Dawn broke over the wyrm's smoldering crater, spirit stones glinting amid ash like forgotten treasures. Alex stood atop Eclipse's coiled form, surveying the kneeling sect remnants—Shadow Veil's void lurkers and Flame Sect's charred-robed pyromancers. Pyra's phoenix aura flickered submissively, while Lira's silver eyes held calculating respect. Imperial scouts dotted distant hills; time ticked.[Sect Choice: Shadow Veil (Stealth + Void Arts), Flame Sect (Offense + Fire Forging). Or Merge? New Option Unlocked: Dual Pact - Balanced Empire Starter.]"Both," Alex declared. "Shadow for blades in the dark, Flame for infernos at noon. Swear fealty—build my scraps into legions."Pyra bowed first, flames parting like a veil. "Flame Sect lives for the Dragon Sovereign. Take our forges." Lira nodded, void chains dissolving. "Shadow Veil's whispers are yours. Patriarch will... negotiate."System sealed it: [Dual Pact Formed. Resources: Void Manor (Hidden Base), Flame Citadel (Training Grounds). +2 Waifus Bound (Loyalty 50%).]They portaled to Void Manor—a misty pocket realm, black spires piercing fog. Alex fed wyrm scraps to Eclipse: [Chain Evo: Abyss Inferno Sovereign (SS+ Rank). Trait: Realm Gate (Short Teleports).]Training began. Pyra sparred, her firebird form clashing Eclipse's breath—essence swapped freely now. "Your drain... intoxicating," she murmured post-loss, cheeks flushed. Lira taught Shadow Bind refinements, bodies brushing in dim halls—harem sparks ignited.[Skill Fusion: Void Thunder Bind (Lv.2) - Chains now shock and phase.]Imperial horns blared outside. A golden chariot descended, bearing SSS Hunter Valeria—emerald eyes, spear radiating divine light. "Thorne anomaly. Surrender for dissection—or perish."Alex grinned from manor battlements. "Eclipse—Gate us in." They teleported atop her chariot. Pyra firebombed from flanks; Lira bound the guards.Valeria spun, spear piercing Eclipse's phase—barely. "SSS beast from F-trash? Anomalous." Alex countered with lance, draining her guard aura. [Partial Absorb: Divine Pierce (Lv.1). Close Call: 10% HP Left.]She retreated skyward, chariot cracking. "This empire ends at dawn. Emperor decrees."[Quest: Imperial Siege - Fortify Dual Sects. Reward: Imperial Scrap Hoard.]As Valeria vanished, Alex eyed his growing allies. Pyra and Lira flanked him, hands on shoulders. From rat to ruler. Manor alarms wailed—first imperial vanguard breached.Eclipse roared. War dawned.
