It was already midnight when the city had mostly calmed down, though the situation had arisen to the point that police patrols needed a pair of military personnel to be with them and tanks rolled through the streets and gunships kept a watchful eye at the alleyways and tunnels with their blinding spotlights.
The citizenry had gotten over the initial panic and now, many had set their sights on getting out of the city, if not, shoring up its defenses as all directives were now thrown into building as many fortifications as humanly possible. City construction itself has mostly been diverted from maintaining roads and infrastructure to building trenches on the beaches and dugouts in the forests and valleys.
Mines and many other types of explosives were also being laid, with hundreds of thousands being thrown in every possible inch, leaving only the roads as safe havens as forests have been littered with warning signs and concrete barriers are erected on important key points of the city.
Jackson who was now in an office at the top floors of the 8-Gon stands up from his leather chair and walks towards Bahamut who was lazily sleeping on the sofa. Not touching the fine steak on a plate in front of her.
Kneeling down, he slices a portion and offers it to her and she opens her mouth as she tightly hugged a pillow. “How are you feeling? You really used a lot of your strength there.” he pushes his face up hers and makes contact with her forehead, making the Dragon go beet red which made him giggle.
Seeing his face so close to hers, she pushes the pillow up her face, blocking his view of her but he buries his face on the pillow and tightly hugged her, followed by a pat on the head. “Heh. You're so cute.” he stands up, just to see Alana who was leaning forward with her chin on her hands. “You're so cool, M’Lord.” hearing this made him blush, laughing as he looked at the map where Elizabeth was with her Black Knife who was now wearing a stylish black turtleneck and jeans. “I agree with the Countess. You’re a very fine gentleman, My Lord. We are very lucky to have met you.”
Out of nowhere, Elizabeth holds his hand and gives him a quick kiss on the cheek. “We’ll make it through this, My Lord. Worry not, together, things will always work out. Just as we did in Zavalda.” She removes his visor cap and begins combing his hair. “A Knight’s greatest weapon is his virtues.”
“And who knew it was that those who wear nylon hats will have heavy heads. As if your duty is lighter yet just as heavy. It became far easier to send people to die in the future, has it not?”
“Hm. Back in my country, war involves the entire community. So if your neighbor has sent their child to die in battle, so is yours. I wanted to fill in the place of a child, no kid should go to war. It’s a thing meant for us adults, as payment for our mistakes in letting violence fester for so long.” He lifts his hand and softly places it on the Queen’s cheeks. “Magnificent.” with a light blush on her smiling face, he turns around and returns to his desk.
His body relaxing on the grand leather chair meant for a 5 Star Supreme General, Jackson sighs as Alana slowly leaned forward and handed him a cup of tea. “Thank you.” she then sat on the edge of the table, gazing over Bahamut who has aggressively used the fork to puncture straight in the center of the steak and she’d take little bites with her body facing the ceiling on the sofa while the Queen was looking at her Black Knives, gloating over how pretty they all look.
“M’Lord, what breakfast should I prepare for you? Something with meat perhaps? Vegetables? Cheese only? Or perhaps me?” This made him chuckle as he sipped the tea. “Some meat and a bit of you, why not?” She stands up taking the small tea plate with her as she sits on the sofa opposite of Bahamut. “I shall go for a grocery run in the morning. The kitchen on this floor is quite wonderful.”
Elizabeth though with her Black Knife gloats over the map, now with less restrictions and more information to be given, the Vampire with her remaining Black Knives who sat around the main table all in awe of the things that the UN had done. “My Lord, the only true problem now will be the portals and if they open them in the main continents. Most of the Labyrinths and Dungeons have been closed. It will take weeks for them to come out of them.” Jackson though didn’t look at them, just in silence as he sipped tea.
After a few moments, he sighs. “This entire thing will probably force the UN to agree with the shutting down of the Mana Cores, so the portal problem shouldn’t be on top of the list and looking at this paper, it looks like most dungeons and labyrinths are ready to blow.” This made Alana look out of the night sky through the window. “But this will also end an Era, M’Lord now that I’ve thought about it.” but Bahamut had other things in mind as she lazed around the new sofa in the office. Looking at Alana, she finishes the steak and turns her body to the side, facing her.
“Bloodsucker, how long does this calamity usually last? So far, we’ve been told varying lengths.” For a few seconds, she was silent before answering. “Historically, the longest was a month. But as the era’s changed, it became only a few days at most and seeing the amount of Heroes and their power, this might be done in a day if the forces of the other world hadn’t thought up of a plan that far exceeds this.”
“I’ve been with the Grand Prince… that Human is imbued with divinity that could even make mine look pale in some aspects. His virtues are as true as could be, an absolute good in a world of shades. Something I think Master will agree with.”
Jackson was massaging the sides of his head as he looked at the Dragon. “Can a Human be incorruptible?” Bahamut then gave him a smile and nod. “Just look at yourself, Master. You are proof of that. You hold under you the strength that could change this world forever, even to control your own Masters yet, you chose to be a humble leader.” but the General instead looked forward once again, massaging his head. “Thank you but… for someone holding as much power as he has, I truly hope he is the paragon of what is good in a person… because at times like these, the worst of people will come out… I’ve seen what war and calamity can do to a person.”
“Why not check on him right now?” Bahamut flicks her finger at the flatscreen TV opened and began live streaming a CCTV camera on a bus yard, and the Prince in his gleaming armor was sitting on the corner with a driver near the admin building’s entrance. “Is driving a vehicle of this size hard, sir?” The player, wearing his uniform, still shrugs his head as he drinks a can of soda. “No. I already had previous experience back on Earth. I drove army trucks for a good four tours, buses are easy. These ones are even automatic, kids can do it with no problem.”
This made the Prince smile and nod. “May I try to drive one then sir?” Jackson facepalms as the player patted James and stood up. “Hell yeah. Come on, I’ll teach you how.” The two get up and the driver goes under the door and presses a switch that opens it and starts the bus. “Looks like he is good, Master.” he just sways his hand and the TV closes.
“Your Highness, though the Prince does not suspect you, or maybe does not really care. I still suggest you walk with caution with him around.”
“Oh Clem, be not afraid. That man is in worship of My Lord. He wouldn’t dare touch the Lady of a Lord he respects. Regardless of his personal beliefs.”
All of the sudden, the Dragon was sitting in the leather chair opposite of him, putting her leg over the other as she had an elegant posture. “Master, this long hard year pushed Humans to their limits. I absolutely believe in the Grand Prince and his greatness.” Jackson looked at her and then back out into the wall, the quick gesture murmuring a weight that he was processing inside his head. “Even then, looking at him, I see a sense of youth, an innocence that I’ve long lost. I just… I just find it hard to believe that it can't be corrupted. I think he just has a pretty outlook on life still from his upbringing but, with what’s about to appear though?”
