AN: Alright, let's get right into it.

ROBERT

KING'S LANDING-SMALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

"And we are absolutely sure these are accurate?" Robert asked, knowing in his heart that they were.

"I am afraid so. Multiple reports of the same phenomenon on all fronts. There can be no doubt." Jon Arryn, his faithful hand and second father replied.

Four separate reports. Each detailing how the cards had been turned into weapons.

House Swann's raven from Stonehelm was the first. It detailed how Lord Gulian Swann and two of the ships under him had perished at Wyl. In total, that was about four hundred men lost. Those who had not drowned had been taken prisoner, and the nobles among them were being transported away from the borders where the fighting was happening, and to Ghaston Grey. The third ship managed to escape the battle quickly enough to report this "WAR MODE" that had caused the loses. It was not even that their life points had hit zero. House Wyl had placed monsters in the water as an ambush. Lord Gulian's ship was said to have been almost pulled under the water in the first moments of combat.

Robert would have to have Ser Barristan break the news to Ser Balon. His brother was now head of the house.

Then they got word from Kingsgrave. Sers Devan and Beric had succeeded at capturing the keep, but at a cost. On the bright side, they would be able to isolate House Wyl to Wyl and Vulture's Roost. A naval assault proved to be ineffective, but Beric could hold enough troops at Kingsgrave to prevent the other Dornish from assisting the Wyls.

The next two reports were actually about the same place. Lord Carron had failed in his assault on Blackmont, but while they were retreating, Perros Blackmont had led a force to try to finish them off. That was a mistake. No sooner had Lord Carron been chased away from Blackmont than Randyll Tarly's combined forces with House Mullendore reached there. With Perros taking over half of their surviving forces, Randyll Tarly managed to capture Lady Larra Blackmont and her heir Jynessa. Perros returned a day later and was killed by Reach men the moment he rode through the gate. Randyll Tarly laid the finishing blow with his Garoozis. Thus they had one report about a defeat at Blackmont, and one about a victory there.

"How are we only Now learning of this? Aren't the Free Cities constantly at war? They keep entire sellsword companies in reserve for them." Robert asked the council.

"Because there have been no wars. At least not by our standards." Davos spoke up. He was often quiet during meetings, but did add when they entered an area he knew.

"I spent a long time over in the Free Cities. When they have Sellswords fight over land, they send them out, have them fight in the field, and when one side loses they just stop claiming the land for awhile, until they can get another company. It's more like constant trials by combat, but with armies instead of single fighters. They have not actually had one city invade another for a while now."

"What about the Dothraki? Surely our Spider Lord would have heard about War Mode from their extinction?" Baelish asked, sending a sly grin straight at Varys.

"The difference between the Dothraki and other Raiders is nothing is official." Stannis pointed out. "We sent a declaration of war, telling them we were at war. The Dothraki and our own bandits don't announce it. The most warning their victims get is when the attack happens. That's the only way this makes sense."

"In any case, we need to look at how this changes our tactics." Tywin spoke up, He had just joined the council in no official capacity, but as the Warden of the West. He often tried to control the meetings direction, but the war was too big to ignore.

"It's obvious that we need to cancel our plans for the naval assault on Sunspear. If Wyl has taught us anything, it's that the waters are too treacherous." Robert pointed out, staring at a map of Dorne.

"So a land assault is our best chance? That will take far too long and we will have to fight through the entirety of Dorne." Renly pointed out.

"Maybe not. Pycelle! Remind me, what is the relationship between Dorne and the Stepstones?"

"Hu- uh, Your Grace, the Stepstones are a largely lawless land, ever since Prince Daemon abandoned his kingdom there. There have been attempts to reclaim it from both our predecessors and Tyrosh, but currently it is the pirates that rule it." Pycelle said as he looked at the Stepstones on the map.

"Stannis, when you were Master of Ships, how were we handling the pirates?"

"We had pushed them back east. They had Bloodstone and Grey Gallows, but we would have likely routed them had this war not forced our navy to retreat."

"What about this island, Sand Hill I believe?"

