CHAPTER 268 Month 3 : War

  But when the group arrived at the wall, their hearts sank. Soldiers from America United had taken control of the exit, charging five coins per person just to leave.

  A huge mob of angry adventurers was gathered there, their protests growing louder by the minute. The frustration in the air was palpable.

  “That’s 25 coins,” Nicole muttered, her dream of the sandwich shop crumbling before her eyes.

  “Screw that!” Heath growled, gripping his oversized club. Without a second thought, he charged at the soldiers, yelling, “Leroy Jenkins!” His massive club swung wide, slamming into a soldier’s gut.

  “Oof!” the soldier gasped, dropping to the ground, clutching his stomach. The soldiers hadn’t expected this attack, but reacted quickly.

  “Crossbows!” the sergeant barked.

  TWHIP

  TWHIP

  TWHIP

  The sound of bolts cutting through the air followed, and one struck Heath in the knee.

  “Ah! My knee! I’m never going to adventure again!” Heath wailed dramatically, crumpling to the ground in exaggerated agony.

  Jeff, desperate to calm the situation, shouted, “Just calm down! We’ve got the money!” But it was too late.

  The crowd of adventurers, emboldened by Heath’s attack and their own frustrations, surged forward. Hundreds of them, once scattered along the wall, now united in their rage, charged at the soldiers.

  Some swung for nonlethal hits, hoping just to break free, but others—fueled by anger and desperation—weren’t holding back. They wanted out, and nothing would stop them.

  The sergeant, seeing his soldiers being overwhelmed, called for a retreat. "Fall back! Retreat!" But as they withdrew, they fired red flares into the sky—bright bursts that sent a message far worse than anything the adventurers could have anticipated.

  Within moments, the rumble of feet marching and the rising dust cloud signaled what was coming: America United’s main army was on its way.

  The army had been patrolling the area for signs of the skeleton horde. But when they saw the red flares, they assumed the wall was under attack by the undead. They charged toward the wall with terrifying speed.

  The ground trembled as the army rushed forward, and what had started as a scuffle between adventurers and soldiers erupted into a full-scale battle. The adventurers fought with everything they had, desperate to escape, while the soldiers, confused and overwhelmed, struggled to regroup under the approaching cavalry.

  Jeff, eyes wide as the chaos erupted around him, muttered, "This is bad. Real bad."

  The clash of swords, the twang of bowstrings, and the cries of battle filled the air as Jeff ducked low, grabbing Annie’s arm and pulling her behind a fallen cart. “Stay low!” he shouted, the din of battle swallowing his words.

  Dust swirled around them, kicked up by the heavy boots of the army, as adventurers scrambled in all directions. Some fought with desperation, while others darted toward the wall, hoping to escape the battlefield.

  Nicole crouched beside them, her face pale, eyes wide with fear. “We need to get out of here,” she said, her voice trembling. “There’s no way we can take on an army.”

  Heath, clutching his wounded knee, dragged himself toward the group. “I don’t think running’s gonna help now,” he grunted, his face twisted in pain. “We’re stuck in the middle of a warzone.”

  Abu, his grip tight on his nunchucks, peered over the edge of their hiding spot. “The wall! If we can make it past the guards, we can still escape,” he said, eyes scanning the battlefield for an opening.

  Jeff gritted his teeth, heart pounding. “We need to move. Now. If we wait any longer, we’ll be trapped.”

  Annie, catching her breath, nodded. “We stick together, fight our way out. Ready?”

  They exchanged glances—nervous, determined. It was their only chance. With a deep breath, Jeff led the way, weaving through the melee, dodging strikes and trying to avoid stumbling over fallen bodies.

  Nicole stayed close, her heart hammering in her chest. ‘Just keep moving. Don’t stop.‘ She clutched her pack tightly, feeling the last of their coins weighing her down. “Almost there!” she called out as they neared the gate.

  But just as they thought they were in the clear, a group of American soldiers blocked their path. “Halt!” one of them shouted, levelling his spear.

  Jeff raised his sword, ready to fight, but Abu was quicker. He sprang forward, his nunchucks spinning through the air.

  CRACK!

  The soldier reeled back, dazed.

  “Go friends! Go!” Abu yelled, clearing the path.

  They sprinted through the opening, bursting towards the wall. Reaching the gate, they saw it was closed.

  Panting, bruised, and shaken, they collapsed to the ground, hearts still racing from the madness behind them.

  “The gate, it’s closed…..,” Nicole gasped, glancing back at the battlefield. The roar of combat still echoed in the distance, the battle showing no signs of slowing.

  Jeff wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice tight. “We need to get back into the Fort Bone Empire. Now.”

  ‘‘‘

  The battle raged on behind them. Adventurers clashed with soldiers, and soldiers fought to maintain control. Blood sprayed, steel clashed, and bodies fell. This wasn’t a fight against mindless undead or skeleton slimes—this was man against man, flesh steel, with lives hanging in the balance.

  Adventurers were fighting soldiers. Soldiers were retaliating relentlessly. Both sides refusing to back down. This was the largest battle that most of them had ever participated in. This wasn't a fight against unthinking undead or bouncing slimes. This was a fight of man versus man, sword and steel flashing through the air, blood flying, guts falling out.

  ‘‘‘

  On the walls of the empire, one soldier looked nervously at the other, the battle below stretching out before them. "What should we do? Should we help?" His voice wavered, a mixture of uncertainty and guilt gnawing at him.

  "I don't know," said the other soldier, frowning deeply. "We’ve got orders not to attack the American soldiers, but those are our adventurers down there. Some of them are good people. Hell, I know a couple of them." He shifted uncomfortably, the weight of inaction heavy on his shoulders.

  ‘‘‘

  Meanwhile, Jeff’s group pounded desperately at the gate, their fists echoing in rhythm with their growing panic.

  BANG

  BANG

  BANG

  “LET US THROUGH”

  Looking down on the adventurers, "Should we open the gate?" One soldier asked, his voice strained with frustration. He was sick of the arrogance of the American United troops, but the strict orders to not provoke them had been heavily emphasized

  Jeff’s eyes darted hopefully, from the vicious melee behind them to the gate that stood between them and safety.

  The soldiers had orders not to recklessly engage, but that didn’t mean they weren’t able to assist in other ways.

  "Yeah, open the gate, it’s our responsibility," another Empire soldier said after a beat of hesitation.

  With a heavy creak, the gate swung open, and relief washed over Jeff’s group as they hurried through—only for their hope to crash when the soldiers of America United bellowed, “Hell no!” charging toward the gate with reckless fury.

  “Stay back! This is Fort Bone territory!” the Empire soldiers shouted, crossbows raised, their voices hard as steel. The cold tension rippled through the air as they aimed at the advancing soldiers.

  But the soldiers of America United weren’t about to back down. “USA! USA! USA!” they roared, charging in with unstoppable momentum, swords gleaming in the sunlight. The soldiers of Fort Bone, battle-hardened from their wars with the skeleton hordes, weren’t intimidated. They knew the drill. Guided by the tales of Atlas and his Portal Crushers, they had become warriors who took no prisoners.

  “Stay back! This is Fort Bone territory.”

  The American soldiers ignored their warning.

  Seeing the American soldiers advancing with no signs of slowing, the Fort Bone soldiers steadied their aim, crossbows at the ready.

  “Final chance! Stay back or we WILL fire!”

  The American soldiers continued rushing forward, angry at the fleeing adventurers.

  The Fort Bone soldiers seeing this, agreed that this was now a clear case of self defence, and they fired.

  The twang of crossbow strings echoed, followed by a wave of bodies hitting the dirt.

  THWIP

  THWIP

  THWIP

  Not only was this the sound of crossbows firing, it was the sound of the beginning of a war between two empires.

  The American soldiers, undeterred, kept rushing. "We can make it!" one yelled, determination blazing in his eyes. And they did. They stormed into range, shield help high, attacking wildly as they returned fire at the Fort Bone forces.

  The Fort Bone soldiers were amused, they had a huge advantage of the walls, and height. Only the soldiers who were manning the gate had to fight hand to hand.

  The ringing of alarm bells jolted the battlefield, flares shooting into the sky, beacons of war. Massive groups of quick-response soldiers began teleporting in, materializing in flashes of light. Now, the battlefield had become a chaotic three-way brawl—adventurers and Fort Bone soldiers against America United's main army.

  The sounds of battle raged on, steel meeting steel, bodies colliding, grunts of effort mingling with cries of pain. The sky darkened with the shadows of incoming soldiers, but after a grueling struggle, it became clear—Fort Bone was going to win.

  “They’re pulling back!” someone yelled from the Fort Bone lines.

  The American soldiers, though beaten and bloodied, weren’t cowards. Their sergeants called for a steady retreat, regrouping with precision despite the loss.

  "Should we chase them?" one of the Fort Bone sergeants asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.

  "No," came the reply, firm and without hesitation. "Let them go. This wasn't a fight we wanted to start. No need to pursue."

  The soldiers of Fort Bone stood down, watching as the American United soldiers retreated into the distance.

  This fight to,let the adventurers back in, had sparked something though.

  What had once been a cold war, a battle of economies and territory, had now erupted into something far more dangerous. There was no going back. War was coming.

  ‘‘‘

  POV : AMERICA UNITED

  The bedraggled army of America United retreated slowly, their heads held high despite the physical toll. They were bruised and beaten, but their spirits remained intact. “We won’t forget this,” muttered their sergeant, eyes dark with determination. The retreat was orderly, disciplined, as they marched back to their settlement.

  As soon as they reached the main base, they reported to Jed Lawson. His face twisted into a mask of fury upon hearing the news. “How dare they attack us?” he bellowed, slamming his fist onto the table. “That’s it. I was going to be lenient, just ban their citizens. Now? Let’s truly punish them. Unless they’re registered American citizens, raise the tax—ten coins per person! No leniency. Anybody gives you any lip, take them down.”

  “Yes, sir,” the soldier replied, his tone cold and hard. Before, there had been room for mercy, for understanding. But after what they saw as an unjust attack by Fort Bone, mercy was no longer in their vocabulary.

  Jed turned to his war council, anger still boiling in his veins. "What should we do? It’s obvious, isn’t it? Atlas planned all of this. He’s going to push us out, take over our territory."

  The council murmured in agreement, faces grim. "Yes," one said, "it’s clear. First, they attacked us with those skeletons. Now, they flood us with adventurers. What’s next?"

  Jed scowled, pacing back and forth. "It’s obvious what’s next. When we’re weak, they’ll attack with their main army. So, what do we do?"

  “I say we take down that wall,” one council member suggested, voice filled with resolve.

  Jed paused, considering it. “That’ll be hard. Those walls are level two,” he muttered, scratching his chin.

  His economic advisor stepped forward confidently. “We can afford enough siege gear from the vending machines. And if we keep the taxes high, we’ll have no problem funding the war.”

  A small smile crept across Jed’s face.“Let’s do it,” he said, spitting into the dirt for emphasis. “I’m sick of being pushed around by Atlas and those fake goodie-goodies over in Fort Bone.”

  ‘‘‘

  POV: CELESTIAL WAGER

  The aliens were excited again. They didn’t care why the war had started, but bets flew and mana coins were tossed onto tables, slotted in machines, and outcomes paid for. The odds were heavily in favor of the Fort Bone Empire, so safe bettors placed their coins on Atlas while others, seeking a higher return, wagered on America United.

  Other bets included how many men would fall on the wall, how many crossbow bolts would be used, how many people would be killed, what time the first death would occur each day, and the number of women or men killed per side. If there was a bet, there were odds on it. The Celestial Wager didn't care about anything besides the action.

  Lurox, from the Glytharni species, buzzed about with excitement, wings fluttering as they called out new odds to eager gamblers. Gorvax, a stone-skinned giant, sat confidently at a betting table, his small red eyes gleaming as he placed a high-stakes bet on America United, because of the high odds. Kroxar watched from a distance, tentacles twitching with amusement as the action of bets and wars collided.

  Virelia floated gracefully between the tables, serving drinks, her lavender skin glowing under the dim casino lights. She smiled sweetly, though inwardly she knew the outcome of these wars mattered little. The Celestial Wager would always win in the end.

  ‘‘‘

  POV: FORT BONE

  Olivia summoned the War Council, her voice carrying the weight of the moment as she addressed the growing tension at the Empire's walls. The conflict had already been dubbed the Sandwich War, a name that felt more absurd than the threat looming over them.

  “I think we still have a chance to stop this war. It was obviously a misunderstanding between the adventurers and America United,” she said, her tone hopeful, but her eyes betrayed uncertainty.