Bahamut shrugs her head and looks at him, straight into his eyes. “Master, I think you should return to being childish. Smile once again when you see a cool piece of armor or weapon. We can feel the bad memories seeping through the back of your head, but you must know, it's different now.” With a nod, he turns his head to the table. “Elizadeath, the Sword Saint. What do we plan to do with her? And how does the report? I’ll need to process and sign it to have those two imprisoned.” with a flick of her finger, one of her Black Knife hands her a document which she then approaches him and carefully hands to the man.
“I’ve never felt this type of weight before.” His hands just stopped, tightly gripping the document. “In World War Three, it was just my side versus theirs. But this? An entire world, an entire people, and the future of a planet.” Everyone just looked at him as his shoes tapped the carpet. Almost immediately, the trio got to touching his shoulders. Just massaging it as he sighs. “Good men fall, and usually, it's at the worst of times but James, that kid has more weight on his shoulders than all of the Coalition Leaders combined.”
“Lady Clementine.” One of the Black Knife then walks to the Queen, bowing. “Yes, Your Highness?”
“Take two other Knife’s with you and check on the Sword Saint.”
“Of course, Your Highness, shall we also prepare an assassination?”
“Nay. As much as I’d want to, her role is far larger than any of ours. Just watch and make sure she’s as infallible as the Grand Prince… she did come from Earth after all.”
“As you order, Your Highness.” She then disappears from thin air as a knock comes to the door which makes the remaining Black Knives retreat while Elizabeth looks at the desk camera and sees that it's an officer. With a press of the door unlock button, the Colonel immediately salutes in his well ironed uniform. “General Jackson sir, the Secretary of State Umberto wants you in the War Room.”
“I already told him. I want the Legions of Eldwood as an extra, The Shine Guard Armies with General Yamaoka and Colonel Powell Harden. The skeleton field armies won’t do with what's tasked for me.”
“Yes sir, but the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Navy wants to talk to you sir, I believe your Guild Leader Hassan will also be on the online call.”
“Ah crap… I’ll head up to the war room then. Anything else?”
“Yes sir, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Richard Bong wishes to have Bahamut to train the high level Half Dragonborn Guild.”
“What?! Master, I will never train those lowly Drakes!”
“Can’t you do it Bahamut? We really need all the help we can get. My hands are tied and so will be Alana’s and Elizabeth’s.”
“Master, they're better off not even using their Dragon form with how useless the Drakes are. Skin of rubber and the smallest horns and wings. At Least the Wyverns can grow horns and even get stone skin with huge wings. There’s a reason we use them as carriers and couriers and never as frontline fighters.”
“Please. They're strong, believe me. They have thick skin and strong armor. You won’t be disappointed.” Looking at the state of her Master, she suddenly puts her arms over his shoulders, her hands reaching for the back of his neck as she pushes his forehead into hers. “Now is your time with grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy, Master.” She then gave him a smile and entered the hallway as Jackson was left with a confused expression on his face as the door closed. “Where are these lowly creatures?”
Standing next to her was the soldier holding up some papers. “There at the airport, Goddess. At the military hangars at the edge.” and with no question, the Dragon began walking away as the man knocked on the door which Jackson opened. “Sir, The State Secretary with his emergency powers has agreed with your request for additional forces.”
With this, he picks up his leather briefcase and with a look to the two Vampires, they follow him out of the office as the Colonel leads them to the puzzling halls of the 8-Gon.
At the airport, the runway was all business with military aircrafts arriving by the minute, unloading troops from a Native Kingdom as the leader of the Dragon Guild felt the presence of something amazing in the air.
The Mana was flying outward, making him run to the Hangar doors, pressing the button to open it as his eyes feasted on the sight of a True Dragon, four legs, two wings and great massive upward pointing horns. “Praise be to the Goddess! She who has not rejected our prayer or withheld her grace from our lowly eyes!” He then began running towards the tarmac alongside the other players of the Guild.
As the airport staff was busy unloading the horses and gear of the Knights that arrived at the dawn of the evening, they turned around just to see a heap of heavily armored men in Dragon Scale and Meteorite Plate armor turn into Wyverns and Drakes. Flying into the darkness of the night throwing flames in all manner of direction.
A C-17 Globemaster cargo plane was in its final approach as the skeleton pilots noticed the large double decker sized Dragons flying mere meters from them. The player in the Navigator’s seat immediately hit the deck as the cockpit rocked from the numerous large wings passing by. “Jesus! Tower! What the heck was with that traffic?!” the Air Traffic Control was just staring at their radar and the gigantic blip the smaller blips was going to. “Clear traffic and have those lined up to perform go-arounds.”
But before they could reach Bahamut, she turns into a Human, though her Dragon wings are still on her back, the players do the same and a bunch of Knights in varying types of plate armor surround her. “Is this the Brood that has the audacity to call upon the Dragon God Bahamut?” as the Knight donning Dragon Scale and Meteorite Armor kneeled, his head looking down, the rest followed suit as they hovered midair. “Yes, Goddess of the Void, Primordial Dragon God that conquered and rose to the ethereal. It is of the greatest honor to know you came.”
“What does one wish from me? My time shant not be wasted for mortal matters. Meager Broods of Lesser Dragons should know its the task of Dragon Lords to train you.”
Behind her, another cargo plane with its landing lights already turned on goes around the skyline of the city, aiming for the runway as it begins to enter the final approach. “We wish for you to unlock the blessings you give. We need it for our upcoming battle, destroy the mortal coil we hold and give us divinity and we shall kill millions under your name, Goddess Bahamut.” She then lifts a hand and puts it to her chin.
After a few seconds of pondering, it went to her forehead and the cargo plane was barreling right towards them. The Dragon players all hovering in place as she thought to herself in the darkness of the sea. “Do you possess an Ebony Statue of me? I’ve seen your offerings, plenty and true, though your forms are measly and lowborn, I will consider this as an act of charity." The IL-76 was mere meters above them as it touched down on the runway. “Of course! It’s actually with us, Goddess!”
As if gravity was nothing, the player barrel rolls and flies straight back to their hangar. “What is your name? Are you the Patriarch of this Brood?” the player in Meteorite armor mods, with his head bowed, he removes his helmet, revealing the finely sculpted chin and long straight hair he has. “My name is Vantper, High Wyvern of Vulcan, my skin is as thick as ten tanks and my fire, hotter than the afterburners of the jets. You may call me Van, Goddess.”
She nods as she leans forward, her wings flapping once every few seconds as they descend back to the airport. One player, in silver plate armor adorned with icons of Dragons flies next to her. “I can’t believe you’d do this, Goddess. The Ancients never saw us Wyverns and Drakes the same. I am Deng, Deng Puan of this Brood. I may be of a lesser Drake, but my skin is true and hard as the rocks under the soil and my fire, melting even the most magical of armors.”
With this, the Dragon God didn’t look at him but instead spoke in a more lenient tone. “That is true, and so do I. A Dragon without the drive for immortality is nothing but a peon to the greatness we can achieve. Do you not know Immortality for a normal Dragon means just live long enough to become a natural divine?” the player in silver armor nod profusely.
“Of course, I have read the texts. Learned and embraced it, Agelessness is one of the hardest types of immortality to achieve for a person, but for the Ancient Dragon kind, it's just a naturally occurring evolution.”
