Year 1–2: The Grounding Phase
Zaxton stood at the foot of Mt. Fai, looking upon the valley below. The land was fertile but untamed, flanked by rivers, plains, and distant forests. He marked the site for a city — not just a settlement, but a civilization. A representative of the Don Empire, and a mirror of Stoneveil's greatness in the Third Realm.
With ancient geomancy and dragonfire, he etched a protective formation across the valley floor, inviting skilled engineers and formation masters from the lower realms. This began the slow, sacred construction of:
> Don Divine Gate — "The city where the worlds meet."
He envisioned it as a self-governing body, economically independent, yet militarily and spiritually loyal to Mt. Fai and the Don Empire.
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Year 3–4: Infrastructure & Civic Government
Zaxton brought in political minds from both the First and Second Realms — philosophers, legalists, historians, tacticians — and established a City Council. This was to ensure self-governance under a republican model, with five Consuls representing:
Trade & Economy
Defense & Security
Culture & Education
Foreign Affairs
Civilian Welfare
Above the council, Zaxton installed a High Arbiter, a neutral judge chosen from the Seven Halls every five years, responsible for maintaining law and resolving disputes.
During this time, Hall Arune IX was completed — a majestic palace of jade and dark steel overlooking the city, named in honor of Emperor Auren IX, Zaxton's sworn brother and ruler of the First Realm. This palace became a symbol of Don's sovereignty in all realms.
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Year 5–6: Population & Military Integration
To populate the city, Zaxton opened the gates to:
Second realm refugees fleeing collapsing powers
First realm pioneers with skills in agriculture, arts, and commerce
Beastkin and tribe-born from the wilds, offered full citizenship
He recruited retired cultivators from Mt. Fai to form the Silver Guard, a police and militia force to maintain peace. At the same time, he structured a City Militia and Training Academy — a separate power from the Sovereign forces of Mt. Fai, ensuring city self-defense.
> "Don Divine Gate is not my city. It is your city. I only ask that you defend it with the same fury I would."
By the end of year 6, the city had over 90,000 residents, thriving markets, and 3 district capitals: North Fang, Sunlight Row, and Dragon Hollow.
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Year 7–8: Economic Expansion & Trade Diplomacy
Zaxton leveraged the reputation of Mt. Fai and the Don Empire to form exclusive trade pacts with 7 powerful Third Realm clans. He exported:
Refined ores from the volcano mines
Beast pelts and spirit herbs from the forests
Cultural relics and formations designed by Mt. Fai's Seven Halls
He also carefully allowed limited access to the dragon's flame — used to craft celestial-grade weapons under supervision, making Don Divine Gate a hub for elite arms and equipment.
The city grew in wealth, earning the title of "The Merchant's Heaven" among Third Realm powers.
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Year 9–10: Cultural Growth & Stabilization
In the final stage of the decade-long plan, Zaxton commissioned:
A Grand Academy of Three Arts: Cultivation, Diplomacy, and Formation
A World Temple honoring the fallen, the Gatekeepers, and the ancestors of Don
An Annual Founding Festival: drawing crowds from across realms to witness Mt. Fai's might and Don Divine Gate's prosperity
Finally, he met with the City Council, formally severing all direct command. He would advise and protect, but never rule it.
> "This mountain is my sword. But this city is your voice. Guard it well, speak loudly — the Third Realm listens."
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By Year 10:
Population: 150,000+
Military: 12,000 city-trained fighters, 2,000 elite Silver Guard
Economy: Top 10 wealthiest cities in outer Third Realm
Influence: Recognized as an independent city-state under the Don Banner
Cultural Status: Known as "The Crown Below the Storm"
📜 The Four-Year War of Permanence
"When Eight rose against One, and found themselves facing a storm forged in three realms."
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Year 1: The Rising Storm
🔹 The Ceremony of Heirship
Zaxton stood atop the divine balcony of Hall Auren IX, his dragon circling overhead like a stormcloud made flesh. Before the whole city, he summoned his son — Jin Sori, now in his prime, radiating with quiet power and clear discipline.
