"it was the Ritual the Remembrance that made me realize how much these Spirits miss the ancient race that lived together with them so long ago, to see ageless beings of power and nature weep like newborns and beg to a Goddess that abandoned them is nothing short of tragic"
The Traveler, Book Three
William walked with Saa'ryu and Erwin flanking both sides, the Commander insisted to come in this visit, apparently, he also had to renew the oath with the Dragoness.
The boy couldn't lie, being this close to the Dragon was sending shivers down to Lucrezia, a real goddamn Dragon! it was the size of an airliner for god's sake!
Lucrezia had reprehended him but he couldn't help himself, he wanted to ask for a ride on the Dragoness back but was quickly shot down by Lucrezia that was one of the ways the demigod reptile would charm mortals.
What she would charm them for, William needed no explanation from his soul friend, after all, there were quite a few side-quests in-game about Kallista's Appetite for carnal acts.
Gone was also the option of calling her brood to war, they would refuse even if their mother joined, being raised only to defend their small piece of land for reasons unknown even to William, not that he would need them, the Magi-Folk from the deep should do just fine, those mermen can cause quite the impression when fully armored and ready to battle.
They walked without speaking a word, the Dragoness leading them deeper into the cavern, William recognized this path, it led to the Oath Chamber.
"You Father broke the Oath not long ago...What's your name again child?" The Dragoness asked, which earned a chuckle from William, yep that was Kallista alright.
"Lucrezia"
"Ah yes! Lucrezia, Beautiful name, anyway as I was saying, your Father broke it so it's not just me you will need to talk to, those bores in your fancy castle will also want to have a word with you once you set things here" her tail weaved as she talked, Wiliam was mesmerized by it until a sharp elbow brought him back to his senses, he looked to his left only to see Erwin shaking his head.
"Focus Lady Lucrezia, you can...visit the Dragoness later" the man spoke in a low tone, only to hear a giggle coming from Kallista, he shook his head again saying something about young people.
A female Dragonkin waited for them at the entrance of the ritual room, She looked just like Kallista, but her hair was grey, the scales on her face forming a single horn, not unlike a unicorn, she kneeled and spoke.
"Mother, I came as soon as you asked"
"Maghve, prep the ritual room and get me some mana crystals, ice, and earth please"
"It shall be done mother" the smaller dragonkin ran off to an exit and they entered the ritual room, in there it lied a huge stream of raw mana.
"As you can see Lucrezia, the manastream is perturbed, noticed how it ripples and weaves instead of flowing without pause, whatever your Parents did upset it, and this is no small feat let me tell you" she nodded and pointed to the exit with her thumb "I just need to top off my reserves with the crystals then we can crack on with the Oath, after that I have some very nice tea my Brood swears by it, and pastries!" William couldn't help but smile, beneath the lust and carefreeness, Kallista wanted someone to talk with, he remembered her bad jokes from the game and how much of a dork this demigod of a being was once you get to truly know her, he nodded and said with a smile.
"I would love to Lord Kallista" he bowed to top it all off. to which the Dragoness got flustered and said "No no, I don't do this lord nonsense you mortals are so found off, my brood are free to rule themselves, even if they are a bit too overzealous when it comes to me...Anyway I've been a terrible host, lemme fix that right up" she walked towards the south section of the Ritual room and William was surprised to see a table with some chairs to the side, they quickly arranged themselves and soon William found himself sitting down together with his maid and Erwin. Kallista was off somewhere, something about cleaning the place up.
William of course knew that wasn't the case, what the Dragoness meant was that she was injecting large amounts of her mana and lifeforce into the manastream to stabilize it until her daughter came back with the crystals.
William pulled his latest Magi-craft innovation (it was also his first but Idun said that for a novice he was a right proper genius) It was a deck of cards styled after the ones from Terra, as card games weren't a thing in Vermilion, many preferring dice and bloodsports when it came to gambling.
"My lady?" Erwin asked as William set up his game of solitaire, the cards had art done by Idun himself who did paintings as a hobby whenever he had the time, they looked life-like. a testament of the man's skills in, the cards were made out of steel and regular mana crystals and could even be used as weapons if the need was dire enough.
A good five minutes into the game William noticed both the Maid and Knight were staring deeply at the table "It looks like one of those card games from south of Xie but much slower, I've seen a few of their soldiers play when we had Joint mock battles and defense drills with the orcs" Erwin pointed as Saa'ryu nodded.
William decided to explain the game to them who after a few more minutes all had the hang of it, but now he was sweating bullets as both began to point out errors and such, he let a sigh of relief out when the Dragoness showed up with her daughter and the crystals.
