The Six did not march toward Caldryn as invaders.
They went without banners.
Without armor crests.
Without an army.
"We go for peace first," Amagi had said firmly. "If war can be avoided, we avoid it."
Even Gorath agreed. "Caldryn respects strength. But it listens to leverage."
So they crossed the rocky borderlands openly, escorted only by the wind and distant watchtowers. Ace walked at the front beside Amagi, Seris just behind them, her expression unreadable. Kael and Liora scanned the cliffs carefully, while Gorath moved like a silent wall at their rear.
They did not hide.
They wanted to be seen.
By midday, Caldryn's border guards surrounded them.
Spears lowered.
Bows drawn.
"Halt. State your intent."
Amagi stepped forward calmly. "We request an audience. We come to prevent unnecessary bloodshed."
The guards exchanged looks. A signal was sent.
Moments later, heavily armored soldiers arrived—far more than necessary for six travelers.
"That won't be required," Ace said quietly as several soldiers approached with binding restraints.
"It will," the captain replied coldly. "Peace is negotiated from equal footing. You stand inside Caldryn."
Steel cuffs were locked around their wrists—specially crafted, reinforced against spell activation. Even Gorath allowed it without resistance.
Seris leaned slightly toward Ace and whispered, "I could undo this."
Ace shook his head subtly. "Not yet."
They were escorted deep into the heart of Caldryn's capital—through stone corridors carved into the mountains themselves. The architecture felt oppressive, deliberate, designed to make visitors feel small.
Instead of a throne room, they were led into a vast chamber lined with iron pillars.
At its center stood a single elevated seat.
A man sat there.
Not old. Not young.
Watching.
"So," the ruler of Caldryn finally spoke, his voice smooth. "The alliance sends its champions to beg."
Amagi remained composed. "We came to negotiate."
The ruler smiled faintly.
"You came unarmed into a nation preparing for war."
He raised a hand.
"Detain them."
In an instant, dozens of soldiers surrounded them fully.
Heavy chains were attached to the reinforced cuffs.
Kael tensed.
Liora's eyes flickered with calculation.
Gorath's muscles flexed—but he did not move.
Ace's heartbeat remained steady.
They had chosen peace.
But Caldryn had chosen power.
As the iron doors slammed shut behind them, Seris spoke softly.
"I hope," she said, eyes faintly glowing, "that this decision doesn't cost too many seconds."
The Six had walked into Caldryn by choice.
Now—
They would have to walk out by force.