The wolves came first.
Then the men.
The howls rolled across the frozen valley like drums of war, echoing between the pine-covered hills. The Spartan initiates paused mid-drill, their breath misting in unison, spears held perfectly still. None looked afraid. They didn't know fear. Not anymore.
Their king stood at the edge of the Agoge's camp, cloak rippling in the wind. He watched the tree line, eyes narrowed.
> [WARNING: Unidentified Hostile Signatures Approaching.]
[Estimated Hostiles: 12-15. Gear: Mixed Steel and Leather. Allegiance: Night's Watch.]
[Optional Quest Triggered: First Blooded Phalanx]
Objective: Defeat incoming hostiles using a phalanx formation.
Reward: Spartan Combat Upgrade – Formation Mastery I
He smirked. "Finally."
---
❄️ Elsewhere, Among the Trees
Ser Jaremy Slint — third son of some nobody in King's Landing — trudged through the snow behind a column of black-cloaked brothers. His boots were soaked. His sword was rusted. And his patience was gone.
"I'm tellin' you, I saw it," said Brother Myles, pointing ahead. "Glowing red light, right over that ridge. Looked like gods-damned fire."
"Could've been a wildling fire," muttered Jaremy. "Or worse — some Red Priest bullshit."
"Or something not from this world," whispered another.
The Night's Watch brothers fell silent as they crested the ridge.
They saw them.
Ten men. Clad in red cloaks and bronze cuirasses. Spears in hand. Shields locked in place. A perfect semi-circle phalanx, unmoving in the snow like a wall of living iron.
And behind them, standing alone, was a man draped in a thick red cloak, arms folded behind his back.
"Men of the Watch," the red-cloaked stranger called. His voice echoed like steel striking stone. "Turn back. This land is claimed."
Jaremy frowned. "By who?"
"By Sparta."
---
The Watch didn't listen.
They drew their swords.
That was their mistake.
---
⚔️ Combat Initiated: First Blooded Phalanx
The Spartan initiates moved as one. Spears snapped into forward position, shields overlapping. The snow crunched beneath their feet in perfect rhythm. No war cries. No chaos. Just deadly precision.
The first black brother reached them and swung his blade — only to have a spear rammed through his thigh, twist, then rip back out in one smooth motion.
The next tripped over the shield wall, and two spears impaled him in the gut.
"Fall back!" someone screamed. "It's a trap!"
But it was too late.
---
From his vantage point, Alex watched as the slaughter unfold like a painter admiring his first masterpiece. Blood stained the snow. Wolves howled again — but now they were closer, drawn to the scent.
> [QUEST COMPLETE: First Blooded Phalanx]
[Reward Unlocked: Formation Mastery I – +15% Damage Resistance While in Phalanx]
[Notoriety Gained: +10 – The North Begins to Whisper Your Name]
He descended the hill slowly as the last Watch brother knelt, coughing blood into the dirt.
"W-who… who are you?" the man gasped.
The spartan king crouched beside him, voice low and calm.
"Your people kneel to lords who squabble over titles and coin. Mine kneel only to discipline. To strength. To purpose."
He stood.
"Tell your commanders: The North has a new power now. A red-cloaked storm is coming."
He turned to his warriors. "Form up. Burn the bodies."
---
🔥 SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:
> [New Feature Unlocked: Spartan War Council]
You may now recruit advisors, champions, and strategists.
Next Objective: Expand Territory – Build First Outpost
Reward: Spartan Forge Blueprint | Unlock "Red Cloaks" Elite Unit Tree
---
Far to the south, ravens took flight. One carried a message stamped in black wax — bound for Castle Black.
Another flew to Winterfell.
And a third… flew east, where a red priestess woke screaming from a vision of bronze men walking through fire and frost, with a crimson king behind them.