The Nocturne Estate stood silent beneath the Blood Moon.
Not because activity had ceased.
But because purpose had replaced conversation.
The time for preparation was over.
The time for waiting was over.
The time for doubt was over
At the highest terrace of the estate, Queen Nyxara Veilborne stood overlooking the thousands gathered below.
Soldiers.
Hunters.
Nobles.
Captains.
Warriors.
Every banner of the Third Order had answered her call.
The crimson moon painted the assembled army in shades of silver and blood.
For several moments, Nyxara simply observed them.
The men and women who would soon march into war.
Some were veterans.
Others had never seen battle.
Some hid fear.
Others hid excitement.
But all of them stood ready.
Then Nyxara stepped forward.
The entire army fell silent.
Her voice carried effortlessly across the estate.
"You have prepared."
Silence.
"You have trained."
More silence.
"You have sacrificed."
Thousands listened.
"The Blood Moon has risen."
Her silver eyes swept across the gathered warriors.
"And with it comes the road we have spent generations avoiding."
A pause.
"The Second Order marches."
"The Fourth Order advances."
"The First watches."
The army remained perfectly still.
"But understand this."
Her voice sharpened.
"We do not stand here because we seek war."
"We stand here because war has come seeking us."
A ripple moved through the crowd.
Nyxara raised her hand toward the crimson sky.
"The road to victory begins here."
A pause.
"And it begins now."
The army erupted.
Weapons rose.
Howls shook the estate.
Thousands of warriors roared beneath the Blood Moon.
The Third Order had answered.
Immediately the estate transformed.
Every platoon captain moved.
Every commander shouted orders.
Every soldier rushed toward designated stations.
The machine of war finally awakened.
Eryx Nocturne stood atop a stone platform overlooking hundreds of assembled soldiers.
His voice thundered across the training grounds.
"Check your weapons."
Steel echoed.
"Check your armor."
Buckles tightened.
"Check your allies."
Heads turned.
"Because once we cross those borders..."
His gaze hardened.
"Some of you won't return."
The silence that followed carried no illusion.
Only truth.
Nearby, Lira Moonshade stood before another formation.
Unlike Eryx...
She wasn't intimidating.
She was terrifying.
"Anyone who dies stupidly..."
She pointed toward them.
"...will personally answer to me when I find you in the afterlife."
The soldiers laughed nervously.
Lira did not.
The laughter immediately stopped.
"Good."
She smiled.
"Now you're paying attention."
Across the estate, supply teams distributed combat essentials.
Healing potions.
Aura stimulants.
Emergency antidotes.
Barrier talismans.
Communication crystals.
Every warrior received equipment.
Every captain received orders.
Every platoon received assignments.
The Third Order moved with frightening efficiency.
Because this wasn't their first war.
Far from the gathering armies...
Riven stood alone inside his quarters.
The room was quiet.
Almost peaceful.
Waiting for him at the center of the room stood a mannequin.
Upon it rested a set of armor.
His armor.
For several moments, he simply stared.
It wasn't heavy plate.
He hated heavy plate.
Too restrictive.
Too slow.
Instead it had been designed specifically for him.
A dual-blade warrior.
A hunter.
A survivor.
Light black breastplate reinforced with silver alloy.
The symbol of the Third Order engraved across the chest.
Shoulder guards designed for mobility rather than protection.
Armored gauntlets.
Flexible combat pants reinforced at vital areas.
Light greaves and boots built for speed.
A wolf-shaped helm rested beside the armor.
Not overly elaborate.
Not royal.
Practical.
Deadly.
His twin blade holsters rested beside it.
Waiting.
Riven stepped forward.
Slowly.
Methodically.
One piece at a time.
The armor settled across his body.
The weight felt unfamiliar.
Yet strangely right.
The breastplate clicked into place.
The gauntlets followed.
Then the boots.
Then the shoulder guards.
Finally...
He fastened the twin holsters across his back.
Moonfang.
Nightrend.
His blades slid home.
Click.
Ready.
For a moment, he stared at his reflection.
The boy from the village seemed very far away now.
Not gone.
Just distant.
A knock came at the door.
"Riven."
Nyss.
He opened it.
And paused.
Nyss stood fully armored.
Silver-and-black combat gear.
Light protective plating.
Twin daggers at her hips.
Moonlit eyes reflecting the crimson sky.
Behind her waited Astra.
Roran.
Soren.
Marlis.
All armed.
All ready.
Nobody spoke immediately.
Then Roran grinned.
"Look at that."
He pointed at Riven.
"You actually look dangerous now."
Riven rolled his eyes.
"Only now?"
"Before you looked homeless."
Astra laughed.
Even Nyss smiled.
The tension eased slightly.
Only slightly.
Because everyone knew what came next.
War.
Soon they mounted their assigned steeds.
The massive gates of the Nocturne Estate opened once more.
This time not for guests.
Not for family.
Not for diplomacy.
For an army.
Thousands poured from the estate.
A river of steel and shadow
Banners snapped beneath the Blood Moon.
Hooves thundered.
Armor rattled.
Weapons gleamed.
The Third Order marched.
Hours later...
The landscape changed.
Fields gave way to open plains.
The horizon widened.
The air grew heavier.
Then they saw them.
The army halted.
Thousands upon thousands of warriors stood behind organized battle lines.
Second Order banners.
Blood-red.
Violent.
Dominating the western horizon.
Fourth Order banners.
Silver and white.
Elegant.
Terrifyingly disciplined.
Occupying the east.
An ocean of soldiers.
War beasts.
Siege engines.
Elite units.
Captains.
Generals.
The combined might of two Orders.
Facing them...
The Third.
Riven rode toward the front lines.
Past soldiers.
Past captains.
Past commanders.
Until he reached the center.
Eryx sat astride his mount.
Silent.
Watching.
Lira stood nearby.
Practically vibrating with excitement.
And at the very front...
Queen Nyxara Veilborne.
The ruler of the Third Order gazed across the battlefield.
Toward Selene Astrae's forces.
Toward Caelum Valen's armies.
Toward the war that had spent generations preparing itself.
For several moments...
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
The distance between the armies stretched for miles.
Yet every warrior could feel the tension.
A single spark.
That was all it would take.
Riven looked toward the enemy lines.
Somewhere out there stood Selene.
Somewhere out there stood Caelum Valen.
And somewhere beyond them...
Aurelion Kharos was watching.
The Blood Moon hung overhead.
Ancient.
Crimson.
Witness to countless wars.
Beside him, Eryx rested a hand on his sword.
"Well."
The lieutenant smiled slightly.
"Looks like history finally caught up with us."
Ahead, three great Orders stared at one another across the plains.
An entire world balanced on the edge of a blade or claw.
And the next words spoken would decide whether that blade remained sheathed...
Or plunged the continent into its greatest war in centuries.