Northern Ocean, 17-6-1561 WC
Hundreds of Indiana Empire vessels stretched across the horizon—galleons of enchanted ironwood, colossal spell-towers floating on runes, and massive arcane battleships whose decks shimmered with fire and lightning. Drums pounded from their hulls, horns blared, and chants echoed over the waves.
Against them surged the fleet of the Bernard Empire. Cold steel, nuclear carriers, missile cruisers, destroyers, and submarines cut forward like blades through the storm.
On the carrier Akagi.
Admiral Akari was calm. Hands behind his back, eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Admiral," an officer reported, bowing slightly. "Satellite confirms another Indiana fleet maneuvering behind us. Still distant, but advancing."
Akari did not blink. His voice cut through the bridge with calm steel.
"They will arrive too late. We finish this quickly."