"Let's get this over with shall we?" Kallista said with a smirk, She dumped the crystals in the manastream, they broke apart and for a moment the thing went still
Erwin and William took position besides Kallista and she produced a knife, William recognized another famous game item, the bound dagger, one of the best weapons for a rogue build, Kallista winked at him and slashed her palm, passing the dagger wet with blood to Erwin, who did the same with a motion so smooth, had William blinked he would've missed.
"I don't like how deep this dagger cuts, but the oath got broken so I'll just grin and bear with it" he heard the man murmur under his breath as he passed the dagger to William.
"Pray our situation doesn't fuck this ritual William" Lucrezia spoke, he could feel her fear, but there was also a rising feeling of excitement, she knew the battle for control of the duchy was nearing.
William slashed his hand and the manastream started dragging the blood from the dagger, a sphere formed in front of them, and Kallista touched it as she closed her eyes, chanting in a language only the dragons knew, after minutes William felt something click inside of him, he felt stronger, studier, like the very land, was giving him sustenance.
"Lu? Anything happening down there?" He was worried their connection had deepened, lord knew more unwanted memories would put her in a fouler mood.
Silence, for seconds she didn't say a thing then he heard soft sobbing sounds, she was crying, William panicked, he was about to do something stupid when he heard the young woman laugh, a burst of roaring laughter full of happiness and joy.
"Come down here once the day is over William, You must see this" she spoke no more, but William could feel her happiness was still strong, giving him a sudden bout of joy.
"Wow color my scales red and call me a dungeon making mad dragon! Never had I've seen the stream this pleased, Had this been the normal way little human I would say you have a great prosperous future ahead of you, but from the fact, the pact was broken and that nasty storm is months early I'd say this is anything but haha" the Dragoness was feeling pleased William felt "Now you have to reestablish the contract with the Old Ones at the castle, I don't know if they will be as pleased as the stream here but then again, who knows, well Lucrezia anything else this humble Dragoness can help your lordship with?" she half bowed, Indeed there was something Kallista could help, it would be a longshot but he was in the deep end now, and every help counted towards getting out of it.
"As a matter of fact, there is something you can help me with Dragoness"
"Oh! do tell then, All-Mother knows I'm bored as a farmhand after harvesting season...is that how the saying goes? Well anyway, out with it then"
William took a deep breath and spoke "I'm expecting a dimensional breach when we retake the castle, Can I count on your help on defending its grounds and the city?"
The air grew cold in a second, the demigod in front of William stared him down looking for lies in his statement and found none, she spat to the side and said "Figures, Yes I'll be there, Shout my name to the skies thrice to summon me" she started to walk away from them when William spoke once again "Kallista, would you have a White Rose on your horde?" The dragon froze and looked back at him, she had a puzzled looked on her face then she snapped her fingers "Ahh that? what do you need that for?"
"A potion," William said dead serious, the Dragoness nodded and told her daughter to fetch it, the dragonkin ran, and once again they sat down, this time Kallista joining them.
"Oh is that a card game I see? How interesting! last time I had a man from Xie here he told me about it, a shame Vermilion prefers dice games..." William couldn't help but chuckle when he saw the Dragoness puppy eyes, he threw the deck to her side of the table and she beamed him a smile "I can make more should you brood want it" she nodded as she started shuffling the cards, her daughter showed up with the flower and they bid each other farewells, as William descended the mountain into the many settlements of dragonkin, he was met with smiles, waves and kids giving him flowers, it felt good, he had a smile on his face when he reached Karl and the rest of the Knights, they all noticed the change, As they rode away Erwin spoke
"Lady Lucrezia, I had master Idun make a prototype weapon from the one he made for your, He calls it a pistol, it can be fired from horseback to devastating effect in both morale and sheer damage, It takes time to slot a new crystal in and those have to be made by hand, we tried using a raw crystal and while the blast was stronger, the weapon broke at the seams and nearly blew my hand off, Idun has made enough ammo and weapons for my squad but he tells me that we will only have a more reliable way to build them once you are blessed by his god" William could see it alright, once he could tap into that sphere of power he would be able to finale brave the mines below the castle, and with the ore there...
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"My Army" he whispered sucking in the air, it felt right, it was like the very world was singing to him, begging to unleash the full might of Earth's Millenial art of war towards it, something Lucrezia wasn't in favor of.
Yet.
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Serkj watched from the plaza gate watchtower as his troops fended off the third assault by the usurpers today, he had heard from his men on the streets that their food was running dry and they were getting desperate, with the leadership gutted by His Lady himself.
The wildest month of his life, his fellow castle guards were asking him he was feeling now that Commander Erwin was back, Serkj couldn't lie he was happy, he never wanted to lead, he could train people yes, even bark orders in the middle of combat, but leadership? not his cup of tea thank you very much.
So when Lady Lucrezia came back from the dragonkin lands and told him the castle guard was under his permanent command, all he could do was smile at the young woman and shake her hand, the only silver lining was that those horrifying weapons he heard the dwarven clan Lucrezia had saved had finally arrived, 40 of them, split among Knights and Castle Guards together with boxes of crystals that were used as ammo.