“Hm. You impress me. Then, do you know how many Immortalities I hold?”
“Seven and I can name every last one of them, Goddess.” This made her peek at the player, even for a second with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve read every compendium about Dragons in Dark World, every encyclopedia and Wiki article available. I myself am an editor and a contributor to Draconology.” the leader with his long flowing hair laughs as they land on the tarmac. “Forgive Deng, Goddess. He studies Herpetology in Shenzhen and is a big Tolkien fan.”
The player though didn’t let up, with his hands up his chin as his eyes spark under the shiny helmet he is donning. “I’ve also been recently busy in making a thesis about the facial muscles of Dragons. The way it moves the armored skin and the amazing fibers around your eyes.” She then stood in place as her outfit changed into her classic Gothic look.
“Hm? Why do you need a thesis for that? Dragons coexist with Humans now, it's only natural we evolved with facial expressions as that’s how Humans communicate the most. Droh’ knows the true way to speak is with one's flames, not with cute expressions and head tilts.” Deng had started to write things in his notepad which came out of nowhere and even made Van look around his second in command. “Did you always have a pen and paper tucked away in your armor?”
She just had a smile under her veil as the landing gear lights of the recently landed Ilyushin brushed around her as it taxis into the tarmac, joining the many other cargo planes unloading personnel and equipment. In one of them, C-130J Hercules has a cargo of not tanks or munitions, but a bunch of Priests and Bishops from the Holy See and their respective Knights and Grunts.
Above the terminal, on the elevated highway. Emergency lights of all colors, white, green, red, amber, orange and blue fly past the traffic. Driving straight into the city as it's followed by a massive convoy of military vehicles that’s mixed with civilian trucks with no end in sight as all sorts of vehicles and services pour into the Capital city of the Guild. Tree, Electrical, Water, and Private Ambulances is included in the armed convoy with truck companies lending their massive 18 and 22 wheelers to deliver generators and tanks as a helicopter’s spotlight follows the long trail of transport vehicles.
“Goddess, may I ask you something?”
“Speak.”
“Have you met a group of Dragon Chosen Ones before? Ones in silvertine armor with horns that goes upwards like you?” she looked up for a bit before nodding. “I do remember, yes. They helped build the first Church of Bahamut on that Fortress City that sat on the border between Man and Elf.” Van smiles. “Those are my Leaders. They are part of a far larger Brood that encompasses the Dragon Association of Mid Continent. We’ve helped build a hundred small chapels for you around Geraldia.” This made her tilt her head and with a squint of an eye, she gave him a grin. “Good work.” She then turns to their Hangar.
With a large flag of the UN and the Dragon Association, with the extremely elaborate and over the top design that has a hundred Dragons with long trails on its bright orange edges, she looks down to see the statue of her sitting at the very center back of the giant structure meant to house large aircrafts.
“Just so you know, those who will discard the previous forms and become stronger are only dependent on your wills. I am merely pushing you a bit to see that form.” Looking at the Ebony statue of herself, in her Dragon form. The Goddess walks towards it as the players all kneeled and bowed their heads. “Those who have the Dragon’s willpower to pursue more power, more strength, not for survival but for the duty of birthright to become a conqueror shall see to themselves a better version of oneself.”
Spreading her arms as she stood below the statue, she pointed at the leader of the Guild. “You, why do you wish to ascend?”
“To protect this city. I was a kid when bombs fell on my home and it got leveled to ruins. Now, I can do something. In this form, in this body and soul, I can make a difference than look up to the skies and wish those bombers weren’t there and were just pigeons heading north.”
“Oh, that fiery passion will carry you far. A Dragon’s body is not rigid, it's as malleable as the molecules around you. All it takes is your willpower. I do not expect much from your Brood, Drakes and Wyverns don’t make much of a Dragon God but I wonder if a Chosen One’s soul can change that. Repair the defective part of your kind.” The black statue of her began to shine, glistening like the morning sun is above it.
“It’s a sad sight what has happened to our species and the lowly offspring that came after. No longer hunting for the wild and uncontained power that rests beyond the stars, to grasp the untouchable, to aim for the skies that can be reached with enough strength. Instead, we became reliant, subservient and even dependent on others. I will grant you this power, as a gift of thanks for building all those Chapels dedicated to me.” They then got buffed like they were still in a video game. Circles around them sparkling a golden color.
“The newest Brood of Dragons live to exist, they no longer live to conquer like before. Prove me wrong Lesser Dragons, blessed by the presence of a True Dragon and maybe, just maybe. You may grow another pair of legs and your wings will be in your back. Your arms will no longer be used to fly away, but instead, to strike down on your enemies and eat their souls to become stronger.” She then raises a hand at them, striking a mighty pose.
“Go forth, fight and be defeated, have your limbs cut, your wings clipped and fall but never, ever surrender. Lift your head and your horn to the skies, light the magnificence lost by the Droh." She then began to walk out of the hangar. The lively tarmac was akin to a lightshow with how many headlights were moving around with hazards turned on. “A Dragon's wings aren’t made to escape danger, but to allow us to fly towards it. Ill to nust’or. Frorr Dre Depus ‘ftte Rah korre! Mi’harr ma’ ror!”
One by one, they turn into Dragons. Mostly Drakes and Wyverns, with their leader being the most armored and with glistening red scales as they roared loudly inside the massive Hangar. Bahamut spreads her arms wide as she basks herself in the sound of her species rallying cry for war. The thirst of battle ran in the air as she could smell a hint of a familiar scent within. An ancient scent that she has long hadn’t gotten.
“What a beautiful show, Goddess.” Walking out of the darkness of the tarmac and into the light of the Hangar was a man donning an impressively white robe and a golden staff that had the icon of a feathered four winged Dragon with its wings in full spread and claws out for battle. “Goddess, I believe this is our second meeting.” Looking at him, the impressive handsome face and statue alongside the pretty golden eyes and a holy circlet around his gray hair, Bahamut flicks her finger. “Ah, you're that Praeministrator that introduced himself to me in the Fortress city.”
“Hm. I see that Wyverns aren’t as seen in the same light in your world. I now know why the cold treatment at me in our first meeting.”
“If you are here, then is that Queen of yours also present?”
“Queen Catherine is not gonna give up her Godly status for something to a head on fight.”
“Pfft. I have no need to become the God of the Skies or the leader of the Dragons of this place. I never built a Bloodline. My thirst is for strength alone.” He just smiled and shrugged his head as he massaged his shoulders. “To answer your question, Goddess. I’ve come here to oversee the Human Pontiff’s blessing to the Hero Party and deliver the success to her Majesty first hand. Most men lead lives of desperation and die with the song still within them.”
“Oy ya’ white dabbling fool! What’re ya doin’ here?!” Following him was a Dwarf in plate armor and a crowned helmet. “Where in Harelm’s deep mines is my cousin?!” Bahamut slowly tilts her head as one by one, the players turn into more stronger Dragons. Brandishing their new forms behind her. “Oh, you're related to the Dwarf who is with the Sword Saint? That little hairy ball scurried off fast when it saw my true form in that forest.”
