*The earth shakes around the Isles of Fate. From the lake at the top of the Plateau on the Northern isle the water begins to ripple out perfectly from the center. Suddenly something explodes out from the center of the lake.*

*A massive stone fortress, several miles long, rises from the water (See image 1). It continues going up further and further into the sky until it stops. Inside the fortress on a balcony, Rose stands in golden armor overlooking the islands. Without a word she rises one of her hands up, and then clenches it into a fist while in the air.*

*As she does a shadowy barrier forms entirely around the fortress, looking like a black sun in the sky. It is visible for hundreds of miles, with it looking like a black speck in the sky at the continents closest to the islands. In every city in Shadeholme’s territories, large shadowy figures appears in the form of Rose.*

“Attention people of the Ce’Darian republic. This is Chancellor Rose here making an announcement. Today I am here to tell all of you and the world at large something important. Today marks the beginning of a new age for our people!”

*People in the crowds murmer in fear. Everyone, even the Valkyries and senators, stand in confusion.*

“I have kept a large secret for a while from all of you. Sylvane is alive.”

*Much of the confusion in those crowds remain, but some turn more hopeful than afraid now. Others seem even more frightened.*

“Sylvane lives. When he was ‘killed’ he did not die. His body and spirit is tied to his crown, which lies in three pieces. It is my ultimate goal to bring these pieces back as one to reforge his crown and to reforge Sylvane himself! That is the ultimate purpose of Shadeholme. And unfortunately some stand in the way of this purpose. Sure there are outside threats, but they will always be there. the real problem is the internal threats. Several of the guilds have banded together to sabotage Shadeholme in completing this task. For this, the leaders of those guilds: the Engineering, mining, and mages’ guilds will all have their leaders arrested and brought to justice.”

*As she says this, the senate guard in Shadeholme immediately breaks into the homes of these political leaders and drags them out in shackles. The speed of the response makes it clear to some that this was planned and known ahead of time.*

“Due to the guilds proving untrustworthy, I must say with great sorrow that the republic has officially come to an end. In its place, the second Empire of Shadeholme will rise in its place! Know that little will change. The Senate will remain as an institution and elections for senators will continue as planned. The position of Chancellor however, will be replaced with the position of Empress that will be held by me until Sylvane returns. I will also gain the power to appoint and remove guild masters at any time necessary. A new age has come my friends, and fate waits for no man, woman, or god. The celestial realm hates our prince and will try and stop us, which is why this final part of this speech is the most important.”

*The moment this is spoken, the senate guard positioned in the Well of Shadows begins to violently take control of the fortress. The fight is quick and decisive. As the well is taken control of by Rose’s loyalists, it is activated. A beacon of pure shadow magic is shot into the sky and forms a veil of night over Shadeholme’s territory and oceanic limit, but it does not expand any further.*

“We are now at war with the celestials, Especially against their rulers. The Valkyrie queen Kira, Goddess of justice and the Sun. The Dragon King Varis, god of Celestial dragons and of the sky above. They are our enemies. All worship of these gods will be seen as treason, as well as association with their worshippers. The well of Shadows over Shadeholme will be activated as a defense against them. It will not expand beyond our borders and will not interfere with our neighbors in the Iron Chains or Earth’s Embrace.”

*Soon after the shadows of Rose giving the announcement across the empire vanish. While confusion stops everything in its tracks initially, the shades bearing the armor of the legions begin to reestablish any order that was broken. Riots and protests are dispersed, though nobody is killed or arrested for it.*

*The Sky fortress above the isles of fate then begins the process of moving towards Shadeholme with much of the fleet around the Northern island flying alongside it.*

*The second celestial civil war has begun.*

/uw Thank you for reading! This is the next major plot for the Shadeholme story, a full war with the celestial realm. 

Also I would recommend against attacking the sky fortress. You can, but it’s extremely op. I will **NOT** be using it for anything outside of this story and won’t use it for interactions without expressed permission from others. Its job is a plot thread not a weapon to use against the rest of the sub. 

Fall of the Republic (Temple of the Fates Epilogue) (Important lore post)