"I've been there, Your Grace. It technically belongs to House Tolland and was renamed after Ghost Hill, but they don't use it. Nothing really there, it's basically the desert of Dorne, but with saltwater surrounding it. Almost nothing grows there but some plants and some unique birds. Its size is impressive, but the name is too apt for anyone to live there. Only pirates and smugglers make use of it regularly." Davos spoke up again.

"Tell me Lord Davos, would there be many pirates or smugglers there currently?" Robert asked.

"War is harder than you think for pirates. Ports close down and business gets more dangerous. Most pirates either leave for more peaceful waters or embrace it and become Sellsails. The island should be empty. Too close to Dorne."

"And that is why it is perfect. We can have House Estermont secure it, and then we can have our forces waiting here strike at the Broken Arm from Sand Hill. They can overwhelm Ghost Hill and move straight into Sunspear." Robert summarized his plan.

"A bold move, sending troops so close to the heart of the enemy. Tell me, what if House Tolland realizes what you are planning? What if they wipe out the Estermont forces before our main host arrives?" Tywin asked his king and son by law.

"The Estermont forces will land on the northern peninsula of Sand Hill. They will be as far from House Tolland as possible while still being on their land." A thought suddenly occurred to Robert. "What about the ships blocking Dornish Ports? Why were they not affected by War Mode until Lord Gulian's attack? Are they safe?"

Varys spoke up. "My birds tell me that no Dornish lords have attacked the ships as of yet, but as they figure out War Mode, they may grow more bold. We could send a Raven to the ships with orders to pull back. From what I understand of this, War Mode was activated the moment Ser Beric entered Official Dornish land. The seas seem to be less owned. Had Lord Gulian's attack happened before Ser Beric, they may have made it to land and triggered it themselves."

Robert gritted his teeth. He should be out there. This was the first war where he was not leading from the frontlines. He should be. That was what he knew. If he was at Kingsgrave, he could come up with a way to smash through the Dornish defenses. He did his best thinking in the field, where he knew what he had on hand. Instead, he was forced to wait while his men fought and died for him. The forces he could strategize with reduced to meaningless numbers. How many swords did they lose? How are the Archers doing in terms of ammunition? Do they have enough to evenly split apart and hit multiple targets, or would it be better to stay united and face the enemy one at a time?

And due to simple geography, it was his Stormlander men who were on the front lines. Both of the losses had been Stormlander forces, while the victories had been led by Western and Reach men. To top it off, the Sparrows caused Lannister men to be redistributed to the Stormlands to help crush the fanatics. He was King of all Seven Kingdoms, but he had done little when he was Lord of Storm's End. Stannis was right. He was a terrible lord. Renly was little better, as his lack of awareness about his own seat being under attack had shown. Once this was over, he would have this High Sparrow or Divine Duelist or whoever's head, even if he had to cut it off himself with his own teeth. According to Varys he was mainly situated in the Riverlands. He knew Lord Hoster was ill, but to think that Edmure was so weak as to allow him to be unmolested.

"What shall be done about House Tyrell?" Baelish asked when the conversation had moved to the western front. "Lord Willas has locked himself away, and refuses to send aid. He may in fact decide to help avenge his dear friend."

"The Reach lords would never do such a thing. Willas was never much of a fighter anyway. Ser Loras is here in the capital. We could strip Willas of the title of Warden of the South, then Loras can be given it."

"As someone who is married to a Florent, I can assure you that doing so would spark another Civil War. The Reach lords would flock back to their keeps to protect themselves, and the Dornish would be free to reinforce their eastern forces." Stannis replied, looking at Renly as one did to a disappointing child.

They continued on like this for a while. After nearly four hours of throwing out strategies, they had moved to discussions of a certain hostage.

"Edric Dayne is heir to Starfall, and is in our own forces. Just remind Lord Addam of where his son is, and Starfall will fall in line." Pycelle suggested when Baelish brought attention to the boy's whereabouts.

"It would save us from fighting one of the main Dornish houses." Jon Arryn agreed, though begrudgingly.

"The boy was sick from the thought of facing his own countrymen in the field. He is being looked after by Lord Carron's bastard brother at Nightsong." Varys provided.

Before they could discuss Ned Dayne further, A knock on the door preluded Ser Jaime from walking into the chambers.

