The manor's council chamber was heavy with tension. Torches flickered against stone walls, shadows stretching long across the table where Sam sat, Phoenix Battle Robes gleaming faintly in the dim light. Indra lay at his feet, tail twitching, stormlight flickering nervously. Helios stood behind him, wings folded, flames dimmed but eyes sharp.
One materialized from the shadows, bowing low. A Solar Warrior, a Lunar Lizard Knight, and a Moon Mage entered, their armor and robes catching the glow.
Sam's voice cut through the silence. "How much time do we have before the goblin‑wolf army arrives?"
One's red eyes glowed faintly. "Three days maximum. Two minimum."
The chamber grew tense. Justin, the Solar Warrior, clenched his fists. Lux, the Lunar Knight, tightened his jaw. Tide, the Moon Mage, shifted uneasily. Sam exhaled sharply. "Then we plan now. We cannot waste a single hour."
Sam's gaze swept across the three commanders. "Names. Ranks. I need to know who leads my forces."
The Solar Warrior stepped forward, bowing. "Justin, Twilight Lord. Tier Five Solar Warrior. I will hold the walls with my men."
Sam nodded, impressed.
The Lunar Lizard Knight followed, spear gleaming. "Lux, Tier Five Lunar Knight. My cavalry will strike when the wolves are ready."
Sam's eyes narrowed with approval.
Finally, the Moon Mage stepped forward, robes shimmering faintly. "Tide, Tier Four Moon Mage."
Sam blinked, surprised. "Tier Four already? You were summoned only yesterday."
Tide bowed, his voice calm but resolute. "I went hunting immediately, Twilight Lord. I will not lag behind. My magic must be worthy of your domain."
Sam's lips curved into a faint smile. "Good. Initiative like that will keep us alive."
Sam rose, Sun Blade humming faintly, its light reflecting off the embroidered phoenix across his chest. He pointed to the map spread across the table.
"The plan is simple but layered. The Moon Mages will attack from the City Walls, raining spells down on the goblins. The Solar Warriors will protect them, fighting any goblins that make it up the wall. The Lunar Knights will form cavalry with the wolves from the Monster Ranch. The ranch accelerates growth — we'll have mounts ready. They will launch a surprise attack from outside the walls."
He paused, eyes narrowing. "Do the goblins know about the magic shield?"
Silence filled the room. No one spoke.
Sam's lips curved into a cold smile. "Then we keep it hidden. Let them believe they can breach the walls. When they strike, the shield will hold. That will be our second surprise."
The commanders nodded, determination burning in their eyes.
Sam exhaled. "This is our plan. Walls, shield, cavalry, and surprise. We will not break."
Sam's gaze swept across the council chamber, lingering on Justin, Lux, and Tide. Their eyes burned with determination, but he knew resolve alone wouldn't be enough.
"Before you leave," Sam said, voice firm, "spread the word. Tomorrow, everyone hunts."
The commanders exchanged glances, surprised at the command's severity.
Sam continued, "Only Tier Four and above may return early. Everyone else must hunt and level until they reach Tier Four. No exceptions. All loot is to be kept and brought back. We need strength, cores, and growth. Every soldier must rise."
Justin slammed his fist against his chest. "The Solar Warriors will obey."
Lux nodded, spear gleaming. "The Lunar Knights will not falter."
Tide bowed, his eyes glowing faintly. "The Moon Mages will grow stronger."
Sam's lips curved faintly. "Good. Then go. Prepare your men. Tomorrow, we hunt."
The commanders saluted, then departed, their footsteps echoing through the hall.
---
Scene 5: Sam's Tier Up
The chamber fell silent. Only Helios, Indra, and One remained. Sam reached into his robes, pulling out the Tier Up Token he had received from the gold chest.
He held it in his palm, feeling its weight, its power. "It's time."
He crushed the token.
Light exploded, flooding the chamber. Strength surged through his veins, his muscles trembling, his mind expanding. A wave of power radiated outward, shaking the walls, making torches flicker.
Helios's flames flared, eyes narrowing. Indra growled softly, stormlight flickering. Both gave him strange looks.
