EPISODE 66: NEVER A BAD DAY
— Edryan Queendom. Year: 7291. Season Color Fading.
“It is never a bad day to spill blood,” Lawruthian said to Madria. His helmet was on, and the young woman found it difficult to judge his expression. He gave her one final nod and then he was off. A thousand Vanguard Golems marched in sync as he controlled them to march forward.
' His back is broad, but I will no longer allow it to be lonely. ’
Madria prepared herself for a long day ahead. She joined up with the lacking Imperius Army’s medical unit. Without hesitation, she’d immediately assumed command of the small unit of men and women. They were far from adequate for a proper war. A war that Madria knew would either break these young men into proper soldiers, or it would be their burial ground.
The Gamal family was well entwined with the concept of war, its effects, aftermath, and more. For how could the closest to the Goddess underneath the Edryani not be? She began barking orders, only she wished they held a proper medical division. She and the same contingent of Paladins sent to protect her were far from enough to provide adequate healing for such a large force.
“Prepare gauze, and dip them in restorative potion solution. I will not hold enough mana to heal them all.
Boil hot water and dump all necessary utensils into them.
You,” Madria pointed to a young woman with brown eyes. The young woman was reminiscent of Garnet, the student who helped save Kale’s life. She’d met them both in the finals as a first-year student. She’d kept in contact with the girl who specialized in restoratives and more since then. Kale was now employed by her family and followed along as one of her many protectors.
“Get me in contact with Karmila Lance, we have far from adequate personnel, equipment, and,” Madria gestured at the thousands of restorative potions stacked in neat crates around them. “We have more than enough restoratives available to offer any assistance the West Gate Army may need.”
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Lawruthian Edryani sighed, his mind fatigued with the upcoming war and the implications behind it. His armor felt heavy on his body, and surrounding him as he made his way forward was the Imperius Knights, his official protectors. Just some of the many men and women pledge to protect him, to die for him if necessary. Standing behind them as over-watching sentinels were the Hero Golems Hector, Hela, Huego, and Nubia as the center most figure. She appeared to be a dwarf compared to the rest, but the magical energy radiating from her made those in its presence nervous. Far more than the upcoming war. If, for some reason, His Highness Lawruthian lost control or such a golem was corrupted, death would be swift and instant.
Lawruthian’s concentration was dedicated to controlling the Vanguard Golems. A task that was not as easily as implied. His Intent was linked to ten of the [Golem Corps: Adamantium Vanguard – ★★★ ] and his mind strained by all the connected golems. Not to mention the slight strain his Hero Golems caused.
“(Imperius Battlelord),” the prince spoke as he activated one of his new core skills.
(Imperius Battlelord)
Description:
You are a Battlelord who controls the field by extending your Intent through golems, men, and whatever else falls under your control.
Function One:
Imperius Autonomy
Imbue your golems with a degree of autonomy and the passive (Adaptive Decision-Making) that allows them to make decisions based on your Intent.
Function Two:
Imperius Transference
Transfer a Battlelord’s combat mastery into those imbued with Imperius Autonomy.
Cost:
50 MP per individual.
The young prince sighed, relief flooding him as the strain from the bonds eased. While his army marched forward, the ten three star Adamantium Golems jerked and shifted for a single moment. The next, their movement became fluid, less robotic and more human . Under their command, the rest of the Golem Corps began to move smoothly. His golems stepped forward in a synchronized fashion until the force came to a halt next to soldiers in dark red armor. These soldiers straightened as the magi-human they swore themselves too appeared.
Lawruthian overlooked his gathered forces. He approached his two generals as they waited for the sign from General Laura. They held little time before she called them into battle.
“Are you ready Generals Alexandria, Ameri?”
His voice emerged strong and the red-gold eyed owl on his shoulder gave the young prince a commanding presence.
His generals’ responded in kind, Alexandria eyes shined with an excitement and lust for the upcoming promise of war. All her life, this was what she trained for. This was her calling. Alexandria held minor experience when she was employed as a mercenary for the Federation. To her… it was far from adequate to ensure the young talent gained the necessary experience to lead Lawruthian’s armies for the wars that were to come. Alexandria held a rare opportunity, and she could not fail in dazzling the prince with her control over his army. Although they were lacking and still needed several divisions, Alexandria was always good at figuring out battle tactics with limited resources. She’d been the number one student in the previous royal institution when it came to commanding for a reason.
