Chapter 5: Chapter 4: The Age of Turmoil
Ariadne Evernight's story has been on hiatus for three years now. After the disaster, her next adventure will take her back to the Elysian Kingdom, which has been restored but is now ruled by Goblins. The first wave of Goblin invaders died off, but the overwhelming majority of them swiftly rebuilt and made themselves at home in the realm.
The magnificent Elysian Kingdom had grown in size and power as it had taken on more territory. Now that they had a strong army and a magnificent palace, the Goblins were enjoying the high life, but they were soon entangled in a war.
Elysia and the Archon Empire were at odds in this war. With the help of heavenly giants and hordes of fearsome Goblins that could take on several knights at once, Elysia planned to take over the venerable Archon Kingdom and spread its dominance over the continent, eventually aiming for the holy country of Narenia.
Elysia failed to account for the formidable might of the Archon Empire, despite their superior military might. The Archons were a great magical order that had necromantic talents, controlled mythological monsters that could burrow underground and cause immense devastation, had immortal souls that wept, had highly trained archers, and hired powerful sorcerers.
Ariadne took advantage of the growing tensions by planning her intrusion into the kingdom in order to get her hands on the ill-gotten token.
Ariadne had unwittingly made herself known to the forest's animals and spirits as she made her way through, thanks to the rustling leaves that carried the aroma of blood and flesh.
"Yet another obstacle on this road," Ariadne reflected as she detected an intimidating energy field—not quite as deadly as the Albacore's, but nonetheless menacing.
She was in the midst of her thoughts when she heard the terrifying rumble of a tiger that was fifteen times larger than the average tiger.
"You're quite the intimidating beast," Ariadne said to the tiger as they locked gazes.
The tiger's aura served as a warning, an acknowledgment of the presence of entities capable of opposing its supremacy. In a nail-biting showdown, Ariadne reversed the tiger's aura, sending it reeling and bringing the once-dominant beast crashing down to earth.
She wasn't as intimidating as one might think, Ariadne said.
Tragic dread enveloped the region as Ariadne continued on her journey, as war broke out between the Archon Empire and Elysia. A foreboding shadow settled over the battlefield as the heavenly giants' resounding footsteps triggered seismic disturbances and the dragons' flaming breath painted the sky.
The shadows generated by the conflict portended a bleak future for Elysia. As nearby cities and villages sought refuge from the devastating fighting, goblin forces mounted on manta rays swooped down on the Archon Kingdom.
Half a day into their journey, the soldiers of Elysia were roused to a savage battle cries that shook the very foundations of their lines.
An avalanche of devastation engulfed the battlefield. The heavenly giants and dragons were unaffected by the Archerian traps that Elysia's army fell victim to. A dark and uncertain future for the kingdom was painted by the climax of the conflict between two great powers.
Ariadne persisted in her search, drawing nearer to the illusive symbol, even as the war raged on, bringing with it an era of unpredictability and strife.