Chapter 397
Chapter 397
While Alavin slept, the Stormcast reveled in untamed merriment, and the Northlands quaked, causing an uproar far greater than the ‘Cobalt Strike Rebellion’ or the 'Kings' Acceptance’—for this time, death had come! The high and mighty Lords, perceived as invincible overlords, along with many Archmages of earth-shattering power, had perished!
"Alavin brought back statues of the Ancient Kings from the Watchful Shore." "A colossal chasm stretching two thousand kilometers has formed from the Watchful Shore to Stormcast."
"The eighteen statues of kings, fierce and mighty, devoured the Commander of the Skyborne Rivers, slew Lord Viperbane, routed Lord Falconcrest, Lord Warbringer, Lord Mountguard, and chased the Commander of the Stellar Precepts and the Citadel Elders into desperate flight.”
"After slaughtering five thousand onlookers, the eighteen statues took their watch at Stormcast!"
"Amber Valley's leader, the Commander of the Skyborne Rivers, the Commander of the Hidden Essence, Lord Viperbane, and Lord Skyveil all fell in the battle at Stormcast."
"One of the Citadel Elders was slain by the Commander of the Stellar Precepts."
"Bloodlore, the Earthbound Spirits, the Floral Enchantress, Starlit Echoes, Cobalt Strike declared the establishment of a new alliance in the Northlands.”
"The Mollen family and The Thousand Treasures Commerce announced their move to Stormcast.” "The Iron family will relocate to Stormcast.”
"The Mallister family, the Iron family, the Mollen family formed a tripartite alliance."
News after news crashed like relentless waves upon the cliffs, stirring up a tempest of spray. What did it mean when statues could slay a mighty one such as Lord Viperbane? What kind of power could these eighteen statues represent?
Alavin! Alavin! The Northlands will forever remember this name, his ruthlessness, and his dominance!
The arrangement between the Eight Orders and Five Lords had shattered and was replaced by a fresh alliance called the Fivé,Organizations and a new powerkhown as Stormcast. As the Nortdlands situation churned tke a storm;-what would the Stellar Precepts do? What abou he-three great royal houses? And when the news reached the Midlands, how would the royal family and the Blessed Citadel respond to the Northlands’ new shifts, and how would they deal with Stormcast? Shall they suppress the Northlands by force or employ them for their own ends?
Could it be oppression? Given Alavin's displayed madness and the bond between Stormcast and the Five Organizations, backed by the support of the Iron family, the Mollen family, and others, it would surely be a fight to the death. How much power must the royal family sacrifice to suppress him?
Would they employ them for their own ends? Was Alavin a man to compromise?
The Northlands were shaken as never before. Some marveled, and some quaked with fear. The air was thick with heated debate, and many journeyed to Stormeast, not daring to provoke but yearning just to glimpse the eighteen king statues from afar.
Lord Viperbane, Lord Skyveil, the Hidden Essence, and the Skyborne Rivers Organizations were plunged into deep fear. Lords were dead! Commanders were dead! Faced with the tumultuous storm of the Northlands and the rising force of Alavin, they were truly frightened.
Upon receiving the news, both Lord Viperbane and Lord Skyveil made the same decision—to migrate with their entire households! They moved to the Midlands, seeking refuge in the Capital. They were originally mighty families of the Midlands, ennobled by the royal family and sent to suppress the rising Eight Orders in the Northlands. Though they'd lived in the Northlands for years, their influence and roots in the Royal Realm remained
The ‘flight’ of Lords Viperbane and Skyveil caused many powers to reflect, as the-two great houses that had dominated the Northlands for years nowwithdrew in such a ~
manner.‘Compared o their Ss sensational arrival years ago, their departure seemed quite desolate. Butit also revealed the intense impact the eighteen king-statues
ad on the heroes of the Northlands nd the dread Alavin's bloodshed
h a had sparked, prompting the great h b
ouses to flee rather than face the ade.
In truth, the great houses had little choice. What point was there in staying? The five great houses had never beenWarmonious, and the ~ likes of ord Falconcrest were notto be trifled with. Would they stay-only to bewvenged upon? Or worse, ‘to be used and subjugated by Lore? Ralconcrest? It was betterto seek shelter in the Royal Realm, to find a safe environment to grow, to seek new alliances, and to devise ways to suppress Stormcast.
The Hidden Essence and the Skyborne Rivers, two venerable orders of the realm, urgently convened their councils. The elders were fuming that their Commanders had not chosen sides wisely, while also fearing retribution from Alavin. In the end, both orders decided to activate their protective wards and seal their sanctums. "We'll have no further part in this, nor shall we seek revenge. You all sort it out amongst yourselves."