"We spotted two ships, one showing the banner of House Stark, the other of House Manderly." Jaime explained, keeping his eyes off his father who was staring at him with disgust that his son was acting as a glorified messenger.

"No sooner had those words left Jaime's mouth than Robert was on his feet. Before anyone else could speak, Robert jumped over the council table-to the genuine shock of everyone present that he could do so- and ran out, declaring the meeting over for today.

The moment he had gotten the message, he had ceased the dark thoughts of war. Instead, Ned was coming. It had been far too long. He rushed to the stables before realizing he had forgotten to breathe. In the time it took for the stablehands to make sure the King was not dying on their watch, Sers Jaime and Arys Oakheart managed to catch up to him.

Soon they were all at the docks, watching the ships pull into port. After they were secured, Ned walked down the gangplank. When he spotted the King, he immediately kneeled.

Robert grinned and walked up to him, and signaled for Ned to stand. They looked each other in the eyes.

"You got fat." Robert said with a straight face.

Ned looked at him with that damned honorable Stark look, silently challenging him on his hypocrisy.

Robert burst into a fit of laughter, and ran up and embraced the brother he should have had.

Before Ned could either kneel or embrace him back, his feet were off the ground and a loud CRACK was heard.

Robert dropped him, "NED! You okay?!" He asked as the Warden of the North felt his back.

"Fine, Your Grace, Hit some rough weather while I slept, I think you actually just fixed my back."

Robert laughed again and embraced him a second time, but more gently. "Ahh, it's good to see you again Ned."

"You too Robert, I wish it was under better circumstances." Ned said.

Robert ended the hug, and took a small breath. "Yes, well, we have work to do. I think the meeting is still going on. Ser Arys can escort your men to some housing. How many did you end up with."

"Counting the crews, who are part of the Manderly forces, we have about thirteen hundred soldiers."

Robert then thought of something. "Ned, have you heard anything about the fighting in Dorne, or have you been on the ship the whole time?"

"Last I heard, we were still patrolling the borders. I take it fighting as started?" Ned asked, putting on the lordly face that Robert tried to break throughout their childhoods.

"Ned, you are not gonna believe the newest developments."

DORAN

DORNE-SUNSPEAR

Prince Doran Martell stood and walked around for the first time in years without feeling pain. He looked down at his Duel Disk, the object that allowed him to do so.

D:8000

It took some experimenting, but he found that increasing his Life Points above the usual 4000 increased his body as well. If he survived this war, then he hoped the improvements stayed as well.

Shaking his head, he turned back to the map of Dorne. "Where are they?" he asked his advisors.

Maester Caleotte looked at the reports they had received. "A raven from Vulture's Roost that a scout saw Kingsgrave fall. Blackmont reported driving off a Stormlander army, but House Dayne of High Hermitage claims a Reach force on the west of the Torentine heading North. The letter claims Lord Darkstar tried to fight them off but they were too fast... but considering the Darkstar, it is unlikely. Wyl remains standing, having taken few losses from the naval attack."

Doran looked over the map, considering all the other Keeps and Houses. "And what of our own people? Have they begun to disperse?"

"Yes My Prince, Sandstone And Hellholt are leaving only the bare minimum of men to hold the keeps to buy the rest of us time. Yronwood has sent Quentyn and his friends to The Tor. Lord Yronwood will face the Iron Throne with all the men of Dorne who refuse to retreat."

Doran shook his head in agreement. "Once Yronwood falls, we shall have the remaining keeps and villages disappear into the desert, just as our ancestors did against Aegon. Until then, have them continue to stock up on food and water, taking it away both feeds our people and starves the Iron Throne's. What of their ships?"

"They retreated a bit after word came of War Mode. Some lords asked permission to engage."

"Send Ravens to them denying it. It would only weaken ourselves when we disappear. We have no real chance to win this war, we just need to be too difficult to defeat." Doran spoke, and the meeting slowed to a close.

War Mode was a boon to them, evening the odds in the initial batlles, but Doran knew it would only be temporary. Unlike Dorne, the Iron Throne had enough men to continuously throw at them. And with each soldier came monsters of their own.

