With Artemis and the forest now at their backs, Rapture and The Princess he guards lick their wounds and take in the country's dire news.

The capital has fallen to Usurpers, and any who could have stopped it are now at war in the north. The Prince's bride has fled with her son, and amidst all this dire news, Rapture realises his own days may well be numbered.

Up on the northern shores, the invasion of the Nidhogg Fleet finally arrives.
The Prince goes to meet them, guarding the beaches with his army.
Among them stands Rusalka, Lady of Venus, as well as her husband Alexander and the Lords whom they have gathered.
The Lady and her people were once the guardians of this sea border, and now the price of their failures must be paid with blood and blade.

Yet all of this conflict by itself is only prologue.
The nations of the world stand on a knife edge, each one keeping an eye to check another.
Such a skirmish stirs up the waters of a global conflict.
Olympus and their Dukes seek to strike at Vesta, in Muspelheim's west.
Abel and their Saints make a move against Olympus.
The Immortals of Svartalfheim march southways into Abel.
And the Knights of New SIlbur march upon both Svartalfheim and Alfteim at the whims of their God and Emperor.
The likes of such wars are numerous in Ymir's memory, and though the tomes of old state they are brief, they are always deadly.

So much conflict stirs the seals of the slumbering Gods.
Three of them yet lay in their prisons.
Perhaps, when the last drop of blood is shed, all of them may be set free...