EPISODE 67: BATTLE OF STARGLOW VALLEY 1
— Edryan Queendom. Year: 7291. Season Color Fading.
Laura… HOWLED … and the West Gate Army responded in kind. The sound was terrifying as the raw human voice turned beast-like in a display of savagery. Ten-thousand voices howled and space shook . The (Vanguard’s Howl) was a massive army wide buffing skill.
(Vanguard’s Howl)—Core Skill
Description:
The Vanguard of Edryan is feared throughout the land. Their call resounds as terrifying howls break their opponents’ spirit and buff themselves.
Function:
150% Attribute increase to all ally recipients.
Function:
Enemies within range of the Vanguard Call are inflicted with one instance of {Fear}.
Function:
All ally recipients receive 100% movement buff as they remain connected to fellow Vanguard members.
Cost:
500 MP, 100 SP. Each recipient pays an additional 200 MP 100 SP.
(Vanguard’s Howl)
00:10:00.
Edryan Vanguard General Laura Lance — Level 250
HP: 3,263/3,263 (+960)
SP: 2,520/2,520 (+2380)
MP: 2,700/2,700 (+400)
The bloodline skill all magi-humans held, (Magic’s Embrace), refunded 30% of the general’s Mana Points as her bloodline skill activated. Laura removed her giant battle-ax and pointed forward at the large war-forged of the Convocation, as a majority froze in fear. Only the strongest of the beast were able to resist the (Vanguard’s Howl).
“Unleash the Hounds!”
Magma red-black hounds charged forth over open ground, snarling as molten liquid dripped from their jaws. The air was filled with the overpowering scent of lilac and lilies which suppressed the natural sent of sulfur the hounds produced. Their red eyes burned with hatred and hunger . The [Magma Hounds] ran toward the [Brown Dwarves], large, brown, gaseous like elementals, which stood on all fours similar to a centaur. Their upper body seemed to be solely composed of a gaseous substance that suppressed the creature’s inner glow. Eight spots glowed on the front of their body, two on their face, pelvis area, and four on their chest. Together, these beams connected into a larger beam of pure gaseous blast that ignited the moment they connected to the [Magma Hounds]. It would not be enough, their weaker members fought against {Fear}.
BOOOM!
BOOM!
BOOOM!
Explosions rang out as the beams ignited. The flames traveled back and up the gaseous beam and ignited a few of the stronger dwarves. Even with damage being done to the [Brown Dwarves], the exhausted hounds were dropping like flies. The [Brown Dwarves] out numbered them nearly two for every one, and it showed as hound after hound fell to into the throes of death, explosions, and more.
The War-forged are homegrown beast of war concocted by [Mages] and several other classes, such as [Alchemist] and [Breeders] or [Tamers]. They were crafted as infertile creatures that were molded from a base template into the artificial creatures they’ve become. Mindless savagery erupted and Laura watched with cold eyes as the forerunners, three starred [Magma Hounds] impacted into the war-forged of the Convocation. Tearing those who were {Feared} into pieces.
She laughed as the explosions continued, “Just like the light of the sun!”
Explosions consumed the beginning of the Convocation's army as the two opposing elements interacted. A chain effect was caused as a series of blast ranged through the frontlines.
The [Mad Dogg] retreated into the comfort of her army the moment she finished giving the command to battle. Her eyes remained cold as both sides dwindled… the [Magma Hounds] much faster than the others. The hounds were already exhausted from disabling the spatial wards along the way. (Spatial Rend), (Gravity Well), (Dimensional Lock), (Stasis Field), and more were all spells that took time to be exhausted.
Time and bodies .
It’d taken half of the day since their initial meeting for Laura’s war-forge to break through. Outside the valley the sun was setting but because of the unique properties of Starglow Valley, night, and day were one and the same.
Laura Lance's eyes were cold and calculating as she slightly stood above her army. She’d stand with them usually, as standing above made her an easy target. Unfortunately, she was the shortest in the West Gate Army, and overviewing the battlefield was a MUST for all generals. Split decisions could end lives, and take them just as well. (Vanguard Tactician) began revving its engines as Laura analyzed and understood all components of the battlefield.
Laura’s three classes worked in sync with one another, and multiple skills took command. The [Edryan Vanguard General] was a powerful woman who often over completed her job. During the Internal War, Laura Lance was one of the main generals deployed to wipe out noble families. Today was just a remnant of the past.