His frown then turns to a smile, though his mouth is hidden by his big bushy beard, his red cheeks more than say what needs to be said. “Oh ya’, oh ya’. What a lass we ‘ave here. Though Dwarven women ‘re still prettier, can’ say I am not impress’d, M’Lady.” Bahamut just had a confused face as she remembered something.
“Thank you for the compliment? You should put a leash on your cousin. Though he is not fully responsible as to what happened to Master, he is still an accomplice.” This made the Dwarf smile even more. “Names’ Warmaster Ormoc from the Dwarven Tribe of Mount Sarka. Head of the Warband Council of Dragovh Dwarves and Son of War King Sarka the Collier. Aye’ me cousin’ is a bit of a follower when’ it com’ to women. Ahahahaha!”
As a plane began to put its throttle to the max, the Dwarf couldn’t help but turn around to look at the end of the runway where a C-5 Galaxy had begun its take off run. “I’ve’ been interactin’ with these Outworlders fer’ a while now and I’ye can’not help but be im’pressed still.” The Warmaster just nods to himself as it veers into the other end of the runway, gaining speed almost immediately and taking off quickly. “Aye’. Purtty machines they are." Soon, its lights just became blinking dots as it was embraced by the night sky.
“So the Dwarves are actually getting involved in this? I thought your kind has plans on staying underground.” A high ranking Bishop from the Holy See then bows to the Praeministrator as he looks at the Dwarf. “Can you speak normal English? Everyone knows you're faking your accent, Ormoc.”
“Pfft, Aye. Man of Deus.” he proceeds to give Bahamut his full fledged attention once again. “Many of us plan to do that, right. But that Nmue, Human named King James saved me gran gran long ago. We’ve been indebted fer long now and we Dwarves always pay back with thirty percent interest! Bwahahaha!”
“You speak quite good English alongside the Praeministrator. Have you learned this very recently?”
“It’s been a year pretty lass, they Outworlders’ ‘ave good stuff to sell! ‘course I learned their language as fast as I could! English is easy to learn, the alphabet is nothing compared to ours!”
“Saves me the time and effort, Master will also be happy to know the Heroes speak his tongue.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“Hm? A lass like you has a Master?”
“More like… a companion but, Master is Master. I like calling him that anyways. He teaches me a lot about being a Trov, its many ups and downs. Master is Master.”
“Ohhh, is this person some great warrior or King?”
“He is. And the strongest Human I’ve met!” She spreads her arms out, making the Warmaster giggle at her excitement. “One who deserves my eternal companionship, advice, and… and I need him… always.” Seeing her face under the veil, the Dwarf crossed his arm and leaned into the hips of the Praeministrator who then pushed him away to the Bishop.
“Off me, Dwarf. You are lucky King James sees you as worthy allies.” The Warmaster just chuckles as he pointed his thumb at the Dragon in Human form. “Can you believe this White feathered duck and funny hat man, Lassy? Actin’ all like a mad Dwarven woman since you came back home with unprocessed steel! Bahaha!”
With him the only one laughing, Bahamut looks at the Praeministrator and the Archbisop, both shrugging there heads. “Master said the person they're truly waiting for is the Imperial Prince and a person named Palatur?” the man in all white nods and turns around to a coach being dragged out of a cargo plane. “He’ll soon arrive. A soldier told me his plane will be here in an hour. The Outworlders act very fast. It even shocked me with how quickly everything came to be.”
“Could ya’ hook me up with one them steel big birds? Maybe one that could spew fire and lead?”
“I’ll talk to Master about it, Warmaster Sarka. But they’re very restrictive with who can have there technology.”
“Nahhh, just call me Ormoc, Lassy. Pretty ladies can have me name! No extra cost!” He tips his helmet as the Praeinistrator turns around and walks back to the darkness with the Archbishop. Both of them exchange pleasantries. “O-oy! Don’t leave me! I don’t wanna cross that without yer’!”
This left Bahamut to rest her head on her hand as she stood alone at the edge of the lights of the hangar. “Is this really going to end well?”
Inside a dimly lit war room, the only thing bright within it was the strips of LED giving the map in front of him the light it needed. “State Secretary, sir. If I may, a Nationwide Frontline against the forces of Hell is not applicable. They are not suspended within the confines of a city. They could easily just move forces into areas where our units are weak and penetrate it!” Walking over to the General, an officer hands him new epaulets for his shoulders. The insignia consisted of five golden stars in a pentagonal pattern with touching points.
“General Zard, calm down. General Jackson bought this upon himself and he has fully agreed to this plan.” the player though didn’t well up, standing with both his hands on the table. “Sir, this is suicidal. We are better off just leaving Schon entirely! Me, Jackson, and the many other Generals are going to die!” with a long hard sigh, the player turns to the newly promoted officer at the end of the table.
Watching him were the numerous Generals of the Men of the Woods and the large collection of flatscreens in front of him live streamed the Guild Leaders, with his own Boss, Hassan watching closely as he changed his silver stars for gold. “Jackson, you seriously can’t be thinking of doing this. Operation Army of the Damned only met the very absolute minimums. It's not going to slow down or halt the forces of the Underworld for a damn week even! Most of our Mana Nuke Carriers are destroyed!”
He just kept calm, letting the 4 Star General to speak continually. “State Secretary, what can we even do? That Avatar of the Tree something has already said that the Gods won’t open the portal back home till we have fulfilled our part and I am not going to stay here and get mauled by Demons! We are wasting time with this futile shit!” Umberto gave Zard a quick stare and with a squint of the finely suited man, the player sat down. His fingers playing with the edges of the binder in front of him.
His eyes though weren’t looking at them, instead it kept a watchful eye at the screen monitoring the condition of the Mana Core under the city. The attack that day made it spike to Critical Levels but the closing the portal by Bahamut has stabilized it till suddenly, its been at a constant Unstable level. With most spikes being detected in the Spatial Stabilization and Physical Materialization. The rising and falling lines weren’t as bad but it's apparent.
“Now that’s over with. Ahem.” The State Secretary stands up and salutes to Jackson. Making him stand up and salute back.
“Congratulations, Supreme General Jackson. I’ve read about you and your participation in real world military operations. Can’t say I am not impressed by your achievements as a Colonel of the Asian Coalition Army. Of the hundred military generals we have, only half were military and met the NCO requirements we set forth and only a fraction of that has made waves as big as you.” Jackson stands up and salutes the State Secretary. In his tacky black suit and striped blue necktie, Umberto looked as cold and robotic as those around him on the table.
His black hair styled into the sides and the black shades he wore made the Politician look more static than human as he gestured for the man to sit back down. “I am also aware of your companions. Bahamut, the Dragon God, Countess Alana from the Minuit Family and… the long dead Queen Elizabeth of the once massive Vampire Empire. I hope she forgives our little white lies. Her Black Knife’s should come in handy with the upcoming war.” he then relaxes, putting his back on the leather chair as he crosses his legs.