  Atlas leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms, his face hard. “I think you're underestimating the power of greed. They don't know what we're planning, but I do know we’re both fighting for the same thing: those 100 return tokens." He paused, his gaze shifting to John. "There is something I should bring up to you guys, though. John, you've heard about this.”

  John raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “What?”

  “Do you remember when we got those sky patrols?”

  John nodded. “Yeah.”

  “Well, those were made by the Red Fairy. And when we summoned them, the Red Fairy appeared. I want to take a chance right now.”

  The council went silent. The low murmur of whispered discussions faded, replaced by a stunned stillness. All eyes locked onto Atlas.

  “There’s a piece of information I got when we rescued those actresses from the bandit camp, when we took out Clark. I want to confirm if it’s true.”

  “Oh, what’s that?” Olivia asked, her voice a touch softer, almost hesitant.

  “I want to know if it’s possible to take everyone home and save the whole wasteland, not just 100 people. Clark said it was possible, but he never gave any explanations. If the Red Fairy will give us an answer, maybe we can come up with a solution that will work for everybody,” Atlas explained, his voice low but firm.

  John frowned, worry creasing his features. “It’s risky, Atlas. All the Red Fairy has to do is be in a bad mood, and that’s the end of you. I don’t think your time-traveling powers would work to bring you back in time to before you made the dumbest decision you’ve ever made.”

  Atlas thought for a moment, scanning the faces around the table. ‘Is it worth the risk?‘ “What do you guys think?”

  Isabella didn’t hesitate. She shook her head firmly. “No, don’t do it. Every time that Red Fairy comes, it’s like a trip to the dentist. You know it’s going to hurt, but you don’t know how much it’s going to cost.”

  Alexander chimed in, his voice full of conviction. “Heck no, boss. If we lose you, we lose the whole soul of our empire. If you really want to do it, let me do it.”

  Hank cut in quickly. “No, you can’t do it, Alexander. You run the army. Let me do it.”

  Atlas’s chest swelled with a mix of pride. ‘It’s this pure loyalty that made me choose these two guys in the first place. I wouldn’t want anyone to sacrifice more than themselves for me, but it’s always amazing for me to see that amongst all the betrayal and garbage people out there, there are good people, and they constantly surprise you, especially when you’ve gotten so used to the worst of humanity.‘

  Before Atlas could speak, John’s voice rose above the tension in the room. “Atlas, you are not going to summon the Red Fairy.” John’s tone was resolute, taking control of the meeting. “Let’s have a quick vote. Everyone in favor of Atlas not summoning the Red Fairy?” All the hands shot up—except Atlas’s.

  Atlas tried to protest. “But I’m—”

  “Ah, no, you’re not,” John interrupted, cutting him off sharply. “You made me the boss of all settlement matters. And I realize you don’t want anyone else to risk their lives, but we can’t lose you, Atlas. Not just because of your time-traveling powers or the knowledge you’ve gotten from them, but because, without you, we lose our symbol, our heart.”

  Atlas was at a loss for words, his mouth opening and closing, but no sound came out. He felt the weight of his council’s trust pressing on him.

  John wasn’t finished. “All right, now let’s have our second vote. Do we… Do we actually call for the Red Fairy? Those who are voting in favor, raise your hand.”

  Half the people in the room raised their hands, the other half hesitated, keeping their arms at their sides.

  “It looks like we’ve got a pretty split room,” John said with a sigh. “There’s no need to actually count. We’re not a democracy. But at no point have we ever been a dictatorship either,” he added with a soft laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

  Atlas, feeling the decision slip away from him, shrugged. “Fine.”

  John nodded and took charge again. “Since we’re not unanimous, and this move is so dangerous and risky, I say we don’t do it. We can weather this war out. And Atlas, you said the Red Fairy told Clark this information at the end of the year anyway. We can assume it’s true, even though Clark was always known for being a liar. At that moment, when his life was on the line, he gave you that information. He had nothing to gain by it.”

  “That’s true,” Atlas admitted. “So, you’re saying we wait? We keep going on the assumption that we can only have 100 tokens?”

  John nodded slowly. “Yeah, that’s what we should do. Because, right or wrong, if we catch the Red Fairy in a bad mood AND she decides to not only wipe out the messenger, she could also decide to destroy our entire town—or fry all of us. And for what? Information that would be given at the end of the year anyway? If she gave it to Clark, she’ll give it to you. We are going to win those 100 tokens.”

  Atlas sighed deeply, the weight of leadership pressing down hard. “Fine.”

  ‘‘‘

  CHAPTER 269 Month 3 : Olivia Makes Friends

  POV : RED FAIRY RESIDENCE

  Lounging in her opulent mansion, the Red Fairy settled into her favorite chair, her pink fuzzy slippers adorably mismatched against the lavish decor. As she flipped through the channels, she found herself watching the Live show. Even though she worked for the show, she still loved tuning in. Sometimes it was good. Sometimes it was dull. A lot of the moments repeated themselves over the seasons: people panicking, betraying each other, and doing their best to survive. Over the years, she had grown jaded and bored with the predictability of it all.

  But this was the first time she’d seen someone almost voluntarily call her. ‘What would I do if he summoned me?‘ she thought, her brow furrowing. ‘Would I blow his head off?‘ Her inner Atlas, carrying a hefty backpack full of mana coins, shook its head vigorously. ‘No, no, no.‘

  She liked the guy, but She couldn’t help considering how annoying it would be to develop a reputation for being soft. ‘Then it would be nonstop, 24/7 summons of, oh, Red Fairy, what should we do about this? Oh, Red Fairy, it’s not fair that you’re not showing us the leaderboard. Oh, Red Fairy, you didn’t explain the rules clearly.‘

  Imagining it all made her groan. Her life would no longer be her own; she’d be making appearances left and right, working harder than a third world call center operator. The thought was enough to make her cringe, and she shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

  Luckily it was a decision she didn’t have to make. She nibbled on a spicy jalapex flower ball, sipped her drink and continued lounging completely.

  ‘‘‘

  POV : FORT BONE

  Olivia said, "All right, everybody, let's have a quick pause. That was some pretty big news Atlas just dumped on us."

  Atlas shrugged, "It wasn't my fault. I thought everyone should know and really think about it."

  "Well, I'm glad you told us, Atlas," Olivia continued, her tone brightening. "And now we have a second option. We can always float that idea around. It doesn't mean we have to give up on saving more people in the wasteland."

  "Good. John, what do you think about our next move for this war? Alexander, you're in charge of the army. How are our men?"

  Alexander stood tall, a grin spreading wide across his face. “We’re stronger than oak, folks. Our men are as tough as they come, seasoned from that skeleton horde. And them new recruits are pourin’ in fast. Will’s plays have been fantastic for bringin’ ’em in. And those booths you set up, Olivia, with the gals in Fort Bone Empire outfits recruitin’ new soldiers? That was downright brilliant.”

  "Never underestimate the power of a wink, a smile, and the chance of heroism," Olivia replied, pride swelling in her chest. Fort Bone’s empire had grown exponentially. With all the Mana coins pouring in from taxes, Bone Appetit booming, and their improved bone armor sales, the coffers were looking good. Amber had confirmed it in her last financial report.

  "So, we’re strong militarily and economically. If we start this war, how will it hit us?" Atlas frowned, his voice serious. "This is something I didn't talk to you all about before. War always costs. No matter how good we are, it's going to cost us money, and it's going to cost lives. I've fought wars across this wasteland. Once you start, it doesn’t stop. And I don’t think it’s going to stop now. That first crossbow bolt—when it was fired—was probably heard across the entire wasteland."

  Olivia sighed. "If we can't stop the war, can we at least reduce the scale?"

  "We could," Atlas replied, thinking aloud. "Instead of a full-scale war, we try to take over America United. We could call in all our allies."

  Olivia shook her head. "That doesn’t really shrink the scope of it, though. So what else can we do?"

  "I say we call in one other person. Someone I hadn’t thought of before…," Atlas said, his voice hinting at something more.

  "Oh?" Olivia leaned forward, intrigued.

  Atlas summoned the mini faeries, promising them rock sugar and candied ants. They squealed in delight and buzzed out of the War Council room, heading straight for the Wasted Tavern. There, they found Mohammed sitting with his two partners.

  "Mohammed, Mohammed, Mohammed!" they chirped excitedly.

  Mohammed looked up, surprised. He had been reviewing weekly numbers with Mrs. Harrington and Victoria.

  "You've been summoned to the castle!" the faeries announced, their wings fluttering with excitement.

  "Castle, castle, castle!" they echoed.

  Mohammed blinked, taken aback. He’d signed the contract with Fort Bone but never expected to be literally summoned for a council meeting. A council meeting! The promise of one of those hundred tokens had been enough to hook him, and his economic power was growing steadily.

  "Well, ladies," Mohammed said, smiling, "I think we've reached the second part of our goal."

  The two women nodded in agreement, and together they followed the mini faeries back to the council room. Atlas and the others were on a break, waiting. As they arrived, Atlas stood, his expression serious.

  "Mohammed, we're on the verge of a war."

  Mohammed nodded gravely. "Yes, we heard. The arena’s been buzzing with rumors all day."

  Atlas wasted no time. "We need to know—what are the chances of the Celestial Empire joining our side?"

  Victoria, who was leading the negotiations with Minister Wei of the Celestial Empire, chimed in. "The Celestial Empire values honor and face. So far, we haven’t had any real issues with them… except for that small economic war."

  The three of them exchanged glances, choosing not to point out that it had been their actions that sparked that war in the first place.

  ‘‘‘

  “So, if we sent a delegation, do you think they’d join us in the war?” Atlas asked.

  Victoria shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never spoken to the Emperor. I worked directly with one of his ministers, though. I could go with Olivia, and we’ll see about scheduling an appointment with the Emperor himself.”

  Atlas thought to himself, ‘Man, those Chinese army guys really take this whole empire and celestial kingdom thing seriously. Maybe I should be more formal... Nah.‘

  “Alright, let’s do that,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “Because I don’t think we should be making a move on one of the strongest empires in the wasteland without getting approval—or at least a non-aggression pact, from the other.”

  Everyone in the council nodded, the weight of Atlas’s words sinking in. They broke up and went their separate ways, each member contemplating the challenges ahead and the uncertain road to alliances in a brewing war.

  ---

  The next day, Olivia met up with Victoria, and together they portaled to the Celestial Empire for their appointment with Minister Wei. Victoria had prepped Olivia on the proper etiquette, so when they arrived, both bowed deeply with respectful kowtows to the minister.

  “Get up, get up,” Minister Wei said, waving them off but appreciating the formalities. “We are all citizens of this wasteland trying to make it a better place. No need for such formalities.”

  ‘Oh, right, like I believe that,‘ Olivia thought, but she kept a sweet smile. “Thank you, Minister Wei. Your wisdom and civility are well known across the wasteland.”

  “Of course, of course,” he replied, stroking his long chin hairs, his official blue-buttoned hat indicating his high status.

  “And we have something for you in return. It is tradition for the Fort Bone Empire to greet our allies properly.”

  Olivia handed over a beautifully crafted treasure chest. Inside were mana coins, a selection of Fort Bone delicacies, mini stuffed toys of Portilla and Crushir, and two gold-plated sets of armor. Though decorative, the armor sparkled like Alexander’s town attire—flashy and impressive.

  “Oh my, this is indeed a magnificent gift!” Minister Wei exclaimed, his eyes gleaming as he accepted the chest.

  They discussed the possibility of a meeting with the Emperor. “The Emperor meets once a week to discuss wasteland affairs, and we’re aware a war is on the horizon. You may attend tomorrow during our weekly session. But I must warn you, in the Celestial Court, every action is under scrutiny.”

  Victoria and Olivia thanked him, setting the appointment for the next day. As they left the minister’s courtyard, Olivia frowned. “What did he mean by ‘every action is observed’?”

  “Well,” Victoria explained, “based on my experience, the more important you are, the larger your entourage should be. I don’t think we can handle this with just the two of us. We need to bring Atlas. We need soldiers in pretty armor. We need the marching band! And we definitely need a gift—something that will really impress the Emperor.”

  Olivia sighed. “That’s a lot to pull together in one night, but we can handle it. Why don’t we split up?”

  ---

  CHAPTER 270 Month 3 : Token of Authority

  Time was ticking. A war was looming. And Olivia was going to get ahead of any problems.

  They teleported back to Fort Bone, and Olivia snapped into her work-hard, get-stuff-done mode. She summoned the mini faeries, sending notes and messages flying in every direction. Atlas arrived first, fresh from training with Portilla and Crushir, strolled over.

  “Well, I can definitely be there. That’s not a problem,” he said, cracking his knuckles. “I’m assuming you’ll have no issue putting together a marching band?”

