Chapter 2592: Story 2593: The Army of the Dominion

The Dominion army crossed the crimson portal.

Thousands of citizens marched into Asterion beneath the command of the masked figure.

Their movements were perfectly synchronized.

No hesitation.

No fear.

No anger.

Only obedience.

Victoria Kane stood before the Heart of Harmony with the Dawnblade raised.

"Nobody attacks unless I give the order."

Cole looked toward the approaching army.

"That’s going to be difficult."

Victoria glanced at him.

"Why?"

Cole pointed upward.

"Because whatever is coming through that second portal looks much worse."

Everyone looked toward the sky.

The second crimson portal expanded.

The clouds above Asterion twisted into a massive spiral.

Then something descended.

A gigantic black fortress emerged from the portal.

Its walls were covered with enormous silver symbols.

At its center burned a single crimson eye.

Evelyn stared in disbelief.

"That’s not a ship."

Nox’Rath’s expression darkened.

"It’s a moving city."

The masked leader of the Dominion raised one hand.

The entire army stopped.

The fortress descended behind them.

Then the figure spoke.

"Begin the Conversion."

Black towers rose from the fortress.

Beams of crimson energy struck the streets.

Wherever they landed, golden light disappeared.

Citizens began losing their memories.

Lyra gasped.

"They’re attacking the Dawn inside them!"

Victoria’s expression hardened.

"Everyone protect the people!"

The ancient guardians charged.

Arkon’s sword destroyed the first tower.

Seraphine surrounded civilians with silver shields.

Thalen fired radiant arrows into the sky.

Ordan blocked three crimson beams at once.

Elara vanished into the Dominion ranks.

Malachor studied the fortress.

"Their weapons don’t destroy."

Victoria looked at him.

"What do they do?"

"They remove choice."

A citizen suddenly walked toward a Dominion soldier.

His eyes were empty.

"I don’t want to fight anymore."

The soldier placed a hand against his forehead.

The citizen’s golden light vanished.

Victoria’s eyes widened.

"No!"

She flew forward.

The Dawnblade struck the soldier.

A golden explosion threw him across the street.

The citizen collapsed.

Lyra rushed to him.

"He’s alive."

Victoria knelt beside him.

"Can you hear me?"

The man looked at her.

"I... don’t remember why I was afraid."

Victoria placed her hand against his chest.

A tiny golden spark returned.

The man’s eyes filled with tears.

"I remember."

Lyra smiled.

"The Dawn is still there."

Suddenly, the masked leader appeared before Victoria.

"You cannot save everyone."

Victoria stood.

"Maybe not."

She raised the Dawnblade.

"But I’ll keep choosing."

The masked figure removed its silver mask.

Beneath it was a young woman with pale skin and glowing crimson eyes.

Evelyn stared.

"Who are you?"

The woman answered,

"I am Empress Seraphine."

The ancient Seraphine froze.

Her crystal bowl nearly slipped from her hands.

"No..."

Victoria looked between them.

"You know her?"

The ancient guardian whispered,

"She was my daughter."

Silence spread across the battlefield.

The Empress smiled.

"Mother."

Seraphine stepped forward.

"You died centuries ago."

"I did."

"Then what are you?"

The Empress looked toward the crimson fortress.

"I was brought back."

"Not as a daughter."

Her crimson eyes darkened.

"As the first citizen of the Dominion."

Seraphine’s expression broke.

Victoria stepped between them.

"Who controls you?"

The Empress laughed.

"No one."

She pointed toward the fortress.

"We chose this."

Victoria frowned.

"You chose obedience?"

"We chose survival."

The fortress suddenly opened.

A massive wave of crimson energy spread across Asterion.

Every golden spark began flickering.

Lyra grabbed Victoria’s arm.

"Victoria..."

Victoria looked toward the Heart.

"What?"

Lyra’s face became pale.

"The Dominion isn’t trying to conquer Asterion."

"What are they doing?"

"They’re trying to make the Heart choose."

Victoria stared.

The Heart of Harmony began splitting into two colors.

Golden.

Crimson.

A voice echoed from beneath the palace.

"Freedom..."

Then another voice answered.

"Order..."

The two forces collided.

The entire city shook.

The Empress raised her hand.

"Let Asterion decide."

Victoria looked toward the frightened citizens.

For the first time, the battle was no longer between two armies.

It was between two futures.

And the Heart of Harmony was about to choose one.