Escape from the Fallen City

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Episode 9, realm of Kings Silara's Escape.
The great city of Greenspireburned, its emerald towers
crumbling, its sacred grovestorn apart by Celestia's siege.
Silara's magic was failing.
She stood upon the brokenbattlements, her emerald robes

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tattered, her lifeblood spillingonto the sacred stone beneath
her feet.
But even as pain wracked herbody, even as her vision blurred
, she did not kneel.
She would not fall so easily.
Yet the star magic of Celestiawas relentless and she was
running out of time.

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High Commander Kaelor stood atophis winged warhorse, his golden
armor bathed in divine fire,his sword burning with the light
of the heavens.
Surrender, silara.
His voice was calm, absolute.
Celestia does not wish toslaughter your people, but the

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prism must be reclaimed.
Salara wiped the blood from herlips, glaring at the commander
of the skybound knights you cameto destroy, not to negotiate.
Her voice was hoarse butunyielding.
Kaelor lifted his blade towardthe sky.

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Then you leave me no choice.
The stars themselves shuddered.
A celestial spear materializedin his hands, its edges glowing
with pure destruction.
And Salara understood.
Kaelor was not here to captureher.
He was here to erase her fromhistory.
She braced herself for thekilling blow.

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Then the gates of Greenspireexploded outward.
A horn blast shattered thebattlefield, From beyond the
ruined city gates, a wave ofwarriors surged forth, their
shields gleaming under theinferno of war, their blades
flashing with unmatched fury.
They moved with perfect unity,a force of relentless steel and

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fire, their war cries shakingthe heavens.
And at their front, princeFelipe of the Western Kingdom.
His gold-plated armor wasbattle-worn, his crimson cloak
stained with the dust of war,but his eyes burned.
With unwavering defiance.
He raised his flaming swordhigh, his voice echoing across

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the battlefield To me.
Knights of the West cut themdown.
The battlefield ignited.
The celestial forces falteredas the Western knights tore into
their ranks.
Their fury unmatched, theirskill undeniable.
Skybound knights fell from theskies, impaled upon lances of

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enchanted steel.
Celestial war mages were cutdown mid-incantation, their
divine spells fading intooblivion.
Prince Felipe rode through thecarnage, his sword, a streak of
flame cleaving through threecelestial warriors in a single
strike.
Kaelor's calm shattered.

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He turned his gaze to theprince, his grip tightening on
his celestial spear.
You dare defy Celestia, felipegrinned.
I defy anyone who thinks theycan burn my world to the ground.
And then he struck Through thechaos.
Felipe's knights carved a pathtoward the shattered battlements
where Solara stood swaying fromexhaustion.
The shattered battlements.
Where Solara stood, swayingfrom exhaustion, she barely had
the strength to move.
But when she saw Felipe ridingtoward her, cutting through

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celestial soldiers like a stormof flame, she knew she would
survive this day.
Felipe dismounted in a singlemovement, catching her just as
she staggered Not the mostgraceful fall for a queen.
He smirked, but his tone wasgentle.
Silara tried to push herselfupright.

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I do not need saving.
Felipe chuckled, lifting heronto his horse.
Of course not.
That's why you're bleeding outon the battlefield.
She scowled, but for the firsttime that day, she felt hope.
As Felipe turned to ride backtoward his knights, kaelor

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descended from the sky like ameteor.
Spear raised Prince Felipe,face me.
The ground shook as Kaelorstruck the earth, celestial
flames erupting around him.
Felipe smirked, passing Silarato one of his knights Get her to
safety, I'll handle this.

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Silara tried to object, butbefore she could, felipe was
already advancing.
He lifted his flaming sword,the light of its ancient
enchantment rivaling thecelestial spear.
I've always wanted to test myblade against a skybound knight.
Kaelor's eyes darkened, thendie with that regret.

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Their blades clashed and theheavens trembled.
While Felipe battled Kaelor,sallara's remaining guardians
rallied behind the westernknights, forming a protective
formation around their queenknights forming a protective
formation around their queenElira.

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Ronan, sirenia and Zaryonfought alongside them, covering
their retreat as they rode forthe deepest parts of the forest.
The greenspire was lost, butSilara was not, and so long as
she lived, the Shardred Forestwould never fall.
As they disappeared into thehidden paths of the Shadowed
Glen, celara looked back onelast time.

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The ruins of her kingdom burned.
Celestia's wrath had beenunleashed, but she had not been
erased, and soon she wouldreturn.
And soon she would return.
Though Greenspire is lost,celara lives and with her the
forest's resistance continues.
Prince Felipe has now pledgedhis sword to her cause, standing

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against Celestia's tyranny.
And in the depths of theShadowed Glen, the Queen
prepares for war.
The queen prepares for war.
The battle for Aetherion is farfrom over.
The Shadowed Glen was one of thelast untouched sanctuaries of
the Shardred Forest, hiddenbeneath the canopy of ancient
trees that had survivedcenturies of war.