  “That’s no problem,” Olivia said, nodding confidently.

  Alexander chimed in, “Getting pretty armor, though, that’s going to be a harder thing.”

  “Yes, it’s important that it’s ceremonial armor, not war armor,” Victoria added, her tone firm. “If you show up with an escort in war armor, I don’t think they’ll get the right impression.”

  “Oh, I’m happy to do that,” Alexander said with a grin, already picturing himself leading a parade of soldiers in gleaming golden armor through Fort Bone, soaking in the cheers. ‘Gotta talk to Randy, and rush this order. I know he’s been making a lot of golden armor based on mine. Sure is handy being an idol.‘

  “Then all that leaves is a gift,” Olivia said, turning to Atlas. “What can we get an Emperor? He can pretty much buy anything he wants.”

  “There’s one thing, though,” Atlas replied, a sly smile creeping across his face. “Something I think he would love. Something he can’t get. And he doesn’t even know about it yet.”

  “What’s that?” Olivia asked, intrigued.

  “Follow me,” Atlas said, excitement bubbling in his voice. “This is a good time for you too, Alexander. Me and John have been tinkering with something for a while now.”

  They hurried toward the new vending machine, operated by the Nagas, where Atlas believed they’d found the perfect gift for the Emperor.

  ‘‘‘

  The Speedy Serpent Vending Machine hummed with energy, its interface glowing as Atlas eagerly interacted with it. This remarkable machine was known for creating mounts, and Atlas had successfully crafted three so far—one for himself and one for Portilla and Crushir. They’d all worked out perfectly, no unexpected failures.

  “We’ve been tinkering with this thing, and we’ve got the hang of it now,” Atlas said, excitement bubbling in his voice. “But the machine allows for custom designs. In our off time, John and I have been working on designing a horse. It looks a little alien still, but it’s definitely recognizable as a horse.”

  “I think instead of just walking, if we had mounted soldiers, that would be impressive,” Atlas continued, his enthusiasm growing.

  “Hell yeah!” Alexander replied, eyes lighting up at the thought. He now imagined himself leading a mounted horse troop through town, women fainting in admiration as roses rained down on him.

  “But look at this option,” Atlas said, pointing to the screen. “That custom option we’re playing with is... well, custom. We can make anything. And we have enough bones to do it.”

  The excitement in the room was undeniable as they realized the potential of their plan. “The only thing about it is the cost,” Atlas added, his brow furrowing slightly.

  “Well, I’ve talked to Amber,” Olivia chimed in, glancing at her notes. “We have enough money for quite a bit. We could upgrade our castle to level four, or we could get everyone into level two armor instead of that 1.7.”

  “Good,” Atlas said, relief flooding him. “Then I don’t have to worry about spending a couple hundred coins on one mount. Just 500 coins. This thing is a bit more expensive than I’d like, but it’ll make a mind-blowing present.”

  He started pumping coins into the machine, calling for others to throw bones into the mix. After about twenty minutes of tinkering, he finally had what he wanted. With a satisfying whirr, a custom dragon token ejected from the machine. The token depicted an Eastern-style dragon crafted from skeletal remains, its design both elegant and fierce.

  “I think this will be the perfect gift for the Celestial Empire,” Atlas announced, holding the token up triumphantly. “A mount of its own—a symbol of its authority.”

  Olivia glanced at Victoria, who nodded in agreement. “That would be perfect. No one else in the world has anything like it. And if you promise him that no one else will ever be able to make one, it should cement our friendship.”

  “No problem, we can delete the design,” Atlas grinned.

  With the plan solidified, anticipation filled the air as they prepared for their meeting with the Emperor, knowing they were on the brink of something monumental.

  ‘‘‘

  With the emperor’s gift out of the way, the next thing was the cavalry escort.

  Atlas stood in front of the Speedy Serpent Vending Machine, a determined look on his face. "Alright, let’s get started. Standard warhorses, nothing fancy, but solid and reliable."

  Alexander practically bounced on his heels. "Man, I can’t wait! A whole troop of mounted soldiers? This is gonna be somethin’ else!"

  Atlas grinned, feeding the first set of coins into the machine. "One hundred warhorses, ten coins each. It's a deal."

  The machine hummed to life, the screen flashing as it processed the command. Within moments, the first warhorse token popped out, a gleaming silver coin with the silhouette of a horse on it. Atlas tossed it to Alexander. "There you go, one down, ninety-nine to go."

  Alexander caught it, turning it over in his hands like it was a priceless artifact. "Hot damn, I’m gonna be leadin’ a cavalry charge in no time. Yeehaw!"

  As Atlas continued feeding coins into the machine, tokens began spilling out faster and faster. The room buzzed with energy, each new token adding to the growing excitement. Alexander was practically vibrating, picturing himself in golden armor, leading a troop of mounted soldiers through Fort Bone.

  "Are you going to get some roses for good measure?" Atlas teased, knowing exactly where Alexander’s mind was.

  "Don’t you worry, Atlas," Alexander grinned wide, pocketing another token. "I’ll make sure the crowd knows what to throw!"

  ‘‘‘

  Atlas felt the weight of tomorrow's presentation pressing down on him. This wasn’t just about showing off—they were going to be the face of the Empire. He wanted everything to be perfect.

  "Olivia, how are we doing?" he asked, a hint of tension creeping into his voice.

  Olivia looked up from her notes, calm but focused. "The mounted troops are going to look impressive. The band? That's all set. The trolls—"

  "Let's upgrade the troll armor too," Atlas interrupted, an idea sparking in his mind. They’d been using the same basic level-1 armor for a while, simply because the trolls didn’t need anything fancy. But this was different. They needed to make an impression.

  It hit him how long it had been since he even thought about upgrading their gear. ‘Actually, never,‘ he realized. The flame resistance potions had always been enough. But two trolls in closed-faced helmets and plate armor? That would look badass—especially if their armor was in Red Fairy Red.

  Determined, Atlas went straight to the vending machine. He punched in the code and watched as the machine spat out two tokens. Holding them up, he felt a rush of satisfaction. ‘Perfect.‘

  He handed the tokens to Portilla and Crushir. Portilla’s eyes lit up, and she grinned. "Thanks, Daddy!" she chirped.

  Crushir, always more straightforward, smiled wide. "Presents!"

  They activated the tokens, and in a flash, their armor appeared, gleaming hot pink and matching Atlas’s own. The three of them stood there, a formidable team in vibrant, sparkly, armor. It was ridiculous and amazing all at once.

  Atlas couldn’t help but laugh. "Now we’re ready."

  ‘‘‘

  The Red Fairy watching the show cheered, as more of her iconic Red Fairy Red spray paint was used. The mana coins were jingling into her account. ‘Good job Atlas! Work harder!‘

  ‘‘‘

  The next day, the army trooped out from the castle toward the teleportation point, excitement crackling in the air. They’d definitely make a parade out of it, though. A band played the anthem of Fort Bone, filling the atmosphere with pride and anticipation.

  Atlas and his trolls led the army in their hot pink armor, riding atop their oversized mounts, their hearts swelling with confidence. Behind them, Alexander, resplendent in his golden armor, proudly led the troops, all 100 of them on their matching warhorses, beaming with enthusiasm.

  The crafters and new recruits followed, looking fierce in their level 1.7 bone armor, determination shining in their eyes. Olivia and her diplomats were also part of the procession, their expressions a mix of hope and nervousness.

  Flowers were thrown by the girls—thanks to Alexander, who had made sure to purchase plenty and gave them to the mini faeries to distribute, adding a splash of color to the scene.

  “This is it,” Atlas said, a mix of excitement and anxiety in his voice as they reached the teleportation point. “Now we’re going to meet with the Celestial Emperor, and hopefully, we come out of this with a solid alliance.”

  CHAPTER 271 Month 3 : Meeting the Emperor

  The military escort with great fanfare passed through the teleportation point, BERZOOP, continuing towards the Celestial Emperor's castle. The Celestial Emperor, warned by his minister, knew Atlas was coming. Even if he hadn’t, the unmistakable sounds of the army marching to the Fort Bone Empire’s anthem would’ve given them away.

  Atlas led the parade, moving slowly through the town. People watched in awe. They had never seen such a spectacle in the Wasteland before. Normally, when armies rolled out to fight, it was a ragtag group thrown together with whatever scraps they could find. Matching armor? Ha, hardly! Every coin was too precious for such luxuries. But Atlas had splurged, oh yes, splurged on that golden ceremonial armor for his troops. Between the soldiers' gleaming gold armor, the striking pink accents, and their sleek black stallions, the army of Fort Bone looked like they had stepped straight out of a fairy tale.

  But beneath all that shine and flair, those troops were battle-hardened. The kind that had seen more death than anyone should.

  ‘‘‘

  When they arrived at the towering castle of the Celestial Empire, its grand, Asian-inspired walls loomed high above. Olivia announced in a clear, ringing voice, “Atlas and the Portal Crushers from the Fort Bone Empire are here to greet the Celestial Emperor.”

  The guards, with a dramatic flourish, banged their pikes on the ground, and the doors creaked open. Leaving the army behind, Atlas, the two trolls, and Olivia, along with her diplomats, stepped inside. The hall was enormous, stretching wide, with ministers on their knees, heads bowed, lining both sides.

  The inner throne room of the Celestial Empire was a grand spectacle of opulence and architectural mastery, designed to awe all who entered. The room was expansive, with towering ceilings adorned with intricate murals depicting celestial battles and the empire’s storied history. Massive crystal chandeliers hung from above, casting a soft, shimmering glow across the polished obsidian floors, which reflected the brilliant colors of the murals above.

  At the far end of the room stood the throne, a monumental seat crafted from shimmering silver and inlaid with jewels that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly light. The throne was elevated on a dais, flanked by two colossal statues of ancient guardians, their eyes glowing faintly as if watching over the proceedings. Rich tapestries depicting the Celestial Empire’s triumphs draped the walls, each stitch telling a tale of glory and conquest.

  The air was filled with a subtle, sweet fragrance, and soft music played from hidden sources, creating an atmosphere of serenity amidst the grandeur. Potted exotic plants with bioluminescent leaves were strategically placed, adding a touch of life and vibrancy to the regal space.

  Surrounding the throne were intricately carved pillars, each one telling a different story of the empire’s rulers and their legacies. Courtiers and advisors gathered in reverent silence, their colorful garments contrasting against the dark, luxurious tones of the room. This inner throne room was not just a place of power; it was a testament to the Celestial Empire’s might and elegance, designed to inspire loyalty and reverence in all who entered.

  And at the far end, on a dragon-themed throne, sat the Celestial Emperor himself.

  ‘‘‘

  Atlas, his voice steady, said, “We give you greetings from the Fort Bone Empire.”

  The Celestial Emperor, regal and aloof, responded, “The Celestial Emperor welcomes you. Now, what brings you into our presence?”

  Olivia, ever the diplomat, took over, “As you know, war is approaching between us and America United.” She paused briefly, watching as the Emperor nodded. “We are here in hopes of an alliance. With our two settlements united on different continents, taking control of this entire Wasteland and achieving the 100 tokens before returning home is no longer a dream—it’s a reality. But first,” she said, nodding toward her diplomats, “we have this to present to you.”

  Two women, dressed in elegant cheongsam, approached, carrying a wooden treasure box. One handed it to the minister closest to the Emperor, who then presented it to the Celestial Emperor with great reverence.

  The Emperor opened the box carefully. Inside lay the token for the Earth Dragon.

  “What’s this?” he asked, curiosity piqued.

  Olivia smiled, “This is a token of our appreciation. Regardless of how the negotiations go, Fort Bone has always admired the civilization and culture of the Celestial Emperor and his empire.”

  The Celestial Emperor nodded slowly, “We appreciate it.”

  Olivia added, “If you wouldn’t mind clearing some space, you can activate the token.”

  The Emperor hesitated slightly but passed the token to his minister, “Clear space for this.”

  Olivia quickly interrupted, “Hold on. Don’t let him activate it. You need to activate it.”

  The Emperor’s mind raced. ‘Is this a trap?‘ They had an army outside, but only a hundred men. ‘We could crush them easily, especially if they tried anything in the throne room.‘ His eyes darted to the guards with crossbows, perfectly lined up, watching. Not wanting to show fear, he straightened his posture and said confidently, “Of course, I’m happy to activate the token of friendship.”

  Olivia corrected him smoothly, “It’s not just a token of friendship. It’s a token of your authority.”

  The Emperor blinked. “Oh.”

