As soon as Matar returned to Ossibus, he immediately called a meeting and gathered the leaders. He appointed new servants and introduced them to his subjects.

"From this day on, I am reopening the formation of our armed forces, to be led by new commanders."

After the announcement, he had Fhajo arrested after someone reported that he was forming a secret rebellion organization against Matar's rule. Fhajo was then captured and imprisoned in a guarded cell where no one could see him.

"We will attack Thallerion!"

"Prepare the troops!" Lanero said to Adamoth.

"Didn't you say our soldiers shouldn't prepare for war, yet you've surprisingly changed your mind?" Thuwerus asked.

"Yes, I did say that. But we now have the strength to fight them."

"And what is that?"

"My four new warriors, they are the ones who will give us victory. The new leaders!"

"They're too tall, not even Adamoth, who is the biggest person here in Ossibus, can match them."

"Stop it, Thuwerus!" Adamoth snapped.

"What is your plan, really?" said an elder there. "As king, you should also share your plans, especially for an upcoming war!"

"I don't have time to chat about that."

Adamoth quickly gathered the soldiers, and in front of Matar, he divided them into four groups.

"All of you, submit to your new leaders!" Matar said.

"What does this mean?" Adamoth was shocked. He thought he might be removed from his post as commander of the troops.

"The first group will go to Moonatoria to launch an attack. You will make a strong statement to disrupt the Moonatorian troops. And you three groups, go to the countries of Peronica, Thartherus, and Latherus—weak nations!"

"Cause chaos there!"

"Is that what they'll really do, my King?" Adamoth said. "It seems you're just joking around right now!" he asked, confused.

"Do you want a bloody game?" Matar said with a smile. "Alright, slaughter the innocent children and men!"

"My King, isn't this too dangerous if they find out we are the ones secretly attacking them?

"Doesn't the King think, is that what you're saying?" Lanero also asked. "The King has a plan."

"You will come with us, Adamoth, we will face Thallerion for a heated discussion."

"But we no longer have troops because they have been divided into four."

"You're really too cautious. Are you only brave when you have many companions? And if you're alone, you'll run and hide?"

The others there laughed at him. "Starting today, the four groups will travel to their respective destinations. While we here will prepare for our confrontation with the king of Thallerion. Their king should not know our plan."

"That Xerxez?" Adamoth was surprised.

"Just think that the ravens are watching!"

"Blood is what they deserve!" Adamoth said.

"From the very beginning of Ossibus's plans, I already know the outcome. We will conquer nations and the country of Ossibus will be recognized as the most famous." He took a cape and raised it, a sign of ambition.

Matar gathered all the teams from each group for a final clarification. "You will disguise yourselves as Moonatorian soldiers to attack the countries allied with Thallerion. And the group going to Moonatoria will dress like Thallerians. We can expect that we won't be able to enter, but if you cause trouble outside the White Wall and at the entrance, the outcome will be interesting."

"We have already sent spies to the small towns of Moonatoria to track the soldiers coming in and out of the palace. That way, we will know when the palace security is lax." Laniro said.

"I have also sent the letter for your meeting with Xerxez tomorrow," a woman said. "And I heard that Xerxez's son left for Peronica." She happened to overhear the locals' conversation.

"In that case, make sure to kill Xerxez's son to further intensify his hatred for Moonatoria." Matar said.

After their meeting, they traveled on black horses. They were expected to arrive at Wendlock by night and step into Thallerion tomorrow. With him were Adamoth, Laniro, Gallexe, his personal guard, and four brave soldiers trained since childhood to be excellent warriors for meetings of rivals. They were chosen to protect the King from sudden attacks. Gallexe can be said to be just a shield and assistant to the king.

Likewise, Xerxez's forces also made preparations, knowing they were coming with danger or a threat to their country. Even though the letter stated it was a private meeting, Xerxez still brought a group of men to be eyes for any hidden danger. Harios and Driother did not join as they were busy at the moment, so Xerxez's only companion was Vhalthimoos and his followers.

"We are not facing an ordinary person. Have you heard that this Matar has done something monstrously magical?" Xerxez said.

"They probably made that up so the neighboring countries would be afraid of him, but we are not children to believe it!" Vhalthimoos laughed. "He must be the crazy one!"

"Matar is arriving today, we will meet him in between Wendlock and Thallerion," Xerxez said.

"I think that person will just boast," Phallion said. The wound on his hand had not healed and was darkening like a monster's skin. He just covered it with a black cloth.

"I know Laniro, he is an intelligent man and good with words," Catana said. "He used to fight in wars, but because he showed his skills, he was made the king's right hand."

"Intelligence really does a lot," Vethor replied.

"In the world of war, bravery and intelligence must go hand in hand," Xerxez said. "You can't just be intelligent and you definitely can't just be brave."