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Here, queen Solara rested herwounds, bandaged her strength,
slowly returning under the careof her remaining healers, but
her mind was not at ease.
Greenspire was lost andCelestia would not stop until
the entire forest was reduced tonothing, which was why she now

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turned to Prince Felipe, herenvoy of fire and defiance.
She now turned to Prince Felipe, her envoy of fire and defiance
.
Felipe knelt before the queen,his golden armor still stained
with battle, but his postureunwavering.
You led the charge intoGreenspire.
Salara said, her voice, stillhoarse from exhaustion.

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You saved me from certain death.
Felipe's usual smirk softenedinto something more measured.
It was the right thing to do.
Celara's emerald eyes gleamed.
And now I need you to do itagain.
Felipe's brow furrowed.
You mean, celara exhaled,forcing herself upright.

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You mean, celara exhaled,forcing herself upright.
Until I am strong enough toreturn to the battlefield, I am
placing you in command of theforest's defense.
Felipe's eyes widened.
You want me to lead your people.
I trust you.
Felipe glanced around at thegathered warriors.
Felipe glanced around at thegathered warriors, the remaining
elven guardians, the remnantsof Greenspire's army, the

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scattered forces that hadsurvived Celestia's assault.
They all looked to him.
Now A grin split across hisface.
Well then, he said this isgoing to be fun.
Zuli was not amused.
He watched from the shadows ofthe war room arms crossed, his
expression stone cold, as Felipeconfidently mapped out his

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battle plan.
Zuli had fought for years, bledfor every victory and
sacrificed too much to watchsomeone as reckless as Felipe
take control.
This is a mistake.
Zuli finally said, his voicecutting through the chamber like
a blade.
Felipe raised an eyebrow.

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Oh Do tell.
Zuli stepped forward, his eyeslocked onto the prince's.
You fight like you have nothingto lose.
Felipe's smirk didn't fade.
I fight like I intend to win.
Zuli's fist clenched, and whenyour flashy heroics get people

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killed, what then?
The air grew thick with tension.
Felipe met Zuli's glare withoutbacking down.
Thick with tension.
Felipe met Zuli's glare withoutbacking down.
I don't take unnecessary risks,general.
I take bold actions to ensurewe don't lose.
Zuli scoffed.
And what happens when your boldactions cost lives?

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Felipe leaned in slightly.
They already have Zulistiffened.
The weight of Greenspire'sdestruction still hung over them
, a reminder that no battle camewithout loss.
Felipe's voice softened butremained firm.
I get it, zuli.
You've been carrying this waron your back for a long time,

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but if we sit back and onlydefend, we'll die.
We have to take the fight tothem.
Zuli's jaw tightened.
Then you better be ready forthe consequences.
He turned and left the chamber.
Felipe sighed, rubbing the backof his neck.
Guy really needs to learn howto relax Elira, who had been

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silent through the exchange,finally spoke.
Neither of you are wrong, shesaid.
Felipe glanced at her.
That's not exactly helpful.
Elira's silver eyes darkened.
Then maybe you should listen towhat I've uncovered.
Elira unfurled a parchment ontothe war table, its surface

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covered in ancient celestialmarkings.
I intercepted communicationsfrom Celestia's high command.
She said the attack onGreenspire was never about just
the forest.
Felipe frowned, stepping closer.
What are you saying?
Elira's expression was grim.

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They're after the forbiddendoor.
The room fell silent.
Felipe's smirk disappeared.
Elira continued her voice lowand urgent.
Celestia's forces aren't justhunting the prism anymore.
They believe the Firstborn canbe controlled.
Felipe exhaled they're insaneWorse.

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Elira said they might be right.
Felipe blinked Come again.
Elira tapped the parchment.
There are two remaining gatesstill standing.
Celestia believes that if theycan control the last seal before
the obsidian strain does, theycan prevent the Firstborn from

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fully manifesting, but stillharness its power.
Felipe ran a hand through hishair.
So they're trying to tame theapocalypse?
Elira nodded.
And if they succeed, celestiawill no longer just rule the
skies.
She locked eyes with him.
They'll rule everything.

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Felipe let out a breath.
Well, that complicates things.
Elira's voice was tight, whichis why your next moves must be
careful.
Celestia won't stop withGreenspire.
They're coming for the gatesnext.
Felipe was silent for a moment.
Then he grinned.

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Then I guess we get there first.
Elira sighed, pinching thebridge of her nose.
Felipe, come on, you just saidit.
If Celestia wants control ofthose gates, we need to beat
them to it.
He turned, looking over the map.
Zuli wants to sit and wait?
Fine, but I'm taking the fightto Celestia.

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By dawn, the shadowed Glen wasalive with preparation.
Felipe rode through the ranks,giving orders, organizing
battalions, preparing for thenext phase of battle.
And despite his frustrations,zuli knew there was no stopping
him.
Felipe was bold, reckless andinsufferably confident.

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But he was also right.
The battle for the forbiddendoor was coming.
Celestia believed they couldcommand the Firstborn.
The obsidian strain sought tounleash it.
And now Felipe and thechampions were caught between
two impossible enemies.
As Zuli watched Felipe and hisknights prepare for war, he

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whispered a single promise tohimself we won't fail this time.
And for the first time sinceGreenspire burned, he believed
it.
Felipe, now entrusted with thequeen's defense, pushes for
aggression and bold action,while Zuli still sees

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recklessness as dangerous.
Meanwhile, elira uncoversCelestia's greater plan.
The battle for the forbiddendoor has begun, and if Celestia
wins, they may control thefirstborn's power.
Felipe isn't waiting to findout.
The war marches forward.
The Shadowed Glen was no longera sanctuary.

