The next morning, Atlas woke up with a surge of excitement. He crawled out of—no, jumped out of bed, his mind racing with the decision he’d made the night before. Leaning over, he gave Amber a gentle kiss on the forehead, then slipped out of bed quietly.
He peeked into another room. The two baby trolls were still curled up in their blankets, fast asleep. Atlas smiled at their peaceful forms before heading out of the room, careful not to disturb them.
***
He made his way to the breakfast area of the castle, determined to gather the council after breakfast and run his plan by them one last time. After his meal, he called the leadership committee together. They gathered in the Fort Bone War Room, a space filled with the symbols of their past victories. The walls were adorned with mementos: the cracked skull of the first skeleton they killed, a Fort Bone flag, a ragged Sons of Valhalla patch, and a prisoner’s uniform from Cell Block 21, worn and tattered from years of hard use. Other relics hung there too, from a Canucks flag to the signboard from the Earth’s Children’s Co-op Center, and even a mystical looking token from the Coven Clique. The room was an undeniable testament to their triumphs.
Sitting around the table, the council awaited Atlas’s decision. John, sat with his brow furrowed, concern evident in his eyes. Isabella, head of security, leaned forward in her chair, listening intently. Alexander, always energetic and ready for a fight, had his arms crossed, a cocky grin on his face. Olivia, the diplomat, watched carefully, and Barbara, head of the MASH Corp., a sat with her usual composed demeanor.
Atlas explained his decision. “We’ll accept the help request from the Belief Settlement, but we won’t send our army for half a day. I want to send one person ahead, equipped with a return stone, to let the Belief settlement that we will be on our way.”
John was the first to respond, nodding slowly. “I think it’s a solid plan. It gives us some time to prepare.”
Isabella, ever meticulous, tapped her fingers against the table. “It’s a calculated risk, but if we time it right, it could work.”
Alexander leaned in, his grin widening. "Well, yeehaw! Gives us time to prep, better than rushin' in blind."
Barbara adjusted her outfit, speaking with her characteristic formality. “From a medical perspective, having someone on the ground early will give us crucial information. I support the plan.”
Olivia finally spoke, her voice careful but confident. “Diplomatically, this approach makes sense. We show we’re committed. Who do you plan to send?”
Atlas smiled, turning to her. "I thought you’d be the best choice for this, Olivia. As our diplomat, you’d represent us best. Do you want to bring a bodyguard?"
Olivia raised an eyebrow, clearly considering the responsibility. "It’s an honor, Atlas. A bodyguard would be smart—someone strong but not too intimidating. We want to show diplomacy, not force."
Atlas nodded. "Who do you suggest?"
She glanced around the room. “Hank would be a good choice. He’s calm, reliable, and his shields represent defense, not aggression.”
Alexander gave a thumbs-up. "Hank’s solid. Plus, if things go south, he’ll take the hit for you."
Isabella added, “You’ll be in good hands with him.”
Barbara agreed. “He’s more than capable. You can focus on negotiations while Hank handles any potential threats.”
Olivia smiled, her confidence growing. “Alright. I’ll take Hank with me. We’ll leave in the evening.”
Atlas grinned. “Perfect. Let’s make sure they know we’re on their side.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
‘‘‘‘
While the Portal Crushirs were preparing for their epic march, Olivia and Hank got ready for their diplomatic mission. They activated the settlement kiosk, the air around them shimmering as the magic took hold. Within moments, they were at the secondary teleportation zone of the Belief Settlement.
There they walked the fifteen minutes to the Belief settlement gates.
Upon arrival, Oliver, the settlement’s leader, greeted them. His face bore the weight of his people’s worries, but he listened carefully as Olivia relayed the council’s decision.
"Fort Bone will assist when the attack begins," Olivia explained. "Hank and I will have come ahead to coordinate, but the full force should arrive in time for the battle."
Oliver nodded, his expression a mixture of relief and concern. “Thank you. Your support will make a huge difference, but I was worried they might delay. Timing is everything.” He paused, then added, “We’ll hold out until you arrive, I promise. Just make sure Fort Bone gets here in time.”
