As the orders for evacuation were underway, a loud banging began on the doors to the war room. Seraphina, still sat down with tears flowing down her face, tried to ignore the sound in futility. Not being able to take it anymore, she unlocked the doors, a man clad in heavy armour stood before her.
“Your Highness, pardon my intrusion. We have just received a troubling report from scouts just due south of the city of Hilmede. They report seeing a large object careening in our direction from the heavens.”
Seraphina stood frozen, trying to process what she was hearing. She began to laugh, the seeds of defeat already taking root.
“Surely you jest. The only objects I’ve heard of being talked of like that are Gloom Drakes. Did they see what it looked like?” she asked, now beginning to shake.
“From what they reported, it was so far into the sky that they had to use an enchanted eyeglass to just make out its structure.” the man began, before being interrupted by the Warrior Empress.
“And? What did they see?” she said, desperate for an answer.
“They saw a colossal cylindrical object which spewed smoke from its rear. The description reminds me of those Cloud Piercers used by the Arcanite Dominion. From what little they could make out, they did see that it was seemingly coloured black and red.”
Seraphina once again froze, the mention of the colours threw her back to her visions. The men and carriages were all the same colour as described. This caused her heart to sink.
“This is it then…” she sighed, waving the man to leave the room. Now by herself once again, the aetherlink communication station in the opposite end of the room began to flare to life, various voices beginning to be heard from the device.
“Your grace, this is Major Idric Marten. We have a confirmed visual of an approach of untold numbers of strange looking metal carriages, along with colossal ones to the rear. I count no foot soldiers. How should we proceed?”
Seraphina went and grabbed the handset, struggling to stay composed.
“S-Stand fast. We hold defensive positions. Do not under any circumstance break your defence. You are to not allow anyone through the gates. Prepare heavy canons and bombard them when they are close.” she barked through the device. The Major acknowledged the order, leaving the room in temporary quiet before another voice came through.
“-s Scribe Cedric Everhart. We h... sual o… iages. They’ve stopped co… We aw… command.” The signal was completely broken, seeming as if something was disturbing the very structure of the aether.
Without so much of a thought, Seraphina dropped the handset and grabbed hold of a pull-string hanging from the ceiling. She pulled, causing a bell to begin to ring. This was followed by more and more bells ringing throughout the castle, along with the surrounding area of the city.
“They stopped?” she thought to herself, “Why have they stopped? Are the-”
Before she could finish speaking, another voice came through the aetherlink, sounding even more panicked than the last. This one sounded familiar.
“It’s Commander Lysandra Ironheart. I apologise for the rudeness, but this is of upmost urgency. We have sighted a large cylindrical object hurtling toward the city. The enemy forces have seemingly ceased movement miles from the city walls.” she began, Seraphina beginning to breathe heavier and heavier. “We have tried to slow the object’s flight, but it doesn’t seem to respond at all to even our most skilled mages. It’s too heavy to slow.”
The air in the room began to weigh down on the Empress’ shoulders, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts. “If you can’t slow it, how long do you think it will take to reach the city?” Seraphina asked frantically.
“I’m not sure but the sound it is making is awfully loud. Wait… What’s that falli-”
The world outside the war room suddenly erupted into a blinding flash of light. Seraphina was knocked off her feet as a shockwave shook the underground chamber, causing tapestries and paintings to fall off the stone walls. A deafening roar followed, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of a colossal explosion.
The deafening sound of the detonation rang out through the halls of the underground bunker and into the war room, Seraphina’s ears ringing from the sound and sudden burst of air from the shockwave hitting the castle. The structure of the castle audibly collapsing atop the underground caverns shielding her and few other lucky enough to not be caught in the chaos.
Struggling back to her feet, Seraphina ran over to the aetherlink device and picked up the handset, listening for any kind of voice on the other end.
Silence.
Well, it would be silence if it weren’t for the constant sound of the castle above her falling apart. Feeling as if she was the one responsible, Seraphina ran out of the door of the war room, only to be met with tens of people swarming the underground passages. Having been brought underground before the explosion, they were seemingly fine, though a few were worse for wear.
Wading her way through the crowds, she managed to reach a door to the surface. The door felt too heavy to push, likely being covered in rubble. Realising this, she employed the aid of a few of the refugees to help in opening the door.