  He stepped off his towering throne. And that’s when Atlas noticed—he’s short. Five foot six, maybe. Atlas chuckled inwardly, amused by the thought of the Emperor compensating for his height. ‘No wonder his throne’s so high up.‘

  As the Emperor descended the long staircase, he seemed to shrink even more, and Atlas couldn’t help but smile. ‘Short guy problems,‘ he thought. The Emperor might have the world at his feet, but in front of these towering Westerners, he looked even smaller.

  ‘‘‘

  The Emperor stood in the cleared space and crushed the token. With a sharp CRACK, The token shattered, and suddenly, a majestic Asian-style dragon materialized. It was immense—easily taking up most of the hall. Made entirely of bone, the dragon's body shimmered, each rib arching like the curve of a crescent moon. Its skull was fearsome, with hollow eye sockets that seemed to glow faintly, as if life still pulsed within it. Intricate horns twisted back from its head, adding to its fearsome, otherworldly appearance.

  The dragon’s long, serpentine body coiled gracefully through the air, its bones clinking together in an eerie, rhythmic melody as it moved. Its tail whipped around, bony spines rattling against the floor, while its skeletal wings, sharp as blades, stretched wide, casting dark, flickering shadows over the room. Though made of bone, it radiated an undeniable presence—a creature that had once dominated the skies, now reborn in spectral glory.

  ‘‘‘

  The dragon, when still, looked like an elaborately carved bone statue.

  But when it moved? It was a nightmare brought to life. The undead creature was terrifying, each bone shifting like it had a mind of its own. The Emperor, watching in awe, thought, ‘I really need a saddle for this thing. Those bones do not look comfortable.‘

  He attempted to command it mentally, focusing hard. ‘Kneel,‘ he commanded. The dragon obeyed, sinking gracefully to the ground. The Emperor grinned, satisfied. “This is indeed a worthy present for an Emperor,” he declared, turning to Atlas and the Portal Crushers. “We should move out of these chambers and go somewhere more private to speak.”

  Olivia nodded in agreement. They all followed the Emperor into the inner war council chamber, where, unsurprisingly, the Celestial Emperor sat down on another throne.

  The War Chamber of the Celestial Emperor was an intimate yet commanding space designed for strategic meetings that shaped the future of the empire. The walls were lined with dark, polished wood, giving the room a sense of warmth and solidity. Flickering lanterns, crafted from ornate metalwork, cast a soft, golden glow, illuminating the intricate map of the empire that stretched across the central table.

  At the heart of the room stood a large, oval table made from rare, iridescent stone, its surface etched with maps of territories, troop movements, and key battle sites. Surrounding the table were high-backed chairs upholstered in deep crimson fabric, each one offering both comfort and an air of authority.

  On one side of the room, a large holographic display projected three-dimensional images of the empire’s territories, allowing for dynamic presentations of strategic plans. This display was flanked by shelves filled with scrolls and tomes containing the empire’s military history and tactical knowledge.

  The chamber was decorated with banners and insignias representing the Celestial Empire’s most notable victories, each one a reminder of the might and glory that the emperor commanded. A few strategically placed weapons, including ornate swords and ceremonial spears, added an imposing touch, signifying readiness for battle.

  Despite its small size, the War Chamber exuded an air of gravity and importance, making it a space where critical decisions were made. The atmosphere was charged with focus and determination, with the emperor and his advisors gathering here to forge strategies and uphold the empire’s strength.

  Atlas couldn’t help but think, ‘Man, this guy loves his pomp and circumstance.‘

  The Celestial Emperor leaned forward, clasping his hands. “So, let’s get down to what we both want.”

  Olivia, ever diplomatic, asked, “Should we continue addressing you as the Celestial Emperor?”

  “Why, of course,” the Emperor responded with a smug smile. “How else would you address me? And I shall address you as Olivia, just as my minister does. And, of course, we all know who you are, Atlas.”

  Atlas grinned, “Nice to meet you, your... Emperor-ness.”

  The Celestial Emperor flinched. He wasn’t sure if Atlas was making fun of him with that Emperor-ness bit. ‘Was he?‘ He narrowed his eyes slightly, but said nothing.

  ‘‘‘

  CHAPTER 272 Month 3 : Deadlock

  The room went quiet, as everyone was wondering how the Celestial Emperor would react to Atlas’s gaffe.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  The Celestial Emperor said, "It's not Emperor-ness. It's Your Majesty, " he added with a smile.

  Atlas shrugged. "Sure, Your Majesty. Sorry, we're not really that big on formality in Fort Bone."

  The Emperor thought, ‘I can tell—bunch of uncultured Western bums.‘ He was proud of bringing China’s rich culture and long history to the Wasteland.

  Sensing this could go sideways if Atlas kept talking, Olivia quickly stepped in, “Your Majesty, what I’d like to suggest is a way for us all to go home.”

  The Celestial Emperor leaned forward. “Oh, go on.”

  “As you know,” Olivia continued, “we have the 100 tokens coming up at the end of the year. We’re about to enter month four, so in eight months, we’ll all be going home. Or at least 100 of us.”

  The Celestial Emperor nodded, his expression still unreadable.

  “We’ve recently received information,” Olivia added carefully, “from the Red Fairy, that there may be a way for us to take everyone home.”

  The Celestial Emperor’s eyes widened in surprise. “How sure are you of this information?”

  Olivia hesitated. “I’m not 100% sure. We got this intel from Clark. Did you ever watch the TV show?”

  The Emperor nodded. “Yes, it was mandatory for everyone in the Chinese army to watch it. We dissected it for hours. That’s how we got such a strong start when we arrived here.”

  “Perfect,” Olivia said. “Then you remember Clark. He’s exactly like he was in the show.”

  The Emperor scowled. “Oh, yes. Weaselly, self-centered, and obnoxiously smug.”

  Olivia smirked.

  “That’s the one. Well, he’s no longer a problem. We’ve already taken care of him,” Atlas chimed in.

  Olivia continued, “When Atlas finished off Clark, Clark gave us some important information. In his previous life, Clark had received the 100 tokens, but he was also given an option. If he unified the Wasteland, he would have the ability to take everyone home.”

  The Celestial Emperor’s heart raced with excitement. ‘Everyone?‘ He currently had 20 concubines, and between them, his ministers, and their families, there were already over 100 people. The constant infighting over the tokens had been giving him a headache for months. ‘This... this could solve everything.‘

  ‘‘‘

  Olivia said, “What we suggest is that we operate our plans based on this information. We can draft a contract where, if even the information proves false, half of the tokens will go to the Celestial Empire, and half to the Fort Bone Empire.”

  The Celestial Emperor smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “That sounds agreeable, but how can we be certain whoever holds the tokens will distribute them fairly? We’ve seen how such matters unfolded for you before, Atlas.” His tone was polite, but the jab was clear.

  Atlas’s face darkened, his voice taking on a hard edge. “Yeah, well, that’s not happening again.” The bitterness in his voice hung in the air. Betrayal was always on his mind, and he definitely didn’t like being reminded of his past failures.

  The Emperor gave a slow nod. “Nor should it. We must ensure fairness. How do we prevent such... mishaps?”

  Olivia, ever the diplomat, stepped in smoothly. “That’s easily done. If Atlas had prepared a system contract—”

  Atlas, still bristling, interrupted. “I didn’t think I’d need it at the time! And those contracts aren’t exactly cheap, you know.”

  Olivia threw him a sidelong look but kept her focus on the Emperor. “If Atlas had prepared a contract, as we will today, it would have specified that Fort Bone collects the tokens, with 50 guaranteed to the Celestial Empire, secured by the system itself.”

  The Celestial Emperor’s smile grew more genuine, though his eyes gleamed with challenge. “Ah, yes, a sound idea. However, might I suggest a slight alteration? The Celestial Empire should collect the 100 tokens, and we will guarantee Fort Bone its 50.”

  Atlas visibly tensed, his irritation barely held in check. ‘Alteration? How about no. I’m not handing over control like that.‘ His eyes locked with Olivia’s, silently daring her to counter.

  Olivia, sensing the brewing storm, remained calm and diplomatic. “That’s certainly an interesting suggestion, Your Majesty, but I believe it’s essential to maintain balance. Fort Bone taking the lead ensures we avoid any perception of... favouritism, especially after previous issues.”

  The Emperor’s voice remained smooth. “I understand your concern, Olivia, but the Celestial Empire has proven its strength and stability. Surely, it makes sense for us to take the lead in this partnership?”

  Atlas’s knuckles whitened, his temper simmering. ‘Strength and stability? This guy’s ego could sink a battleship.‘ But Olivia quickly responded before Atlas could speak.

  “With respect, Your Majesty, Fort Bone has its own strengths to offer. The system will ensure fairness no matter who takes the lead, but symbolically, having Fort Bone in that role might foster more trust across the Wasteland. After all, we all know that unity is key in this.” Her tone was calm but firm, her words carefully chosen.

  The Emperor leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing. “A valid point, but consider this: if the Celestial Empire were to lead, we’d have the experience and wisdom stemming from centuries of Chinese governance. Fort Bone, while certainly impressive in its own right, lacks the same... pedigree.”

  The Celestial Empire and the Celestial Emperor himself both stemmed from China, and he took great pride in emphasising the long history of China's civilization on Earth. Although the Celestial Emperor himself had only been a leader in the military before the portals, he knew full well that his ancestor had blessed him here in the Wasteland.

  Atlas’s temper flared, but Olivia quickly jumped in, her voice measured. “True, we may not have centuries of governance behind us, but we’ve built Fort Bone from the ground up under relentless pressure. Our adaptability and resilience speak for themselves. It’s not about pedigree, it’s about survival—and we’ve mastered that.”

  The Emperor paused, clearly impressed but unwilling to back down just yet. “Survival, yes. But leadership requires more than that. The Celestial Empire has thrived not only through survival, but through strategy, order, and a deep understanding of diplomacy.”

  Atlas couldn’t hold back any longer. “Diplomacy’s all well and good, but out here in the Wasteland, it’s muscle and determination that matter. We’re not playing court politics anymore.”

  Olivia placed a calming hand on Atlas’s arm, her voice steady as she addressed the Emperor. “Your Majesty, what we propose is a partnership. Not one ruling over the other. Together, we can achieve more than either of us could alone. But forcing one to be subordinate would only sow resentment.”

  The Emperor regarded her for a moment, then nodded, though his tone remained cool. “A partnership, yes. But partnerships must have a leader, don’t you think?”

  Atlas clenched his fists, fighting the urge to argue further, but Olivia kept her composure. “Yes, Your Majesty. But the true leader will be the one who earns respect through actions, not titles.”

  The Emperor’s gaze hardened briefly, then he smiled, though it lacked warmth. “I suppose we’ll see who earns that respect in time, won’t we?”

  Olivia held his gaze, refusing to back down. “Yes, we will.”

  Sensing the conversation was teetering on the edge of a full-blown argument, Olivia quickly shifted gears. “Perhaps we should give ourselves time to reflect on this. I think we’re making good progress, and a night’s rest will help us think things through.”

  The Emperor, recognizing the wisdom in her words, leaned back with a more relaxed expression. “Agreed. We’ll hold a feast tonight in your honor. Tomorrow, we can continue these discussions with clearer minds.”

  “Sounds good,” Olivia said, giving a polite nod.

  As they left the room, Atlas muttered under his breath, “Partnership, my ass. He’s just waiting to stab us in the back.”

  Olivia sighed. “Just hold it together, Atlas. We’ll figure this out.”

  ‘‘‘

  Olivia and Atlas walked out of the room, the trolls flanking them as silent bodyguards. The tension hung in the air as thick as the dust from the Wasteland. They met up with Alexander and the diplomats before heading to the rooms the Emperor had assigned to them. The army, meanwhile, stabled their horses and moved into the barracks.

  As soon as they were behind closed doors, Olivia opened up the conversation with the most pressing question. “Atlas, how do you feel about this?”

  Atlas’s eyes darkened, his voice sharp. “There’s no fucking way I’m letting that jumped-up army soldier rule the entire Wasteland.”

  Olivia raised an eyebrow, but her tone stayed even. “What about the people? If two of us are aligned, we could make a formidable team. Wasn’t that your goal from the start? Saving the most people?”

  Atlas sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yes, it was-still is. But handing him control over everything? That doesn’t sit right with me.”

  “Why not?” Olivia pressed, watching him closely.

  “I don’t know,” Atlas muttered, his frustration evident.

  Olivia narrowed her eyes. “Do you think it’s your pride speaking? Your need to be the hero?”

  Atlas shifted uncomfortably, knowing she’d hit a nerve. “Maybe. But it’s more than that. I just... I’ve got a feeling. Call it gut instinct, but I know that whoever wins this season, whoever wins the show, will get way more than just tokens or the chance to go home. This isn’t about pride, Olivia—it’s about something bigger.”

