### **The Fall of Nexarium: The Rise of the Exiled Heirs**
The grand capital of **Nexarium**, the beating heart of **the continent of Arcathra**, was engulfed in a dark and blood-soaked night. The sky twisted in turmoil, and the relentless storm tore through the red and gold banners of the **House of Valeria**, which had flown proudly for a thousand years. The tolling bells of warning echoed like the wails of the dead across the city.
The dynasty that had ruled for a millennium with wisdom, power, and the eternal symbol of their reign—the **Egg of the Phoenix**—now stood on the precipice of annihilation. Rebellion surged like an unstoppable tide, uniting the most powerful noble houses against them:
- **House Eisenhart**, warlords from the frozen mountains of **Finrast**.
- **House Forsmark**, cunning aristocrats with armies hardened in the drylands.
- **House Carsilia**, heirs to ancient sorcery who sought to end Valeria’s rule.
- **House Valenguard**, the savage horse-lords sworn to vengeance.
- **House Scarmond**, ruthless admirals from the northern seas.
- **House Finroth**, masters of forbidden knowledge and cursed tomes.
- **House Toragan**, the princes of shadows and assassination.
- **House Valderin**, the immortal warriors born of legend.
They had but one goal: **the destruction of House Valeria**.
King **Orian Valeria**, now a mere shadow of his proud ancestors, stood in the great hall of the palace, holding the golden crown that once symbolized his family’s majesty. His gaze fell upon the burning banners of his house, their edges curling in the flames. The sounds of clashing swords and dying screams echoed from below.
He knew the game was lost. **The enemy had breached the city gates.**
Yet, not all hope was lost.
The king turned to **Sir Arthur**, the last and greatest knight of the Valerian Order—a warrior who had won a hundred battles, but now had a single mission: **to flee, to protect, and to return with the heirs of House Valeria.**
With bloodied hands, Orian handed him the Phoenix Egg, its golden shell glimmering in the firelight.
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“**Go, Arthur. Take the heirs. Protect this egg. One day, they will return… and they will make this right.**”
The queen, her face still radiant with the pride of her lineage, lifted a goblet of poison. Without hesitation, she drank deeply. Her delicate hands fell lifelessly to the floor. The king looked one last time into the knight’s eyes.
“**Go to Hermahatten. Nowhere else is safe.**”
Then, he took up his sword and stepped forward for one final battle.
### **The Escape of the Heirs**
Sir Arthur rushed to the eastern wing of the palace, where three children—the last heirs of House Valeria—stood frozen in terror, watching the city burn.
- **Prince Astreus, 13 years old**, the boy destined to inherit the throne. His gray eyes burned with fury.
- **Princess Alverina, 9 years old**, her silver hair shimmering in the dim light, her face still untouched by the cruelty of war.
- **Princess Lorandis, 6 years old**, clutching her brother’s hand in fear.
“**We must go! Now!**” Arthur commanded, wasting no time. He led them through the hidden corridors of the palace, even as the screams of the dying filled the air. The black-armored soldiers of the rebellion slaughtered anything that bore the name of Valeria.
As they reached the exit, Arthur came to an abrupt halt. A man clad in silver armor stood before them—**Lord Ragnos Eisenhart**, the commander of the rebellion. His sword, dripping with the blood of Valerian soldiers, gleamed in the firelight.
“**Sir Arthur… you still live?**”
Arthur clenched his jaw. “**As long as these children breathe, so do I.**”
Ragnos chuckled. “**They will not breathe for long. The Valerian dynasty is over. Surrender, and I will grant you an honorable death.**”
But Arthur had only one response. **He drew his sword.**
A fierce battle erupted between the two warriors. Blades clashed in the heart of the burning palace, their echoes singing the dirge of a dying empire. Arthur fought with all his might, but the enemy was overwhelming.
Suddenly, a rebel soldier lunged at Astreus. Arthur’s eyes widened in horror—
But before he could react, the young prince grabbed a fallen soldier’s sword **and struck his first kill.** His gray eyes darkened with rage.
“**Run, Astreus! You must live!**” Arthur roared.
The prince and his sisters fled through a secret passage. Arthur, his armor shattered and his body bleeding, still stood his ground. The last thing he saw was Ragnos’ sword gleaming in the inferno… and then, darkness.
### **The Fate of an Empire**
Nexarium had fallen.
The king was dead.
The rebels had taken the throne.
But hope was not lost. Far away, beneath the veil of the night, Prince Astreus and his sisters escaped—carrying the legendary Phoenix Egg, the blood of kings, and a vengeance that would one day shake the world.
**This was not the end of House Valeria.**
It was the beginning of a new legend.