Ameri was much of the same, but the older woman's excitement was more explosive. It would truly show once the battle began. Originally, when she heard she’d be leaving her House, the woman held reservations. It wasn’t until the very day that Ameri discovered she’d be offered as a gift to His Highness Lawruthian. Now, Ameri realized her uncle's wife gave her one of the greatest opportunities a magi-human could receive. She still remembered the shock when the pieces of Edryans true history were revealed by Aunt Ola. Since, her gaze on Lawruthian changed as she fully understood what it meant to be a [Chosen]. Now she was on a path to greatness, and the young magi-human would slay whoever Lawruthian pointed her at.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Alexandria stated. A confident, thirsty grin covered her black features. The short, dark skin woman was practically vibrating with energy.
“Of course, Your Highness,” the much larger Ameri nearly roared. She stomped and the ground cracked in place.
“What is the status on breaching the outer defenses,” Lawruthian asked.
“The War-forged of the West Gate Army have nearly finished breaching through the outer defenses. Once done, it’s estimated a combined army of nearly forty thousand wait for us outside the inner defenses,” Alexandria responded accordingly. She began to calm as she updated Lawruthian.
“Mhmm… what’s our task?”
Alexandria grimaced as she spoke her next words. “…clean up.”
Lawruthian’s helmed figure stayed quiet but only for a moment as loud booming laughter erupted from his mouth.
“Allow me to address my army.”
Alexandria nodded before she activated a skill. “(Imperius Command).”
A wave of magic spread from her in thin tendrils. These tendrils quickly traveled through the air and connected to the lieutenants of the Imperius Army. Then, from her commanders, these invisible tendrils linked to every single soldier in the army. Once done, she nodded at her liege.
“( Limitless Steps ),” the prince activated.
His figure walked into the air until he stood at a comfortable height, all the soldiers of his army could see.
His gaze traveled to and fro, every soldier of the army received a glance. Much like their generals, the two parts of the Imperius Army followed in their general's armor style. Only theirs was of a lower quality. The lieutenants held a similar armor set that was a step but still under the one equipped by their respective generals.
Lawruthian eyes met the gazes of men and women, all were young, not much older than him. All gazed at him with respect, for he’d already changed their lives with the Race-Up potion. Some held reverence, for they were strong worshippers of the Goddess and to follow Her [Chosen] into battle was of the highest honor, the highest glory. Even still, there were those who were level-headed, who gazed at the prince with respect but not in the manner of those previously mentioned. Lawruthian smiled as he saw those, he removed his helmet and showed his features to the army. Long ebony gradient hair blew lightly in the wind. The sky was clear and the weather still warm, but color was fading. The unique darkness of the Starglow Valley did not impede those below from seeing their liege. In fact, Lawruthian seemed to radiate with power and those below felt it.
“ What does it mean to be Imperius?
Many know the tale of Lawruthian Edryani, they know the tale of my birth. For our Queen, my royal mother, wished for a child who was like no other.
Not because he was behind… BUT BECAUSE HE WAS TOO FAR AHEAD! ”
The crowd shifted, soldiers of the Imperius Army stood in attention as they listened to the words of their lord. Many of them were not much older than him, but since youths they’d been trained to become soldiers. Since youths, they’ve waited for the opportunity to prove their worth in battle.
Who knew it’d be in battle against their own.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“To me, the Convocation has challenged what it means to be Imperius. To me, the Convocation has insulted my honor and disregarded my reputation. To you…? To you, the Convocation has sought to be your first challenge.”
“Again, I ask you, soldiers…, brothers…, sisters and more!
WHAT. DOES. IT. MEAN. TO. BE. IMPERIUS?
Margret Musa, head of the Musa clan and a [Hero] I look up to, asked me that question not long ago, and so I answered her. I told her ‘It means to not walk amongst others, not because we are behind but because we are too far ahead ! What does it mean to be Imperius? It means to uphold justice, to bring change, to create!’”