  CHAPTER 273 Month 3 : Drafting a Solution

  Olivia was having trouble reconciling Atlas and his statement, with their goal of an alliance.

  Olivia crossed her arms. “But we don’t have any proof. You’re basing this purely on speculation.”

  Atlas met her gaze, his expression hard. “I know. But the way this show works? There’s always a catch. Always a surprise. And I don’t want that surprise to be, ‘Ha ha, now you’re subjects of the Celestial Empire.’”

  Olivia sighed, recognizing the weight behind his words. “That’s a valid point. But what’s the alternative? I don’t think we’ll ever get His Majesty to agree to being subordinate to Fort Bone.”

  Atlas grunted, pacing the room. “Yeah, that’s gonna be a problem.”

  Alexander, who had been quiet, finally spoke up while leaning against the wall. “Listen, I ain’t no diplomat, but it sounds like we gotta figure out how to make him think he’s in charge without givin’ him all the power. It’s all about appearances, right?”

  Olivia glanced at him, then back to Atlas. “He’s got a point. We need to be smarter, more strategic. The Emperor has an ego, and that’s something we can work with. We just need to figure out how to offer him the illusion of control while keeping Fort Bone in the lead.”

  Atlas stopped pacing, considering the idea. “Maybe. But it’s a delicate line to walk. One misstep, and we’re screwed.”

  Olivia smiled slightly. “Then let’s make sure we don’t misstep. We’ve come this far—we can outsmart him.”

  Atlas’s expression softened, but the determination in his eyes remained. “Alright. Let’s do this.”

  ‘‘‘

  Olivia paced the length of the room, her boots thudding against the stone floor as her diplomats watched her, clearly waiting for some miraculous idea to fall from the sky. ‘Why does it always come down to me fixing things?‘ she thought, mentally cursing the stubbornness of both Atlas and the Celestial Emperor.

  "So, we’re deadlocked," Olivia muttered, stopping to look at the group. “Atlas won’t bow, the Emperor won’t either. Ideas?”

  One of the diplomats, Sarah, who had been furiously scribbling notes, finally looked up, adjusting her glasses. “What if we—hear me out—propose an alliance instead of one ruling over the other?”

  Olivia blinked. “Go on.”

  “Well, what if we suggest a joint leadership structure? Atlas and the Celestial Emperor co-lead, each representing their own empire. It’s not exactly bowing, but they’d share the power.”

  Olivia’s eyebrows rose. “That... might just work.” She turned toward the others, her fingers tapping against the back of a chair. “But we need to make it more formal. We can’t have them bickering every time a decision needs to be made. We need clear terms of how the unity works.”

  Another diplomat, Joshua, leaned in. “We could draft an agreement with shared authority—split territory, military resources, and the token distribution. No one feels like they’re losing anything.”

  “That’s good,” Olivia nodded, feeling the excitement build. “But we need to hammer out the benefits. If we just say work together, that’s not gonna fly. We need incentives—goals, achievements. Something they can’t say no to.”

  “Exactly,” Sarah jumped in. “We could make mutual goals, like unifying the wasteland and making sure both empires are protected. They’d have to share resources—technology, strategies, the works. The more they work together, the more they both gain.”

  Olivia could almost see it now. Atlas, rolling his eyes but eventually agreeing. The Emperor, smug but calculating, realizing it was the best path forward. ‘But it’s never that easy,‘ she reminded herself. There was still the issue of how to actually make decisions together without tearing each other apart.

  “We also need a council,” Olivia added. “Representatives from both sides to deal with any issues, kind of like a regular check-in to prevent arguments from spiralling into chaos.”

  Joshua smiled. “That could work. Have a council meet weekly—iron out any concerns and keep things running smoothly.”

  “But what happens when they inevitably butt heads?” Sarah asked, folding her arms. “We need a conflict resolution plan. Something that doesn’t end in swords being drawn.”

  Olivia tapped her chin thoughtfully. “A neutral third party. A mediator. Maybe even someone outside of both empires to keep things balanced.”

  “What about incentives for when things go well?” Joshua suggested. “We could introduce rewards—bonus tokens or resources for hitting certain milestones. It’ll push both sides to cooperate.”

  “And cultural exchange programs,” Sarah added, her voice brightening. “If we get their people to understand each other—soldiers, diplomats, even civilians—it might build some goodwill.”

  “Cultural exchanges,” Olivia repeated, grinning. “That’s good. It’ll show we’re serious about working together, not just talking big. But we need to make sure this alliance doesn’t implode after the first bad day.”

  “Trial period,” Joshua said, snapping his fingers. “We give them a few months to see if it works. Afterward, we reassess, adjust if needed.”

  Olivia stopped pacing, a slow smile spreading across her face. “This... this could work. We give them a way to share the power without making either of them feel like they’re losing. And we throw in bonuses, give them the chance to test it out before fully committing.”

  The room hummed with energy as the plan started to take shape. Sarah was scribbling again, and Joshua nodded eagerly.

  Olivia took a deep breath. ‘Now the hard part—convincing Atlas and the Celestial Emperor to give it a shot.‘

  “Alright,” she said, clapping her hands together. “Let’s get this proposal written up. If we can’t get them to play nice, we’ll at least make sure they’re stuck in the same sandbox.”

  The group chuckled, but Olivia knew this was their best shot. Tomorrow, she’d have to face both of the most stubborn men in the wasteland and somehow get them to see reason. ‘Fun times,‘ she thought dryly, but there was a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, they’d pull it off.

  ‘‘‘

  The night was alive with the smell of roasted meats, exotic spices, and the clink of gilded cups. The Celestial Emperor had truly outdone himself. The grand hall was filled with the sounds of music—strange instruments played by pale musicians with glowing eyes—and the laughter of jade eyed beauties gliding between the tables. This was no ordinary feast; this was a full-blown imperial spectacle with a wasteland twist.

  The table stretched for what seemed like miles, draped in luxurious crimson cloth with intricate golden designs. Dishes upon dishes lined the center—whole roasted creatures with too many eyes, delicacies that glistened with strange oils, and bowls of rice mixed with blackened, charred meat from creatures hunted in the wasteland. Giant platters of honey-glazed mutant pigs, their tusks still intact, shared space with bowls of glowing, jelly-like fruit from the twisted forests.

  Alexander, eyes wide, took it all in. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he muttered, leaning over to Olivia. “This here’s the fanciest spread I ever laid eyes on.”

  Olivia smirked. “Impressed?”

  “Hell yeah! These folks sure know how to throw a dinner.”

  And he wasn’t wrong. Imperial beauties draped in silk and adorned with gold and jade moved gracefully among the guests, refilling drinks and whispering sweet nothings into the ears of the imperial court. One courtesan, a tall beauty with dark, shimmering hair, caught Alexander’s eye. She smiled coyly at him, and that was all the invitation he needed. He waved her over with a grin, clearly charmed.

  “Miss, mind keeping me company after this here feast?” Alexander winked, trying to keep his rural charm intact.

  The courtesan giggled and nodded. “Of course, sir.”

  Across the table, Atlas was already deep in conversation with two courtesans, each more beautiful than the last. He was no prude, and certainly not one to turn down company—especially on a night like this. With a sly grin, he whispered something to the pair, who laughed in response, their hands gently resting on his shoulders. ‘Why have one when you can have two?‘ he thought, feeling the pleasant warmth of the wine in his veins.

  As the feast continued, the tension from earlier seemed to melt away. The Emperor, seated at the head of the table, caught Atlas’ eye and raised his cup in a friendly toast.

  “To new friends,” the Emperor said, his voice booming over the hall.

  “To new friends,” Atlas echoed, lifting his cup. They locked eyes, and for a moment, it was as if all the politics and power struggles had faded. Tonight, they were just two men enjoying food, drink, and the pleasures of life. They shared a laugh, and the court, watching closely, murmured among themselves.

  CHAPTER 274 Month 3 : Decision Made

  The feast had gone on for a long time. The people’s mood was high, but two trolls were looking on in anticipation.

  The trolls were staring at the spread, their stomachs audibly growling. Crushir leaned in close to Atlas, his voice low and hopeful.

  “We eat, too?” Crushir’s simple question was met with an amused chuckle from Atlas.

  “Yeah, Crushir. Eat all you want.”

  Crushir grinned wide, his large teeth gleaming, and turned to his sister, nodding enthusiastically. “Atlas say we eat! We eat!”

  The trolls left their bodyguard positions and descended on the table like a force of nature, their large hands grabbing everything within reach—roasted meats, entire loaves of bread, bowls of rice. They ate with no shame, tearing through the feast like a pack of wild animals. The courtesans nearby stifled gasps, and the imperial ministers exchanged shocked looks.

  “How much can they eat?” one minister whispered, his eyes wide as he watched Crushir stuff an entire pig’s leg into his mouth.

  “More than you’d think,” another replied, shaking his head in disbelief.

  Though it was no secret that Atlas’ bodyguards were trolls, seeing them in action was another thing entirely. The ministers exchanged worried glances. Soldiers nearby, discreet but ready, fingered their flame arrows and kept an eye on the trolls, just in case things got out of hand.

  But the night stayed festive. As the wine flowed and the laughter grew louder, it was clear the feast was a success. Atlas and the Emperor had found common ground—at least for tonight. And as the courtesans led both Alexander and Atlas off to their chambers, the trolls continued their destruction of the feast, much to the horror and fascination of the imperial court.

  Olivia watched it all with a smile. ‘Well, we made it through dinner without anyone dying. That’s a win in my book.‘

  ‘‘‘‘

  The next morning, Olivia and her diplomats, along with Atlas, met once more with the Celestial Emperor and his ministers. Despite the problems from the previous day, Olivia stood tall, confident that the draft they had put together was solid. She handed over the scroll to the Emperor, who, in turn, passed it to his ministers. They began poring over it, whispering among themselves.

  Olivia’s heart thumped in her chest, though her face betrayed none of her nerves. She glanced over at Atlas, who looked equally tense but was doing a good job pretending he wasn’t. She knew what was riding on this agreement—it wasn’t just about power, it was about keeping the peace and uniting the wasteland.

  After some time, the Emperor turned to her and smiled faintly, “This is well thought out, Olivia. Allow us some private time to discuss it.”

  Olivia gave a polite nod, “Of course, Your Majesty. We’ll wait outside.”

  She signaled her team, and they all filed out of the room. Once they were gone, the Emperor turned to his ministers.

  "So, what do you think?" the Celestial Emperor asked, his voice low but commanding.

  Minister Wei, an older man with sharp eyes, spoke up first. “This is a good deal for us. It's also a good deal for the Fort Bone Empire. There’s balance here, no obvious traps.” He paused, then raised a brow. “But do you want balance, Your Majesty?”

  The Emperor leaned back, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his throne. “No... I'd rather dominate. Is there any way for us to completely take over?”

  Minister Wei smiled slightly. “Of course. The Celestial Empire can always take over. But it would cost us dearly. We don’t have the manpower right now to take them head-on, especially not with those trolls and... Atlas.” He said Atlas’ name with a hint of reluctance.

  The Emperor sighed. “Atlas. That man is a problem.”

  Wei nodded. “Yes, but not one we can afford to engage in direct conflict with—yet. Diplomacy, for now, is our best weapon. I recommend we play the long game. Gain their trust, secure our position, and then... we make our move.”

  The Celestial Emperor considered this, his gaze narrowing. "Diplomacy. For now. I suppose that’s the wisest course of action." He looked to the other ministers, who all nodded in agreement.

  "All right," the Emperor said, standing up. "Summon them back in. Let’s finish this."

  ‘‘‘

  Olivia and her team re-entered the room, flanked by Atlas and the trolls. Crushir and Portilla were trying—and failing—to stand still, fidgeting as they always did. Olivia shot them a quick look, and they both straightened up.

  The Emperor greeted them warmly, though the slight edge in his voice hadn’t completely vanished. “We’ve reviewed your proposal, and we’re ready to proceed.”

  Olivia smiled, trying to read the room. “I’m glad to hear that, Your Majesty.”

  The Emperor gestured toward the document. “We agree to the terms as outlined. The joint leadership structure, shared goals, and mutual protection are acceptable. We also appreciate the conflict resolution protocols. However—” he paused, locking eyes with Atlas—"I’d like to ensure that both sides maintain respect for each other's autonomy."

  Atlas, who had been silent until now, crossed his arms and smirked. “Respect, huh? As long as you remember that Fort Bone doesn’t bow to anyone, I’m sure we’ll get along just fine.”

  The room went tense for a split second, but Olivia quickly jumped in to smooth things over. “What Atlas means, Your Majesty, is that we value this partnership deeply and look forward to achieving great things together.”

