The day Elyonari had anticipated, dreaded, and prepared for with every ounce of her being had finally arrived. For three years, the undercurrent of unease had rippled through the Erna Isles.
Above the Sandstorm Desert Island, the artificial sun began to change. Its glow dimmed, its warm golden hue tarnishing into something darker. Shadows stretched unnaturally across the desert sands, twisting and curling like living things.
And then began the slow, horrifying transformation.
The artificial sun started to shift, its bright core eclipsed by a growing shadow that devoured it from one side. Elyonari stood atop the highest branch of her tree, her gaze fixed on the sky as the light dimmed further and further.
It was happening. The very eclipse that had killed them in the Epoch Cycle, the same harbinger of death that had wiped them out once before, was returning.
Behind her, the tree was alive with movement. Hundreds of warriors and mages, a mix of the academy's elite students, tribal warriors of the Sandstorm Island and summoned reinforcements from other islands, readied themselves for war.
Archeria Sarphie, Elyonari's white nine-tailed fox subordinate, sat gracefully on her haunches beside her mistress.
"It's begun,"Archeria said. "The artificial sun's eclipse. It's the same one, Lady Elyonari. The one from the Epoch Cycle. They'll all know what this means."
And Archeria was right.
Across the Erna Isles, the reaction was universal. Every being who had endured the horrors of the Epoch Cycle felt an instinctual chill race down their spines.
On the Imperfecta Magistra, Xander Fedres and Farrynelle Skyrover stood amidst their warriors, gazing up at the darkening sky with grim expressions.
On the Island of Peony, Denisia and Natalis Andelaris prepared to go to the Sandstorm Desert Island. Even on the Lake of Miracles Island, where time itself seemed frozen, Sirithiele, the minor Goddess, looked at it.
"Vastarael told me that I shouldn't interfere," she said with a smirk as she sat on top of the lake with a smile. "After all, he has to undergo this."
But the main focus was on the Sandstorm Desert Island.
The eclipse here was darker and colder and the air itself seemed heavier, as though the island was the epicenter of the event. And it made sense. The thirty meter giant mannequin ice soldiers that had been appearing across the other islands were concentrated here.
Apparently, Vastarael and Narisva must have activated something that brought all those enemies and made the Frozen God act earlier. These soldiers, smooth and featureless like sculptures of ice brought to life, had begun emerging days earlier. And it was the tenth day of the Longest Nightfall.
In the Submerged Island, it was the only place where an artificial sun shone.
At first, they were sparse, attacking isolated groups or wandering groups. But now, their numbers were growing exponentially. And their main force was on the Sandstorm Desert Island, where the battle would undoubtedly reach its peak.
Elyonari exhaled slowly, "It's as we suspected, Archeria. The final act is beginning here. This island… it's going to be the stage for everything."
Archeria tilted her head slightly, one of her tails swishing behind her.
"You've prepared for this, my lady. But even so, the numbers..."
"We've been preparing for this since the beginning of the first Epoch Cycle. This is what it's all been leading to. Come on. Let's go meet the others. They've already arrived."
°°°°°°°
Below, the Seventh Enlightenment Students had gathered for a war council in Halo Islands, minus Vastarael and Narisva, who were still on the Submerged Island dealing with their own nightmare of centaurs and frozen giants.
Xander, Farrynelle, Natalis, Denisia, Eldrigan Hanabas, Adelasta and Peroncerea stood in a loose circle, their expressions ranging from grim determination to wary unease. They had fought countless battles and endured countless horrors, but this? This felt different.
"It's confirmed then," Xander said, his deep voice cutting through the tense silence. He was in full armor. "The ice soldiers are appearing across all the islands but their main force is here. It's no coincidence. This is where they're concentrating their efforts."
"And why wouldn't they?" Farrynelle added. "This is the Sandstorm Desert Island. It's barren, hostile and perfect for a final stand. They're not just fighting us. They're trying to snuff out this entire world. The Frozen God sent them here."
Natalis nodded, her radiant features grim.
"They know we've anticipated this. Elyonari has been saying for years that the final act would take place here. But knowing doesn't make it easier."
"No, it doesn't," Elyonari said. "But we've prepared for this. The academy's best warriors are here. Thankfully, the other islands won't suffer that much."
Adelasta crossed her arms, her icy demeanor as impenetrable as ever.
"What about Vastarael and Narisva? Knowing them, they're fighting the Frozen God."
Adelasta wasn't happy with what he did.
"They'll return when they're done," Elyonari replied firmly. "And when they do, we'll have more than enough strength to finish this. Where will you be fighting, Adelasta?"
"Here. Phaenora can handle the island with the knights over there. The rest of us will fight here. Eldrigan, can you help Xander and Farrynelle?"
"Got it."
Elyonari was currently the most powerful of them all, being a Divine. She has been preparing for this outcome for years and now, the time had finally come. They didn't mind taking orders from her because they would do the same thing anyway.
"We saw some of the ice creatures coming of the Fallen Bridge as we flee here," Natalis said softly. "My sister and I can't stay here. There's a powerful force there that can't be left behind. We will fight it ourselves."
Elyonari took a sigh and nodded in approval.
"So it's decided. Xander, Farrynelle and Eldrigan will be going to Volxane to kill the enemies there. We can't lose the people who are migrating to Halo Islands there. The twins will be going back to the Island of Peony and defeat the abomination they want to kill. Adelasta and Peroncerea will stay here and help us fight. Archeria, you're going to be in charge of the evacuation."
"What? But I went to help—"
"Not everyone can fight you know. Adelasta, can Phaenora have access to the Teleportation Circles used in the Spire?"
Adelasta nodded. "I can contact her. She made me join her system after knowing Vastarael left so..."
"System?"
"Never mind. I'll ask her to evacuate everyone in the tree. The Imperfecta Magistra is always safe because of its strange nature and Volxane has too many people to actually initiate evacuation. Not everyone evacuated."
Elyonari nodded as she faced Archeria.
"You might have to fight too during the evacuation of the inhabitants in my tree to Halo Islands. Unfortunately all the academy students have to fight due to the Epoch's rules."
"I understand..."
Archeria gave up. To Elyonari, she was too precious to fight in a deadly battle and she knew how rare she was. She wanted to fight by Elyonari's side but...
"Alright. We don't know how many days this will take but we won't see each other after this. So.... good luck everyone. And don't die please. Our Dynasties need us to be alive."