The news spread across Naaim like wildfire, each retelling adding new embellishments to the tale.

Báthory, the dreaded Crimson Countess, had been defeated.

And not by a fellow Harbinger, but by a human - a self-proclaimed Messiah named Atenzi.

In the opulent palace of New Rome, The Capital of Pyrrhia, Nero reclined on a golden throne, his eyes glazed with boredom as he listened to his court's daily entertainments.

The emperor's face, once handsome, now bore the marks of centuries of decadence - skin too pale, eyes too bright, features too sharp to be entirely human.

A messenger burst into the court, his phoenix-feather cloak smoldering at the edges. "My Emperor! News from Bloodmire!"

Nero's eyes flickered with interest - the first real emotion he'd shown in days. "Speak," he commanded, his voice carrying the crackle of flame.

As the messenger relayed the tale of Báthory's defeat, a slow, cruel smile spread across Nero's face.

He began to laugh, a sound like crackling fire that built to a roar.

"Oh, how delicious!" Nero exclaimed, clapping his hands in delight. "The great Báthory, undone by a human upstart!

Tell me, does this 'Atenzi' have a taste for music?

Perhaps he'd appreciate a concert while Rome burns around him."

The court tittered nervously, never sure if their emperor's words were jest or threat.

Nero's advisor, a wizened phoenix in human form, stepped forward.

"My lord, should we not be concerned?

If a mere human could defeat Báthory..."

Nero waved a dismissive hand, sparks trailing from his fingers. "Báthory was always too messy, too unrefined.

All that blood-drinking addles the wits, you know.

No, this Atenzi has done us a favor.

Bloodmire is ripe for the taking."

His eyes gleamed with malicious glee. "Prepare a gift for our new neighbor.

Something... incendiary. Let's see if this messiah can walk on water when it's boiling."

As Nero's court bustled with activity, the news traveled on, carried by winds both natural and mystical.

In the floating citadel of New Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, the Disillusioned Messiah, received the news in somber silence.

His once-kind eyes, now hard as flint, gazed out over the endless expanse of clouds, lost in thought.

"A new messiah," he mused, his voice carrying the weight of millennia. "How... quaint."

Gabriel, his most loyal fallen angel, hovered nearby. "My lord, this Atenzi claims to be fulfilling a prophecy.

He speaks of restoring humanity to its former glory."

Christ turned, a bitter smile twisting his lips. "Prophecies.

I remember when I believed in such things.

When I thought humanity could be saved." He clenched his fist, and cracks appeared in the marble floor. "Look how well that turned out."

He paced the length of the grand hall, his footsteps echoing in the cavernous space. "And Báthory? What became of her?"

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"Retreated to Bloodmire, my lord.

There are reports of... extreme measures being taken to maintain control."

Christ nodded, unsurprised. "She always did lack subtlety.

Her hunger makes her predictable." He paused, considering. "This Atenzi, though. He bears watching. A human clever enough to defeat a Harbinger... he could be a threat.

Or an opportunity."

Gabriel tilted his head, curious. "An opportunity, my lord?"

"To be disappointed again, most likely," Christ said with a humorless laugh. "But still... Send observers to the Sovereign Lands.

Let's see if this messiah can live up to his title.

It's been a long time since I've seen a proper miracle."

As Christ's winged agents took flight, the news raced on, carried now by the thundering hoofbeats of spectral horses.

In the vast steppes of the Endless Horde, Genghis Khan received the news with a roar of fury that shook the very earth.

His massive form, part man, part beast, towered over his cowering messenger.

"Báthory defeated? By a human whelp?" Khan's voice rumbled like an avalanche. "Impossible!"

His general, a battle-scarred centaur, stamped his hooves nervously. "The reports are consistent, Great Khan.

This Atenzi used some sort of trickery with sunlight. Báthory's forces were decimated."

Khan's eyes blazed with a mixture of rage and... was that excitement? "Trickery? No. Strategy. This Atenzi... he thinks like a true conqueror." A fierce grin split his bestial features. "Finally, a worthy challenge!"

