VOIDBLADE: THE LAST SWORD OF THE END

The night before war was always the quietest.

Emberrest Fortress stood like a lone sentinel against the chaos spreading through Briarstead County. The air was still — too still — and the weight of what was coming pressed down on every soldier, every officer, every breath.

But inside the war room, there was no hesitation.

Jin stood at the head of the long ironwood table, his eyes sharp and focused as he surveyed the gathered commanders. His officers — hardened warriors and cunning strategists — awaited his orders. But their attention kept drifting toward the figure leaning against the far wall.

Void God.

He hadn't spoken yet. He didn't need to. The room bent around his presence, the air colder and heavier for it. Even those who didn't know who he really was felt the power coiled within him — a silent promise of annihilation.

Jin finally broke the silence.

"Kaela?" he asked without looking up from the map spread before him.

The assassin materialized from the shadows at his right. "The spies are handled," she said in her soft, deadly voice. "Seventeen eliminated. Four more… persuaded. They'll feed their masters false reports until it's too late."

A satisfied murmur rippled through the room. Jin nodded. "Good. What about the rival lords?"

Kaela's smile was razor-sharp. "Scattered. Afraid. But they're consolidating their forces. Lord Greth and Lord Malyce have allied — they're holed up in Blackthorn Keep. A strong position, but they won't hold it for long."

"And the others?"

"Lord Vareth fled south toward the corrupted lands. Foolish. He won't survive the night."

"Then that leaves two," Jin said, his eyes narrowing. "Lord Elmere and Lady Sareth. Where are they hiding?"

Kaela hesitated. "They haven't been found."

The room tensed. Jin's fingers tapped the edge of the table. "We can't leave them in play."

"We won't," Void God finally spoke — and the room fell silent. His voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable weight. "They'll show themselves when they have no choice. And when they do…" He let the words hang in the air, his meaning clear.

Jin nodded slowly. "Then we hit Blackthorn first." He turned to his officers. "Two hours from now, we march. I want siege teams ready and scouts ahead. We end this before dawn."

The commanders rose, their orders clear. But before they could leave, Void God spoke again.

"One more thing."

The room stilled. He stepped forward, the shadows following him like loyal hounds. With a flick of his wrist, system windows opened — item after item, weapon after weapon, each more terrifying than the last.

"You'll need better tools for what's coming," he said simply.

Jin's eyes widened as he scanned the list. Relics. Artifacts. High-tier gear that shouldn't even exist at their levels.

"You… you've been holding back," Jin accused, half in awe.

Void God's faint smile was more dangerous than any weapon in the room. "I invest in the long game. And now it's time to collect."

The officers wasted no time claiming their prizes. Power shifted in that room — and Jin knew the balance of Briarstead was about to change forever.

Two hours later, the march began.

And the storm finally broke.