They had done some experimenting with War Mode to figure out how it works. Perhaps the biggest part was the time limit. After a card was used, it could not be reused for awhile. Spell and trap cards took a full day to be reusable, while a monster's level determined it. Level one Monsters took an hour to be reused, while Level eight took two days. They could be summoned at the cost of Life points, or sacrifice other monsters like in the game. However, you could not summon two weak monsters and then a strong one immediately, it seemed they had to remain around for a bit before they were sacrificed, leaving an opening for the enemy to attack.

Doran walked throughout Sunspear. It was good to do so under his own power again. And everywhere he went, Areo Hotah shadowed him.

He found himself in the living area of the castle, where he and his siblings had slept and played, and he and Oberyn had watched their own sibling do so. Now he was the last one left.

Ellaria and and her children had gone to Planky Town, and rode the Greenblood to Vaith, where they would wait out the war. Daeron Vaith would keep them disguised as servants, only a few of the people running Vaith would be aware of their true identities. If needed, Daeron was willing to surrender without a fight granted that whoever took Vaith would swear to leave the Smallfolk alone.

"Father?" A voice called out, pulling Doran out of his sad musings.

That was right, he was not alone. Trystane was still here. He had originally thought of sending him with Ellaria, but some bastard daughters would be less recognizable than the third in line to the Principality.

"Trystane, what is the matter?" Doran asked his son. The only family he had left in Sunspear. "I miss everyone." The boy stated simply.

"I know." Doran said, not feeling in the mood to explain the whole political mess going on to one so young.

"Will you play Cyvasse?" Trystane asked.

"I would love to. I need a break and to sit down." Doran said with a small laugh as he and his son walked to Trystane's room.

ADDAM DAYNE

DORNE-STARFALL

A:100

"T-traitor." Addam Dayne, Lord of Starfall said through the blood drowning his throat, as he looked up from the ground, at the man he thought of as a cousin. One who he loved because of duty, and hated because of experience. The man who had him pinned by his Ape Fighter. The red furred monkey pinning his arm so he could not reach his Duel Disk.

Gerold Dayne stood above his cousin. "Come now, we both know that the sword is wasted gathering dust on a mantle. It thirsts for blood. And I am the one who can quench it."

He walked up to the mantle, and took Dawn down. He unsheathed the blade, but the moment it was out of its scabbard, it suddenly jerked towards him, as if he was about to stab himself. Right before it did, it suddenly stopped, its white light fading, and turning dark. Addam noticed Gerold's arm also glowing, but where Dawn glowed white, his arm was purple.

Before Addam's very eyes, he witnessed the blade that had been in his family for ten thousand years be corrupted by some dark magic of some sort.

Darkstar swung the blade in the air, its metal somehow changed to a purple, testing it out.

"I never really understood why it was called Dawn. I prefer Dusk, the sword that shows people the final night." Gerold said to his cousin, casually walking up to him.

"Y-you think you will get away with this? That Doran or Robert would accept your kinslaying?" Addam yelled, flashing back to his wife and sister's deaths mere minutes ago.

"Kinslaying? Dear Cousin, did you hit your head? You convinced a disgraced alchemist to come to Starfall to make your own cache of Wildfire. It is what I have been telling Doran in my ravens. Unfortunately, he was disgraced for a reason. By the time the strange wildfire finally ceased, all of Starfall was destroyed. Do not worry. I have enough love for you to give you a more merciful end than that."

And with that, Darkstar dropped Dusk, and let gravity end his cousin.

The last thing Addam saw was purple flames enveloping his vision.

AN: Originally, this was just gonna be Robert and Doran, a look at the two leaders of the war, but I thought it was too short, so I threw in Darkstar stealing Dawn. Just a little set up for something WAAAAY down the line. Thought about making it more of a mystery, but I figured most of you would guess it was him.

So, we get how Essos did not experience War Mode first, and a look at how the war is progressing on both sides. And then we get a bit of opportunistic kinslaying.

Next Week, instead of a new chapter here, I am going to post my second story. "Power Shift." After reading it, if anyone can come up with a better name, please tell me. I will credit you.