As the people pushed, the doors began to finally open, welcoming the bright orange glow of flame. Seeing this, Seraphina pushed through the rest of the way, using her brute strength to finish moving the rocks covering the doors.
Fuelled by adrenaline, her senses were switched off leaving her to work in auto-pilot. It was only when she was hit with a falling piece of debris she broke out of her stupor. Coming back to her senses, she stared into the distance, surveying the city.
The acrid scent of burning flesh and wood filled the air, flames raging all over the city. The castle around her now nothing more than a shell of its former self, most laying in ruin on the ground. What little activity she saw amounted to the disfigured and broken survivors clinging to what little they had left, many dropping dead as they succumb to their injuries.
The once proud warrior empress stood motionless, frozen in place by an untold number of emotions. Her head filled with uncountable numbers of thoughts, she fell to her knees. Tears flowed down her face like a river, dripping off her cheeks onto the ashy ground.
“The visions… They were only partially true.” she sobbed, struggling to speak as her chest fluttered. The visions she had seen were only of a desolate nothingness, devoid of all senses. A complete contrast to what was in front of her now, a dying city filled with the screams and cries of those she ruled over. A crumbling fortress of a once mighty and unstoppable nation torn apart and sentenced to damnation by hell-fire. One single moment brought the complete destruction of the Veridian Empire with little more than a whimper.
Still trying to make sense of what was happening around her, Seraphina cupped a pile of ash in her hands, sifting it through her fingers before looking to the sky.
"Ancients, forgive me," she whispered. "I led my people into this darkness, and now our home is now nothing but a smouldering ruin. Please, I beg for your mercy and guidance. I have failed not only you, but those whom I was entrusted with watching over. I have forsaken all who trusted me, and now I have paid the ultimate price. Please, I beg of you to guide me on what to do now."
As if in response, a Nod carryall roared overhead. Responding to the sound, Seraphina looked up to see the strange vehicle loitering overhead. The whirring of the engines through the air was deafening. The air from the engines kicked up dust and loose debris around her, causing her to shield her eyes.
The carryall began to descend meters in front of her in a patch that used to be a once vibrant and beautiful garden, now reduced to dirt and burned grass. As it touched down, Seraphina stood up and drew her sword, not knowing if this was a threat.
The carryall’s troop bay door opened, three strangely armoured people stepping out, rifles in hand. One of the men was wearing a more ornate suit of armour, seemingly heavier than the others’. They all wore strange helmets with red visors that resembled a strange looking “T”.
The one in the heavy armour stepped forward toward Seraphina, making her tighten her hands around her sword in anticipation. Her silver and golden armour shimmering in the dusty sunlight.
“Lower your weapon and surrender. You’ve already lost.” the man said. Seraphina bore into the soldier’s helmet, eyes filled with disdain.
“Never! We shall never surrender. We’re the Veridian Empire.” she shouted, earning her some cheers from the growing crowd behind her. Men, women, and children alike applauded her, only to stop when a loud crack rang out throughout the air. As it did, a man in the crown behind her slumped to the ground, blood pouring out of his head.
“I will say again. Lower your weapon and surrender, or that will be what happens to you.” the soldier boomed, causing Seraphina to instinctively drop her sword out of fear.
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“This city and its people now belong to the Brotherhood of Nod. All who seek to resist will end up like that man over there,” he said pointing toward the dead man, laying in a pool of blood, “ so I suggest everyone follows my orders.”
The crowd fell silent, not a word was spoken. Seraphina looked back to the crowd, before stepping forward toward the man stood in front of her. Shaking, she began to speak, “I am Seraphina Ildriana, Empress of the Veridian Empire. And you are?” she asked, her voice shaking.
The man in front of her drew his head closer to her for a second, then returned to his normal stance. Recognising she was likely the leader of the whole empire, he removed his helmet.
The helmet gave way to a head of patchy jet black hair, a scarred face, bushy black beard, and a single green eye. On his right eye was an eye patch, which grabbed her attention. The stern look on his face was unnerving, showing barely any emotion.
