The Extra Wants Control

Elsewhere some scouts noticed a column of smoke rose into the clear sky. To the scouts of Azrael's faction, it was a beacon, a signal that something was amiss. This smoke was definitely an anomaly meaning there was activity in that area.

As they approached the source of the smoke, the terrain changed dramatically. The once barren landscape gave way to a cliff bordering the sea, and they could almost taste the salty smell of the sea carried on the wind. And there, on the horizon, they saw it... Activities of resources gathering.

Rocks were dug out in mining processes, there were some wood cut into logs and even fireplaces. Piles of coconut, clam shells, fish scales and bones discarded around the place.

It was like a small camp, a collection of crudely built tents huddled together for warmth and protection.

They even saw discarded blazers belonging to human students and they were many.

The sight of this many 'humans' apart from the ones in their own base, was a startling discovery. And the only other faction that had human members close to these numbers was Zehn's.

But where were these people? What happened why did they abandon their base?

The scouts retreated, their minds racing. The discovery of this rival faction was a game-changer. It was a potential threat or perhaps something entirely different. They needed to gather more information before making any rash decisions. But first they needed to report it. Cause something terrible may have happened here.

************

In the heart of Zehn's fortress, a young woman named Talia stood before him, her face etched with a mix of concern and determination. "Sir," she began, her voice low, " we've been 'spotted'."

Zehn, seated at a command table, his fingers tracing the map of the sub-dimension, looked up, a flicker of interest in his eyes. "Ah," he responded, his tone casual, " now the game begins. But do we know the people who spotted us?"

Talia hesitated, her mind racing. The discovery of their presence was a significant development. It meant they were no longer invisible, that their actions were being watched, analyzed, and perhaps, even countered.

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Zehn, sensing her apprehension, offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Talia," he said, his voice gentle, "this is exactly what I wanted. They've taken the bait."

Intrigue sparked in Talia's eyes. "Bait?" she echoed, confusion evident in her voice.

Zehn leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a strategic brilliance. "We've been laying the groundwork for this moment," he explained, "letting them see glimpses of our activities, but never revealing our definite location."

A slow smile crept across Talia's face as she began to understand his plan. By revealing their presence without revealing their full location, they were forcing the other factions to make a decision. They were making others use their resources to find them.

"I understand," Talia said, her voice firm. "We'll continue to give them vague hints, keep them guessing. And while they're busy speculating, we'll focus on amassing points. We can't afford to be caught unprepared when the inevitable clash against the Blessed comes. We'll target the weaker factions."

Zehn nodded, his eyes meeting hers. "Exactly," he replied. "But for now," he added, a playful glint in his eyes, "let's focus on something a little less work related."

" I've already found a great target too..." Zehn smiled wickedly.

A blush crept up Talia's cheeks as Zehn reached out and took her hand. The tension in the room shifted, replaced by a warmth that was both unexpected and comforting. For a moment, they were just two people, caught in the eye of a storm, finding solace in each other's company.

" We're working now..." Talia said seriously taking his hand off of her.

******************

In the heart of the his fortress, Axl sat at his throne, his gaze fixed on the map of the sub-dimension they had compiled until now. A sense of annoyance had settled over him, a premonition of impending trouble. His intuition, honed by countless battles, was rarely wrong.

A sudden commotion erupted in the main hall. A scout, his face pale and etched with fear, burst into the room. "Sir!" he gasped, his voice trembling.

"Two of our scouts are overdue. They were supposed to return hours ago."

His scouts were the eyes and ears of his , and their disappearance was a grave concern. "Their last known location?" Axl demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The scout hesitated, his eyes darting around the room. "The forest, sir. They were investigating the reason for the absence of monsters in the area."

Axl nodded, his mind racing. The forest, a place of both life and death, was a known territory for dangerous creatures. But the fact that his scouts had been missing for an extended period raised a red flag. There was a possibility they had encountered another faction, a faction that was not afraid to use force.

"Gather the lizardmem troops," Axl ordered, his voice firm. "Lead them to go pay a visit to our possible 'neighbors'."

" Yes sir." The scout saluted.

" Aqua send Beta squad with them to confirm if there's indeed a faction in that area." He also ordered to another person.

" Understood." She confirmed.

As his order was relayed throughout the fortress, a sense of urgency gripped the faction. The disappearance of the scouts was a wake-up call, a reminder that the sub-dimension was a harsh and unforgiving place. The initial stages of building a fortress had been successful, but now it was time to test its defenses.

Axl dispatched a wave of lizardmen troops who were now given sturdier armour and weapons to investigate the forest. They were to proceed with caution, their orders clear: cut everything in sight.

" I wonder who's my first stepping stone..." Thought Axl in anticipation.

As the first wave of lizardmen disappeared into the dense foliage, Axl turned back to the command center. He knew that the encounter with the unknown faction was inevitable. It was a matter of time before their paths would cross. And when that happened, he would be ready.

***************

In the heart of the elven fortress, Lara stood at the edge of a raised platform in her now secured dessert domain, overlooking the bustling activity below. Her gaze, however, was fixed on the horizon, at the direction of the plains stretched out, a sea of green and gold.

"Millie," she called out, her voice carrying over the noise of the fortress. The elf scout, known for her keen perception and mastery of nature magic, stepped forward.

"Yes, my lady?" Millie replied, her voice filled with respect.

"I want you to disperse these seeds across the plains," Lara said, handing her a small pouch. Inside were seeds, unlike any found in the natural world. They were infused with her magic.

Millie nodded, understanding the significance of the task. She called in her scouts and they were tasked in distributing the seeds. The seeds were scattered into the air, caught by a gentle breeze. They danced and twirled, carried by the wind, before descending to the earth below.

As the seeds touched the ground, they took root with astonishing speed. Within minutes, tiny sprouts emerged, growing at an accelerated pace. They formed a dense network that slowly spread in the plains.

These roots were connected and eventually made their way to the desert and using their vibrations they were able to give Lara and her commanders a developing and expanding view of the plains.

And it reached to a point where the roots weren't spreading anymore, they were obstructed by something. Also the roots vibrations began being countered by some alternative tectonic vibrations.

" Astrid's Dwarves." Thought Lara.

" The dwarves are in the plains. Begin preparations we attack first." Lara declared.

****************

" First, they got in the sub dimension, identified resourceful areas exploited them, built forts, expanded their influence, made maps now they are starting to encounter each other. The bets are about to open amd the surprise is about to be revealed." Said Seraphina to everyone watching the stream who were honestly getting bored.

But now something exciting was about to happen.

" Isn't that right Ray?" Seraphina said amd Ray nodded.

" So you want my guilds to get in there?"

" Yes... How else will we show what our students are capable of? But it's not just your guilds also the military academy students will be there." Seraphina said.

" Very well... I'll make the preparations." Ray got up and walked away.

" It's time for our reunion." Thought Neveah as he walked away to prepare his guild 'members.'