The war table gleamed beneath the lantern light, its surface covered in maps and markers. Behind Sam's chair stood his Kings Guard Golems, five Phoenix‑cloaked warriors on one side, five Tiger‑cloaked on the other. Their silver armor caught the glow, their presence radiating silent menace.
Sam walked toward the table, Dionysus perched lightly on his shoulder. Her skull‑patterned body gleamed faintly, legs tapping against his collar.
He paused mid‑step, glancing at her. "Dionysus… why didn't you hatch from an egg like the others?"
The spider tilted her head, mandibles clicking. "I ate it."
Sam froze, the words sinking in. "You… ate the egg?"
He immediately summoned the System. "Is that even possible?"
The System's voice resonated in his mind:
• Sin Beasts are unique. They do not operate by the same rules as normal beasts or monsters on Samus.
• Three other Sin Beasts have awakened: Lust, Greed, and Sloth.
• Their Overlords have also been informed of Gluttony's awakening.
Sam's breath caught. Other Overlords now knew of Dionysus. The implications swirled in his mind — rival powers, rival Sin Beasts, each tied to a deadly sin. What alliances or wars would this spark?
He sat heavily at the war table, fingers drumming against the wood. Dionysus chuckled softly, as if amused by his unease.
Miles away, the goblin‑wolf army pressed forward through the forest. The ground shook beneath the weight of thousands of feet and paws.
A scout sprinted ahead, bowing low before the towering figure of Garthok, the Tier Seven Goblin Rider. His wolf mount snarled, eyes glowing red.
"Mighty Garthok," the scout stammered. "We are within fifteen miles of the Human Overlord's territory. We can see the top of the city wall in the distance."
Garthok looked ahead, squinting. The wall rose like a mountain, its top gleaming faintly in the fading light. At least twenty meters high.
He grinned, jagged teeth flashing. "Grateful am I that the Great Shaman gave us siege engines. Without them, this task would be impossible."
But as he stared at the wall, new thoughts crept into his mind. What if this territory were mine? What if these walls belonged to me?
His chest swelled with ambition. I would be the Great Garthok. The Shaman himself would bow before me.
Greed burned in his heart, twisting his grin into something darker. He raised his spear, urging the army forward.
Back in Twilight Domain, Sam received the System alert: the advancing army was less than twenty minutes out.
He rose from the war table, voice steady. "Positions. Now."
The Kings Guard shifted, their cloaks rippling as they moved to flank him. Dionysus trilled with excitement, storming energy flickering faintly around her.
Across the domain, horns sounded. Troops scrambled into formation, shadows stretching long across the walls.
The siege was about to begin.