The Hall of Stars had transformed into a war room.
Holographic maps floated above the round table, showing the First World at the center of dozens of star systems. Blue markers represented the newly formed alliance. Red markers surrounded them from every direction.
Kael studied the map in silence.
"So this is everything we have?"
Lyra nodded.
"For now."
Caelum folded his arms.
"It isn't enough for a full-scale war."
Admiral Seraphine pointed to a distant sector.
"Then we don't fight a full-scale war."
Everyone turned toward her.
"We strike first."
She enlarged the image of the Void Citadel.
"If the Harbinger is activated, every nearby world will fall before we can organize another defense."
Orion's expression darkened.
"The Harbinger..."
"I've only heard stories."
Aetherion spoke quietly.
"They're true."
The room fell silent.
"It was created near the end of the Ancient War."
"A weapon?"
Kael asked.
Aetherion hesitated.
"Worse."
The image changed.
A massive humanoid figure appeared beside the Void Citadel.
Its body was forged from black crystal and living metal. Crimson veins pulsed beneath its armor like flowing lava.
Its height rivaled mountains.
Its eyes glowed like dying stars.
"It is a Worldbreaker."
No one spoke.
Aetherion continued.
"The Harbinger does not conquer planets."
"It erases them."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Kael clenched his fists.
"Then we stop it before it awakens."
Seraphine shook her head.
"It already has."
As if answering her words—
The palace trembled.
An alarm echoed throughout the capital.
A Guardian rushed into the chamber.
"Report!"
Lyra commanded.
"The eastern observatories have detected a massive energy surge!"
The crystal map flickered violently.
Far beyond the First World...
A crimson light ignited.
Then another.
Then dozens more.
The Void Citadel's engines had come to life.
Caelum stared at the display.
"They're moving."
"No..."
Orion whispered.
"They're charging."
A pulse of crimson energy burst from the fortress, racing across space.
Every star in its path dimmed.
Even from light-years away, the pressure could be felt.
Kael stepped onto the palace balcony.
He looked toward the distant heavens.
The three moons seemed darker than before.
Aetherion's voice echoed in his mind.
"The Harbinger has awakened."
Far away, aboard the Void Citadel...
Veyrath stood before the towering Worldbreaker.
Its eyes slowly opened.
The enormous machine took its first step.
Space itself rippled around it.
Veyrath smiled.
"Go."
The Harbinger disappeared into a crimson portal.
Its destination...
The First World.