[System Update: Virellian Authority Stabilized.]
Next Phase: Strategic Expansion
Objective: Establish presence in one capital trade region within 48 hours.
Bonus Reward: +75 Influence, Access to Royal Intelligence Network.
Morning – The New Virellian War Room
The air smelled of ink, steel, and fire.
Selene stood before a map of the empire. Her council sat at her sides, waiting.
She pointed at the eastern trade hub.
"Take it. Quietly. Make it look like the people handed it over."
"Won't the crown retaliate?" asked the mage.
Selene smirked. "Let them."
Elsewhere – Kaelion's Private Quarters
He stood at his window, Selene's scorched letter in his hand.
Below, royal guards trained like machines.
"She's building something," he murmured.
"She's winning," his advisor corrected. "And you're hesitating."
Kaelion turned, eyes burning gold. "She's the only thing I've ever wanted that didn't bow to me."
Meanwhile – Lucien's Shadow Hall
Lucien watched the same Virellian banner rise over the trade hub.
He didn't flinch.
He laughed.
"So that's how it's going to be."
He picked up a vial of cursed ink. Wrote two names:
Kaelion. Selene.
And underneath:
Only one survives.
That Night – Selene's Tower
She stood alone. Firelight kissed her skin.
[System Alert: Intercepted Communication]
Source: Royal Palace
Message: "Deploy assassins to Virellia. End the rebellion before she reaches the capital."
Selene closed her eyes.
They were going to try and kill her again.
Let them come.
She was no longer the girl who burned.
She was the flame itself.