Ashes And Empires

The ultimatum has been given. NATO has fractured. And the war for Europe's soul has just begun.
After Russia's Phase Seven ultimatum, NATO splits down the middle. Western Europe withdraws from Eastern defense. Lithuania and the Baltic states stand alone with a ragtag Eastern coalition, facing the full weight of Russian hybrid warfare.
Seventeen-year-old journalist Milda Žukauskas goes underground, documenting resistance while falling for Jonas, her fellow war correspondent. Together they expose Phase Eight-Russia's decade-long plan to break Eastern Europe through attrition.
But everything has a cost. Her childhood friend Lukas dies heroically during a prisoner rescue. Her mother Rūta makes impossible choices between saving lives and securing victory. And Milda learns that truth-telling in wartime means choosing what truths to prioritize when you can't save everyone.
As the Eastern coalition launches a desperate offensive to destroy Phase Eight's infrastructure, Milda must decide: remain objective journalist or become active resistance? Document history or make it?
Then Russia declares actual war. Not hybrid. Not limited. Total war.
And a mysterious message warns: "Phase Nine isn't what you think. It's not Russian."
When democracy's defenders stand at the breaking point, one voice still matters. Even if it's just seventeen years old.

Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes
Run Boy Run - Woodkid
Demons - Imagine Dragons
Youth - Daughter
Waiting Game - BANKS
Battle Cry - Imagine Dragons
My Tears Ricochet - Taylor Swift
Control - Halsey
Believer - Imagine Dragons
The Wolf - Mumford & Sons
Elastic Heart - Sia
Holocene - Bon Iver