The three silver warships hovered above the capital like silent guardians.
Their hulls shimmered beneath the light of the three moons, reflecting ancient symbols that Kael had never seen before.
The city's protective barriers remained active.
No one took chances.
After everything that had happened, trust had to be earned.
A beam of blue light descended from the largest ship.
Several figures emerged.
At their head was a woman dressed in deep blue armor trimmed with silver. A long cape flowed behind her as she walked with calm confidence.
She stopped before Kael.
Then, to everyone's surprise, she placed a fist over her heart and bowed.
"I am Admiral Seraphine of the Azure Dominion."
"My people have answered the call of the Last Core."
Kael stepped forward.
"Welcome to the First World."
Seraphine looked around the ancient capital.
"So... the legends were true."
Behind her, dozens of soldiers disembarked.
Unlike ordinary warriors, each carried weapons forged from glowing crystal.
Their discipline was unmistakable.
Caelum smiled.
"I fought beside them once."
Seraphine looked toward him.
"And you still owe me a rematch."
For the first time in days, laughter spread through the gathered allies.
Even Orion smiled.
It was brief...
But genuine.
Inside the Hall of Stars, Seraphine studied the galactic map.
"The beacon reached us just before our final defense line collapsed."
She pointed toward a distant cluster of stars.
"The Devourers have conquered nearly everything in this sector."
One by one, several blue lights disappeared from the map.
No one spoke.
Then Seraphine activated another projection.
A massive black fortress appeared.
Its size dwarfed entire moons.
"Meet the Void Citadel."
The room fell silent.
"It commands the Devourer advance across this region."
Caelum frowned.
"I thought it had been destroyed."
"So did we," Seraphine replied.
"But it's stronger than ever."
Kael stared at the fortress.
"If that reaches the First World..."
"It won't just destroy this planet," Orion answered.
"It will erase it."
The weight of those words settled over everyone.
For a long moment, the Hall remained silent.
Then Kael looked around the room.
At the Guardians.
At the survivors.
At the allies who had crossed the stars to answer his call.
"We've spent too long waiting for our enemies to decide the next battle."
His white Core flared gently.
"It's time we chose the battlefield."
The room grew quiet.
Then Caelum smiled.
"Now you sound like a true commander."
One by one, the leaders nodded in agreement.
The first united campaign of the new alliance had begun.
Far beyond the First World, aboard the colossal Void Citadel...
Veyrath stood before a gigantic viewing window.
He watched the growing alliance with calm amusement.
Then he gave a single order.
"Prepare the Harbinger."
Deep within the fortress...
Something ancient opened its eyes.
And smiled.