The atmosphere in the newly established council chamber buzzed with anticipation. The room was adorned with the banners of both Fort Bone and the Celestial Empire, symbolising their alliance. Six representatives—three ministers from the Celestial Empire and three Portal Crushers: Noi, Amber, and Lark—sat around the polished stone table, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension.

  Olivia stood at the head of the table, her fingers tapping lightly against the surface, feeling the weight of their impending decision. ‘This needs to work,‘ she thought, glancing at the others. The stakes were high, and the air crackled with the urgency of their negotiations.

  “Let’s outline the main points again,” she said, attempting to steer the conversation back on track after hours of back-and-forth debate. “We know that the system’s interference has locked in the territories. You all agree that they must remain with the Fort Bone Empire?”

  Minister Zou nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s unavoidable. We cannot split them up without significant consequences. However, this doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be some form of compensation.”

  “Agreed,” Amber chimed in, her voice firm. “Atlas should provide resources to ensure a fair balance between our factions. This will help maintain harmony and mutual respect.”

  “What about taxes?” Lark suggested, her sharp eyes glinting. “If Atlas is retaining the territory, he should contribute to the Celestial Empire to offset the resources he’ll be gaining from those lands.”

  “Taxes sound reasonable,” Minister Thalia said, her tone measured. “We propose a monthly tax of 1,000 coins for the remainder of the year. This will ensure the Celestial Empire receives some benefits from the territory Atlas controls while still allowing him to operate independently.”

  The room fell silent as everyone absorbed the proposal. Olivis felt a mix of relief and disappointment. She had been hoping for a more favourable arrangement for the Fort Bone Empire, but she recognized the fairness of the offer. “One thousand coins a month,” she repeated, weighing the implications. “That’s a substantial amount.”

  “Fair for both parties,” Zou interjected, his expression resolute. “You’ve gained territory, and the Celestial Empire must be compensated for the shift in power dynamics. This is a necessary step to keep our alliance strong.”

  Olivia glanced around the table. The ministers were clearly concerned about the shrinking size of their empire compared to theirs. She understood their apprehension. The Celestial Emperor had to feel that their contributions were valued, especially since their technological advantages had played a pivotal role in the recent victory.

  Each empire had their own set of technologies via different vending machines, and the siege equipment like the junk cannons had all come from the Celestial Empire.

  “Alright,” Olivia finally conceded, determination settling over her. “I can work with that. I’ll ensure the payments are made on time. But I’ll also need to make sure those coins are put to good use.”

  “Good,” Thalia replied, her demeanor relaxing slightly. “We’re all in this together, after all. The more successful you are, the better for all of us.”

  As the council continued to discuss finer details—how the payments would be tracked and enforced, as well as expectations for future cooperation—Olivia felt a cautious optimism settling within her. The arrangement might not be ideal, but it was fair, and fair was often the best they could hope for in their turbulent world.

  After hours of negotiation, they reached a consensus. The council members rose, shaking hands and exchanging nods of agreement, a calming sense of relief washing over them. The initial tension that had filled the room dissipated as they acknowledged the hard work they had put into forging this new pact.

  As they stepped out of the chamber, Olivia felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Although Atlas wouldn’t love the idea of parting with a chunk of his hard-earned coins each month, she recognized that this compromise could strengthen their alliance and create a more stable future for both Fort Bone and the Celestial Empire.

  Amber clapped her on the back, a grin spreading across her face. “You did good, Olivia. We might actually make it through this as allies.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “I hope so,” she replied, glancing back at the council chamber. “But we’ve got a long way to go. There are still many challenges ahead.”

  Noi, who had been quiet for most of the discussions, chimed in with a sly smile. “Think of the possibilities, though! We’ll have the resources to build a stronger army, develop new strategies, and—dare I say—expand our territory even further!”

  Olivia chuckled at the enthusiasm, feeling a surge of hope. “True. Let’s make sure we’re smart about it. With this new agreement in place, we can capitalize on our strengths and face whatever challenges lie ahead.”

  With renewed determination, the members of the council stepped into the bustling streets of Fort Bone, ready to forge a future that combined their efforts and resources. As they walked side by side, Olivia couldn’t shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something significant—something that would reshape their world for the better.