Olivia gave him a reassuring nod. “We’ll be there, Oliver. You have my word.”
Oliver looked at Olivia, his brow furrowed in worry. “Is there any way for you to arrive earlier? It would be a great help to have the warriors of Fort Bone here on the walls for defense.”
Olivia maintained her diplomatic poise. “We can’t march out right now. We’re dealing with a massive influx of trolls.” ‘If you consider two trolls a massive influx,‘ she thought dryly. ‘And dealing with them is more like Atlas being a doting parent.‘ But she kept her face straight and stern, not betraying the thoughts running through her mind.
Oliver sighed, his shoulders slumping a bit. “Well, I hope you can handle that, because we desperately need help and we appreciate any aid you can give.”
Olivia nodded firmly. “No matter what happens with the trolls, we will be here if the Faith Settlement attacks. That, I can guarantee. We are Portal Crushirs, after all.”
‘And we need you to keep paying us those coins,‘ she added in her head, the practical side of diplomacy never far from her thoughts.
Oliver, meanwhile, was thinking his own thoughts. ‘It’s good to have dependable allies.‘
Second lieutenant Stevens, who had been standing silently in the background the whole time, was still trying to adjust to his new role as military attaché and representative of the United Army of Earth. He gave a stiff nod, his military bearing never wavering, and simply said, “Thank you, ma’am.”
‘‘‘
POV : FAITH ARMY
Nadir's army eventually reached a small oasis, a rare reprieve from the harsh wasteland. The sky blazed with the last light of day as the troops marched in, exhausted but disciplined. Nadir, from atop his palanquin, surveyed the area before raising his voice, "Settle in for the night! Demon dog wards, tents, all of it. Move!"
The army moved swiftly, knowing their leader's wrath if things were not prepared quickly. Around the perimeter, soldiers placed wards to deter demon dogs, creatures known for their deadly nighttime raids. Tents went up one by one, including Nadir’s massive, palatial tent—a gaudy display of power, with luxurious carpets purchased from vending machines, a hookah that released sweet-smelling clouds of smoke, and palm fronds, waved continuously by two women fanning him to keep the oppressive desert heat at bay. Inside, the air was thick with scented incense, a sharp contrast to the barrenness outside.
***
As sky began to darken, two of the newly portaled recruits—a doctor and a nurse—saw their chance. Huddled together, they whispered nervously.
“We’re not actually going to fight, are we?” the doctor asked, voice low and filled with fear. "We can’t. This… this madman has lost it.”
The nurse glanced around cautiously, her eyes darting between the tents and the growing shadows. “No. I’ve had enough. This is insane, but it’s better to sneak out now than to try to revolt later. If we don’t leave before nightfall, we might not get another chance.”
With a shared glance of determination, they slipped into the growing darkness, moving stealthily between tents. Their hearts pounded in their chests as they made their way out of the camp, the cool desert air brushing against their faces.
Just when they thought they were clear, they heard a rustling nearby. One of the guards, mid-piss, looked up and spotted them. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Escapees!" he bellowed, reaching for his crossbow. "Halt!"
The doctor and the nurse froze for a split second before breaking into a desperate run. The guard, realizing the danger if they reached the Belief Settlement with a warning, didn't hesitate. He aimed his crossbow and fired. He reloaded and fired again.
THWIP! THWIP!
Both bolts hit their targets—one lodging in the doctor’s upper leg, the other in the nurse’s calf. They collapsed to the ground, cries of pain stifled as they tried to crawl away.
“Nooooo..”
The guard smirked, hoisting them up roughly. “You thought you could escape?” he sneered, dragging them back toward camp. "Not on my watch."
Bloodied and defeated, the two were brought before Nadir, who lounged in his opulent tent, his eyes narrowing as he regarded the pitiful forms of the escapees. The guard knelt, bowing his head as he presented the prisoners.
"These two were trying to flee, my lord," he reported.
Nadir’s gaze darkened, and a smile, slow and sinister, curled on his lips. "Ah… cowards among us. Bring them forward. We’ll see what kind of example they can make."