Sam exhaled sharply, chest heaving. "It's the Tier Up Token. It raised me."
The System's voice whispered:
[Twilight Lord has ascended to Tier 5.]
Helios bowed his head. "You grow quickly, Twilight Lord. The bond between us strengthens."
Indra purred, pressing against his leg, stormlight shimmering.
Sam clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power. "Tier Five. Finally."
Sam looked down at Indra. "We need to get you to Tier Four if you're going to be of any use in the battle."
Indra blinked, then flared its aura. Stormlight erupted, stripes glowing brighter. The cub's power surged, revealing its strength.
Sam's eyes widened. "Tier Three already?"
He opened the System interface, demanding answers.
The System's voice whispered:
[Bonded Beasts: As the Twilight Lord levels, Indra and Helios level with him. Helios gains no benefit until the Twilight Lord surpasses his tier. Indra rises alongside you.]
Sam blinked, stunned. Then he laughed, shaking his head. "An experience thief, are you?"
Indra purred smugly, tail flicking, stormlight shimmering.
Helios chuckled, flames flickering warmly. "He grows with you. He will be ready."
Sam scratched behind Indra's ears. "Then we'll train together. All of us."
The Phoenix, the Storm Tiger, the Shade Assassins — all bonds united. The Twilight Lord's strength was rising, and the storm was coming.
The manor grounds were alive with motion. Soldiers filled the training yards, steel clashing against steel, voices rising in battle cries. The Solar Warriors drilled relentlessly, their shields locking in formation as they practiced holding the line. Justin strode among them, his Tier 5 aura radiating authority, correcting stances, barking encouragement.
On the far side, the Lunar Lizard Knights trained with spears and blades. Lux led them, his movements fluid and precise. The wolf pups in the Monster Ranch yipped and snarled, already growing faster under the ranch's accelerated conditions. Knights practiced mounting drills, preparing for the cavalry strike that would surprise the goblin horde.
The Mage Tower pulsed with light. Moon Mages stood atop the walls, weaving spells into the air. Tide, the Tier 4 mage, directed them with calm precision, his aura glowing faintly. He had already proven his initiative, and now he pushed his fellow mages to rise. "Tier Four is the minimum," he reminded them. "We will not falter."
Shade Assassins moved silently through the shadows, blades flashing briefly before vanishing again. One appeared at Sam's side, reporting patrols complete, then melted back into darkness.
Sam walked among them all, Phoenix Battle Robes gleaming, Sun Blade humming faintly. Indra padded beside him, stripes glowing, stormlight flickering with excitement. Helios soared overhead, wings blazing, casting light across the domain.
At the training yard, Sam paused. He summoned his blade, testing his new mastery. The sword moved with perfect precision, each strike fluid, each parry flawless. Soldiers stopped to watch, awe spreading across their faces.
Helios descended, flames trailing. "Your mastery is impressive, Twilight Lord. Decades of training condensed into moments. Even I am surprised."
Sam smiled faintly. "Sword Mastery. The System gave me memories, but it feels real. My body knows what my mind only just learned."
Indra growled softly, stormlight flaring. Sam chuckled. "Don't worry, little thief. You'll have your training soon."
Helios lowered his head. "Storm Tigers are rare. With guidance, he may reach heights few can imagine. I will help him."
Indra's eyes widened, torn between excitement and fear. Sam scratched behind his ears. "You'll learn, little one. And you'll learn from the best."
The day passed in drills, sparring, and preparation. Soldiers ate together, mages practiced spells late into the night, knights sharpened weapons until their blades gleamed. The domain hummed with energy, every soul preparing for war.
Sam sat with Helios and Indra at the manor's courtyard, sharing a quiet meal. Shadows flickered, Shade Assassins watching silently. Sam's bonds — Phoenix, Storm Tiger, assassins — stood united.
He looked out over the walls, the towns, the people. Dawn, Eclipse, Dusk, Twilight — all alive, all thriving, all ready.
The storm was coming. But the Twilight Lord was ready.