"We had the location written in the letter watched all night," Vhalthimoos said. "Is there any signal yet from the watchers?"

"It's almost dawn, maybe by now Matar's group is close. So I'm sure the guards will make a sound at this moment." Xerxez was not wrong; a few minutes later, they heard a trumpet, so they immediately moved towards their meeting place. "Here they come!"

"Be prepared!" Matheros commanded.

"I know those four soldiers," Vhalthimoos said. "They are the men born to be personal warriors of the king of Ossibus. They endure intense training and fatigue—they no longer feel pain! So don't just think about attacking them, because you don't know how they move."

"Double your defense," Matheros told the group.

Xerxez and Matar finally faced each other, with gazes full of an unknown quality, eyes scrutinizing and reading every expression on their faces and body movements.

"Matar, you haven't changed at all, you're still that young man who used to look so kind, but I know you're just deceiving us," Xerxez greeted.

"It seems the other kings and Queen Pyramia aren't here. Do they underestimate me too much to not pay attention?"

"You're lucky we even gave you a chance. If it were up to me, I wouldn't meet someone like you!" Vhalthimoos retorted.

"Do you think I also came here to make peace?" Matar looked serious.

"I became very interested in your first letter. Could you explain that?"

"That?" He gave a sly smirk. "You know, some things don't need an explanation."

"What do you really want to happen right now?" Vhalthimoos said, losing patience. "You're wasting our time. Why don't we just show the explanation in a war so we can clearly see the answer."

"You are too impatient. Is the sun flying today—is that why you're in a hurry?"

Matar raised his hand and gestured. Laniro understood Matar's signal even without him looking at them.

"Please explain our purpose to the King of Vhorlandrus," Matar commanded calmly.

"No problem, my King," Laniro replied. He first looked at Catana, who seemed familiar to him. "Honorable kings of Thallerion and Vhorlandrus... We have come here for an important change to the agreed-upon day of war."

"What?!!" Vhalthimoos exclaimed.

"Are you crazy?" Xerxez said. "After you set a date, you're going to change the agreed-upon day?"

"Are you afraid of us, or did you realize that the month you allocated for preparation for the war is not enough?" Vhalthimoos said, laughing. "What do you want, for your training days to be extended?" Vhalthimoos laughed again.

"You really do underestimate my country. Do you think I don't have a reason for allocating additional days for our war?"

"It seems you have something in mind," Xerxez said. "Are you planning something besides this war?"

"All I'm doing is giving you time to think carefully."

"Are you insulting us now?" Vhalthimoos said.

"Let's just say it's a day of rest."

"Isn't one month enough for this madness you've set aside? Couldn't we just speed up this war so we can see who is truly skilled?" Vhalthimoos complained.

"I heard that Moonatoria is planning a big war."

"Did you just come here to report that?" Xerxez said. "Are you saying that you might be one of the countries Moonatoria could attack, so you've decided to change the agreed-upon day of the war?"

"Exactly, you got it. You probably know how cunning Moonatoria is, they don't pick and choose who to conquer!"

"From your tone, it seems you're not referring to us..." Vhalthimoos said and laughed. "Are you afraid that you might be one of those Moonatoria will conquer?"

"I think so, because you are superior to us, so it's possible we could be one of those they conquer." Matar looked serious. "You once defeated Moonatoria, didn't you, so it's impossible that Moonatoria would target you."

"As far as I know, Moonatoria is quiet now, so why are you saying they're planning something? Did you go to Moonatoria?" Xerxez said.

"Yes. We went there."

"What did you do there, spy?" Vhalthimoos was surprised. "Do you think it's easy to get in there?"

"You have such a low opinion of Ossibus. You know, the King of Moonatoria even said something against you, Xerxez." Xerxez looked at him. "He said you were too many for one country like Ossibus."

"The conflict between Thallerion and Moonatoria ended a long time ago, so why is he saying these things? Did you just make this up?"

"Ah, if wounds that are healing still ache, what more for a person with a difficult experience against you?"

"Are you trying to scare us?" Vhalthimoos said.

"No," he answered. "I'm just answering."

"In that case, this conversation is over. Perhaps you can leave now!" Xerxez said.

Suddenly, the sky darkened and thunder rumbled. And suddenly, sounds of ravens came.

"Isn't your country one of those that annihilated the mythical Phoenix, yet why are the people of Peronica not resentful of you? Instead, they sided with you.

"You don't need to rub that in our faces because you don't know the whole story."

"And I heard that the country of Cypriox wants to re-establish relations with you."

"What are you really getting at?"

"All I want to say is, if they can have good relations with Thallerion and are striving for peace, then I have no intention of us making peace. We will have a war in the very near future."

"In that case, I will not back down," Xerxez said. "But it's not too late, you can withdraw from this fight and declare that you will make a truce with Thallerion."

"Are you joking, Xerxez?"