(Vanguard’s Howl)
00:09:55
The numbers of the [Magma Hounds] continued to dwindle. Of the half that remain, half were already cut down. Thane began to respond, but he was seconds late as the hounds tore into his front ranks.
“ The Convocation Shall Never Falter .”
Her opponent's skill dispelled the army wide {Fear} that locked over half of the [Brown Dwarves] in a state of inaction.
“Hmph, he’s still wet behind the ears.”
A few of Laura’s protector’s chuckled at her comment. These were large, burly men with tower shields whose classes specialized in protection. They would die before they allowed harm to their general.
“(Vanguard’s Mandate).”
The battle raged on and the war-forged cast their skills against one another. The [Magma Hounds] held a valiant charge against the [Brown Dwarves] but their dwindled numbers and Life Points were not enough to heavily break down the sixteen thousand strong war-forged.
“ Prepare yourselves. Here Cometh Glory. Here Cometh Promise ,” Laura Lance's voice rang far. It was a warning to her enemy, as a fellow Edryan was due this much honor before their glorious slaughter.
“ HERE COMETH GLORY. HERE COMETH PROMISE ,” the West Gate Army roared.
Laura was not one to wait, nor was she one to allow her opponent an opportunity for recovery. Thane held fewer years on her and from their initial clash, Laura already held the promise of victory. Now, as they sent a prayer to Goddess Madris, the [West Gate Army] would set off. Together, their voices praised in perfect sync.
“ SHE OF THREE, GUIDE OUR FOES TO THE ABYSS.
IN YOUR NAME, WE CAST ENEMIES UNDERNEATH. ”
They paused as if to catch their breath before the next stance of the prayer. Eight-thousand men and woman aligned in arrow formation.
“ HERE COMETH GLORY. HERE COMETH PROMISE.
THE CHALLENGER OF WEALTH AND SAGE.
WE OFFER OUR GLORY, WE OFFER OUR VICTORY. ”
Weapons were sent one final check. Thoughts of family and friends were sent off with one final goodbye. Lock, the second husband of Laura, prepared himself for an arrowhead needed its tip. Who else besides a Lance was better to be its point.
“ HERE COMETH GLORY. HERE COMETH PROMISE.
FOR OUR FALLEN, A LAND OF PROMISE.
FOR OUR RISEN, A MESSENGER’S GENESIS! ”
Lock’s body grew hot as his noble bloodline burned with power. He stood at the forefront of his brothers and sisters, ready to unleash explosive power once his leash was unhooked.
The final waves of [Magma Hounds] faded as the overwhelming force of [Brown Dwarves] defeated their opposition.
(Vanguard’s Howl)
00:08:53
“ Go .”
The command was simple, and the properties of the Lance bloodline ignited in Laura’s husband. His armor seemed to burn as lines of red appeared through the black metal. A bloodthirsty Intent spread over the frontlines as Lock took a single step forward. The [Brown Dwarves] were in the process of mopping up the last of the [Magma Hounds] when Thanes powerful Intent swept through them. Biological commands were activated in the war-forge as the wave of magical Intent activated something in the man made beast.
Lock took a second step, yet this time he seemed to have traveled much farther than the previous. If one step equated to four feet of movement, Lock’s steps tripled that length… and so did the length of the army behind him.
Bloodline — Unyielding Lance
Description:
The Unyielding Lance is an unstoppable force of nature. Crafted through the might of Arthur Lance and their unyielding nature, this bloodline has passed onto their descendants through the prowess of its power.
Function:
Grants the skill (Unrelenting Charge).
(Unrelenting Charge)
Description:
Rise, rise, riders of Lancehold. Spears shall shake, shields splinter. RED DAY! RED DAY! Today we arrived at the Promised Land.
Function:
All incoming damage is negated by half. When charging, any debilitating attacks may consume stamina instead of Health Points.
Function:
Spread the properties of this skill to those who charge with the initiator of this skill.
Function:
Enemies impacted by (Unrelenting Charge) are inflicted with an instance of {Disarray}.
Laura stepped with them, the only ones who didn’t move were the giant hounds that carried the calvary division of the West Gate Army. These men and woman sat upon silver and gold ranked beasts and stayed put, commanded by Kei.
(Vanguard’s Howl)
00:08:50
The war-forge quickly regrouped to face them, behind them, the waiting force of the Convocation stood in a defensive position Laura knew would be a pain to deal with.