At least using the damn things was far easier than learning the bow, and they packed a punch even those fancy elven crossbows from Granarius would find hard to reproduce.
His men asked him questions, on how their Lady had produced these wonders of so-called Magi-Tech, what was Magi-Tech in the first place, and many others, all which he told them to shut up and form up, it was tiring but at least they respected him.
Lady Lucrezia told them to not use the weapons yet, clearly, she was planning for the coming battle against the usurpers, he had already spotted the senior knights with smaller versions of the weapon in fancy holsters, soon Serkj felt, soon they would take the duchy back.
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William walked the halls of the spirit wing, only Wulfgrem could step inside of it, the ice welcomed him, he could feel the air current pressing his cheeks, hands, and torso, the spirits were welcoming him, in the creepiest way possible
"The game didn't lie, this is creepy and uncomfortable"
"I still can't believe the spirits let a commoner establish the second part of the Oath, even if she was blessed by the All-Father..." Lucrezia was feeling very disturbed by that particular piece of game lore, William didn't get it himself, but then again it wasn't him losing something that was in his family for centuries.
"I've...Seen myself in-game William, that wasn't me, whatever my parents did, that thing wasn't me" There was anger in her voice now, rage at the way whatever ritual the duke and his wife put her through made her warp as a person, even if it was less severe than the other two main story bosses.
"We gonna fix it Lucrezia, Trust me, once this is done, once we have the oath, we will clean the mess they started and find some goddamn answers"
"It's godsdamned William if you gonna damn someone, it has to be with the power of multiple Gods" A small laugh escaped from her, it had been a day since they came back from Kallista's cave and Lucrezia was far more amicable with him, he had yet to visit the Monolith and her, as they decided to complete both parts of the Oath before doing it.
William reached the main room, unlike what the memories of Lucrezia when she came here together with her Father, there were three thrones in it.
"I can't believe they all came, shit" Lucrezia swore as William saw mist form on top of the thrones, humanoid shapes made from it, faceless, lacking eyes, mouths, and ears.
One then became a flying crown, another a walking suit of armor, and the third a single-edged blade akin to one of those knife blades William saw long ago, that the ancient germans used to trick their feudal lords by calling it a well Knife instead of a sword.
He was slammed by pure mana, maddening whispers like nails to a blackboard assaulting his ears, William went on all fours as the three Winter Spirits flew towards him, in what felt like hours he stayed on the ground near the thrones until he heard a voice, cold and old, older than the trees and stars talk to him.
"Wulfgrem-Spawn, your progenitors committed a grave sin"
The crown flew towards the center of the ritual room.
"In reaching for those who seek to harm these lands the Oath was broken"
The suit of armor walked towards William, lifting him, its touch was cold but welcoming, like an old friend.
"Yet the Spawn fought against it, even as it fell ill to poison, even as those who came from the stars were summoned to destroy it all, the Spawn stood for its people and land"
The Sword made its way to William's hand, it felt natural, as it was an extension of his very soul.
"And when the time came for it to bleed for its people, it did so with no hesitation, it went to Dragon and calmed the leyline, saved those who were in need and now the Spawn comes to claim its birthright, and be the ruler of these lands"
William found himself in the middle of the ritual room, the crown was in his head, the armor fitted him like a glove, and the sword pointed high to the sky, a small pendant in the shape of a tear made from mist and mana formed, and was placed by said mist in William's neck.
"To rule the north is to fight, is to defend its people from any enemy that comes, be it monster, man and God, To follow its traditions and laws."
Silence fell for a minute then all three spirits spoke at once
"Lucrezia Sommer Wulfgrem, do you accept this oath?"
"Yes"
The three melded into him, into his soul, William felt his mana reserves shoot up, for a split second he and Lucrezia panicked, but when he noticed that they didn't breach the Monolith he calmed down.
"You are now Ruler of the Land, sovereign and power made manifest, we have but one demand Wulfgrem, the blood of the oathbreakers must wet the grounds of the land, and all who supported them"
William took a deep breath and said with conviction in his voice
"It shall be done"
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Private Amadeus was currently patrolling one of the many streets of his city, ever since those Knights got kicked out of town and they reformed into a police force it had been smooth sailing, sure the roads were blocked off and trade was dead, but they had saved the duke! surely a hero's bounty waited for them after these lean times were over.
When the riots and food shortages began due to being cut off from the Magical Highway and outlying farm communities that was when Amadeus got worried, but command told them weeks later that food magic was going around town.
That should've been the sign that shit was about to hit the fan for him but alas, he was too drunk and high on Stygia to notice, when command busted open the vault full of the root it was a roaring party in the old headquarters.