He turned to his war council, a motley assortment of centaurs, were-beasts, and storm giants. "Prepare the Horde! Bloodmire has grown soft under Báthory's rule.

It's time we reminded them what true conquest looks like."

As his commanders rushed to obey, Khan's mind raced with possibilities. "And this Atenzi... yes, we'll deal with him too.

Let him taste victory for now.

It will make his eventual defeat all the sweeter."

The great Khan threw back his head and laughed, a sound like rolling thunder. "At last! A hunt worthy of the Scourge of Civilizations!"

As Khan's horde began to mobilize, a vast dust cloud rising on the horizon, the news continued its relentless journey.

In palaces and war rooms across Naaim, the other Harbingers received the shocking tale, each turning over the implications in their minds.

In his marble-columned strategy room, Julius Caesar's cold eyes narrowed as he absorbed the report. The Roman emperor, his form a perfect blend of man and minotaur, stood motionless before a vast map of Naaim.

"Interesting," he murmured, his voice soft but carrying an undercurrent of deadly intent. "Very interesting indeed."

His advisors exchanged nervous glances.

Caesar in this mood was unpredictable, his brilliant mind working in ways they could scarcely comprehend.

"My lord," one ventured, "what are your thoughts on this... Atenzi?"

Caesar was silent for a long moment, his gaze fixed on the small territory marked 'Sovereign Lands'.

Then, with deliberate precision, he placed a small figurine on the map - a chess piece, a knight.

"He's cleverer than he appears, this so-called messiah," Caesar mused. "To defeat Báthory with wit rather than brute force... yes, that takes a certain genius." A cold smile played at the corners of his mouth.

"I approve."

He turned to his advisors, his eyes gleaming with calculated interest. "But genius untested is merely potential.

Let's see how our new player handles a real challenge, shall we?"

With a sweep of his hand, Caesar set several other pieces in motion across the map. "Prepare in the Future diplomatic envoys to Bloodmire and the Sovereign Lands.

Offer aid to Báthory - just enough to keep her afloat.

And to Atenzi... well, let's see how he handles a gift from Rome."

As his advisors scurried to obey, Caesar returned his gaze to the map. "Welcome to the game, Atenzi," he murmured. "Let's hope you're as good as you think you are.

For your sake."

The news, now a tidal wave of rumor and speculation, rolled on.

In his mountain fortress, Alexander the Great received the tale with unrestrained glee.

The once-human conqueror, now a chimeric blend of man and gryphon, paced excitedly, his wings rustling with each step. "A new challenger!" he crowed, eyes bright with anticipation. "And one clever enough to best old Báthory! Oh, this is marvelous!"

His advisors, a mix of gryphons and harpies, watched their lord warily.

Alexander's moods were as changeable as the mountain winds, and just as dangerous.

"My lord," one harpy ventured, "should we not be concerned? If this Atenzi could defeat Báthory..."

Alexander waved a taloned hand dismissively. "Concerned? Nonsense! This is the most exciting thing to happen in centuries!" He grinned, revealing razor-sharp teeth. "Báthory's always been too reliant on brute force.

It was only a matter of time before someone outmaneuvered her."

He strode to a vast window, gazing out over his mountainous domain. "No, this Atenzi... he's interesting. A strategist. A leader." Alexander's eyes gleamed with fierce joy.

"A worthy opponent at last!"

Turning back to his advisors, the Harbinger clapped his hands together, sending a small shockwave through the room. "Prepare our forces!

Not for war - not yet.

But I want eyes on both Bloodmire and these Sovereign Lands.

Every detail, every whisper, I want to know it all."

As his minions rushed to obey, Alexander allowed himself a moment of reflection. "Atenzi, Atenzi," he mused, tasting the name. "I wonder... do you know what you've started, little messiah?

Do you have any idea of the forces you've set in motion?"

The gryphon-king threw back his head and laughed, a sound that echoed across the mountaintops. "Oh, I do hope you're ready, Atenzi.

The game is afoot, and I intend to enjoy every moment of it!"