The Key to Cintara Citadel

Prologue: An Anonymous Tip

"Fear," General Stykmore began, staring out of a nearby window.
"Fear is what keeps this place running. Whether it be fear of loss, fear of enemies, or the fear of what could happen as a whole, fear is what keeps this city running."

"Y-Yes, General Stykmore, sir," Advisor Vairan nervously replied.

"Then why are the people of this..new generation so...brave?" Asked Stykmore.

"I-I.." before Vairan could respond fully, Stykmore had cut in.
"I'll tell you why. The previous General of The Citadel, General Clovona, did not instill enough fear in the previous generation. She stopped using the one thing that kept this city running, the fool," Stykmore said, slamming his hand against the cold, mahogany table.

"With all due respect, sir, wh-what does this all have to do with the anonymous tip I informed you about earlier..?" Vairan nervously asked, take a few small steps backward out of fear.

Stykmore chuckled. "I can hear the fear I your voice, and it is already moving things in this conversation right along." Stykmore quickly wiped the smug grin off his face and got back into character. "So, this anonymous tip..elaborate on what it is, exactly."

"W-well, General," Vairan began, trying to muster up the courage he needed to stop stuttering. He cleared his throat. "The anonymous tip informed us that on the Day of Creation, a villain will strike the North, South, and West walls of the Border.

"Why keep all sides of the border but the East?" Stykmore asked, already thinking a few steps ahead.

"That answer is beyond my understanding." Vairan replied, hoping not to get told off for not knowing.

And who exactly is our anonymous tipper?" Stykmore asked, although as a rhetorical question, or more of one to himself.

Vairan picked up on this and didn't answer, knowing the question was not for him to answer. Either way, he still would not have known the answer.

"On the Day of Creation, we will send a squadron of Silver Citadel Guards to protect all of the borders, including the East," Stykmore declared.

"But they are not striking the east border, sir."

"I am merely thinking 3 steps ahead, Advisor."

Vairan, not trying to question Stykmore's thinking, nodded, saluted, and went off to inform the Silver Citadel Guards that they were to station at the North, South, East, and West borders.

Stykmore sat on his chair. He began pondering possibilities, different things that could happen on the Day of Creation.

"I've tried carrying out Clovona's wishes and keeping the residents of the Citadel free and ignorant..But it is about time I've started instilling fear within them."

"After all, when your fear something, you do not go searching for it. You do not go looking for trouble. You. Stay. Put."