"If you think I'm scared of you because there are many of you, I will not back down!" Matar replied. "And I will set a date for our true meeting, and on that day, I will make sure the outcome is bloody for Thallerion and its allies. Let's go, companions, for we still have somewhere to go, a journey."

"Just remember this, Matar, you cannot claim any property of Thallerion or its allies," Xerxez instructed.

Matar did not look back and continued to move forward. They were all on horseback, so they left quickly.

"Summon all the leaders!" Xerxez commanded. "The kings except for Queen Pyramia."

"Right away, my king, we will send a message for your gathering."

While Pyramus was traveling in another dimension. He saw a new prophecy of the future. The people were suffering severe slavery under a new leader who promoted a new system. He was powerful, and no one dared to challenge him. The king who was full of rage. But it was also connected to his vision when he was still inside the curse. All the kings knelt before him. He could not see the face of this king, but he saw a dragon that had just been freed. From the depths of the earth. There was an earthquake and visions in the sky, even in the sea.

He wanted to approach so he could clearly see the king's face, but suddenly, he was pulled by some force out of that time-dimension, towards Peronica. In front of Queen Pyramia's kingdom, the people were not there. So the people there did not witness Pyramus's appearance, and when he came out of the gate, the people were surprised where he came from, suddenly appearing out of nowhere...

"The return of the great deluge!" one of them whispered.

"The prince!!!" The people there shouted, and they rejoiced because the prince had returned, but a few officials had fear and anxiety etched on their faces. It seemed they were not happy with his return. They believed in an old legend that whoever is chosen would also be the root of a great deluge and that a change in the seasons would be a strong sign, as if it were the end of the world. But that was only the beginning of the signs. Once the Phoenix chooses, the intense hardship, magic, plague, and diseases that no one has ever encountered will begin.

The truth was, many were forced into the ritual Pyramia performed, so it was not in their hearts to accept Pyramus because they knew the entire land of Peronica would suffer. And the whole country. In the days of Pyramia's sorrow, the people were secretly happy that Pyramus had vanished.

"Celebrate for my grandson!!!!" Pyramia said. "For our prince!"

Many pretended to be happy, but deep down, there was intense anger and anxiety.

"The curse..." Garith, an official, whispered, "why didn't they just kill the Queen's son when he was a child..."

"Maybe Perlend's sickness they were talking about was just a pretense, to make us believe it was impossible to have a new chosen one. Because Pyramia is the last of the Phoenix Bloodline."

"That's our suspicion too. We really thought the Phoenix Bloodline would end."

"What's our plan for the prince?" one of them said.

"For now, we can't do anything because all the attention is on him. It will be difficult for us to take him down. Especially since he is of the Phoenix blood."

"I will contact the country of Aquila, the eagles who once allied to end the Phoenix."

"Didn't our Queen strictly forbid contacting the Aquila, because that would be considered spying?"

"That is if someone betrays us!" They all became serious and were silent as if they had not discussed anything at that moment.

The conflict between Peronica and Elanthro ended when Peronica made a truce with Thallerion. Since then, the Elanthro have not tried to cause trouble in Peronica again. The Elanthro are a country known as sky warriors, because of their skill in creating flying vehicles. Many of them live on top of forests. So, they are used to creating flying transportation. There was once a legend that said they were angelic warriors who came down to earth to be messengers between man and gods. Their wings served as weapons and hope for them to live in the world of men. But after a while, they married humans, and some of them used magic to make their wings disappear so they would be accepted by the people.

But, what they most feared arrived, the Phoenix that consumed their race. So many of them perished, but a large eagle carrying lightning descended to earth. The one chosen to be king of Aquila fought the chosen one of the Phoenix. The Phoenix was defeated, but because it could live again, it resulted in a never-ending war. That was also the reason the angels who lived on earth completely became human. But their eyes were as shiny as silver because of their clarity.

"Send a letter to the king of Elanthro. Tell them this: the creature that will consume their country has returned—the Phoenix. And add that this is not a former Phoenix that they can easily finish."

"Is that all we will say? Why don't we lie more so there will be a war... Remember, if Peronica has Thallerion, Thartheruz, Vhollandruz, and Laterus, their alliance with Cypriox, Salamandar, and even the desert Dearthlust has become much stronger now."

"Not now, think about the brewing conflict between Ossibus and our country is involved... what will they say.... We're looking for new allies? We're not completely allied with them yet. And it's possible they will suspect us."

"And even if our parents were former spies here in Peronica, it doesn't mean we can win their favor in an instant."

"What if they accept our concern and respond?

"That would be better, because these days, he doesn't fully know his power yet. When they find out that the Phoenix is alive and has returned, they won't hesitate to have the Phoenix secretly killed—Done! We also won't be able to cause trouble in the current conflict, and you probably know... the huge reward!" Garith smiled like a dog.