"Every war has its architect. Some design walls. Others design ruin."
—Rialt the Siege Engineer
The return journey to Stormwatch was swift.
The Forsaken Eye drifted silently over Jag's shoulder as their small group approached the gates. Ashra looked exhausted. The three remaining scouts were silent, eyes haunted.
From the walls, Garron's voice rang out. "Gate open!"
Branwyn and several guards rushed to meet them. "How many fell?"
Jag didn't answer immediately.
Ashra replied, "One. But the Eye tried to make him rise."
Garron scowled. "It's getting worse."
Inside, Stormwatch had changed. The new Guardian Tower shimmered with silver wards. Soldiers wore fresh armor etched with resistance runes. The forge burned hotter than before.
But so did the tension.
[Stormwatch Status: Tier C++]
• Morale: 87%
• Food Reserves: 5 Days
• Defense Grid: Reinforced Barricade Active
That afternoon, Rialt the Siege Engineer arrived, escorted by three caravan guards and a cart of rusted blueprints.
He walked with a limp and a permanent sneer.
[New Hero Unlocked: Rialt the Siege Engineer]
Class: Engineer / Builder
Skills:
• "Walltech Instinct" – Increases structural HP of all buildings by 15%
• "Siege Break" (Active) – Deploys an experimental explosive trap (1x per wave)
Jag met him with a nod. "You're late."
Rialt dumped the blueprints on the war table. "You're alive. That's my contribution."
Branwyn stared at one of the diagrams. "This... is a mobile turret?"
Rialt smirked. "No. It's a Wyrmbreaker Cannon. Designed to kill flying siege beasts. Or kings."
[New Construction Option Unlocked: Wyrmbreaker Cannon]
Cost: 300 Gold, 1 Rune Core (missing)
Status: Blueprint Acquired, Materials Lacking
Ashra muttered, "So we're building hope out of scrap."
Jag looked at her. "It's better than waiting to be unmade."
That night, Rialt held a formal Siege Oath Ritual beneath the northern parapet.
Only a handful attended: Jag, Ashra, Branwyn, Garron, and the core command.
He spoke with the stillness of a man who had buried cities.
"I swear by the flame and forge, by the stone and storm, that I will hold this bastion. Until it falls. Until I fall. Until the Crownless are no more."
Jag raised his sword.
[Siege Oath Complete – Stormwatch Gains Trait: Architect's Legacy]
All future buildings gain +5% Durability
Unlocks: Engineering Quests
Then the sky thundered.
[System Alert: Incoming Raid]
Wave Designation: Scorch Heralds
Enemy Class: Fire-Wrought Echoes, Siege Beasts
Elite: 1x Flamebound Effigy (Class A- Siege Caster)
Estimated Impact: 3 Hours
Recommended: Reinforce Fire Resistance
Jag snapped into action.
Gold: 330
Construction Activated:
✓ Fireproof Coating (Barracks) – 100 Gold
✓ Repair: Mage Tower Core – 80 Gold
✓ Defensive Spikes (Main Gate) – 50 Gold
Remaining: 100 Gold
Then Rialt handed Jag a small box.
"Salvaged this from Grayvale's ruins," he said. "Use it wisely."
Item Acquired: Partial Rune Core (1/3 fragments collected)
— Combine 3 to construct Wyrmbreaker Cannon
Ashra glanced at the sky. "Three hours?"
Branwyn cracked her knuckles. "That's long enough to dig graves—or survive."
[War Council Update]
All Heroes at the ready.
Garron reinforces southern flank.
Ashra stationed at Mage Tower.
Branwyn leading militia patrol.
Rialt setting siege traps on inner ridge.
Jag stood once again before the Wall.
This time, not just a defender.
But a commander of those who refused to forget.