While the House of Faleria endured exile in distant lands, a storm of wrath and power was brewing in the heart of Arcatra, the majestic capital of Nexarium.

King Armin Runehard, newly ascended to the throne, now saw himself as an invincible ruler. Arrogant and intoxicated by the crown he wore, he not only disrespected former allies but also sought to bring the great houses to their knees.

However, his fatal mistake was sending a letter to the House of Izhard Valdrin. In the letter, he arrogantly commanded:

"All sons of Izhard must kneel before me and swear allegiance!"

But this humiliation ignited the fury of "Bill Valdrin" and "Krait Valdrin," the two powerful sons of Izhard. They not only refused to respond to this shameless demand but also vowed to burn the throne to ashes.

The Izhard Valdrin War Alliance

Bill and Krait, who could no longer endure the tyranny of the Runehard house, called their house to arms. But they were not alone. In silence, the houses of Forsmark and Finroth also welcomed this chaos.

"The throne has fallen to the unworthy, but we will reclaim it!"

— Lord Wilhelm Forsmark

Soon, an army of 30,000 soldiers was formed. The forces of Valdrin, Forsmark, and Finroth, with banners raised, were ready for a bloody war.

The Royal Alliance

But the Runehard house could not tolerate this rebellion. Queen Selena Torgan, the true power behind the throne, acted swiftly. She not only rallied the Torgan house but also brought the house of Valengard into the war.

"We will drown them in their own blood. The kingdom has only one ruler!"

— Selena Torgan

Within months, the royal army grew to 40,000 soldiers.

The Beginning of the Civil War

Nexarium stood on the brink of civil war. Two massive armies faced each other. On one side, the rebel houses seeking to wrest the crown from the Runehards, and on the other, the royal houses fighting to maintain their power.

And in the midst of it all, the fate of Izhard Valdrin, still imprisoned in the dungeons of Nexarium, remained uncertain...

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The Epic of the House Wars: Shadows in the Night

The war had finally begun. Two colossal factions stood against each other; the houses of Runehard, Torgan, and Valengard on one side, and the houses of Valdrin, Forsmark, and Finroth on the other. The battlefield of Nexarium once again witnessed the flames of war, and blood was spilled.

But amidst this chaos, Bill Valdrin, heir to the Valdrin house, and Krait Valdrin, his brother, had a sinister and precise plan. They knew they could not overcome the enemy's forces directly, but through weakening and causing chaos, victory was possible.

The Shadows' Attack on the Torgan Camp

The target was the strategic camp of the Torgan house, where William Torgan, brother of Tad Torgan and uncle of Selena Torgan, was stationed. This camp was the main command center of the Torgan army, and its destruction could be a fatal blow.

A thousand brave Valdrin warriors volunteered for this mission, fully aware that they would not return alive. Under the cover of night, they moved in complete silence, their banners burned and armor darkened, reaching the camp's walls.

Suddenly, with war cries, the assault began. A surprise attack from the southern gates left the Torgan soldiers bewildered. Flames roared, and cries were lost amidst the clashing of swords and spears.

But this was merely a diversion. An assassin moved through the flames, cloaked in the darkness of night. His face was concealed, and a poisoned blade was in his hand.

William Torgan, seated in the heart of the camp, still unaware of what was happening, shouted:

"This is just a minor attack! We will prevail!"

A moment later, he felt a cold blade pierce his heart. His eyes widened in shock... Then the assassin, too, was struck by a spear from behind and fell to the ground.

William Torgan was dead, but with his death, the Torgan house trembled. News of his demise spread throughout the Torgan army, causing chaos. Despite the enemy's losses, all thousand Valdrin soldiers also perished to the last man.

The Torgan House's Response: Blood for Blood

At dawn, Selena Torgan, now the king's wife, swore vengeance. Armin Runehard, more arrogant than ever, ordered the allied armies to advance for revenge. The armies of Torgan, Runehard, and Valengard prepared with full force.

On the other side, Bill and Krait Valdrin waited. Their army was outnumbered, but they had stronger allies, experience, and strategy. Most importantly, they wondered if the Valerias, the forgotten ghosts, would return.

The Beginning of the Great Battle

The two armies lined up on the plains of Nexarium. Bloodied banners danced in the wind, and commanders on their horses, with stone faces and fiery eyes, stared at each other.

The sound of war horns echoed.

The Torgan cavalry launched the first wave of attack. Their gleaming blades shone in the morning sun, and the hooves of their horses shook the ground.

In response, the cavalry of Finroth prepared to counter. Their spears rose, and with a loud cry, they braced for impact.

A moment later, two massive waves of soldiers collided with staggering force. The sound of swords piercing armor, the groans of the wounded, and the cries of warriors shook the sky in an instant.

The war had just begun... and this was only the first battle of a great storm.