After hours of fierce debate, the halls of the Maxwellian Supreme Council were heavy with tension. Arguments for and against Blaine Hope’s audacious proposal had flown across the room, filling the chamber with a cacophony of voices. Some council members spoke with scorn about aligning with a man like Hope, citing his bloody past and the inevitable chaos his leadership would bring. Others, however, saw him as a potential tool—a necessary evil that could bring a swift and decisive end to the war.
Maxwell Cat, presiding over the heated discussions, tapped his gavel to bring order to the room. “Enough,” he said, his voice cutting through the lingering murmurs. “This council has deliberated long enough. The time for indecision has passed. We must decide whether Blaine Hope’s vision for Doslonsu aligns with Maxwelland’s strategic interests—or if rejecting him means we prolong a war we may not have the resources to sustain.”
Lady Aurélia Clawthorne rose to speak, her tone sharp. “Hope is a lunatic with no army, no reputation, and no future. Entrusting him with Doslonsu would be to unleash ruin upon their people and invite distrust from the world. If we proceed, we will wear his crimes like a shackle, forever tied to his chaos.”
General Tavian Strix countered, his voice gruff but steady. “Hope has no army yet. With Maxwelland’s backing, that changes. His ideology may be radical, but he can unify Doslonsu under his rule. And if he fails, the blame lies with him, not Maxwelland. A calculated risk, but one that could turn the tide in our favor.”
Maxwell Cat sat silently for a moment, letting the weight of the moment settle. He stood and addressed the council directly. “I understand the concerns of those who oppose this plan. Blaine Hope is, by all accounts, a dangerous man. But we cannot afford to let this conflict drag on any longer. If Hope’s vision for Doslonsu serves our interests—if his chaos destabilizes our enemies—then we would be fools not to capitalize on the opportunity.”
With that, the council was called to vote. Hands rose hesitantly at first, then with growing resolve. Despite a vocal minority of dissenters, the motion carried. Blaine Hope’s proposal was accepted.
Word was sent immediately to Maxwell Cat’s office, where Hope was waiting under heavy guard. As a delegate entered the room, Hope stood, his piercing gaze meeting the man’s.
“The Council has decided,” the delegate said, his voice lacking emotion. “Your proposal will move forward. Doslonsu will fall under your rule—under Maxwelland’s conditions.”
A slow, almost imperceptible smile crept across Hope’s face. “Excellent,” he replied, his voice low and brimming with malice. “Now, let us begin.”
And with that, Maxwelland committed itself to a path that would forever alter the war—and its legacy.