“ Kill ,” Thane commanded, and the [Brown Dwarves] answered. Their gaseous beams turned to fire at the West Gate Army, but they were already seconds late. The (Unrelenting Charge) spread to every single member of Laura’s army, and the damage negation and other abilities were already activated.
Step after step, the infantrymen of the West Gate Army moved. Eight thousand magi humans prepared themselves for impact as their speed steadily increased. Gaseous blast were blocked as a hexagonal shielding appeared at several points. Lock’s heavy spear-like lance lowered as they charged, and Laura sent one final prayer to her Goddess before they impacted into the [Brown Dwarves].
The moment they were a distance of thirty meters away, Laura activated multiple skills for all eight thousand charging magi.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“(Edryan Precision Strike), (Magi’s Magic Missile), (Vanguard’s Decisiveness).”
Eight thousand magic missiles fired in a blue glow storm of power. Large holes were blasted into the front line of the Convocation’s war-forge as Lock Lance spear skewered a gold ranked war-forge.
CRITICAL HIT!
{Mortal Reminder} inflicted. Damage x3.
[Brown Dwarf – ★ ★ ★ ] – 2,382
Men clashed against elementals in a fierce display of overwhelming strength. The West Gate Army cut into the war-forge like a hot knife through butter. Lock simply flicked off the dead elemental, as his steps hadn’t paused in their speed at all. Their plan was to cut directly through the war-forge and into the army behind them.
The gaseous screams of dying elementals made their way into Laura’s ears as they slayed their way deeper into the horde. Spells were tossed as the large black armored men pushed forward. The West Gate Army slaughtered all within their path. Only a few remnants remained behind, but even after they would be cleaned. Today, the Convocation would answer in full.
“(Executioner’s Might).”
CRITICAL HIT!
[Brown Dwarf – ★ ★ ★ ] – 1,482
“(Edryan Thrust).”
CRITICAL HIT!
{Mortal Reminder} inflicted. Damage x3.
[Brown Dwarf – ★ ★ ★ ] – 1,932
“(Heavy Bash).”
Skills were activated in a display of colors, and seconds passed as Laura channeled her army. She held an overview of it all through her lieutenants. Through them, she could cast army wide skills and more. So far, she detected no loss of life in the ranks of her men. Expected at this point, as only a platinum ranked beast should truly pose a threat.
(Vanguard’s Howl)
00:07:30
A minute passed as the men carved through the {Brown Dwarves}. “Save some for the brats,” Laura called.
“ So this is what the famed Lance family amounts to? ”
The voice of her opponent challenged her over the sounds of clashing. The behavior of the remaining war-forged changed as the creatures began to fall into one another. Laura frowned, but the West Gate Army didn’t slow. The moment they stopped charging, they’d lose the advantage the Lance bloodline skill built for them.
Laura’s Intent was spread in a massive dome around the army, searching for traps and other malicious abilities. She believed in incompetence, but only to a certain extent. The West Gate Army cut through half of the war-forge before Thane responded.
Laura felt a shift in the mana and her body tensed. “Group casting, ugh, I hate pure mages.”
“( Cosmic Disorientation ).”
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Thane frowned as Laura Lance howled . The sound was jarring, but fortunately the combined forces of the Convocations troops were far outside the affected range. The same could not be said for their war-forge. The creatures, lacking the proper Self to defend, seized in a state of shock. The elementals were crafted as the Convocation accessed the Earth Dimension, a pure magi-physical representation of the element itself. They’d discovered the dimension purely accidentally. It was through his uncle's efforts that the convocation was able to create a stable portal, if only to extract unique resources to sell.
“ The Convocation Shall Never Falter .”
Albeit late, distracted by his thoughts and fears, Thane responded accordingly to Laura’s provocation. It was late as the forerunners of the [Magma Hounds] reached the gaseous elementals the Convocation employed. These creatures ignited as they came into contact with the hounds. Light, like that of a star, radiated for intense moments as explosions consumed the battlefield.
Thane frowned, the man was tall as his uncle, but he was not as old. Although by the time the current queen took over, Thane was well into his adult years as a magi. He’d served as the protector for the Convocation’s trade routes. Whenever a noble or bandit group became too handsy, it was Thane who was sent to erase the problem. It was Thane who cleaned up the Convocation’s messes. Just like it’d be Thane to clean this one.
