Chapter 213.

PART 1.

Hatori is now feeling good enough that he decides he should contribute something. Normally, he would be thinking about getting a job, but currently, it is not possible to do that. the territories are getting exchanged, and due to the threats of attacks on both sides, the economy has stopped. Meaning, there are no jobs for graduates like Hatori.

Luckily, given his skills in combat and necromancy, the army has seen fit to deploy him, once he made an application. He is stationed with Kalicharan, to stop some out-of-control souls in an area that was a recent battlefield. When Zeko heard about this, he was not happy, but given he is serving as a general currently, he could not raise a fuss.

This constant bottling up of what he really thinks about Kalicharan getting involved with his student is slowly eating him up from the inside. Still, he could not say anything to anyone.

Of course, Hatori is unaware of this. He knows there are some reasons why Zeko doesn’t like Kalicharan. He chalked it up to his past as a prisoner. But until Zeko says anything to him, Hatori does not mind associating with this crazy necromancer.

After they clear out the souls, they come back to the outpost to report it. “We’re done mam,” said Hatori, “The souls are now cleared.”

“Very well.” said the commander at the outpost. She looks at some other pending tasks. “Go rest, and please take a look at the spirit wards later. some soldiers are complaining about that.”

“Of course, mam.” Said Hatori. he then leaves with Kalicharan.

“Kids these days.” Complained Kalicharan. “Making their elders work like that. what is the world coming to?”

Of course, given his time in the isolation cell and imprisonment for so long, Kalicharan is not in the best of the shapes. So, he does have some reasons to complain. “Just the signs of the time,” said Hatori in a grim tone.

The jovial expression on Kalicharan’s face drops. “Correct, boy.” he agreed with Hatori.

PART 2.

The general arrives with his guards, both the veterans and the green ones like Raven and the Singh twins. They are seated on a circular table, where the general has Raven and the twins in his corner, and the elders are sitting on the other side. There are only three of them, and the others are the apprentices and assistants.

“Welcome general,” said one of the elders. “I am Amu, and these are elders Angar and Amil with me. the tribe council has chosen three of us to speak with you, as we realize that you will not be able to speak with us all.”

“Greetings elders.” Said Sundar. “I am Sundar, general of the military of the Subcontinent. I thank you for your hospitality to me and my guards and apprentices.”

After acknowledging their greetings and opening words, the elders decide to get straight to the point. “As you have likely learned from our letter, some people came from the Subcontinent, trying to hide and find shelter. After some time passed, however, they started to order us. conflicts broke out among them, as the tribes did not take it well that these outsiders were daring to order them around.” Said Amu. “Therefore, we thought it would be prudent to ask for your assistance to help in quelling this problem.”

‘In other words, you caused this problem, now solve this for us.’ thought the general. He could not blame them for thinking that way. because there should have been a blockade on the borders around the country to prevent this exact situation.

However, the general did not have enough resources, even if some noble families aligned with him. The military is torn in two, as some of the soldiers and commanders joined the other side. Besides, the Subcontinent has huge borders. Trying to keep them secure, or keep a blockade on them is a logistical nightmare at the best of times, it is outright impossible to do so during a civil war.

“I have some solutions for this problem. I would like to present them to you for your evaluation.” Said Sundar.

“Certainly.” Said Angar.

“The first, and the obvious solution will be to send a force of hit mages to hunt these trespassers in your land.” Said Sundar. He expected them to deny this suggestion, and he is proven right.

“How are we to trust you that you will not do the same as these trespassers have done?” asked Amil in return.

“You have to rely on my word.” Said Sundar.

“Forgive us general,” said Angar, “But these are not the times where you can rely on someone’s words alone.”

“Very well,” said Sundar. “I suggest that we create a joint task force of your tribes and some of my own people. Together, we can hunt these intruders. You won’t have to rely on my words alone for this.”

“That suggestion is appealing.” Said Angar.

“I concur with elder Angar.” Said Amu.

“We do need to create the structure of the force though.” points out Amil. “Who would command who? And will your people listen to us, should we offer our guidance?”

“They will, if they want to get out of this mission alive,” said Sundar. “I am well aware that this land is a dangerous place, and it is best to listen to the tribes if you wish to avoid the danger.”

Raven watched in awe, as the general and the elder argued among themselves for structuring this force. He has never seen Sundar speak so diplomatically. Usually, he gives orders, and if they are not followed, swift punishment is in order. If the general is dealing with the politicians, he usually tries to bully them into thinking his way, with the king being the only exception.

But here he is, exchanging words with the elders, remaining calm even if they shot down some of his suggestions. Perhaps he does not mind it too much, because he is not operating in his own country, and the elders do have better suggestions in return anyway.

