A week passed.
The Central Continent, once a vast and arrogant expanse of golden plains and holy cities, was being systematically smothered. Beneath the violet canopy of Adonis's ether-shield, the world had become a factory of conquest.
Adonis sat upon his throne within the War Room of the Dragon Palace. The holographic map was no longer a plan; it was a tally. Fourteen golden icons, representing fourteen sovereign kingdoms of the Central Continent, had been turned a deep, bruised violet.
"Report," Adonis commanded.
