their face, everyone had mixed feelings about being annexed by the Empire of Verserius. Kieurn staggered through the streets, wondering if he should regret exposing the vital information to the 4 spies. He hung his head low and saw the newsletter that informed every one of the annexation.What happened? Why are we being annexed? What is going to become of us? How did this happen? Will we still be able to continue our daily lives? These questions asked by the people stung Kieurn, knowing that he is the cause of this annexation.

"Everybody is to gather at the city hall for an announcement about this annexation at noon!" exclaimed Verserien soldiers who marched through the streets of Peacius as if it is their own country. The bystanders shot the soldiers with looks of despise, but the soldiers were disciplined enough to not bothered by such actions.

The scorching sun slowly rose to the peak in the sky, unhindered by clouds. In front of the city hall was a crowd of anxious Peacians waiting for the Duke of Peacius, Leinov to clarify the situation to the people. When the city hall bell rang to signify that it is noon, the gates of the city hall opened and behind the gates stood Leinov and a middle-aged grinning Verserien ambassador with strict looking 4 armoured guards that held pikes and shields in their hands.

Duke Leinov opened his mouth and presented a speech:

I am sure that everyone has been informed that Peacius is being annexed by the Empire of Verserius. Peacian officials have also thought about this annexation day and night. But do not fret my people, this annexation is to keep us safe from any military threats, mainly an incoming war between the Noct-Persidius Coalition forces and Verserius-Alantieus Allied forces. Alantieus discovered an infinite power source years ago and kept the secret to itself and the royal court of Verserius. But somehow news leaked out to the Empire of Noct and Empire of Persidius 3 sets ago during the 1454th Set. Now the Coalition forces are planning to invade the Empire of Alantieus in 3 Days time. No doubt that the invasion will trigger an all out war between all 4 Empires and we will undoubtedly be caught up in this web. So the Empire of Verserius has kindly offered to annex us and protect us with their military forces in exchange for Peacian males aged between 14 and 40 be drafted into their military. The Empire of Verserius will also be increasing trade and business with us to make up for our losses, and the drafted males will be able to hold Peacian and Verserien citizenship after the war. To keep this short, the annexation of Peacius is for a better and safer future. I sincerely hope that all the Peacians out there will understand this. I will be signing the agreement with the Verserien ambassador now.

Each government official took out their own unique feather quills and signed the agreement papers that sealed the annexation of the nation. Immediately after the signing, jeers and rocks greeted the 2 government officials. the 4 guards stood in front of the officials and slammed their shields down to block out the rocks. The party retreated into the city hall and closed the gates while the people expressed their fury by trying to knock down the city hall gates. WIth the papers signed, families are fated to be broken by the war and businesses are to be closed down. But these consequences are only the start. 

Within minutes of the signing, the flag of Verserius was lifted above the city hall. The flag was flaming red with a wyvern clutching to a blue shield. Such a foreign flag brought down the morale of Peacius to an all time low, people gave up on rioting knowing their efforts will be in vain and that it will indeed be better if they are protected by a stronger empire during a tumultuous era.

Now the 15 Sets old Teiga who has only just started to formulate his own Ura technique is going to be drafted into the Verserien army.