“The President, our beloved Guild Leader and the many others are safe. The Demons thought they could just walk into a smoldering and nuked Iron Mountain with their best Assassins and get rid of our entire command structure in one fell swoop.” He then interlaces his fingers as he rests his chin on top of it. “But their information is faulty. They did not realize our Leaders were walking armies and got promptly removed. I believe the fifty or so players in this table alone could count up to a million men in strength.” He then removes his shades, revealing his normal brown eyes as the screens behind him change into a map.
“Thanks to your many efforts, General Jackson. The Pope of the Holy See dropped many of their restrictions on us and paved the way to our requests being heard. Though Labyrinths and Dungeons have been the lifeline of many towns and villages, we have been allowed to destroy their entrances and use magic barriers and force fields. We’ve been doing this for a week now and the progress has been stunning.” The map showed the many known underground fortresses and keeps, and one by one, X marks them and the progress showed a good 75% has been done.
“They couldn’t do it before, due to the limited number of specialized Mages. But to us, Forcefield and many Magical and Physical barriers are something you can learn by your first week of being a Wizard or Sorcerer. Add in our flying mounts and aircraft with teleportation here and there, we can be assured that the mainland won’t be much of a problem anymore.” Many sighs of relief filled the air but the State Secretary just cleared his throat and silence beckons the war room almost instantaneously.
“But this is taking into account that no portals will open up… as of right now, the UN is in session and the debate is still hot on whether or not we should turn off our Mana Cores since they’ve been the main reason of Demonic invasions… the thing is, we use them to materialize components and armies aside from powering our cities…” One of the Generals raises his hand. “Sir, we’ll never meet the stockpile projections. I say we shut it off now. The Core is already unstable for some odd reason. We might as well end it now.”
“We could, but the public won’t be very happy with this as the generators just arrived a few hours ago. I believe we’ll need at least a day before. Also, Mister Alonzo. How is the city coping?” The man in a Police Chief uniform stands up and removes his cap. “Currently, the Civilian Militia has been formed and those who want nothing to do with the upcoming mess are already moving to the bus stations and evacuation centers.” He then takes a binder and opens it. “As per General Jackson’s orders, we’ve also helped in moving munitions into intersections and placed outposts in the center of them.”
“General, what’s the entire point of this again? I believe this is a tactic you’ve concocted in Zavalda?”
“Yes sir. The roads are natural funnels. So when the time comes they arrive at the city, we can basically put them into fatal funnels. The only thing limiting the killing power is the ammo which I hope I could remedy now that I have foresight.”
“I see, and you’ll be here till the city defenses are complete from what I’ve been told but I am changing that with my emergency powers.”
“Sir?”
“I want you and your wives to go to Schon. It’s expected that the Demon Kingdom will open up with an invasion of their own as an appetizer before the real thing.” Hearing this, Jackson’s eyes quickly frowned as his head lowered down a bit. “That shouldn’t be a problem, sir. Just say the word and I’ll go there.”
“Good. I like the look on your face. So this is what’s it's like to command people of your caliber. I can’t say I don’t like the feeling. As State Secretary, I am also bound to aid your efforts since we’re giving you control of a considerable amount of our forces though, the detonation of the Mana Core is also under my arm so, I guess that divides the weight of the responsibility…”
“Thank you sir. I just need artillery and air support. Give me those two things and I’ll give you as much time as I need.”
He then turned the chair around to face the flat screens and in one of them was the section of the Guild Military Commanders and Maltese was there representing the Men of the Woods. “Malt, can we do it?” He nods and turns back to the table. “You're also requesting for the Shine Guards? I believe they don’t really have a modern force even by our standards. We’ll need to equip a large amount of their forces.”
“Don’t worry sir. The Shine Guards have some of the best cavalry in the entire community, just give them what they need to be a fighting force and I’ll conquer anything.” he nods as he opens his binder and writes some stuff down. “Aaannndd… the Zavalda National Guard wishes to come with you.”
“Yes sir, I’ll consider them as my vanguard unit. They Were the most experienced next to the same units the Shine Guards sent to Zavalda.”
“Are you sure about this? To put the most experienced units to the front?”
Jackson nods. Standing up, he looks below the table where there is a flat head stick. Taking the small rectangular box with a cross inside and four big X on top of it, he selects the ones branded as the Zavalda National Guard and the Shine Guards whilst taking two Legions from Eldwood and plops them down in Schon.
“I’ve been looking at the maps I’ve been given and the best strategy I’ve come up with is an offensive start. Not a defensive one.” The Generals eagerly watch the actual military man take the initiative. “Their numbers alone, without the contesting city streets will mean a ten kilometer front is useless, they’ll just go around it. So instead, I’ll be using the stuff I was trained at in Officer Academy.”
He then puts the Zavalda in the front with the two Eldwood Armies in the back and the Shine Guards in the rear. “We have Three Categories for our Armies. A for Elite, B for Regular and C for Rear. When we engage in an army size offensive, we’ll throw our best units at the enemy first.” he then takes the whiteboard marker and starts writing down on the continent of Schon.
Category A - Best Units equipped with top of the line equipment, objective is to lay the groundwork for the main army. Usually given the latest and most advanced vehicles with the most training.
Category B - Units meant to further exploit bridgeheads opened by the Vanguard, considered as the “Main Force”, objective is to expand the frontline and lay light defensive groundwork.
Category C - Reserve Units, builds fortifications and supplies the main army and guards land taken over. Usually given older equipment.
One of the Generals then raises his hand. “Are Category B also equipped with the best? I presume this means A has the fancy Leopard 2s while B has Leopard 1s?” Jackson nods as he underlines the Main Force. “While they usually do, in my time. They usually have T-72Bs and older M1 Main Battle Tanks. C has the Leopard 1s and even M60 Pattons or T-64s.” he nods as another General raises his hand.
“Jackson, since you have been given the task of slowing down the main invasion force of the enemy, what will Yamaoka do?”
“I will be giving him the task of manning our rear. That is why I’d like to request for the arming and equipping of three armies from the Shine Guards. I’d like to have trenches built, each about twenty to thirty kilometers apart with minefields on the area between them.”
“I see, I saw that request and I’ll see to it that happens. Maltese has some stuff stockpiled somewhere I can reroute to them and have Engineering Battalions set up the trenches. Mines though, you might have to do that yourself when you're on the field.”
“Good. Since Schon has vast mountains and valleys, in my time there, I could say it's a perfect place to slow down the horde. It will only become a problem when the proper Demon Knight Army appears as its no place for armored vehicles, that forest.”
“Yeah, I’ve read your report. Are they bulletproof and even capable of withstanding explosions next to them? We did try to melt the armor we captured but so far, it's just your typical mid to late game type armor. Adamanitum with Silver and a type of alloy resistant to corrosives and acids.”
“I saw it first hand, whatever that stuff is made out of, it's tough and it's light.”
“I see but, do we have anyone from the Shine Guards in the streams?” One of the many boxes lights up its borders. Representing the Guild was a High Priestess in the typical blue hue they use. In her background is an office for a Holy person inside a Church, in contrast with the others in their more modern offices. “Yes, General Nguyen?”