  The Emperor chuckled, breaking the tension. “Of course, of course. I think we’ll find our way forward.” He glanced at Atlas, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “And perhaps even enjoy a drink together tonight, yes?”

  Atlas grinned. “I’m always down for that your majesticness.”

  With that, the room relaxed again. The diplomats nodded and murmured their agreements, and Olivia felt a wave of relief wash over her. They had done it. They had a deal.

  As they all chatted and finalized the last details, Olivia couldn’t help but feel proud. ‘This might just work,‘ she thought. ‘We might actually pull this off.‘

  ‘‘‘‘

  Atlas and the Celestial Emperor signed the system contract. Now, it was on to his favorite part. They headed to the system kiosk in the Celestial Empire, where both of them used their thumbprints. The formal treaty was clear: neither of them would be the overlord. What the treaty allowed was communication between them on a limited basis and restricted teleportation rights.

  "Are you ready for this?" Atlas asked, a glint of excitement in his eyes.

  The Celestial Emperor simply nodded, "Yes."

  "This will be the creation of a brand-new force in the Wasteland," Atlas grinned, his fingers itching to proceed.

  He navigated through the settlement screen until he found the option: Declare War

  "Would you like to do the honours?" Atlas offered with a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  "Upon the traditions of my people, and the way of the Celestial Empire, I do declare war." The Emperor spoke solemnly, tapping the button with a sense of reverence.

  Atlas thought, ‘Wow, that was dramatic. I was just going to hit the button.‘

  With a quick flash, war was officially declared on America United, by the combined might of the Celestial Empire and the Fort Bone Empire. Jed Lawson received the notice, as did countless others across the Wasteland. The news was spreading like wildfire through three different continents.

  When war was declared, any citizen not registered to a settlement would be immediately ejected from the borders. In the case of America United, it meant the settlement itself. In the Celestial Empire, the same rules applied. But in Fort Bone, where Atlas's empire spanned an entire continent, people were kicked out far beyond the walls in random directions. This included anyone who wasn’t part of Fort Bone or the Celestial Empire—adventurers, bandits, spies... even tourists and merchants were tossed out.

  War had begun. Whether those ejected would return was up to the two emperors—the two leaders. For now, though, everyone got a fresh start.

  ‘‘‘

  Atlas turned to the Emperor, “Well, now we have to commit to our military obligations.”

  The Celestial Emperor replied, “You know I can’t teleport my army directly into America United. Only you have a connected territory, even with the teleportation points.”

  Atlas grinned. “Ah, but if Jed keeps his town point active, we can teleport right in. Let’s check if he has.”

  They quickly scanned through the kiosk.

  “Damn,” Atlas muttered. “The war option negated that. Tourists can still teleport directly into America United, but any citizens affiliated with other empires? Blocked.”

  “Well, that complicates things,” he added, adjusting his plan.

  The Celestial Emperor raised an eyebrow. “Now what?”

  Atlas laid it out, “Well, we both committed 400-soldier armies for the first month. We’ll go first since we’re connected. We can literally teleport to our wall and then just walk right in.”

  The Emperor nodded. “Why don’t we teleport to your wall too? Doesn’t your teleportation point only block enemies?”

  “Yes. It’s perfect for allies,” Atlas smirked. “And this is an official war.”

  “Excellent. Then let us proceed.”

  With that, they coordinated their armies. The army from the Celestial Empire had to move in smaller teleportation friendly groups, but eventually, they coordinated and joined up with the Fort Bone Empire’s troops. Moments later, both armies entered through from the gates, surging into America United.

  “800 strong. We’ll rampage through America United now,” Atlas said, excitement building in his voice.

  CHAPTER 275 Month 3 : War Bonds

  POV : AMERICA UNITED

  Jed Lawson slammed his fist down on the table, causing the pile of reports to scatter. His jaw clenched as he stared at the alliance announcement between the Celestial Empire and Fort Bone, knowing it spelled trouble for him and America United.

  "So, they think they’re gonna gang up on me?" Jed muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing in cold fury. He had worked too hard, fought too many battles, to let two high-and-mighty empires take over his territory.

  "Alright, boys," Jed said, calling his lieutenants into the room. "We're not sitting by and watching these fools dance around like they already won."

  His lieutenants shuffled in, their hardened faces showing they were ready for whatever Jed had in mind. Lawson had built his reputation on ruthlessness, and they knew what that meant.

  "First thing," Jed continued, lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag, "I’m sending out spies and adventurers. We’re gonna mess with them, make ‘em question their alliance." His lips curled into a smirk. "I’ve got a plan."

  Jed's eyes glinted with malice as he leaned back in his chair. "We’re sending a group of adventurers dressed in fake bone armor into the Celestial Empire. Have them cause some chaos—attack everybody they can find."

  The room buzzed with excitement at the idea. They knew this kind of sabotage was right up Jed's alley. Make the alliance shaky before it even had time to strengthen.

  "They’ll think Fort Bone’s turnin' on ‘em," Jed continued, blowing out a cloud of smoke. "And when the Celestial Emperor gets pissed, we'll watch their little agreement start crackin'."

  One of the lieutenants, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, chuckled. "That'll stir the pot real nice."

  Jed nodded, pleased with his own brilliance. "Exactly. Then we’ll have ‘em at each other’s throats before they even think about marching against us."

  ‘‘‘

  POV : FORT BONE

  This war wouldn’t be a straight up battle. Atlas had experienced enough wars in his first lifetime to know that a fight like that risked the lives of his soldiers needlessly, it would be a multi pronged approach of steel, cash and emotion. He issued a war bond, something most people didn't fully understand. War didn’t just cost blood and sweat; it cost real money. If he could raise enough, America United would fall—not just from the strength of the Portal Crushers or the Celestial Empire’s armies, but through the cold, hard currency that funded war.

  With a sly grin, Atlas issued a 50-coin war bond through the vending machines across his territories. Any citizen who deposited 25 coins now would receive 50 coins when the war was over. It was a win-win for them—or at least it would be, if Fort Bone and its allies won the war. The risk? Losing meant they'd lose their hard-earned coins too. But that’s war—high stakes and big payoffs.

  This type of multipronged attack wasn’t necessarily fair, but all was wait in love and war.

  Olivia, always Atlas’s most charismatic ally, rallied her diplomatic crew to draft patriotic speeches. She stir the hearts of citizens, telling them they could support the war effort without having to lift a weapon. “Buy a bond today, secure victory for tomorrow!”

  Mohammed, always thinking on his feet, coordinated with merchants, creating a network of support. Together, they crafted a deal that was almost too good to pass up. Citizens could buy a war bond from them for just 20 coins, and the merchants would cover the remaining 5 coins. Why? Because the deal was sweet—those same citizens promised to pay back the merchants 10 coins for every bond they recovered after. This allowed people on the fence to hedge their bets. The merchants doubled their profits, and the citizens who didn’t have 25 coins or weren’t sure were striking a less risky deal. Mana coins were tough to get in the wasteland if you weren’t out fighting for your life daily, and this way, with the support of a secondary market every possible chance of earning was fully utilized.

  Atlas grinned as he reviewed the numbers. His goal was simple: gather enough resources to fund the construction of several siege weapons—massive, Level 3 siege weapons that could crush America United’s walls like they were made of paper. And they weren’t cheap.

  ‘Siege weapons alone won’t win this war‘, Atlas thought. ‘I need to make my soldiers invincible.‘

  The Portal Crushers were already the finest fighters in the wasteland, trained for ruthless combat. But even the best needed better equipment. It felt like just yesterday he had upgraded them all to level 2 armor, and now it was time to boost their gear to level 3. The idea of his forces marching with shining, enhanced armor, ready to tear through enemy lines, made his pulse quicken.

  Also, it was time for him to get gene boosters for all of the Portal Crusher leadership. Him and John were already enjoying the benefits of it, but Alexander, Isabella, Wang Bo, and the rest, were still ordinary unenhanced humans. Atlas quickly bought several bottles of gene booster and made sure to distribute them. They were pricey but they were worth it.

  Gene Boosteer (500 coins) Want to beat the crap out of normal humans? Time to Supe up your game! Gene Boosteer by Banner, will bring the gainz! Warning may cause unexpected rage at times.

  ‘‘‘

  The system announcement of the war had spread quickly. Every corner of the wasteland, from the quietest settlements to the busiest markets, buzzed with the news: war had begun. With America United officially in the crosshairs, the countdown to a wasteland spanning war had started.

  But Atlas wasn’t done yet.

  “We need a public event. Something big to showcase the alliance,” Atlas said, his voice steady but laced with excitement. “It'll unite our followers and show potential enemies we mean business.”

  The Celestial Emperor nodded in agreement, his gaze thoughtful. “A grand announcement will serve to strengthen our people’s resolve. Let them know what’s at stake.”

  Atlas grinned, imagining the scene—banners flying, troops marching, the citizens rallying behind their leaders. ‘This war isn’t just fought on the battlefield‘, he thought. ‘It’s fought in the hearts of our people too.‘

  He had one last thought. ‘War bonds... siege weapons... elite soldiers...‘ It was all falling into place, piece by piece.

  America United didn’t fully realize it yet, but Atlas was coming for them hard. And he wouldn’t stop until they were broken.

  ‘‘‘

  The scene was set. Banners fluttered in the breeze, and the citizens of Fort Bone gathered eagerly in the town square, their excitement bubbling over. The band Olivia had arranged stood on a hastily constructed stage, tuning instruments as the crowd buzzed with anticipation. The square was packed—merchants, workers, adventurers—all here for the big event.

  Atlas stood backstage with Olivia, his arms crossed as he surveyed the crowd. "This is going to be bigger than I thought," he muttered, impressed by the turnout.

  Olivia grinned, her energy infectious. “Told you, Atlas. You’re the hero of the hour after stopping the horde. They’re ready for this.”

  The band began to play a rousing tune, a blend of military drums and cheerful strings. As the music kicked off, Olivia stepped forward, her voice booming over the crowd.

  "Fort Bone! Are you ready to support your empire?"

  The crowd erupted in cheers, fists pumping in the air.

  A few citizens in the crowd started talking among themselves.

  "I heard we could get a 50-coin return for just 25 coins. That’s better than anything the merchants offer!" one man said, his voice full of enthusiasm.

  "Yeah, and all without having to pick up a sword ourselves!" another added, wiping sweat from his brow. "I love Fort Bone and all, but I'm not exactly eager to be in the front lines, you know?"

  "Same here! I'd rather support Atlas and let the Portal Crushers do the dirty work. We can contribute with these bonds, right? Let’s leave the fighting to the pros."

  Up on stage, Olivia continued, “And what’s better than supporting your people without spilling blood yourself? That’s right—war bonds! For just 25 coins, you get to invest in our future. And when we win, because we will win, you get 50 coins back in your pocket! Twice the value!”

  The citizens were hooked. The music swelled, and the lead singer of the band took over, launching into the new war bond anthem, a catchy, fast-paced tune that echoed through the square. The chorus rang out:

  ‘‘War Bonds for the Brave‘‘

  ‘(Verse 1)‘

  Gather ‘round, my friends, it’s time to stand,

  For our homeland’s future, we’ll make a plan.

  In this fight for freedom, together we’ll rise,

  With war bonds in our pockets, we’ll claim the prize.

  ‘(Chorus)‘

  War bonds for the brave, our strength will unite,

  With courage in our hearts, we’ll win this fight.

  For every coin you give, a promise we’ll make,

  Together we’ll forge a future, for our children’s sake.

  ‘(Verse 2)‘

  From the cities to the fields, our spirit will soar,

  With every bond we buy, we’re ready for war.

  Stand with Atlas, side by side,

  In this noble cause, we’ve got nothing to hide.

  ‘(Chorus)‘

  War bonds for the brave, our strength will unite,

  With courage in our hearts, we’ll win this fight.

  For every coin you give, a promise we’ll make,

  Together we’ll forge a future, for our children’s sake.

  ‘(Bridge)‘

  From the ashes we’ll rise, like a phoenix in the sky,

  With every sacrifice, we’re not afraid to fly.

  So rally all our people, let the banners wave high,

  In the name of the fallen, we’ll lift our heads high.

  ‘(Chorus)‘

  War bonds for the brave, our strength will unite,

  With courage in our hearts, we’ll win this fight.

  For every coin you give, a promise we’ll make,

  Together we’ll forge a future, for our children’s sake.

  ‘(Outro)‘

  So join the fight, lend your hand,

  Together we’ll conquer, together we’ll stand.

  With our war bonds shining bright, we’ll face the night,

  For the sake of our freedom, we’ll win this fight!