For several moments, both armies allowed their war-forged to fight. Thane’s gazed at the members of the Convocation. These were hearty veterans who’d experienced dozens of battles. It was not uncommon for nobles families to war against another in Edryan. Nor was it uncommon for organizations with sufficient power to do the same. Fighting against the Crown was entirely different, but the Convocation held a bond to these men, and their families were behind the walls. They would fight to the very last, even if it was against someone with the reputation of [Mad Dogg].
Although it may seem useless having the war-forge break themselves against one another, war in the Edryan, and most of Elrunian understood one common factor.
He who holds more Life Points wins.
Of course, there were other factors at play, such as class rarity and therefore skill rarity. When it came down to massive armies clashing in the end, your Life Points were the most important. Even Bronze ranked knights could kill a Gold. It’d be difficult, but Thane held the reputation of being one of the few to accomplish such a goal.
“ Prepare yourselves. Here Cometh Glory. Here Cometh Promise ,” Laura Lance's voice echoed over the battlefield.
“Begin casting,” Thane ordered to the awaiting mages and acolytes. Ten-thousand joined in unison, and objects to boost the power of the group spell were dissolved into a spell construct that hovered just in front of Thane. The grouped worked together to cast a powerful tier ten spell. Only with the addition of thousands of mages, its power would be amplified by a hundredfold. A single wizard like Thane could cast the spell himself, but he’d be left with nearly no mana and it at most be able to destroy a small city of around ten thousand, granted if they lacked protection and a magical barrier which all Edryan cities held. The army they faced was composed of levelers, with none beneath 180. They’d begin to access just as legendary skills and abilities that could and would counter such a spell from inflicting {Instant Death} or {Mortal Reminder}.
Thane began speaking, only his voice traveled across the Convocations troops. Half were students and weren’t suited for the battlefield, in Thanes opinion. It was why the magi-human only held plans to use them as mana batteries.
“ In this world, Space governs above All.
…
…
…"
“ Go .”
To understand, to comprehend, as the Cosmic once was…
Disorientation shall remain, a space divided. An army in twain… ”
The West Gate Army ripped into the [Brown Dwarves] their army easily tearing into the beast as they made their way towards the Convocation’s awaiting forces. They fought through the beast and Thane continued to chant. His words strangely echoed in the minds of every single mage connected to the spell.
The construct before him held ten nodes that radiated power. Each was a rune that represented the spatial affinity in some format. Thane continued to channel the spell, sweat trickled on his brow. It was only when his uncle and Laia flickered into the space next to him and other members of the Council of Elder Mages that Thane felt relief. He sent the younger woman a gentle gaze that she returned in kind. Each member took a bit of the burden from Thanes shoulders and onto their own. The burden of the spell relieved, Thane took the opportunity to access the ongoings on the battlefield. He did not like what he saw.
“ So this is what the famed Lance family amounts to, ” as he questioned, he activated a biological command in the [Brown Dwarves]. They became more aggressive, fierce, and less prone to faults as their mana burned destructively.
Whatever use the creatures held was quickly fading, but Thane just hoped they’d made their opponents waste enough of their Life Points for the change that was to come.
“( Cosmic Disorientation ),” the sound disappeared around Thane and over what seemed like the entire valley. The battlefield seemed to pause, but the West Gate Army hadn’t halted their advance. Not until the spell forced them to.
What was up became down, and what was down became up. Sound became inverted as words reversed. Thane watched coolly as the West Gate Armies cohesion was completely loss. The once tight-knit group immediately lost their sense of direction, as the men and women quickly lost their normal footing. Whereas his army was more than prepared and activated the skill (Spatial Manipulation). The skill worked exactly as named and allowed a one with a spatial related class to manipulate the space around them.
The middle age man smiled. Thoughts of his youth entered his mind as he watched the army under General Laura struggle to navigate. The first lesson every young acolyte was taught afore their System Day was the navigation of three-dimensional space. [Spatial Mages] were among the few who could fly nearly immediately through their class skills. Only those of the wind element were any faster.
If it was just flight, West Gate Army would not be having this type of trouble.
(Cosmic Disorientation) — Overcharged
Description:
The vastness of space can be disorientating and scary. Grand Archon – Jed knows this better than any. Now so shall you .
Function:
Remove the Law of Gravity within a localized area.
Function:
Singularity Control
Create gravitational singularity fields, in which objects can be attracted or flung from certain points in the affected range.