“You’ve heard Jackson, he wants three armies under Yamaoka.”
“I’m already on it as we speak. The Court of the Golden King was attacked so our Knight Generals have been recalled.” This made the war room amped up. The General Secretary himself turned around and tilted his head. “King Gold has been attacked? How come nothing was reported to us?”
“Yes, but we’re still confirming the damage.” Whispers then fill the room. “The Heavenly King has been attacked?” Jackson’s eyes though didn’t peel away from the map, closely observing it. “To think they went for King Gold. Are they crazy?” With a clear and audible clearing of his throat, the room shuts up. “High Priestess Suzume, why are we just learning of this now?”
“Sorry Sir Umberto. But one of the Knights of the High Court just came down recently and told us the news. It seems that the fighting lasted very long and only ended recently.” The other Guild Leaders and Generals on the screen began to look around, some of them turning off the face camera. “Hah, he had to keep the mysterious act. High Priestess, do update us on that. Thank you. General, please go on with your plan.”
“Y-Yes sir. So General Yamaoka will be building a fluid defensive line behind us while we’ll continuously perform offensives. When we’ve drawn them good enough and piled a good chunk of their reserves to my group of armies, I’ll call for a retreat and hit them at the defenses. Rinse and repeat till the portal opens… I hope.”
Another General raises his hand. “And, Jackson’s forces will only compound as he retreats, units meant to defend areas behind him will join up his main force or get divided into Matlese’s or the other Generals put into the task of slowing down the Demon Horde.”
“So, the more cornered we become, the more soldiers and equipment that will be at your disposal?”
“Yes sir. That’s why it's usually recommended to leave an opening against a cornered army since they will fight tooth and nail knowing there’s nothing else to look forward to and from General Jackson’s report, the Demon Forces do not leave anything to exploit. They're here to kill everything as quickly as possible.”
“Ahem, that is correct. In the Battle of Zavalda, the Demons left no front untouched. Unlike normal armies that would usually only have one or two fronts active, they will mount pressure upon pressure from all sides. To the point that it pushes you to collapse.”
“General Jackson, this is the Knights, correct?”
“No sir. The Knights come afterwards and they're far more formidable than anything I’ve seen. Paired with those Hell Priests of sorts, it becomes an enemy that you simply won’t be able to be faced head on. Those magic barriers they put up were capable of withstanding Guided Bombs with Mana disrupting warheads.”
“Then General, I believe you have a plan when your offensive plan don’t work out, right?”
“Yes sir. I have an ace up my sleeve. Multiple.” Umberto though slaps the table, gaining everyone’s attention. “And what is your plan if the other fronts fall?” he points out at the large frontline. “As General Zard said, if they will keep pressure on the entire front, what makes you think you will be able to hold out when one General fails his job and his unit gets obliterated? His problem will now be yours.”
He looks at Bahamut and turns to the State Secretary. “I will still fight sir. I have aces as I said, I can take on one or two broken fronts that’s flooding into me and slow them down still.” Umberto though squints his eyes. “General Jackson, do not take in more than you could. If you can’t meet the One Month deadline, so be it. I'd rather have a standing army left than nothing, got it?”
With a salute, Jackson gave Umberto a quick and concise reply. “Sir, yes sir!” the man in the suit nods with a smile. “Good, we still have no idea what the Heroes are planning or what their entire modus operandi is. Tomorrow, I’ll personally talk to them and see if we need to change anything.” the Generals just shift their attention to the next topic at hand.
“Now, for the more boring stuff. Logistics and Permits. We’ll handle the Demon Player question later.” As he licked his index finger and swiped to the next page, the screens showing the map switched to the air traffic and a huge blimp had entered the region. Though still not within the airspace, it's moving fast and for its size, was impressive.
Though Jackson was just silently observing the room. The cold temperature made the palm of his hands feel like ice as the players, mostly made up of Humans with a handful being Elves kept to themselves, listening to the General Secretary as they sipped coffee and wrote down what needed to be remembered. “Is this how it was like for my superiors?”
As he looked at the icons on the map, the fleets, air wings, and armies were all small and meager painted wooden pieces in a grand war that’s in the works. “And the Kingdoms? They won’t push new tariffs on us right?” He didn’t listen to the conversations around him, more so just felt the numbness of it all as the area outside of the lights of the table were nothing but pure darkness, as if that very room was meant to only be heard and used by them and no one else.
“Are we sure Dragon Kingdom won’t make a move since we have their King. That Streamer girl has been using him left and right since she came back from Vitas.” Looking down below his hands, in between his elbow is the binder marked “Top Secret” and opening it, Operation Army of the Damned greets him as its title page.
Turning it into the next page, he is met with the table of contents, made up of multiple documents and the contents inside them.
He didn’t feel a thing, the emptiness within his soul made everything seem impressively light as he shifted to the document pertaining to army strengths and coming to its last pages, he saw that the barest minimum of the number of armies had been met. Crossing the line just a few days ago though the numbers connected to reserve vehicles and equipment didn’t give him any hope nor was the tonnage of equipment that was moved. Only being a handful of million tons.
With the updated information, they’ve made it official and will be branding it a complete success the next day. Timing it perfectly with the arrival of the last Hero though as he goes to the next document in the military deployment, the entire thing only amounted to 3 Million skeletons, not even enough to encompass the vastness of Schon’s mountains and valleys to its varying terrains that goes from ice cold to flaming hot deserts and in the end, he will only be given two field armies while the rest are divided to the handful of Supreme Generals selected in there own self contained defensive objectives.
He began to massage his forehead as he closed his eyes and stretched his arms whilst looking at the time and it was already nine in the evening. “Jackson.” with his attention knee deep in the document he didn’t even manage to hear the person calling out to him.
“General!” turning his head, it was the State Secretary. “With the entire thing finally coming down on us, what do you plan? Are you going to drive up an army of a few hundred thousand skeletons up there border?” he shrugs his head as he fixes his jacket. “No sir, I plan on meeting them in the Three Rivers City if possible. As… even with these numbers, it won’t be enough as General Zard mentioned.”
The politician didn’t nudge nor had a change of expression. His fortified eyes kept on the 5 Star General. “I’ll instead be planning for a mobile defense. Though… with what the Gods said, how long do I need to hold off? I might be able to manage three or four though that still depends. The Demon Army I fought didn’t sleep nor slow at night.” A sigh was the only reply he heard as he peers over to the map, silently staring at it. “We… don’t know. For all we know, you might need to hold and slow them down for weeks or months.” Jackson just slowly lifted his head up his forehead, swiping it till it reached his hat and took it off. Placing it next to his elbow. The lights above the room covered his eyes as he breathed in heavily.
“Sir, may I ask if I could have priority control over the Mana Cores explosive devices too? Just in case.” The State Secretary just spins his chair to the screens and the Guild officials listen as they sign documents and do their duties. Many of them stopped and looked at the screen directly.