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Celestia's siege had shatteredGreenspire.
The Prism's destabilization hadbegun, tearing open rifts into
the void, and the prophecy ofthe Firstborn's awakening loomed
over Aetherion like a stormcloud ready to break.
Queen Salara knew they could nolonger fight alone.
Their only hope lay in thesouth.

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The southern kingdom was arealm few had ever seen.
Legends spoke of toweringwaterfalls cascading from cliffs
higher than mountains, ofrivers infused with raw magic,
of trees older than history thatwhispered their secrets only to
those who truly listened.

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But most of all, it was closed.
For centuries, the South hadwithdrawn from the affairs of
Aetherion, its rulers silent,its warriors unseen.
Its rulers silent, its warriorsunseen.
Yet Queen Salara knew oneperson who could open its gates

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her childhood friend, elysia, amage of immeasurable wisdom, a
seer of the tides of fate andthe most trusted advisor to the
rulers of the south.
If anyone could convince thesouthern king and queen to stand
with them, it was Elysia.
And so Zuli and Elyra werechosen to go their mission,
secure an alliance before it wastoo late.
The path to the hidden south wastreacherous.

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Zuli and Elyra rode in silence,the weight of their mission
pressing against them like anunseen force.
Allyra stole glances at him,watching the way his jaw
remained clenched, how his gripon his sword never loosened.
You don't trust this, do you?
Allyra finally asked.

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Zuli didn't look at her.
I don't trust a kingdom thatstayed hidden while the rest of
us bled.
Elira sighed, you don't trustmuch at all At that.
Zuli finally met her gaze, hisgolden eyes, unreadable.
Trust is earned, he said simply, and the South has done nothing

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to earn mine.
Elira knew there was more tohis hesitation, but she let it
be.
The war had left them allguarded, and soon they would
face a kingdom that had remainedguarded for far longer.
As they neared the border, theterrain shifted.
The dense emerald forests ofthe Shardred gave way to rolling

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hills of mist, where waterfallspoured from the sky, their
currents floating in defiance ofgravity.
A river of pure light flowedbeneath them, its waters humming
with unseen energy, and at itscenter stood the waterfall gates
, a bridge woven from enchantedvines, stretched across the

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misted chasm, leading to acolossal archway carved from
jade.
Two figures stood guard.
Their robes shimmered likeliquid silver, their eyes
glowing with the same softluminescence as the river.
Zuli reached for his sword, butElira lifted a hand.
They're not enemies, she saidsoftly.

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They're watching.
And then one of the figuresstepped forward.
Her hair was deep, auburn,braided in intricate patterns
that pulsed with faint runes.
Her eyes were pale, blue,piercing but warm, and when she
spoke her voice was like amelody woven with magic itself

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Zuli, elira, elira blinked.
How do you know our names?
The woman smiled Because I haveseen you in the waters.
Zuli stiffened You're Elysia.
The woman nodded and thewaterfall gates began to open An

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audience with the southern kingand queen.
The palace of the south wasunlike anything they had ever
seen.
The throne room was notenclosed by walls but surrounded
by cascading waterfalls thatshimmered with starlight.
The throne itself was carvedfrom river stone, vines wrapping

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around its edges as if the landitself had grown it into
existence.
And upon it sat the rulers ofthe south, king Valen, queen
Lyanna.
Their presence was powerful,yet serene, their expressions
unreadable.
As they studied their guests,elira stepped forward, first,

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bowing slightly.
Your majesties, zuli did not bow.
King Valen's gaze lingered onhim.
You do not show deference.
Zuli's eyes did not waver.
I have seen too many kings andqueens who claim wisdom but do
nothing while the world burns.

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A heavy silence followed.
Then Leanna smiled, and it wasnot an expression of offense, it
was amusement.
You are bold, she mused, butnot wrong.
Zuli tensed as Valen rose fromhis throne, stepping forward.
His presence was heavy, likethe very ocean moving through

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the air.
The South has remained hiddenfor a reason.
Valen said.
The balance of Aetherian wasnot ours to maintain.
Elira inhaled.
That balance is gone.
Valen's gaze shifted to Elysia.
And you, my seer, do youbelieve they speak truth?

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You, my seer, do you believethey speak truth?
Alicia's expression darkened.
The prism is fractured, shesaid softly.
The rifts have begun.
The firstborn stirs.
For the first time, uncertaintyflickered in Valen's eyes.
Queen Leanna's gaze met herhusband's.
In Valen's eyes, queen Lyanna'sgaze met her husband's.

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This is not a war we can ignore, she murmured.
Valen exhaled.
Turning back to Zuli and EliraTell us everything.
Don't miss the next thrillinginstallment.
Tune in bi-weekly as the epicunfolds.
The choices made now willdecide the future of Aetherian,
and the storm is only growingstronger.