He paused here only for a moment as the soldiers began to hang onto his words. Ameri eyes widened at his display. ‘He’s good at this,’ she thought.
“ I LIED .”
The crowd shifted. It’s growing momentum, halted. The soldiers stared, confused, as the last words of their liege left them wondering. Alexandria looked at Lawruthian strangely but conveyed his words nevertheless.
“I lied ,” he repeated.
“For I did not take you, my soldier, into account, as I did not take those who follow an Imperius class-line into account.
I did not think of the [Imperius Merchants], [Imperius Students], nor the others with the class title of Imperius. I only thought of myself. I did not think of my [ Imperius Soldiers ] who voices, now more than ever, have a right to decide.”
The energy shifted once again into a positive direction as Lawruthian Edryani spoke. Ameri eyes shined underneath her helmet. The more she interacted with her lord, the greater she believed in the famous words spoken for his conception. The Crowned Prince of Edryani was a powerful [Wordsmith] and he used his charm, political sway, and more to its maximum effect.
She’d rarely seen Lawruthian not direct a conversation with his words. In some shape or format, Lawruthian always came out on top.
“No wonder little cousin was thoroughly defeated and is still bitter about it,” she spoke her thought aloud.
Lawruthian paced in front of the army as he spoke. With each step, he seemed larger. With each step, his voice grew firmer. With each step, the [Imperius Students] tightened their resolve. They were professional soldiers, trained since young by the respective houses controlling the territory they grew up in. Now they belonged to Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani. Where he pointed, they went. If he said kill, they were to do so unquestionably, without hesitation. But … Lawruthian was well aware, more than anyone, of the hearts of men .
“Today is the day that I ask you… my soldier, my brothers, my sisters! Today is the day I ask you…
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE IMPERIUS .
The Convocation has disrespected that name. They have disrespected ME. Now, they divide Edryan when we must be united more than ever. They’ve halted their trade caravans, have issued summons , and more, as if they rule Mighty Edryan . As if they lead this Golden Age.
Tell me, my brothers, sisters! Tell me, are they the leaders of this Golden Age ?”
“ NO ,” the shout was powerful, and Alexandria's back straightened in pride as she felt the resounding connection through her bonds.
“Tell me, are they the rulers of Mighty Edryan ?”
“ NO ,” the Imperius Army shouted together.
“No… no they are not,” Lawruthian exclaimed slowly, like he’d only come to this conclusion as he spoke. When he next spoke, his voice was strong with Power. His Intent billowed out, connecting to Alexandria and Ameri, who in turn were connected to the Imperius Army. The red gems on his armor radiated with power, as his red-gold eyes shined brighter than the motes of starlight throughout the valley. Magic laced his words and made it appear in the ears of every single soldier.
“The Convocation believes they hold the power to bully Edryan. Today, today we show them what it means to be Imperius .”
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Laura Lance's eyes brightened as she listened to the speech of Lawruthian. “That brat has a way with words, I’ll give you that.”
Her attention returned to the battlefield before her. The War-forged of the West Gate Army were black and red [Magma Hounds] ranging from one to three stars. They’d become crucial in guiding the forward scouts who planted dimensional anchors ahead of them. Thousands of them man made beasts were dead, and thousands more would join their dead brethren before the day was done. At least, their passive gave them a large opportunity to survive dismemberment.
The push into Starglow Valley was on its eleventh hour since the initial confrontation against Thraag and his minions, Laura couldn’t wait to kill. No one was allowed to disrespect the royal family to her face and live to tell the tale. She’d not live with the shame if the war ended and Councilman Jahman wasn’t dead by her hands at the end of it.
Just as she was organizing her thoughts of the incoming battle, her husband Kei entered the room. He surveyed his battle ready wife. She was 153 cm tall with a lithe build that wouldn’t convey a sense of danger, that is until one saw the giant battle-ax that served as both weapon and shield. Her face was mature, with strong bold eyebrows, plush lips, and hard red eyes. She kept her hair short and cropped in a short military fade, and she caused Kei to swoon every time he laid eyes upon her.
