Urgent rain lashed the city.
The prosperous capital outskirts lay shrouded beneath a vast, misty downpour, as though the heavens had tipped over a celestial ladle.
A messenger, bearing a command banner on his back, lashed his horse through the long streets. Muddy water splashed from its hooves, soiling passersby as he galloped away through wind and rain. Guests leaning over the railings of taverns on either side raised their cups and spoke freely of a nation tossed by wind and rain, gesturing at the realm as they discoursed grandly on its fate.
About half an incense stick later.
The rumbling clang of iron armor rose in waves as elite armored troops entered the city with sharp blades...
The common folk along both sides of the streets whispered among themselves.
A hawk spread its wings and soared through the rain, skimming past twisting lightning serpents before diving through layer upon layer of dark clouds. From its view, the Capital City's houses glimmered with dim candlelight like scattered stars. It flapped down onto the top of a pagoda at a treasured temple and saw armies mobilizing through several streets within the city, killing intent filling the air.
The towering imperial palace.
Palace maids passed by in groups with lowered heads, lighting the palace lanterns.
Water dripped from the eaves like waterfalls, while the Imperial Guard stood as motionless as statues.
The palace walls were tense and bustling. Raincloths were pulled aside to reveal heavy refined-iron crossbows, countless archers and crossbowmen rapidly climbed the battlements, while another battalion of firearm troops sheltered beneath the eaves from the rain.
The weapons and firearms had all been smuggled in from the Southern Wasteland. The court resisted reform, but the new weapons truly were irresistible.
All around the Imperial City.
The residences of nobles and