Function:
Stasis
Create temporary stasis fields in which objects within cannot be affected by objects outside such fields.
Function:
Spatial Lock - Passive
Flight from movement skills not of the spatial type are disabled.
Function:
Disorientation
Cosmic breaching into the Elrunian Realm becomes possible. Dimensions not usually anchored to the Mortal Realm may interact or affect those within the limits of (Cosmic Disorientation)
Cost:
10,000 MP.
WARNING: This spell is overcharged by 1,000,000 MP, its functions may experience abnormalities.
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DUUM-DUUM.
… swallowed… hard . He watched the [Magma Hounds] clash with the [Brown Dwarves]. Beast that he struggled to kill with General Alexandria dropped like flies consuming sweet honey.
The backdrop of two mountain ranges that squeezed Starglow Valley between them gave the amplifying nighttime battle a startling, ominous view. The Imperius Army was only a mile or so away, but the aftereffects of each clash could be felt from where they stood. With them was Garo Drumian, who stayed silent while the attacks between the West Gate Army and the Spatial Convocation began to amplify.
Lawruthian turned to speak to General Alexandria, whose eyes shined the same strawberry blonde her hair did. A strange look was in his gaze and Lawruthian felt for the first time he was truly seeing the woman, the magi-human, for who she was.
She relished in the battle below. The fierce excitement in her eyes, the wide, nearly wild grin, and the tight grasping of her armored hands all conveyed that sense to Lawruthian. She was not the only one. He turned to Ameri, whose body from head to toe was completely covered, but her body language conveyed all Lawruthian needed to know. She stood slightly hunched forward, as if a pair of invisible arms held her from breaking into a sprint for the battlefield. Her body, oversized gauntlets and boots quivered with excitement for what was to come.
DUUM-DUUM.
His gaze returned to the ongoing battle. Words he meant to speak, forgotten. Flames and fire colored his gaze, and Lawruthian heard a strange beating. It sounded like two drums were hit in rapid succession. The [Magma Hounds] were losing, quickly. They’d already lost half in the initial march into Starglow Valley. Said valley was littered with traps of all manner of dangerousness. All spatial in nature that made it seem like getting your body torn limb from limb as the least of the painful deaths available. Lawruthian tightened his fist and breathe deeply. The air was fresh and if this were another time, Lawruthian would have admired the way the tiny hovering balls of starlight lit the valley. They reminded him of the various cultures on earth that lit lanterns and let them fly into the sky.
DUUM-DUUM.
“ What … is that thumping?’
Lawruthian couldn’t help himself. With each occurrence, it only grew in crescendo. It only grew with passion as the young man felt his body grow hot. His thoughts and mental passive skills worked overtime in keeping his composure. He’d trained all his life for this. For everything and anything he believed the Goddess would throw at him. He’d known since he was still a child what task the Goddess would assign him. He’d felt certain the moment he read the words of Kubrat – Truth Seeker. That’s why he’d done whatever to ensure he’d have qualified personnel at all levels of society. Imperius Academy, College, Law’s Sweet, Golems, New America Research Center…? Every lie, every truth, every action, he’d done it all to save his soul… but at some point he’d found himself falling in love with the Edryan’s. With his tsundere mother. With the Edryan state. He found himself at a crossroads of wanting to save his soul and truly caring for this state and people.
“Do you feel it Your Highness Lawruthian,” Ameri asked.
Now, Lawruthian was confirmed on his hunch of her excitement. He could feel it radiating from her voice.
DUUM-DUUM.
“ HERE COMETH GLORY. HERE COMETH PROMISE .”
That was their cue. The loud shout of the West Gate Army brought the group's eyes back to the battlefield. Ameri nearly bucked, but almost as an afterthought, she peered at Lawruthian.
‘ Here cometh glory. Here cometh promise .’ Minerva chirped curiously on his shoulder. He hadn’t been able to convince her to leave or stay with Madria… and in truth he’d want her by his side anyway .
Bodies shifted and weapons were sent one final check. Garo Drumian sighed, then his eyes widened.
“There are powerful spatial fluctuations! Thane is casting a mythical spell!”
“ HERE COMETH GLORY. HERE COMETH PROMISE .”
Alexandria turned to him. “To answer your question previously… that is Her .”
“That is the Challenger within us all,” Ameri finished.
DUUM-DUUM.