As a new day dawned, Jackson returned to his new office. With the three girls jumping up and rushing towards him. But he just completely collapses into Elizabeth’s chest. Rubbing his head in between her breasts as he breathed in and out. “Oh my…” she gently placed her hand on his head, slowly stroking his well combed hair. “Hm. You can rest your head there for as long as you want, My Lord.” Alana, not wanting to get defeated, hugs his arm tightly while Bahamut is just confused at the entire scene.
Pushing his head out a bit, he looks at the Dragon. His eyes looked heavy and tired, with his hands going to her head and stroking her hair. “Bahamut, can you raze an army of five million undead?”
“Eh? Master, what did I miss?” she tilts her head to the left as she lifts her finger to her chin, closing her eyes and in a second, nods. “I can, Master. Though a lot of preparations needs to be done beforehand.” Elizabeth though just looks down at the man whose head is resting in between her chests and taps his head. “My Lord, exactly what is this for? The Demon Legions won’t exactly get slowed down by an additional five million thralls. You heard General Zard’s argument, this is indeed a suicide pact if anything else.”
“We don’t have enough soldiers though...” This made Elizabeth take him to the couch where he lets him rest his head on her supple breasts. “My… but we must first think. We cannot throw seeds into a field, expecting it to bloom into a beautiful tree overnight now can we?” Alana though starts looking around and at the map, she turns to Schon. “M’Lord, what about a few thousand Vampire Knights? I could use my family’s reputation to summon the Vampire Kingdom’s best.” Jackson immediately waves off the suggestion. “No. Your country needs those more than we do. I just need a bit more extra. An… emergency budget if you will. In case things don’t work out as planned since what Zard said, when a line falls down, we will have to take the weight of that.”
He proceeds to hug Elizabeth tightly. Breathing out on her skin as he closed his eyes. “What they did not think is that when one line opens up with the enemy having overwhelming numbers, the entire thing usually follows and it's nothing but a rapid retreat after that.” he lifts his fingers up his chin as his shoes tapped the floor repeatedly. “So much of this plan rests on the others doing their part and not running with their tails tucked between their legs.”
“Then…” Alana with a sparkle in her golden eye looks at the Autonomous Region of the Wood Elves and places her lanky finger on its Mother Tree. “Bahamut can revive the dead, right? M’Lord, can’t we have her revive some of the Ancient Elves?” her finger then trails to the borders within the Elven Empire and the mountain that sat near the region of the Capital.
“Ancient Elves?” Bahamut then walks next to her and looks at the map. “Hm. Before the Elves spliced off into varying types and species, they were once a single species. The original ones created by Goddess Forrus, the True Elves. They were Warrior Angels in literal sense.” This just made the Dragon give a confused look as she turned her face to the Countess. “Don't the High Elves call themselves that?”
“Nay, Bahamut. The High Elves are just the closest to them. The True Elves are divine creatures. Their unmatched power came from them being Angels of the Gods that came down to protect their creations, made by Forrus to be the guardians of this planet. They were the first ones to fight the unspeakable horrors of the cosmos at their beloved Mother Tree.”
Hearing this, Jackson lifts his head from Elizabeth’s bosom and looks at the two. “I just realized, but where are the rest of your Black Knives?” The Queen just gave him a smile and the man just blinked a few times and lifted his finger. “I say we do what you are suggesting, Alana. It's brilliant. That might be just what we need. An army even in a small size like that might even turn the tides. It's pure genius!” Though happy, the Countess puts her hands together. “M’Lord, the problem though is that we do not know where they are buried nor if Bahamut can actually revive them since they are the property of Forrus.”
“Huh? They fought at the Mother Tree right? Wouldn’t they be there?” she shrugs her head as she returns to the table. “After the first ever Calamity, it is said that they headed East to where the Elven Empire now sits.”
“But before that, can Bahamut even revive a bunch of highly powered super Elven Angel warriors? Didn’t you say that they’re property of the God of the Environment or something? I think we need that answer first before thinking of where they are buried.”
“Hah-hah. Don’t worry, Master.” She flicks her finger and does a mighty and high pose. “That hag has nothing on me. I can revive them. Angels are no problem, they only take a miniscule amount of a God's powers. That green hag will bow to my demand, one way or another.” This made Jackson make a thumbs up and with a smile. “Niiicceee, so what do you need?”
She then looks up at the ceiling, still in her victorious pose. “Ah.” A portal then opens and pops out of it is an ornate jar of black tar. “Is that… the Tar of the Elden God from the Marshlands?!” she takes it and shrugs, discarting it to the General’s desk. “Uhhhh, M’Lord what is that and why does it seem to be alive?” he stands up, running to his desk as he panics. “BAHAMUT! GET THIS THING OFF MY DESK!”
Alana leans forward to check it but Jackson quickly puts his arm out to stop her. “Don’t come near that. In lore, that’s the Tar the Dark God of the Marshlands from Gad, or the Middle Continent as we call it. He used that to fuse the bones of the dead precreation creatures to create the Lizard people. That thing might fuse you into the desk or something.”
Another item then pops out and it's a massive Silver Staff which made Jackson drop his jaw. “W-WOAH! THAT’S THE CREATION STAFF OF ARCH WIZARD GENDUR!” Bahamut shrugs and just throws it next to the Jar of Tar. “Hmmm… maybe…” the portal then becomes larger and popping out of it was the pillar of an ancient structure. “No. Too bulky.” it then rescinds back as she starts rubbing her chin. “Bahamut, just what are you doing?! Our office will look like a museum of WMDs if you aren’t careful with these!”
“You see Master, I will be on the frontlines so I’ll be needing all of my strength there to hold off what could be billions of Demons. I cannot spawn an Avatar to do the resurrecting as it might take a few days and that Avatar also shares a lot of my power that is needed to be focused on fighting... That is, if we even find their cemetery or tomb quickly.”
“So…”
“So, I am trying to find maybe something that could be used to make it remote or maybe should I just task it to my Dragon Knights? Though then again… we might need them to be an ace up our sleeve.”
“Well, I could maybe call some Top Level players and mages. It should be a cakewalk for them.”
“Master, are you sure it would be worth it? Don’t we need Chosen Ones like that on the frontlines or evacuating the masses to the portal?”
“Hmmm… true. The evacuation takes top priority over everything, even my own lifes. If I were to do that, I’d need a handful of days to talk to the suits too and prepare the paperwork and select the players who can do the job.”
She then returns to her portal warping shenanigans as random ancient and prehistory started littering his office. From small ancient boulders with primordial inscriptions to sections of meteorites and even an armor set that made Jackson jump in excitement. “W-WWOAH! Can I touch that?” Bahamut just looks at it and shrugs. “Do what you want with it, Master. That’s an old gift.”
He then takes it and is absolutely vivid by the sight of the Silver and Adamantium plate armor. Etched into it were the cosmic stars and the Dragons of Albion. “What is that, My Lord?” he turns around, hugging the breastplate that’s evidently made for a more feminine form. “This? This is the armor of a Dragon Goddess, I think the Silvery ones were for Priestesses who took on Human forms.” Hearing this, Alana couldn’t help but take the helmet, with obvious slits for the intimidating horns of the Ancient Dragons but its contours conforms more to a finely shaped chin of a lanky woman.
