The tenth day dawned over Twilight Domain, the air heavy with anticipation. Sam rose from his bed, Phoenix Battle Robes shimmering faintly in the morning light. Indra sprawled lazily across the blankets, stormlight flickering faintly from his stripes.
Sam opened the System interface. [Daily Free Troop Summon Available.]
"Solar Warriors," he commanded.
Light flared in the courtyard. A squad of armored warriors appeared, shields gleaming, spears ready. They knelt before him, voices unified. "Twilight Lord."
Sam nodded. "You'll join the hunts today. Gather beast cores, push yourselves to Tier Four. Tomorrow, you'll be needed here."
The Solar Warriors saluted, marching off to join the others. Across the domain, soldiers prepared for the day's hunt, determination etched into their faces.
Sam turned to his own training. He picked up a simple wooden stick, holding it as though it were the Sun Blade. Closing his eyes, he tried to channel Solar energy through it.
The stick remained inert.
He swung, focusing, willing the energy to flow. A faint spark flickered, then died. He tried again, sweat beading across his brow. Strike after strike, failure after failure. Yet each attempt carried progress — the faint hum of energy, the subtle warmth in his grip.
"Not every fight will allow me a blade," Sam muttered. "I need to adapt."
Hours passed. The stick cracked under the strain, but Sam smiled faintly. He was learning.
Sam paused his training, leaning against the wall of the courtyard. Indra and Helios sparred nearby, lightning and flame colliding in dazzling bursts.
Indra lunged, claws glowing, tail lashing. Helios dodged, talons slashing, flames trailing. Sparks rained across the stones.
Sam watched, impressed. "Already stronger after only a few days…"
He turned to Helios. "How do you know so much? You were born less than two weeks ago."
Helios chuckled, flames flickering. "When a Phoenix is birthed, it is given two feathers from its parents. These feathers wrap around the egg, infusing it with knowledge and power, and shielding it from harm."
Sam's eyes narrowed. "Two feathers?"
Helios nodded. "The first is the Legacy Feather. It carries the knowledge of the Phoenix line — visions of lives lived by our ancestors, their wisdom, their magic. The second is the Power Feather. It holds the flames of the Mother Phoenix, infused with her fighting techniques and abilities. Together, they teach and protect. Phoenixes do not guard their eggs. We only mate at the Champion level. Only beings above Tier Ten could ever steal a Phoenix egg."
Sam's breath caught. "Tier Ten… That explains everything. Your wisdom, your power."
Helios's flames dimmed, his eyes glowing softly. "It is our way. We are born with legacy and power, so that we may rise quickly. Unlike dragons, we do not linger. We ascend."
Sam stood in silence, the weight of the revelation settling over him. The Phoenix's heritage explained much — and reminded him of the scale of the world beyond his domain.
Indra growled, stormlight flickering, demanding attention. Sam smiled faintly. "And you, little thief, will carve your own legacy."
Perfect — let's continue with Chapter Fifteen: The Eve of War, Installment Two (~2,000 words), now updated to include Four's estimate of three to four thousand enemies in the advancing goblin‑wolf army.
The forest canopy whispered with the weight of thousands of feet. Hidden among the branches, Four crouched low, his cloak blending seamlessly into the shadows. His crimson eyes glowed faintly as he scanned the advancing horde.
The goblin‑wolf army stretched endlessly through the trees. Wolves padded silently, their riders clutching jagged spears and crude blades. Goblin shamans muttered incantations, staffs glowing faintly with sickly green light. Tribe leaders barked orders, their guttural voices carrying over the din.
Four ascended higher, balancing on swaying branches, his gaze sweeping across the endless tide. He counted, calculated, measured the scale. Forty‑Five united forces — goblin riders, shamans, wolf packs, tribe leaders, and alphas. His estimate was grim: three to four thousand enemies in total.
He remained still, gathering every detail. His orders were clear: observe, report, do not engage.
When the army passed, Four whispered into the Shade Assassin link, his voice carrying through the shadows.
"Report: The horde advances. Forty‑Five forces. Tier Seven Rider leads. Estimated strength: three to four thousand. Arrival by tomorrow night."
The message rippled through the link, reaching One instantly.
Back in Twilight Domain, Sam was still in the training grounds when One appeared, bowing low.