> "I name Jin Sori, my blood and spirit, heir to Mt. Fai and Lord-Protector of Don Divine Gate. Should I fall, his voice is mine. His will, law."
The announcement sent ripples across the Third Realm. While some saw this as a logical ascension, eight ambitious city-states — long envious of Don Divine Gate's rapid rise — saw it as an opportunity to strike while Zaxton was diplomatically distracted with the 12 Moons.
They accused the Don Domain of imperial ambition, and worse — inter-realm meddling.
🔹 The Coordinated Strikes
The first blows were economic warfare:
Trade embargos
Border harassment
Intercepted caravans
Then came the first battles:
Beast armies sent to sabotage supply lines
Cultivator mercenaries recruited to stir civil unrest in outer villages
Don embassies burned in two allied cities
Zaxton issued no declaration.
> "Let them see what Don's children can do without my shadow above them."
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Year 2: The Young General Ascends
🔹 Jin Sori Takes Command
Jin, now commanding both the Sovereign Guard and the Don Divine Host, assembled a Grand Alliance War Council with the Seven Sovereigns. They established the Iron Accord — a total mobilization of the mountain and city's forces.
Jin proved himself a genius tactician:
He created funnel corridors in the wildlands to trap advancing enemy beasts
Recruited Three Sky Tribes previously neutral to the conflict
Reinforced the city with living formations tied to the spirit of Mt. Fai
He was everywhere: battlefield, camp, council, and city.
Citizens began calling him:
> "The Young Flame."
"The Shadow Storm."
"Son of Don, Heart of Fire."
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Year 3: The Turning Tide
🔹 The Battle of Black Hollow
The eight city-states, now unified under the banner of High Marshal Vezzar, launched an all-out siege of Mt. Fai. Over 40,000 cultivators and beasts marched, seeking to destroy Don Divine Gate before it reached its full maturity.
Jin and the Seven Sovereigns met them head-on at Black Hollow, a vast gorge that led to the mountain's rear flank.
Sovereign Arja (Hall of Flames) unleashed a firestorm that melted two beast legions.
Sovereign Yun Sen (Hall of Winded Iron) used a collapsing cliff technique to bury enemy reserves.
Jin channeled the Dragon Sigil left to him by Zaxton, calling lightning from the heavens.
The enemy army was broken, retreating in chaos. Three enemy generals were captured — their public trials broadcast across the realm.
🔹 Zaxton's Silent Power
Meanwhile, Zaxton — still meeting with the Twelve Moons — subtly turned sentiment. He convinced 3 moons to declare neutrality, 1 to open trade with Don Divine Gate, and 2 to share intelligence on the enemy's movements.
His absence became a weapon in itself — a phantom threat looming just out of reach.
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Year 4: The Final Flames
🔹 The Siege of the Sky Wall
The remaining five enemy city-states combined their forces and launched a final offensive — Siege of the Sky Wall, the last bastion before reaching Mt. Fai's core.
But this was a trap.
Jin, now fully matured into his power, led the Seven Sovereigns, 12,000 elite cultivators, and the Ash Guard, an elite shadow unit trained secretly for this very moment.
The defenders executed a three-phase assault:
1. Mirror Sky Breaker Formation: blinded and scattered the enemy.
2. The Sovereigns' Descent: seven gods descending from heaven.
3. The Mountain Awakens: Mt. Fai itself trembled as Zaxton's dragon roared from its peak — a show of force without intervention.
The enemy army was annihilated, and the remaining cities surrendered unconditionally.
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🏛️ Aftermath: A City Carved Into History
Don Divine Gate was recognized by the 12 Moons as a permanent Domain of the Third Realm.
Jin Sori was titled "Warden of the Central Stormlands", officially second only to Zaxton.
The Seven Sovereigns became legendary figures, courted by clans and sects across realms.
Zaxton returned just after the war ended, smiling quietly at the rebuilt gates.
> "The future does not belong to those who wait. It belongs to those who fight for it, bleed for it… and then build something worthy of peace."
Don Divine Gate became a political and military superpower, hailed as:
"The Gate Between Eras"
"Where the Flame of Don Burns Brightest"
"The Mountain That Cannot Fall"