  ‘‘‘

  In the heart of Fort Bone’s original castle, the central square buzzed with anticipation. The crowd, a mix of citizens, soldiers, and families, had gathered in droves, their faces illuminated by the vibrant colors of banners fluttering in the breeze. Atlas stood at the makeshift podium, a pounding energy crackling through the air as he prepared to address the people.

  “People of Fort Bone!” Atlas boomed, his voice cutting through the murmurs and shouts of excitement. “We have won the war!”

  A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd, hands raised in jubilant celebration, and cries of victory rang out across the square. The overwhelming sense of relief and triumph washed over him, bolstering his confidence.

  “And now,” he continued, “we must enjoy the spoils!” He paused, letting the enthusiasm wash over him as people cheered even louder. “Those of you who bought war bonds have all profited!”

  Several in the crowd held their war bonds aloft, waving them like flags of victory. Atlas could see couples embracing, tears of joy glistening in their eyes, grateful for the dividends of their investments. It was a powerful moment, one that connected him to the hearts of his people.

  “We can pay them out now!” Atlas declared, and the cheers intensified. “Or you can take your profit or reinvest it. The war bonds that originally cost 25 are now worth 50!”

  A wave of excitement surged through the crowd, but with it came murmurs of uncertainty. Some exchanged glances, weighing their options. Atlas pressed on, determined to clarify. “You can take that value of 50 and continue to invest it into the empire. If you choose to do this, at the end of the year, in three months, we will pay you all 75 for each one of those 25 mana coin investments.”

  A voice broke through the excited chatter. “Atlas, in three months, won’t we all be going home? What’s the point of mana coins?”

  Atlas met the eyes of the speaker, understanding the concern behind the question. “I don’t know what the point of mana coins will be, I’m hoping we can all go back to Earth,” he admitted, his tone earnest. “But I do know that if we can keep those 50 coins that we owe you right here in our territory, we can use that money to make the last three months here in the wasteland something we can all enjoy—safety, security, and more luxuries for everyone.”

  A ripple of uncertainty coursed through the crowd at the mention of safety and security. Atlas pressed on, knowing he had to address the unease head-on. “If we pay everyone today, the last three months coming up will mean a tighter, harsher regime. To guarantee our safety, to continue paying our army, we’ll need to tighten our belts, ration luxuries, and increase taxes.”

  A collective murmur of discontent swept through the crowd. The thought of increased taxes was unwelcome news to those who had grown accustomed to a life of relative comfort in the Fort Bone empire. Atlas could sense their frustration, and he took a deep breath, steeling himself for the next part of his speech.

  “I know that news isn’t pleasant,” he said, his voice steady, “but remember why you bought the war bonds in the first place. It wasn’t just to make a profit. It was to help establish this empire.” He paused, allowing his words to sink in. “And while Jed Lawson’s army of America United is defeated, many of those soldiers have been dispersed into the wild. We still need to hunt them down before they become bandits that plague all of you when you go out.”

  The crowd muttered amongst themselves, the reality of the situation settling in. “We’re happy to pay anybody who wants to get paid,” he continued, attempting to rally their spirits. “But we also want to maintain our treasury. So if you want to get paid, go to one of the recruiting booths and collect your coins.”

  Atlas raised his voice again, bringing focus back to his message. “However, if you feel like you want to keep investing in the Fort Bone empire and enjoying the luxuries we have now, hold on to those mana war bonds. We will pay them out; it’s just a matter of when. And don’t forget, if you can hold them until the end of the year, they’ll be worth 75 mana coins each!”

  The crowd responded with a mix of cheers and murmurs, some still hesitant while others seemed inspired by the prospect of greater rewards. Atlas felt a sense of purpose wash over him. It was a delicate balance—assuring them of their investments while also emphasising the need for unity and sacrifice in the face of future threats.

  As he stepped down from the podium, a sense of determination settled within him. The path forward was fraught with challenges, but Atlas knew that with the support of his people, they could navigate the turbulent waters ahead. Fort Bone was not just an empire; it was a community, and together, they would face whatever came next.