"The army will arrive by tomorrow night," One reported. "Four confirms their numbers. Forty‑Five forces. Tier Seven Rider leads. Estimated strength: three to four thousand."
Sam's grip tightened on the wooden stick he had been training with. "Three to four thousand…" His voice was low, steady. "Tomorrow night."
He issued immediate orders:
• All troops must return by tomorrow morning, regardless of tier.
• All villagers outside the City Wall must return tonight.
• Patrols are to shift exclusively to guarding the City Wall.
One bowed. "It will be done."
Sam exhaled, turning his gaze toward the Monster Ranch. "What of reinforcements?"
One's eyes glowed faintly. "The wolf cubs will be fully grown and at Tier Two by tomorrow morning. They will bond with the Lunar Knights, forming cavalry. Additionally, 30 wild boars, 43 Shock Lizards, and 10 Burst Birds have been secured."
Sam raised an eyebrow. "Burst Birds?"
One nodded. "Two meters tall. They cannot fly, but they are fast. They shoot bursts of flame from their beaks. Their talons are sharp, their legs long. All Tier One."
Sam smiled faintly. "Good. Every beast strengthens us."
He looked out across the domain, soldiers drilling, mages practicing, knights sharpening weapons. The air was heavy with tension, but also with resolve.
"The eve of war," Sam murmured. "Tomorrow, the storm arrives."
As twilight fell across the domain, One returned to Sam with a new report. "Morale is high, Twilight Lord, but boredom is beginning to set in among the villagers. The children grow restless, and even some adults are weary of endless drills and waiting."
Sam paused, considering. "Idle hands breed fear. We need to keep spirits alive."
He turned to One. "Spread the word. We'll open taverns in each town. Use fruit and endless flask water to make wine. I'll provide food and drink. Build stages inside each tavern."
One tilted his head. "Stages?"
Sam nodded. "Each night, different troops will perform mock fights with wooden swords and spears. During the day, soldiers can tell stories of their hunts and battles, even act them out. Entertainment will keep morale high."
He summoned building materials into the courtyard, stacks of timber and stone appearing in flashes of light. "Deliver these to the towns. And more Monster Ranches will be built — one for each town. Farming will begin soon. Build stages near the town halls as well."
One raised an eyebrow. "What purpose will those stages serve?"
Sam smiled faintly. "They'll host more than mock battles. Moon Mages can perform demonstrations — lances of light, gravity fields, starfire bolts. Let the people see their power. And we'll have plays."
One tilted his head further. "Plays?"
Sam chuckled. "Plays are stories acted out on stage. People take roles, speak lines, and perform events. They can be serious or humorous, but they bring people together. They let us share history, lessons, or simply joy."
One's eyes glowed faintly, intrigued. "Stories acted out… I will spread the word."
Moments later, across the domain, Two delivered the news to the leaders of Dawn, Eclipse, and Dusk. Word spread quickly. Villagers cheered, excitement rippling through the streets. Children laughed, imagining the plays. Adults smiled, eager for wine and stories. Moon Mages prepared to showcase their magic, proud to display their strength.
The Twilight Domain came alive with anticipation, not just for war, but for culture and community.
Later that night, Sam sat in the courtyard, wrestling playfully with Indra. The cub pounced, stormlight flickering, trying to steal food from his plate. Sam laughed, pushing him gently aside. Helios watched from nearby, flames flickering with amusement.
For a moment, the weight of war lifted.
But when Sam lay in bed, silence returned. He stared at the ceiling, thoughts heavy.
He wasn't nervous. He was excited. And that unsettled him.
"Why do I look forward to battle?" he whispered. "Is it the near‑death I faced? The drive to never feel helpless again?"
He thought back to his first fight, the blood, the chaos. He had always viewed battles like a game, a challenge to overcome. But now, with Helios and Indra at his side, with villagers depending on him, he felt the stakes more clearly.
He looked at Helios, flames dimmed in sleep. At Indra, sprawled across the blankets, stormlight flickering faintly.
"To protect them… to protect this domain… I cannot afford a soft heart."
His voice was low, steady. "No kingdom is formed without bloodshed."
With those thoughts, Sam closed his eyes. The eve of war pressed down upon him, heavy and inevitable. Tomorrow, the storm would arrive.