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As the meeting is about to be adjourned, Raven senses the security wards going down. He tensed, and the elders were suddenly surrounded by their guards, and the general is also surrounded by his own guards. For a moment, both sides look at each other distrustfully, before the wall of the room is blown, and men wearing the insignias of various families come to attack them.

PART 3.

Jeevan Reddy comes with his men and waits as they start to bring down the wards. They are hiding under cloaking spells from the forces of the general and the tribes who are keeping guard over this complex. But once their leaders are dead, they will have to kneel in front of him.

“The wards are gone sir,” reported the leader of the ward-breaking squad. “The final ward is ready to be brought down, whenever you order.”

“They will leave for lunch in a few hours. Bring the ward down then.” Said Jeevan.

That will be the most dramatic moment to strike, as the successful meeting and arguing with each other will exhaust them. they will drop their guard, and then Jeevan can swoop in and kill them all.

Just according to his instructions, the ward is taken down in the afternoon, and they move to attack. the outer forces are kept busy with the larger force which decloaked in front of them, while a squad of the most powerful mages on his side moves with him to attack the general and the elders. They break through the wall and halt the glaring contest between the elders and the general.

‘Shit. There are only three of them here.’ he cursed while moving to attack them all the same. ‘I must hunt them down later. first, it is the turn of the general.’

More of his forces come through the broken wall. They distract the elders, while Jeevan and his men separate the general from his own guards, and box him in from all sides. Sundar is a very strong mage, but he is outnumbered and caught off guard. Still, he managed to reduce two of his mages into a bloody pulp. ‘Make that three.’ counted Jeevan in his head, barely keeping himself alive in the fight.

The general is fighting like a maddened bull, trampling anyone who gets in his way. though his own men are falling like flies, the wounds on the general keep increasing. Elsewhere, the elders are also dealing with his forces.

Elder Angar proves his name correct, as he wields fire with a destructive proficiency, turning his attackers into ashes. He is providing the way for Raven and Singh twins to reach the general. But as they get closer, the general motions them to stay back.

Still, their momentum is strong. Raven gets close enough for the general to write some orders with a blood-stained dictation pen, and throw the paper to Raven. After taking a quick look at the orders he has received, Raven dithers for a moment, before making a firm decision and telling everyone to back off.

“What do you mean back off?” argued Bhavani. “We’re so close to him already!”

“His orders.” Said Raven. “Besides, none of us will want to get caught in whatever he is planning to do.”

“Listen to him, boys.” Said Angar, burning another man to death. Much to his surprise, the scream proves that the enemy was a woman this time. after composing himself, he continues. “He is your general for a reason. he knows what he is doing.”

“Fine!” said Bhavani, moving to the exit with his twin, Raven, and elder Angar.

Once they leave, the general initiates the self-destruct sequence, the runes for which are carved on his chest. Jeevan is unable to deal with him, so he runs away while leaving his men to die in the final attack of Sundar. The building starts to crumble, but Elder Amil manages to leave it on time, bringing the body of Elder Amu with him.

“He saved my life,” said Amu. “I would have died in there if he didn’t throw me out at the right moment.”

“How did you find the body?” asked Angar, looking at the oldest member of the council, now dead.

“Where I landed after Sundar threw me outside,” said Amil. “They were planning to take his body with them, but I secured it.”

Raven grew a little bit tense, as they turned to them. the three young men are the only survivors from their side now, and they cannot predict how these elders will react after this. “Come with us young men,” said Angar. “We owe a great debt to your leader. you must return to your land, and give them the agreement formed between us and your general.”

“Yes, elder.” Said Raven, unable to feel or do anything at this moment.

As they started to walk away, while the sounds of fighting grew distant, Raven looked at the destroyed building one final time. “Do not worry young man,” said Amil. “We will retrieve the body of the general later.” “If it survived.” Went unsaid.

Since there had been a death in the council, the nobles hiding in the Pashtun land thought they would be able to take advantage of this moment and take over this area. But the council proved to be strong and rebuffed their attempt.

The council sent Raven and Singh twins back to the Subcontinent, with the agreement to which Sundar and the three elders agreed, and with the news of the death of the general.

PART 4.

The group learns about the death of Sundar, and the restart of the civil war in the Subcontinent once more. “Honestly,” said Justice, “How can that area give us so much trouble?”

“No matter.” Said the Succubi. “They have suffered another setback. Our own pawns are waiting with their large forces in the Pashtun land. They will not be able to deal with the civil war, and the upset tribes at the same time.”

“You might have a point.” said the human. “Still, don’t you think we should prepare just in case?”

“Nah,” said Justice with a shake of his head. “I want to see how this plays out. besides, we have to worry about Scythia. We need to interfere there directly. Light a fire under them, as they say.”