With the plans made… preparations began.
Not loudly.
Not visibly.
But everywhere.
Jax Darquebane moved like a man placing pieces on a board only he could fully see.
War wasn't just fought with steel and magic.
Sometimes… it was fought with stories.
The United Kingdoms Chronicle
The headquarters of The United Kingdoms Chronicle—or UKC, as it had come to be known—buzzed with controlled chaos.
Ink-stained desks.
Stacks of parchment.
Editors arguing over phrasing like generals debating battle lines.
And at the center of it all…
Jax stood quietly, watching.
The Chronicle had been given independence—on paper.
In reality?
They were aligned.
Not controlled…
But guided.
Their leaders believed in the United Kingdoms.
And more importantly—
They understood something most people didn't.
Truth wasn't always what shaped the world.
Perception was.
Jax stood across from the head editor, an older man with tired eyes and a sharp mind.
"Nothing direct," Jax said calmly. "No mention of an incoming attack."
The editor nodded. "Of course. That would expose your intelligence network."
"Exactly."
Jax walked slowly, picking up a draft, scanning it.
"What I do want," he continued, "is uncertainty."
The editor's lips curled slightly.
"Ah… rumors."
"Not rumors," Jax corrected.
He set the parchment down.
"Questions."
The Story They Would Tell|
Within hours, new articles began circulating.
Not official declarations.
Not confirmed truths.
But… possibilities.
Excerpt from UKC – Editorial Column
"A Rising Doubt Within the Empire?"
Reports have surfaced—unconfirmed, yet persistent—of a young General within the Empire who began to question its actions.
Sources suggest this individual—once known for ruthless efficiency—may have recently wavered in loyalty.
Was he disillusioned?
Did he see something… he was not meant to see?
Or worse—
Was he preparing to defect?
What is known is this:
He is dead.
Officially, his death is attributed to 'assassination by the Rebel States.'
Unofficially?
There are whispers.
Was he silenced?
Eliminated before he could speak?
Or… removed because he had already begun to?
If true, it would not be the first time the Empire has turned on its own.
Article after article followed.
Jax read the final drafts and gave a small nod.
Perfect.
No lies.
Just… rearranged truths.
Enough to make the people question.
Enough to make the Empire uneasy when the whispers inevitably returned home.
"Distribute it," Jax said.
The editor smiled faintly.
"It will spread."
The Workshop of Chaos
Later that day…
Jax found himself somewhere far more dangerous than a battlefield.
A laboratory.
"DON'T TOUCH THAT—!"
A loud voice echoed just as Jax stepped inside.
A device on a table sparked violently… then melted through its own base with a slow, horrifying hiss.
Jax blinked.
"…I wasn't going to."
"Good," the scientist snapped, already scribbling notes. "Because that one almost worked."
Ah yes.
Dr. Corvin Vahl.
Brilliant.
Unhinged.
And completely lacking any form of social filter.
"Jax!" Corvin suddenly turned, eyes lighting up. "Perfect timing. I've made progress!"
"That's… reassuring," Jax said carefully.
Behind him, Llandra sighed softly.
Nyxian crossed her arms, already unimpressed.
And hovering near Jax's shoulder—
Two tiny figures froze mid-air.
Pixelle and Lexi.
All three inches of them.
"…Why is he shouting?" Pixelle whispered.
"I think that's just how he talks," Lexi replied.
Corvin leaned in, squinting.
"…Are those tiny people?"
"Yes," Jax said.
"…Can I study them?"
"No."
"Shame."
The "Microwave"
"COME," Corvin said, already moving. "You must see this."
He led them to a box-like device humming faintly.
"I call it… a rapid thermal excitation chamber."
Nyxian raised an eyebrow.
"…You made a hot box."
Corvin ignored her.
"Observe!"
He placed a plate of food inside, closed the door, and activated it.
The device hummed.
The food began to glow.
Not steam.
Not heat shimmer.
Glow.
"…Why is it glowing?" Llandra asked cautiously.
"Mana infusion," Corvin said proudly. "Speeds up heating!"
The food pulsed faintly.
Then… dripped light.
Jax stared.
"…Is it safe?"
Corvin waved a hand.
"Well, it's hot."
"That wasn't the question."
"People don't care about that," Corvin said dismissively. "If food is hot, they'll eat it."
Nyxian leaned in, smirking.
"Pretty sure glowing food that kills you is a dealbreaker."
Corvin frowned.
"…Really?"
Other "Innovations"
"Oh! Oh!" Corvin rushed ahead. "There's more!"
The Lightning Charger
A metal rod connected to a crystal.
"Stores lightning energy," Corvin explained.
Jax nodded slowly.
"…And releases it?"
"Yes!"
A pause.
"…Uncontrollably."
The Auto-Closing Door
Corvin demonstrated proudly.
The door slammed shut.
Hard.
Very hard.
A wooden test dummy was placed in the way of his demonstration by Nyxian and lost its head.
"…That seems excessive," Jax said.
"It ensures closure," Corvin replied enthusiastically.
Tiny Reactions
Pixelle hovered closer to Jax's ear.
"…He's insane."
Lexi nodded.
"How has someone not murdered him yet."
The Real Reason
Eventually, Corvin stopped.
He turned to Jax.
"…You didn't come here for new cooking techniques and awesome new doors, I assume."
"Not this time."
Jax stepped forward.
"I need something upgraded."
Corvin's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Sounds fun."
Jax explained.
Carefully.
A room.
Dimensional.
One entry point…
Multiple exits.
Different locations.
Re-entry allowed.
Controlled… but flexible.
Corvin didn't speak at first.
Then—
He started muttering.
"Spatial layering… frequency anchors… phased exits…"
He began pacing.
"Not impossible… no, no, actually—quite elegant…"
He stopped suddenly.
Looked at Jax.
And grinned.
"…Now, don't complain about the room being too large anymore, will you?"
Jax smirked slightly.
"…I was wondering when that would come up."
"The size is necessary," Corvin said, already sketching. "Multiple exit points require separation… resonance interference otherwise…"
He waved a hand.
"I'll make it work."
Jax nodded.
"Do your best."
As they turned to leave, Nyxian glanced back.
"…Try not to kill anyone with your inventions."
Corvin blinked.
"…That's a very limiting constraint."
Pixelle leaned toward Lexi.
"…He's absolutely insane, right."
"Agreed."
And as Jax stepped out into the evening light…
Another piece of the plan clicked into place.
Invisible.
Unseen.
But soon…
Very, very important.