“That is correct, Master. That’s a gift from Dragonlord Lucaeris. Though yes, she may be considered a Dragon God, she never took the title as she promised her sister that they’d both become Gods.”
“O-Oh, so this is a pretty old relic huh? I shouldn’t be touching this.”
“Don’t worry about it, Master. We Dragons never held Love the same way as Humans. Promises are akin to Contracts like the one we have but less formal. You could even say we never had a thing called Love. It was only when we started to become weaker did it become a thing and the Human influence came to us slowly.”
“With Vayke, right? The Volcanic Dragon?”
“Yes… and you know how that relationship ended. She was never the same.”
“Yea… but hey, this is pretty cool. I can feel the divinity radiating off of it. So Lucaeris lady owned this?”
“No, as if she’d ever give me her armor. That’s her sister's armor.”
“Dang. Have you tried it out?”
“Hmmm… The chest area seems a bit too tight. I don’t think it will fit me properly.”
Going back to what she was doing, Jackson goes ahead and neatly organizes the plate armor and soon returns to his desk. Pushing the jar as far off to the edge as possible as he goes back to organizing his papers while Elizabeth had to call for her Black Knifes to come and help move things around as Bahamut continued on checking what she had in her Spatial Inventory.
He soon dozes off from the all nighter he and the other Generals pulled and gets knocked out on his desk while the Vampires were busy lugging paperwork from left to right as Colonels and City Sector Representatives came in and out of his office with tasks to do concerning the building of fortifications and the decorating of the main street while Bahamut continued to check for her things.
It was already long in the afternoon when he felt someone shaking him. “Countess, wake up Our Lord. The assembly of the Heroes is about to begin. Dragon, go clean up this mess before I start destroying these relics.” The young teenage Vampire quickly looked at the time and it was about to be 1 in the afternoon. “Of course, Your Majesty.” looking at the General, the poor man is completely in deep sleep. Hugging the Jar with living primordial Tar inside. Oozing and creeping as it tries to attach to his skin but is sadly stopped by the thick enchanted glass.
With bags under his eyes and lips that seem to have lost their colors. She slowly approaches the man as a shadow dims the entire side of the 8-Gon. Windows and curtains were opened as people looked up to a shiny Blimp flying above the city. Winged Knights guarding its perimeters as fighter jets zoom past it. “M’Lord, please wake up.”
Opening his eyes, he could feel his phone shaking inside his jacket and answering the call, he heard the voice of the Secretary of State himself. “JACKSON! GET DOWN FROM YOUR OFFICE!” This made the man fully awaken as he looked at the absolute mess his office was in.
One look at Bahamut and many portals opened, slowly sinking all the random ancient relics she spawned in. “Come on!” as all the clutter disappears, the group goes to the elevator. The hallway was smack full of players, all looking outside as the giant blimp of the Elven Empire hovered above the city.
“The Elves never change. That’s how they first visited the Kingdom of Rose back when it was but a young nation, My Lord.” Jackson though looked around for something to block the immense shine coming from the polished and chromed flying blimp as a bunch of players in lab coats round the corner of the 8-Gon’s upper floors. “Oh! General Jackson!”
Waving his hands with a piece of paper on it, the scientist holds up an image of a ceramic bowl in front of the officer and with a single finger pointing and tapping at it, the Elf leans sideways to show his big round glasses. “Sir, have you seen a bowl of this type?” squinting his eyes, the General shrugs his head as Elizabeth tilts her head at the ceramic.
“May I ask where you got this?” the player then points at another scientist behind him, one holding a blackish staff. “A worker found it in a sewer access tunnel. It had some weird aura to it so it was given to a police station. I… I was looking into it since it had an incantation and the symbol inside it that seemed to be about protecting from Evil.”
Elizabeth then takes the piece of paper with the printed image and she carefully lifts her right hand and rests it on her pretty blush cheeks. “I might be wrong due to my age but this bowl is used by a Bishop. Dragon, did you not say a Noblewoman went here one day to rescue her son I believe?” She goes into the window and observes the incantations inside it.
“Doctor, you have to find this. This bowl does not have some meager incantation to prevent the spread of Evil. Nay, it has an ancient rune in the center. That is no symbol, that’s the image of Bammon, the so-called Avatar of the Devils. It is said its corpse lay dead inside the Moon.”
Jackson though sees a bunch of suited players and the Secretary of State himself walking into a stage. “Doc, just go and find it. Girls, we need to go.” Alana looks down on herself and fixes her gown as a medieval army prepares a parade on the main street of Uptown. “M’Lord, remember your manners.” He nods and begins to walk away with Bahamut and Alana in tow.
Elizabeth hands the paper back to the scientist. “Find it. Though the presence of the Heroes is ten times stronger than it, may I ask when it was lost?” The Elven scientist with his big round glasses looks outside where there are still some scars left from the fighting that happened a day ago. “Yesterday.” This made her eyes open wide, her emerald colored iris turning gold. “It-it was probably lost on the attack! Our lab was raided since it was on the first floor!”
“Elizabeth! Let’s go!” hearing her Lord’s voice, she crossed her arms and looked down on the players. “You better find that and return it to where it was, Outworlders.”
her presence seemed as if it was a looming shadow that could eat up their very souls. The players only nodded profusely as sweat flew down their foreheads.
“Good. Write a report to me when it is done.” She turns around and walks to the elevator and joins the party once again. “What was that about?” looking at her Lord, she sighs and lowers her head. Her fingers supported her forehead which is covered by her blonde bangs. “It’s probably not as important since the Heroes are here, My Lord but that bowl contained a powerful incantation in it that traps and cleanses an area.”
This made the General turn to her with opened eyes. “WHAT.” she nods as she leans her body into the wall of the elevator. “It was lost in the fighting, but the presence of the Prince alone is akin to a thousand of those. It shouldn’t be a problem, My Lord. I’ve already tasked them to find it.”
Alana steps forward and bows to her. “Your Majesty, what if it was taken away though?” The elevator pings as they reach the ground floor and Elizabeth presses down on the door open button. “Even then, it will take months to break a barrier like that. Time we do not have.” she then rests her hands on Jackson who was attentively listening the entire time. “Worry not, My Lord. By the time they’ve broken the incantation on that bowl, you would probably be back home on Earth already.”
“And who will stop it then? Wouldn’t the two of you be back inside the Vampire Kingdom living in your fancy mansions?” Elizabeth shrugs her head as she steps out of the elevator and stylishly turns around. Her jeans and shirt suddenly switched back into her frilly purple gown. “I cannot stay inside the Kingdom, be it Vampire or not. My existence is a danger to the people of this world. I will probably have to live in the forest for an eternity.”
Jackson just swallows his saliva as he tightens the tie around his neck. “Alana, be sure to visit her often, will you? She’s the type to start planning insane things when left alone.” the Countess smiles and bows gleefully. “Of course, M’Lord.”