  ‘‘‘

  The crowd cheered louder as the chorus repeated, people clapping along with the beat. Even the skeptical ones couldn’t help but nod along to the rhythm. The song though wasn’t the end of the show though. What was coming up next was pivotal.

  ‘‘‘

  CHAPTER 276 Month 4 : We Could Be Heroes

  Atlas stepped forward, his voice steady but filled with urgency. “You may questioning why we’re waging war on America United. The answer to that, is another question. Nobody including me and the other Portal Crushers volunteered to be here in this wasteland fighting dungeon spawns. You were all sucked into portals and brought here against your will. You are all probably thinking how you’re going to get home to safety, to the people you love.”

  He paused, letting the weight of his words settle over the crowd. “I have an answer to that.”

  Murmurs rippled through the gathered people—citizens, allies, tourists alike. They all knew what was coming next, or so they thought.

  “You’ve all heard about the 100 tokens from the Red Fairy.”

  The crowd’s murmuring intensified. ‘Yes, yes, we have,‘ their thoughts echoed collectively, buzzing in anticipation.

  Atlas allowed the noise to simmer for a moment before continuing, his tone growing bolder. “What we’ve found out is that there’s also… another chance.”

  He could feel the tension, the rising expectation. He was about to drop a bombshell, and while part of him knew he wasn’t entirely sure about the validity of this information, well, promises were part of the game. Just like any politician.

  “There is another way.” His voice rang out stronger now. “I know you’re worried about those 100 tokens. You’re probably thinking, ‘Sure, even if we get the 100 tokens, there’s no way us regular citizens will get one to go home.’”

  He paused again, scanning the crowd. “That’s where you’re wrong.”

  The silence enveloped the square, every eye on him, waiting for the reveal.

  “This new information,” he leaned in slightly, “is that if one empire unites the entire wasteland, everyone can go home.”

  There was a collective gasp. He could feel the shock ripple through the people as the realization hit.

  “Yes, everyone. Not just 100 people,” he pressed on, the energy in his voice growing. “And that’s why we’re fighting America United. That’s why we’re selling these war bonds. So, when you’re buying a bond, you’re not buying it for war. You’re buying it for a promise.”

  Atlas’s voice swelled with conviction now. “A promise that we will succeed, we will conquer the wasteland, and we will take everyone home.”

  ‘‘‘

  A woman in the front turned to her friend, beaming. “I can’t fight, but I’m all in for this. I’ve got a family on Earth to think about, and those war bonds would help me get home!”

  Her friend nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly! We’ll be helping out without putting ourselves in harm's way!”

  Backstage, Atlas chuckled, watching the crowd’s reaction. ‘This is exactly what we needed,‘ he thought. He had the public’s attention, their money would follow soon enough.

  Olivia kept the energy high, encouraging more chants and cheers. “Together, Fort Bone, we’re building something greater than any one of us alone. We’re investing in our future. Are you with me?”

  “YES!” the crowd roared back, excitement thick in the air.

  Near the back, a young merchant adjusted his coat, already calculating how much he could invest. “This bond deal is a win-win. I’m definitely buying in. It’s the easiest profit I’ll ever make.”

  His partner, a seasoned vendor, nodded in agreement. “You and I both. It’s the safest way to support the war. I don’t need to be on the front lines if my coins can fight for me.”

  As the band continued to play, more people rushed to the war bond kiosks set up around the square. Lines formed quickly, everyone eager to get in on the action.

  “We’re doing it,” a young couple whispered excitedly to each other, clutching their coins. “We’ll have a nice cushion when this is all over.”

  At that moment, Atlas stepped out from behind the stage, lifting his hand to quiet the crowd. The music softened as the citizens turned their attention to him.

  “People of Fort Bone,” Atlas began, his voice strong, “you’ve shown your spirit today. You’ve shown that you’re ready to stand with us, with your empire, with your future. This isn’t just about war—this is about getting you HOME. And you’re all a part of that.”

  The crowd cheered again, energized by his words.

  “So, let’s make this victory ours. Let’s prove that we’re not just warriors—we’re people of Earth. We are the future!”

  The citizens erupted in applause, their excitement at fever pitch. They weren’t fighters, but they were ready to contribute in their own way. Fort Bone had found its voice—and its war bond anthem—to fuel the war effort.

  ‘‘‘

  Atlas leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table, "Our armies are out there, but we’re still blind to too much. We need eyes on the ground, reliable information. What if we set up a dedicated information-gathering unit?"

  The Celestial Emperor nodded, his fingers steepled in thought. "A unit of trained scouts, spies even. We could send flares to communicate across distances and hold daily meetings between our officers for updates."

  "Exactly," Atlas agreed, leaning forward. "We both know how important information is. With a network in place, we can track enemy movements, find weak points in America United's defenses, and get a read on the wasteland’s shifting alliances. Our armies can march stronger and smarter."

  The Celestial Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he thought about it. "What about a new group of Pathfinders? We could have them embedded in key locations, watching enemy movements, and sending reports back to us regularly."

  Atlas grinned. "Pathfinder spies, I like it. They’d need to be fast, discreet, and above all, trustworthy. Each of our empires would provide its own batch of operatives. We’ll share the intel with each other in real time."

  "Agreed," the Emperor said. "They’ll need to be trained in different terrains—the wasteland is unpredictable. Some will have to be masters of disguise, others experts at survival."

  "Yeah," Atlas added, "we should pick the best from our existing forces. I’m thinking some of our elite scouts could take on the role. We’d arm them lightly to keep them mobile and give them flare guns for signaling back to us."

  The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Flares could give away their position, but if used strategically, they could be a quick lifeline. We’ll need code systems so we know what each signal means—enemy spotted, clear passage, reinforcements needed."

  Atlas nodded, jotting down notes. "We can introduce different colored flares. Red for danger, green for clear, blue for intel. They’ll light up the sky, letting us know what’s going on even from a distance. Then at the end of each day, the officers will meet and exchange the full reports."

  The Celestial Emperor leaned back, a faint smile on his lips. "This collaboration is working well, Atlas. Our spies will strengthen our efforts tenfold. We'll know what America United is planning before they even realize we’re watching."

  Atlas chuckled, "Exactly. With daily intel and the Pathfinders in place, our forces won’t be stumbling through the wasteland. We'll turn this war into a chess game, and every move we make will checkmate them."

  "Now to get this unit up and running," the Emperor added, his voice firm. "We’ll call for volunteers among the elite. Once we find the right ones, we’ll put them through a quick but rigorous training, make sure they’re ready for the wasteland’s worst."

  "Agreed," Atlas said. "I'll start with the Portal Crushers. We’ve got some who live for stealth missions."

  "And I’ll choose from my Shadow Riders," the Celestial Emperor replied, his tone proud. "They’ve been operating under the radar for months. With them working together, the wasteland won’t know what hit it."

  With that, they shook hands, sealing the agreement. The foundation for their alliance had just grown stronger, not by force but with intelligence.

  ***

  In the Army of Fort Bone, two veterans stood talking, both hardened from battling the soldiers of America United.

  “What do you think about this?” one asked, glancing at his friend.

  “Being a Pathfinder?” his friend replied, eyebrows raised. “That sounds a lot harder than just being in the regular Army.”

  “Yeah, but think about the glory,” the first guy shot back, his eyes lighting up.

  “Glory?” His friend snorted. “You can’t eat glory.”

  “Maybe not,” he grinned, “but we get extra pay as Pathfinders. That pay can go a long way toward living a great life in the Empire.”

  His friend looked skeptical. “Do you really think we can take over all of the Wasteland and become heroes back on Earth?”

  “I think we can,” he said, standing a little straighter. “Look at our Army. There’s nothing like it in the Wasteland. And we both know how critical elite scout units could be.”

  His friend nodded slowly, considering. “Yeah. Do you think we can make it?”

  “I think we’ve got a shot. We’ve got the experience, and it’s not like we’re afraid of trouble.”

  “That’s true,” his friend agreed, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

  They exchanged a determined look, the decision made. They were going to try out for the Pathfinders. Whether they made it or not, well, that would come down to their skills. But this was their shot at glory, fame, and the chance to be heroes.

  ‘‘‘

  CHAPTER 277 Month 5 : People & Promises

  POV : CELESTIAL EMPIRE

  The Celestial Emperor smiled, happy about his alliance with Fort Bone. The two empires had one goal: to collect those hundred tokens and to become rulers of the Wasteland. The last month had been a series of small skirmishes across the wasteland. Both armies, with their Pathfinder and Shadow Riders giving out timely information, caused the armies of Fort Bone and the Celestial Empire to win engagements across America United territories. Skeletons and mobs also fell quickly to the army. Dungeon spawn were tough, but not tough enough to do significant damage to large armies.

  Things were going well. Until they weren’t.

  Reports of the random attacks came flooding into the Celestial Emperor’s chambers. His people were outraged—citizens and soldiers alike being assaulted by a group wearing bone armor, the trademark of Fort Bone.

  The Celestial Emperor’s face was a mask of barely contained rage as he read the reports. "Fort Bone!" he growled, slamming the parchment down. "How dare they betray us so quickly?"

  Immediately, he dispatched diplomats to Fort Bone, demanding an explanation for this blatant act of treachery.

  ---

  POV : FORT BONE

  Atlas sat in the war room, reviewing military strategies when the Celestial Emperor’s diplomats burst in, accompanied by several belaboured Fort Bone diplomats. Their faces were pale with anger, their eyes blazing with accusations.

  “Fort Bone has sent adventurers to attack our people! What is the meaning of this treachery?” one of them shouted.

  Atlas raised an eyebrow, remaining calm despite the intensity in the room. “We’ve never sent anyone to attack your area,” he said, his voice steady but firm. “And you know as well as I do, we sell that bone armor to almost anyone. Sure, it’s not our most up-to-date version, but it’s available to the public.”

  The diplomats glared at him, unconvinced. "Your citizens are wearing it as they assault our people!"

  Atlas folded his arms across his chest. "Does it really make sense for us to attack our own allies? We’ve just signed an alliance. Why would we undermine it?"

  The diplomats paused, thinking about his points. Nobody here was stupid. The anger had blinded them for a second, but they could see the logic.

  Atlas continued, “The only way that we could be doing that would be if we had hired unaffiliated adventurers to attack you, and there really is no benefit for us to do this.”

  The diplomats hesitated, glancing at one another, realizing that Atlas had a point.

  The Celestial Emperor, who had accompanied his diplomats, stepped forward, his expression thoughtful. “You’re right, Atlas. There’s only one other explanation for this.”

  Atlas met his gaze, both of them understanding the truth in an instant. At the same time, they spoke: “America United.”

  Atlas sighed, a hint of frustration crossing his face. “I see you figured it out too. That guy’s looking to stir up trouble between the two of us. But look,” he said, pulling out the system contract, “it’s clearly stated here that neither one of us can attack each other. Not on the field, not through the military, not economically. Our prices are aligned, our people are united, and this alliance is strong.”

  The Celestial Emperor studied the contract, nodding. “You’re right. And the penalties for breaking it... they’re not something we want to risk.”

  Atlas chuckled, though there was little humor in it. “Those clauses we wrote in—pretty nasty stuff, huh?”

  The Emperor smiled grimly. “Very. Lawson underestimated us if he thought we’d fall for this trick so easily.”

  Atlas stood up, rolling his shoulders. “So, what’s next? We let Lawson keep pulling stunts like this, or do we show him how strong our alliance really is?”

  The Celestial Emperor straightened, determination hardening his gaze. “We strike back, but first, we fortify. We need to make sure our borders are secure from any further meddling.”

  Atlas grinned, his warrior spirit coming alive. “Then let’s do it. Lawson's trying to play us, but he's about to find out we’re not so easily fooled.”

  ---

  POV : AMERICA UNITED

  Jed Lawson leaned back in his worn, leather chair, the flickering light casting shadows across the room. A smirk spread across his face as he received the report—his adventurers had done their job well. The Celestial Empire was teetering on the edge. The attacks had been swift, brutal, just the way he liked it. Now, all he had to do was sit back and watch the alliance crumble like a house of cards.

  “They’ll never see it coming,” he muttered under his breath, tipping his dusty hat back. He had no idea that the alliance was formed with an ironclad system contract. There was no way he would ever sign something like this, and he imagined that two men like the Celestial Emperor and Atlas were like him. But he underestimated their desire to go back to Earth. America United was a great life for him, why would he ever want to go back to being a cog in the machine on Earth?

  His gaze settled on the map of the Wasteland sprawled across his desk, filled with markers of territories and battles. Two empires, side by side, thinking they were untouchable. “Invincible? They’re just about to learn the hard way.”