Now that said command was found dead and decapitated, he was one of the very few that stopped using the drug and tried mustering more patrols and stop the harassment of civilians, nevermind the murder of crowns following him and every guard that left their hold, another telltale sign that shit was out of control.
"I don't like this Amadeus, not a single soul in 30 minutes already, this is the biggest city in the north, where is everyone?" one of the soldiers asked, his voice dragging a little and his hand shaking, another who was high off Stygian, it was hard getting sobber soldiers these days.
The food slowly running out didn't make it any easier.
the 12 man formation made their way to the central plaza leading to the castle gates, for weeks now he's seen the Castle Guards armed to the teeth at the gates, and they even had mage support! armor fit for nobles being used by mere guards was something no one could believe.
When they finally reached the plaza they were greeted by a horrible sight, hanged in the trees were the bodies of at least 30 soldiers. all with their chest armor removed and grim writing all over the flesh.
Names and their crimes.
Amadeus's mind went red with rage, he screamed to his soldiers and they formed up, spears at the ready, he looked for culprits, bandits, or angry civilians, the latter being the most common cause for death in the force lately, revenge for their families Amadeu was told.
The plaza was deserted, they broke down doors and gates but found nothing, the whole place was eerily quiet.
"Form up in the main square men!" he shouted as the tenth house ended up being empty of life, just who the fuck was killing his people?! damn it Amadeus thought, without mage support, they wouldn't be able to cast divinations and find out the culprits, those acolytes they had were all high on stygian all day after all.
"Amadeus! I found this-" screamed one of the soldiers, a girl barely 20 years old before her head was blown clean off, her body thumped as it hit the ground, the huge boom spooking the ravens from the trees.
"ENEMY ATTACK!" Amadeus screamed as he coated his shield and spear with crimson Ki, as a squire he knew that the tapping into his meager reserves now would save his hide later.
4 others did the same, the rest only raised their tower shields and propped their spears in an arrow formation, with the Ki users at the front.
"Something ain't right" One of the Ki users picked a short sword he had tied to his chest and threw it with uncanny accuracy towards the plaza gate, the weapon flew fast and true before hitting the air a few meters from it.
The whole thing collapsed shortly afterward, like a mirage being broken, Amadeus squad was met on the end of almost 30 men pointing some sort of metal tube towards them, he barely got a word out when he saw a young woman at the very front of the formation, speaking to one of the men.
He then recognized her, All-Father's balls, that was Lady Lucrezia! she was leading these men, he could see how they deferred to her! she then pointed to the non-Ki users with their tower shields and spoke in a clear voice that rang across the plaza.
"FIRE!"
Amadeus barely had time to duck as he burned Ki to increase his reaction time, the other squires doing the same, he was about to thank the All-Father when he turned around and heard the booms
Boom boom boom, one after another, louder and louder, Amadeus increased sensitivity due to his Ki made it like dozen war drums were banging at full speed right beside him, he wanted to die and throw up but the man kept his cool. 2 other squires didn't, throwing up half their lunch and bleeding from their ears.
That was when he saw the rest of his squad being torn to shreds like wet paper, their shields barely holding against whatever was being fired from those metal tubes, a total massacre.
Amadeus got up together with what was left of his squad, they pulled their swords as Lucrezia raised her hand to the air, Amadeus screamed to them "SHIELD, KI ON SHIELD NOW" they heard the bark and managed to coat their shields with it.
"FIRE!" another volley came and one more went down, his Ki control giving in to the sheer force of the projectile, Amadeus felt like a greatsword had hit him square in the solar plexus, the impact making him go a few steps backward, the same happened to the other survivors. he was ready to bark another order when Lady Lucrezia herself stepped out of the formation and threw a slew of magic missiles at them, many bouncing off their shields, until one laded near the arm of the man to Amadeus's right side, the man went pale and opened his mouth to scream, only for ice to form inside of it, choking him dead.
"As if some nubile noble can take me out, get fucked you whore!" the man to his left pulled his sword coated with Ki and charged Lucrezia, Amadeus went after him, he saw the young woman grabbing a small metal bar and bending it into a halo around her when the man got in range she raised her hand towards him and pulled.
Amadeus saw aghast as she turned the man's chest piece and with a motion punched it right into his chest, he collapsed dead on the spot.
Seeing he was outmatched, the soldier decided to gamble on surrendering, throwing his sword and shield to the ground, Amadeus kneeled and begged "Forgive me Lady Lucrezia, I surrender!" he looked up to the young woman, her cheeks were flushed red, she was sucking air but it was the eyes that terrified Amadeus the most, a sadistic glee in them, she was enjoying the killing, he barely got another word in before she grabbed his head and slammed a metal rod into it.
Across the city, loud noises and cries begging for mercy could be heard.
The battle for Glacialis Aeternum had begun.