The aftermath of the major battle between the strongest individual on the planet and the most powerful Empire left waves of tension reverberating across the global political spectrum. Multiple powers were roused from their passive state, alert, but not to a significant degree; after all, these were just actions of Spirit lords. The appearance of the man whom they'd all thought was still on the planet left them all very confused with questions that needed to be answered. In light of this, multiple movements were shifted from passive to active, waiting for what would come next.

On the Aesland continent, one such a power was receiving a report from his seneschal.

".....the messengers sent to the Greensend continent have returned with the confirmed report that the second individual wearing the same face as the Emperor is not a fake but actually the true Emperor of Solaria." Seneschal Thalor reported.

Emperor Aelar's golden eyes narrowed, "Explain."

Thalor nodded, continuing, "Apparently, After the previous grand war, the Solarian Emperor fathered a child, hidden from all eyes. He left this child behind in his place while he furthered his cultivation."

"Hmm..such trickery shouldn't have been possible unless he had the help of somebody else. A flesh crafter?"

"Yes, my lord," Thalor confirmed, and Emperor Aelar's lips curled in distaste.

"The identity of the flesh crafter hasn't been discovered yet, and with the extreme reclusiveness of their kind, it will take a great feat to flush them out." Thalor continued.

Aelar nodded, "See to it that they are all flushed out. Now continue."

"Yes, my lord. Our intelligence concluded that the Solarian Emperor desired to push for the realm of Spirit King but didn't want to leave his empire to the mercy of the other sovereigns, so he took in the endeavor of remolding his child into his own image."

An admiring smile crossed the Emperor's face, "He played on the fears of the others, knowing full well that nobody would dare attack his empire while his presence still shrouded it. I have to applaud such tactics.

"Now that he has returned, as a Spirit King nonetheless, I assume the other Kingdoms are already panicking?"

"Yes, my lord. The kingdoms of Camlen and Gandor are preparing for a full-scale war, armies are being marshalled and sky ships are already primed and ready for immediate engagement."

"They're not taking any chance huh? Fine then, this new revelation concerns us all; we can't let things go the same way as before. Marshal the legions, we go to battle."

Thalor nodded, bowing in acquiescence, "As you wish, Emperor."

Emperor Aelar turned to his son who had been quiet while listening to the report, "Vaelion, prepare yourself, you shall be my emissary for the coming war conference. Spirit lady Neriel shall accompany you as you represent the Empire of Aetheris."

Vaelion nodded, "Yes Father."

Done with all that, Emperor Aelar waved his hands, the others getting the message and leaving the room.

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When the throne room was finally empty, except for the presence of a single man, Emperor Aelar's eyes tightened, his grim face looking towards the position of the Greensend continent.

***

"I always knew the recent peace wouldn't last," Queen Yuseria said, standing up from her throne and moving to the cathedral-like windows on the sides of the throne room. "What's the latest information about the movements of the Solarian Empire?"

Spirit lady Nesra followed behind, moving to take her position a few steps behind the Queen, "Intelligence has just come in that the Empire is making a massive movement–more than is required for their battle against Camlen and Gandor."

Yuseria nodded, "They aren't just preparing for both kingdoms, the Solarian Empire is preparing for a battle against everyone."

"That's preposterous, they can't possibly take on everyone by themselves, they're going to be crushed."

"Not when they have a Spirit King on their side." Yuseria said, "Besides, you're right though, even with a Spirit King leading them, they can't take on everyone with the armies they have now."

"Which means, they're going to be looking for allies–someone to bolster their numbers."

Yuseria nodded, "Yes. We shall wait and see who is foolish enough to side with them, in the meantime, I want our armies prepared. This is going to be a bloody one, far more than the last."

"As you wish, I'll pass on your commands to the other general," Nesra said, immediately turning to do as she said but was immediately held up by her Queen.

"Wait, I almost forgot. Any word from Aelar?"

"Emperor Aelar has marshaled the full might of the empire. He has already sent a delegation for the coming war conference."

"That old geezer isn't taking this lightly huh? That shows how detrimental this war would be to us if we chose to look away. Okay then, go carry out your task."

"Yes, my Queen."

***

In the Throneroom of the kingdom of Haldor, a loud boisterous laugh could be heard shaking through the entire castle, "He played us all, and we all fell for it! Good! Good! I can't wait for this war to begin!" King Ragar said, smashing his battle axe down on the throne platform, shaking the whole room and creating fissures that ran down the entire throne room.

Halar rolled his eyes, "Calm down brother, don't rush into this like a brute. Let's be cautious."

Ragar laughed, "Cautious he says... Cautious... phhffff... Was the Solarian Emperor cautious when he played us all for fools?! Was he? Let me tell you brother, caution is for the weak!" He roared.

Halar eyes narrowed, a crushing pressure descending on the room, "Are you calling me weak, brother." He asked, his voice a bare whisper.

Ragar laughed, waving him off, "You know what I mean, nobody in their right mind would call you weak."

Halar nodded, accepting the indirect apology. He knew that although his brother had backed off, Ragar could still defeat him if it came down to a battle between them.

"Fine then, let's meet in the middle, I'll marshal the armies and you'll hold off until we see a definite move from the others."

Ragar grumbled for a moment, but in the end, he still agreed.

Halar nodded.

"Good then, I'll be very busy In case you need me, so don't."

Ragar scowled at the retreating back of his brother, soon turning his face away, a broad grin on his face at the coming war.

***

ForgeKing Grimnar slammed his giant jug on the table, sloshing his drink, "So, the uppersiders are gearing for war eh?"

"Aye, Grimnar, a very big one." Buffbuff replied.

Grimnar smiled, showing off cracked teeth capable of tearing metals apart, "Big one ya say?... that means they'll all be needing tons of weapons," he licked his lips.

"Aye, Grimnar, tons," Buffbuff repeated.

"Tons of weapons equals Tons of gold."

"Aye, Grimnar, tons of golds."

"Tons of gold means I'm going to be very rich!" Grimnar shouted, raising his beer.

"Aye, Grimnar, we're going to be rich," Buffbuff repeated.

Grimnar turned to him, suspicion in his eyes, "Are ye planning on stealing me money?"

"Aye, Grimnar, planning on stealing ye money," Buffbuff repeated, soon realizing his mistake the moment he said it. He moving just in time to dodge the heavy jug aiming for his head.

"Ye're dead! Ya hear me, I'll kill you...you thief!"

"No Grimnar, twas all a mistake! I swear on me brother's life!"

"Arggghh, Gamgam, take this thief to the cells!" Another dwarf moved to tackle the running Buffbuff, restraining him. "Aye, Grimnar."

"Someone prepare me horse, I'm going for me gold!"