“Oh, your beauty is like that of the endless stars, shining a brilliant radiance of the Gods' power upon the mortal realm. Your eyes are like deep pools of magma waiting to erupt with passion. We’ve pierced our away to the inner defenses. Your smile is as bright as the sun and guides my way forward,” Kei would have continued, but a sharp ear tug from his wife halted his next compliment.
“Why didn’t you start with what was important,” Laura continued to pull the ear of her first husband as she left her tent. She called to one of the waiting messengers. “Alert the Imperius Army…
It’s time to fight. ”
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“They have just broken through the outer barrier,” Laia quietly informed Thraag.
The [Dimension Shaper] sighed, and Laia gave the older magi a wry smile as she massaged his shoulders.
“What is the state of our forces?”
“We have a cumulative force of just over thirty-one thousand ready and waiting.”
“And the West Gate Army?”
“Half of their War-forge have perished in their attempt to navigate the dimensional maze. They have roughly twenty-one thousand troops left… levelers and all,” Laia paused here and removed her hands from the shoulders of the man she considered her father as he stood.
Thraag gazed from the highest point. He gazed from [NOVA], his expression unreadable. The old mage breathed in deeply. His eyes roamed to the walls that surrounded the Convocation’s core area. The magical academy was not just an academy but a city. Behind these walls were the families of their students. The husbands, the wives, children and more.
“What do you think, Laia?”
“What do you mean, father?”
“Should the Convocation kneel.”
Laia eyes widened as the man she considered her father turned to her. She pushed the bridge of her glasses up and straightened herself as she recognized the seriousness in Thraag’s eyes. She paused, hesitant, before she walked past Thraag to stare out below.
Fires raged through the valley as a swarm of red-eyed hounds ignited their way through the valley's unique features. The surrounding starlight that constantly covered the valley dimmed as the ominous swarm of hounds drew closer. Shortly, she and Thraag would be out there. Soon, fate would change.
“We cannot, you will die, and I will not let that happen,” she spoke. Laia turned to face Thraag, the man who taught her how to cast her first spell. The man who showed her the beauty of stargazing. She couldn’t, wouldn’t let her father die.
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Laura gazed at the large collation that chose to meet them outside the city and its defenses. She headed to the front of her troops the moment the [Magma Hounds] found the correct path through all the spatial rifts surrounding the convocation. Over half of the beast perished, and the rest were exhausted with minimum LP left.
If in front of the West Gate Army was a large force past thirty thousand. It didn’t matter if it was forty or fifty thousand. Not a single soldier in her army was below the first threshold.
“Bold but stupid to challenge me on a field of open combat. Let me show you what it means to command one of the five gate armies,” Laura said as she rose into the air. Her movement skill allowed flight as she seemed to conjure burning pools of magma for each step into the air.
“Who commands the Convocation forces,” Laura called. She held to the ways of honor and tradition. For commanders to greet another before they lay waste to one another’s armies was a tradition as old as war.
“They call me Laura Lance – Mad Dogg ,” she stated with pride. Her arms were folded, and the short general stared down triumphantly at the large force in front of her.
A man rose from the midst of the Convocation’s army. Space seemed to shift and Laura grew excited. She’d never fought against a Space attributed army before. This would become another record to add to the glory of Her Majesty.
“I am known as Thane Volkensha – Solaris Edge ,” the middle-aged gentleman spoke, his voice held a hard edge.
Together, they flew within ten meters of one another.
“Terms,” Laura questioned.
“Straight to business aren’t we,” Thane questioned as he studied the older commander. “You haven’t brought out the young prince, hmmm.”
“Terms,” this time Laura didn’t question. She demanded.
“So be it, the Convocation will not bend, space will rend you limb from limb before you can step close to Nova. Once you are defeated and the prince captured, we will once again discuss… terms,” his piece done, Thane (Blinked) away.
Laura smiled, a cruel, wicked thing that lit the madness deep within. A hunger for levels that she long locked away. It’d been years since she last tasted the pleasures of leveling. She HOWLED , a deep, terrible, animalistic sound that shook the hearts of the opposing force, and the battle began.