Raegar was basking in the Aether flowing into his body, he shook his head as the Fusion Warriors gathered up the dead bodies, dragging them toward him. Just then, Shadow appeared beside him. ''Thank you for letting me fight, my lord,'' he said.

''No problem,'' he replied, glancing at the corspe mountain that forming in front of him. ''It's what you're here for, I'd be stupid not to use you in battles.''

When the Black Knight heard this, he nodded his head. ''I understand.''

Following that, Raegar stepped toward the Ogre King's body that was slumped over others of it's kind. He poured his Aether into it, causing it to explode as the monster was brought back as a Fusion creature, becoming even stronger. It's muscles bulged and it's once dark eyes were now red.

The king stood up before kneeling as a gravely voice echoed out. ''My king. We are yours to command.''

Moments later, the rest of the Ogre's rose behind it, giving him a small army of a thousand monsters. When Raegar saw this, his red eyes glowed with excitement before sending them back to this secret realm they all were stored in. Once they vanished, Arthur commented. ''There's a Wyvern nest nearby, more of those beasts will boost your forces, my lord.''

Raegar, accompanied by the Fusion Knights Arthur and Shadow, navigated the rugged mountain pass, their steps echoing against the stone. The air grew heavy with the rancid odor of sulfur and rot as they neared the Wyvern nest, a towering mass of bleached bones and tangled vines clinging to the cliffside.

Winged shadows danced across the sky, punctuated by piercing shrieks deep inside the nest. His crimson eyes glinted with focus as he gripped his daggers. ''How many are we facing?'' he questioned.

Shadow studied the nest. ''A dozen adults, at minimum, my lord. Possibly more if the fledglings in the darkness.''

Arthur, his attention locked on the nest's entrance where a massive Wyvern's form loomed, added. ''They're fiercely territorial. A ambush will let uskill them all before they can flee.''

His grin was sharp and hungry. ''Then we strike now. Call the Ogres. These Wyverns will bow to me.''

Following that, the two Fusion Knights circled the nest while he waited and was crouched above the entrance as an army of glowing red warriors appered all around him as the first Wyvern left the cave entrance. Raegar launched his attack and cast several Stormfire Bullets at it's head.

Explosions erupted all across the monsters body, damaging it's scales as he jumped off the ledge and dropped toward it. His daggers pierces through the Wyverns skull as they were lit up by bright blue flames. Just then, the army of Fusion Soldiers poured into the nest and started slaughtering the beasts.

He yanked his blazing daggers from the Wyverns shattered skull, its corpse crumpling amid a spray of blood and splintered scales. Chaos engulfed the nest as the Fusion Soldiers, under Arthur and Shadow's command, charged. The creatures, blindsided by the ambush, shrieked in disarray, their wings thrashing uselessly within the cramped confines.

The Blue Knight's greatsword flashed, severing a monsters head with a single swing, its body slumping into the darkness. Shadow wove between two beasts, her twin blades carving through flesh and bone. The stench of blood mingled with the crackle of his flames as he hacked through the battle.

Following this, the creature's resistance broke; their claws destroyed the soldier's only for the them to reappeared seconds later. Ten minutes later, the last Wyvern was killed by a Lightnfire Blast, causing it to drop dead. Raegar was catching his breath as the bodies were collected.

Once a pile of mangled Wyverns appeared in front of him, he pointed his hand at it and sent Aether into the monsters. The magic seeped into their veins and began transforming them into Fusion Wyvern, another addition to his growing army but once the last beast finished he felt drained.

Raegar turned to Arthur and questioned the Blue Knight. ''Why do I feel like somethings pulling me down?''

''That's you reaching the limit,'' the knight revealed.

''Makes sense,'' he sighed in frustration but summoned the orignal Wyvern and climbed on it's back. ''Now I can rest and head back to the palace without using anymore Aether.''

The Fusion Knights erupted in laughter as the remaining soldiers and creatures vanished into a shimmering void. The Wyvern launched skyward, its claws scraping the cliff's edge. Clinging to its scaled back were Arthur, his grip iron-tight on the beast's spines as Shadow returned back to the Fusion Realm.

As the monster flew toward the palace, Arthur had to returned thanks to losing his footing, leaving him alone. Below, the landscape unfolded, a thick blanket of snow smothered the mountains, draping peaks and gorges in a unbroken white blanket. Only the scattered farming villages beat back the frost.

Thin tendrils of smoke rose from stone chimneys, and the faint outlines of livestock pens and thatched roofs marked the resilient hamlets, thriving against the wilderness. Raegar's sharp eyes traced the horizon, where he spotted the palace spires in the far distance, putting a smile on his face.

While sitting there, he felt the Aether pouring into his body, recharging him but not beating back the exhaustion creeping on him. He shook his head as the Wyvern dived down and landed in the palace gardens and he jumped off it's back, sending out a pulse of energy only to realize the women were still gone.

Following that, Raegar stepped into the palace only to bump into Tracy who gave him a bright smile. ''Rae! Just the man I was looking for!'' she exclaimed.

''Huh?''

''The empress said you need a haircut and to try on your suit for tomorrow,'' the older woman revealed.

Raegar sighed at this but let her drag him deep into the quiet palace. After five minutes, the duo arrived at a backroom that Tracy said was reserved for him to prepare for the ball. He went along with her and ended up in a chair as she shortened his growing white hair, he watched strands fall to the ground.

''I forget to get it cut,'' he explained. ''It slips my mind whenever something else comes up.''

The older woman laughed at this, prompting her to speak. ''That's why I am here, my dear. To cut it for you and make sure you don't mess up.''

Tracy leaned in and teased. ''Don't want to look like an idiot in front of those stuffy nobles do you?''

Raegar chuckled at her words but nodded in agreement. ''You're right,'' he admitted.

The two laughed before Tracy got back to cutting his hair, making him look even better. She styled it. Once the older woman finished, she stepped back and pointed to a nearby table. ''Choose a suit, there's a few to choose from.''

''Thank you,'' he responded, standing up.

Raegar channeled his Aether to remove the stray hairs from his body, banishing the irritation they caused. As the woman left the room to finish the days duties, he approached the table, eyeing the array of cloths. Most were dismissed, but a sleek black piece caught his attention, its color a perfect match for his hair.

Slipping it on, he found it fit flawlessly, highlighting his toned arms and hugging his torso like it was made for him. Satisfied with his choice, he strode out of the chamber after taking it off and storing it away. The corridors of the keep were quiet, save for the occasional flicker of torchlight casting shadows on the walls.

Reaching his room, Raegar pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside. The familiar scent of polished oak and leather greeted him. He crossed to a table where a bottle of sake sat. Pouring a generous helping into a cup, he settled onto a bench by the window, the cool glass cradled in his hand.

Outside, the sky bled shades of indigo and pink. He took a slow sip, the sake's warmth spreading through him as he leaned back, letting the day's tension unravel by continuing to drink. His head began to spin, prompting him to put the bottle down as he pulled out some campfire bread.

Raegar sat at the worn wooden table, a hollow ache gnawing at his stomach. To stop it, ate more bread and drizzled honey over it, the amber liquid pooling in the bread, and tore into it, the sweetness bursting on his tongue. As he enjoyed the bread, he pulled out some monster meat from his pack, its surface dusted with southern spices.

He bit into the seasoned meat, the bold flavors melding with the bread's sweetness. Raegar ate, each bite filling the void until his stomach swelled. A wave of exhaustion washed over him, and he leaned back, sated, his eyelids growing heavy but shook his head to wake himself up.

'Damn Fusion Army making me tired,' he thought, stretching his arms causing several pops to echo out.