The towering, obsidian gates of the Swamp Kingdom creaked open as Ashen stepped through, the sun glinting off his armor, now patched and seared from his titanic duel with Mornacht. Wisps of residual [Force Energy] trailed faintly from his shoulders. Though he bore no outward wounds, fatigue clung to him like a second skin. He had returned victorious—but not without cost.
As he walked through the moss-covered path into the heart of his domain, the NPC citizens—animated with more life since the last Liberty Online system update—paused their work and bowed low.
[System Notice: Kingdom Loyalty +5% | Morale: High | NPCs Inspired by Your Victory]
A small group awaited him at the base of the throne steps: Jaecar the Beastkin Strategist, Michael the Arcane Architect, and Heqet, Priestess of the Deep Marshes.