  He imagined it—Atlas, scrambling to hold his precious Fort Bone together, the Celestial Emperor too busy with his grand empire to see the cracks forming beneath his feet. ‘They think they’re strong’. Jed scoffed. ‘But strength makes you blind.’

  He propped his boots up on the desk, feeling the weight of his own power settle over him. He was the one pulling the strings now. The alliance would fall, and when it did, America United would rise, stronger, meaner. Jed Lawson would be the name they cursed for generations.

  But as he relaxed into his chair, feeling like the puppet master in control of it all, there was one thing he didn’t know. His enemies weren’t as fractured as he thought. Atlas and the Celestial Emperor, driven by the shared threat of America United, had forged something stronger than just an alliance. They were already closing in on him, quietly, methodically.

  Jed might have felt like the predator, but soon, he’d realize he was the prey. And by the time he did, it would be too late.

  ‘‘‘

  POV : FORT BONE EMPIRE

  Atlas was surprised when Portilla met up with him.

  "What’s up, Portilla?"

  "We want more trolls," Portilla replied.

  Atlas tilted his head, "To fight?"

  "No," Portilla shook her head, "We're lonely. We're only trolls."

  Crushir added quietly, "Sad."

  Atlas thought for a moment, then smiled. "Why don't we all go to the dungeon where the trolls spawn? Now that it's under the control of the dungeon heart, we should be able to get a good idea of what's going on there."

  Excited, Portilla and Crushir agreed, and they all trekked toward the dungeon. The journey took several hours, but they made the most of it, laughing and smashing random trolls, slimes, and even a couple of mutated rhinoceroses along the way. By the time they reached the dungeon, they were in high spirits.

  Atlas stepped inside the entrance, peering into the dimly lit tunnels. The dungeon was now under the control of the dungeon heart, a silent, powerful entity. He called out, his voice echoing in the cavern, "Hey dungeon, it's me, Atlas!"

  Of course, the dungeon didn't reply. It couldn’t speak, after all. Atlas shrugged, "Guess we'll wait for the fairy."

  About thirty minutes later, a soft light filled the air as the dungeon fairy fluttered in. Her tiny wings shimmered with a soft, warm glow, and her face lit up with a bright smile.

  "Whee!" she chirped, twirling in the air as she approached them. "Nice to see you, Atlas!"

  Atlas smiled back, relieved by her cheerful demeanor. "It's good to see you too. My trolls are feeling a little lonely, though. Do you think you could help them?"

  The fairy’s face softened as she looked at Portilla and Crushir. "Oh, of course! It must be hard being the only trolls around."

  Portilla nodded, a bit shy, "We want friends."

  The fairy tapped her chin thoughtfully, her wings flitting gently. "Well, I can't just summon trolls on the spot, but I can definitely help encourage more to spawn. The dungeon heart is very cooperative these days."

  Crushir brightened. "Really?"

  "Yes, really!" the fairy beamed, her kindness evident in her voice. "I’ll make sure to put in a good word with the dungeon heart. It may take a little while, but soon enough, you’ll have more trolls around."

  Portilla smiled gratefully. "Thank you! You nice."

  The fairy giggled. "Oh, it’s no trouble at all! I love helping out. I’ll go talk to the dungeon heart right now. Just give it a bit of time."

  With a cheerful wave, the dungeon fairy zipped away, leaving behind a trail of sparkling light. Atlas turned to the trolls.

  "Well, looks like you're going to get your company soon."

  Portilla and Crushir exchanged happy glances. "Thanks, dad," Portilla said quietly.

  Atlas grinned. "Anything for my trolls."

  ‘‘‘

  After a week, the dungeon had done its job well. Trolls of all sizes and ages now roamed the cavern—some tiny baby trolls clumsily toddling around, while larger adult trolls lumbered about, surveying their new home. There was a mix of male and female trolls, all seemingly content with their new surroundings.

  Since the dungeon fairy had been so kind and cooperative, things had gone smoothly. As Atlas’s kids, Portilla and Crushir were granted leadership over the new trolls without having to lift a finger in combat. They were now the Alpha’s, with the respect of their fellow trolls coming naturally after witnessing them fight off all challengers. Trolls in the wild were tough, but in the history of the Wasteland, no trolls had ever been systematically trained, nor fought in as many brutal wars as Portilla and Crushir.

  Portilla, standing tall and proud, looked around the bustling dungeon with a smile. "We did it," she said softly, the sense of belonging clear in her voice.

  Crushir nodded, his chest puffed up a bit. "Yeah. No more fight. We boss now."

  Atlas grinned, watching his friends settle into their new roles. "Told you it would work out."

  The dungeon thrummed with life, the soft glow of its heart pulsing rhythmically as the trolls began to form their own little community. And at the center of it all, Portilla and Crushir stood as the rightful leaders, finally no longer lonely.

  ‘‘‘

  CHAPTER 278 Month 6 : People & Promises

  POV: FORT BONE

  It had been a good few months. Atlas was happily looking through reports that his army had provided for him. He had been spending far too much time looking at reports, though, and not enough time in the field. Still, the army was doing well.

  ‘I’m surprised that the Red Fairy hasn’t appeared. It’s been months since we last saw her. I am glad, though, that she hasn’t. I can just imagine the havoc she would wreck if she appeared and helped America United for some reason.‘

  Counting his lucky stars, Atlas continued skimming reports. Life was going in the right direction.

  John walked into the room and said, “Atlas, we’ve got a problem.”

  “What’s that?” Atlas asked, looking up from the maps he was studying.

  “You know those small towns we’ve been building in our territory?”

  “Yes,” Atlas said, nodding. “Those towns have been great. They’ve solved overcrowding and still provided security for our citizens.”

  “Yeah, we’ve definitely come a long way from when we were auctioning three houses at a time,” said John.

  Atlas laughed. “It’s true. You’ve done a great job of managing the territory of Fort Bone. Without you, we would have been stuck with shanty towns or slums,”

  John said. “It was one of the first things I thought about, and I’m glad everything’s worked out. But now we’ve got problems.”

  “Oh what?” Atlas didn’t want to hear about problems.

  “One of them was ransacked yesterday.”

  “What?” Atlas’s voice hardened. “How?”

  “We’ve got an eye on potential armies from America United, but this was different. They were dressed as adventurers, and they ripped through the town. Burned everything.”

  Atlas felt a pang of sorrow, but it wasn’t personal. It wasn’t like when he lost Kingsley and Evelynh. Back then, the pain had been unbearable. Now, it was different—more calculated, like a wound that didn’t hit deep enough. It was the loss of strategy, of territory. ‘Is this what they mean when they say one person’s fall is a tragedy, but a large group’s just a number?‘ The thought made his stomach turn. ‘I can’t think that way. Not again.‘

  In his last life, Atlas, as the war leader who had rampaged across the wasteland, had indeed started thinking of people as numbers, armies as units to be expended for the least possible damage. He had stopped really thinking of them as people—people that bled, people that died—and he didn’t want to start thinking about them again. His friendship with the Portal Crushers had opened up that icy wall in his heart that he had surrounded with a wall to prevent betrayals, and he didn’t want to give that up.

  “We’ve got to go to that town,” Atlas said, standing abruptly.

  John shook his head. “There’s not much left.”

  “I don’t care,” Atlas insisted. “We have to go. It’s not just for the town, John. It’s for me.”

  With a flash, Atlas and his troops teleported to the burned-out ruins. The stench of smoke still hung in the air. Refugees were scattered, some digging through the ashes for anything salvageable, others desperately trying to find missing loved ones. The wasteland was brutal enough with monsters—being attacked by other humans was an unexpected cruelty.

  Atlas surveyed the destruction, his heart heavy. He took a deep breath and called out, “People, I failed you as your leader. Fort Bone, the Empire, has failed you.”

  Survivors began to gather, their expressions a mix of exhaustion, shock, and disbelief. They hadn’t expected the leader of the entire empire to stand before them and admit fault, not after seeing the brutality of humanity unchecked. These people were hating life. They hadn’t asked for this.

  Atlas continued, his voice steady but filled with conviction. “But I promise you vengeance. I promise you justice. And I promise that we will take care of every person left. If you are a citizen of Fort Bone and have been burned out, we will give you homes in the heart of Fort Bone itself—not in the outlying areas, but in the main cities where you’ll be safe.”

  The crowd stirred, hope flickering in their eyes as Atlas’s words reached them.

  “And if you want to join our army,” Atlas added, his voice rising, “if you want a chance for justice for yourselves and your lost loved ones, we will welcome you with open arms. I promise you, this debt will not be forgotten.”

  While it had only been six months, people had found love in the wasteland. It was a crazy thing to think about. These were normal people of Earth, but yet here, in the wasteland, instead of dating apps or blind dates, they had found love amongst the danger and struggles of fighting through dungeon spawns and death.

  His words had the desired effect, stirring the hearts of the people who had lost everything. But more than that, it stirred something deep within Atlas himself. His goal was clear now—to remind himself of his goals.

  Atlas clenched his fists, looking at the destruction vowing silently, ‘Never again.’

  The crowd stood silent for a moment after Atlas’s speech, absorbing his words. Then, a woman, her face smudged with ash and tears, stepped forward. She said, her voice trembling as she said, “I… I lost everything. My home, my husband. But if you’re true to your word, if you’ll keep us safe… then I’ll stand with you.”

  A murmur rippled through the crowd, others nodding, some wiping tears from their faces. A man with a burned arm raised his voice next, “I don’t want to fight, but if it means making sure this never happens again, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  “Yeah!” shouted another from the back. “We didn’t ask for this war, but we’ll finish it if we have to!”

  More voices joined in, anger and determination swelling with every word.

  “We want justice!” a young man yelled, his fists clenched at his sides.

  “We’ll fight back!” another voice rang out, and the crowd began to echo the sentiment, their fear turning into something stronger—resolve.

  Atlas nodded, his chest tightening as he felt the weight of their trust and hopes. This wasn’t just about strategy anymore; it was about his people, and their belief in him.

  “Then let’s rebuild,” Atlas said, his voice clear. “Together.”

  The crowd erupted into cheers, and for the first time since the attack, the despair in their eyes seemed to fade. Atlas took a deep breath. ‘This is what it means to be a leader,’ he thought. To carry not just the burden of victory, but the burden of their hearts.

  ‘‘‘

  POV : CELESTIAL WAGER

  Inside the Celestial Wager, the grand casino’s energy crackled with excitement as aliens from across the galaxy gathered to witness the events unfolding in Fort Bone. Massive holographic screens floated above the casino floor, broadcasting the chaos and drama of the wasteland. The usual ambiance of bets and games took a backseat as attention turned to the ongoing war.

  At one of the high-stakes tables, Zeltrax, with his translucent skin glimmering under the neon lights, leaned back, sipping a strange, effervescent drink. “Look at him,” Zeltrax smirked, watching Atlas rally the broken townsfolk. “That human is always full of surprises. Stirring up emotion like that. It’s going to be good for the odds.”

  Gorvax, looming over the table with his stone-like body, grumbled in response. “They’re nothing but pawns. Watch as they crumble when America United pushes back. These sentimental humans always think they can win with mere speeches.”

  Lurox, wings fluttering with excitement, hopped from one holographic screen to another. “Oh, but look at them! They’re rallying! There’s fire in their eyes—potential for a real show! I might have to increase my bet!” Their iridescent skin shimmered as they watched the gathering energy of the Fort Bone citizens.

  From the corner, Kroxar, his tentacles coiled lazily, sneered. “Jed Lawson stirred the pot just like I thought he would. Pitting those two empires against each other—it’s all about to boil over. He’s got America United playing dirty, and these fools don’t even see the trap closing in. But I like it. Unexpected attacks make for the best wagers.”

  Virelia, floating gracefully between the tables serving drinks, shot Kroxar a disapproving glance. “You always favor the dirty deeds. But let’s not forget, Atlas and the Celestial Emperor are a force together. It might not be as clear-cut as you think.”

  Blontik, greasy lips smacking as he watched chuckled, “I don’t care who wins. As long as the odds are stacked in the house’s favor. That’s how you make real money—when everyone’s too caught up in their emotions to see the bigger picture.”

  The casino erupted in more excited chatter as the screens showed the scene in Fort Bone growing more intense, with citizens pledging their loyalty to Atlas. The Celestial Wager thrived on such tension. As the alliances strengthened and the stakes rose, so too did the excitement in the casino.

  “More bets!” a voice echoed from another table. “War bonds, speeches, armies moving—this is getting good!”

  Zeltrax grinned, “Let’s see how this plays out. Either way, there’s going to be blood, and I’m all in for it.”