One year later.
A goblin messenger hurriedly arrived at Paradise Mountain, striding into the White Stone Fortress.
"Winged King, we beseech you to lead your valiant winged army and march to the heart of Felander by the time the autumn leaves fall, to convene at the Blessed Plains!"
"Our king has decreed that this very year, when the leaves dance in the autumn winds, we shall muster the full might of our clan to defy the rule of the Titan Giants!"
"The Titans are unjust, and all clans shall rise against them! Should we triumph, the goblin clan vows to share the continent with all allied tribes!"
At the head of the hall.
Jarius sat poised, giving a subtle nod.
"Messenger, convey to the Goblin King that the Winged Clan shall honor our pact and arrive at the Blessed Plains as promised!"
The goblin messenger, overjoyed, pressed a hand to his chest in fervor.
"May the friendship between goblins and winged folk endure forever!"
"May our bond stand eternal!"
Jarius replied with a warm smile.
-----------------
Three days later.
Jarius summoned the bravest ten thousand adult winged warriors of the clan.
Along with several hundred elite transcendent combatants, to gather at the vast plaza outside the White Stone Fortress.
Over ten thousand winged folk stood in formation, their gazes filled with reverence for their chieftain.
Though the world hailed him as the Winged King, he had yet to claim the crown.
His people had urged him to take the title, but Jarius refused.
"How can I call myself king while our blood feud remains unavenged? One day, when we raze Sky Mountain and shatter the Eagle Court, I shall crown myself king upon its ruins!"
Likewise.
When clansfolk pressed him to wed, Jarius's response was steadfast.
"With the Eagle Court still standing, how can I think of home?"
Thus, he silenced their well-meaning meddling.
Perched atop the roof of the White Stone Fortress.
Jarius surveyed the ten thousand winged warriors arrayed below, a fierce pride swelling in his chest.
Gripping the bronze longsword at his waist, he drew a deep breath and bellowed.
"Long ago, our ancestors were mere vassals of the Eagle Court, struggling to survive in the Great Wilds."
"Every decade, the Eagle Court descended upon our ancestral Gaoman Mountain, conscripting nearly every able-bodied youth into wars of unknown duration!"
"Each conscription tore families apart, with scarcely any returning!"
"The Vast Sea Forest holds the bones of our Gaoman ancestors, soaked in their blood and tears!"
"My father, my grandfather, and countless forebears perished in that endless war!"
"The conflict between the Titan Giants and the Ancient Dragons drained our ancestors' lifeblood!"
Pausing, Jarius gazed at his clansfolk, their eyes red with fervor, their spirits ablaze. He continued.
"When I became chieftain, our clan numbered barely two hundred—old, weak, and infirm!"
"When I came of age, I too was conscripted, thrown into that timeless battlefield!"
"I witnessed the Titan Giants flaunt their overwhelming might, treating us as less than living beings. I saw the Eagle Court use us as expendable fodder, countless tribal eagle folk buried in the sands!"
"From that moment, I understood the man-eating nature of the Titans and the Eagle Court!"
"So, when the Eagle Court came for their second conscription, I slew their envoy and led our people to the shores of the Eastern Sea!"
"Here, we thrived and grew strong!"
"We seized our destiny, evolving our bloodline to become the mighty Winged Clan!"
"And today, we finally wield the strength to defy the Titans and the Eagle Court!"
"My warriors, will you follow me to crush the Titans and level Sky Mountain?"
"We will!"
"We will!"
"Crush the Titans! Raze Sky Mountain!"
"Crush the Titans! Raze Sky Mountain!"
"Then, to war!"
"Aye!"