“Lieutenant Victor Thorn, Black Hand of the Brotherhood of Nod. So, you’re the ruler of this empire, I take it?” he asked, his face unchanging. This was unusual for Seraphina, as anyone who dared to speak to her always had a face filled with fear, but this man was different. It was if the roles were reversed, her being the one with a face filled with fear.
“Y-Yes, I am. And what of it?” Seraphina replied. Victor looked to the other two soldiers, nodding at each. As he did, they both began to walk toward her. Instinctively, Seraphina reached down to grab her sword, before being grabbed by one of the soldiers.
“Let go of me, you savages!” she shouted, the other soldier grabbed her other arm.
“I’ll fucking kill you, you bastards. Let me go!”
The two soldiers began to drag the kicking and screaming empress to the carryall, leaving Victor by himself. Walking towards the now terrified crowd, Victor began to speak.
“As I have just said, this city, and the empire with it, now belong to the Brotherhood of Nod. Resistance will be met by almost certain death. I suggest you all comply with our orders unless you wish to feel the full wrath of Kane.”
The crowd stared at him, many beginning to retreat back into the bunker. Victor began to speak again, “Very good. I have been granted authority to take charge of this empire by General Slavik.”
As Victor finished his speech, he began to walk back to the Carryall before being stopped by a tall woman in ornate armour, similar to that of the Empress’. “You are the one that has lain waste to our empire?” she asked, her voice filled with rage. “Where is the empress? Is she safe?”
Victor readied his rifle, noticing the soldier was wielding a large sword. “She is safe, and in our custody.” Victor said, being met with the soldier walking toward him, sword in hand.
“Release her, barbarian. Release her or feel the bite of my blade.” the armoured woman commanded. Victor began to laugh before the soldier charged toward him.
As she charged, Victor aimed his rifle at the soldier’s knee, before firing. As he fired, the soldier fell to the ground, clutching her knee in agony.
“Cowardice. Y-You use your firearms like petulant children.” the soldier groaned, holding her knee.
The mention of firearms both intrigued and unnerved Victor. “So you know of our weaponry?” he asked.
“You’re not special. You’re no different from the Mechanorans. None of you have any semblance of honour on the battlefield. Shame on all of you”
Victor’s brow furrowed, curious as to the “Mechanorans” the soldier mentioned. Deciding to leave that for another day, he grabbed the soldier’s sword and threw it to the side.
Turning round to walk back to the Carryall, Victor looked back at the soldier who was writhing in pain. He shrugged, then entered the carryall’s troop bay, the door closing slowly.
As the Carryall ascended, Tick Tanks began to roll into the area where the Carryall landed, followed by infantry behind them. As they arrived, the tanks took up strategic locations, close to openings in the walls of the courtyard of the now decimated castle. As they reached their locations, they dug into the ground, becoming stationary turrets.
The infantry which followed them surrounded the opening to the underground bunker, fighting back people that didn’t heed orders to retreat back into the bunker.
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1 hour later
Holding Cells, Brotherhood occupied territory, Thalindor Outskirts
Victor, joined by Luna and Lilith, stood in the observation room outside of the cell which held Empress Seraphina. Lilith stood with a disturbed look on her face, the captive Empress being her leader until not too long ago. She still felt somewhat of an allegiance to the Empress, but knew where it now lied.
“Victor,” Lilith began, “What do you plan to do with her highness?”
Victor looked at Lilith, not really knowing himself. Having only just come back from the battlefield, his mind was still filled with thoughts of war and battle. Though the thought of the Mechanorans took precedent over the rest. The thought of another power in this world having access to firearms was troubling, as it could be a hindrance to the Brotherhood’s objectives.
“Hmm… I think I might have a bit of an idea” Victor said, an idea striking him. “A soldier tried to attack me right before I left, so I immobilized him. While he was complaining, he said something about ‘Mechanorans’ or something like that. I plan to extract whatever knowledge she as about these people from her. After that, I’m not sure what we’ll do with her.”
Lilith's ears somewhat perked up with the mention of the Mechanorans. “Oh, those people. They’ve been a thorn in the Empire’s side for a good while now. All I know about them is that they use weaponry not too different from your own. Weapons that fire projectiles at great velocity. That’s about all I know about them, however.”
Victor sighed. “Thanks for the insight. I’ll have to see what she knows about them.” he said, holding a data tablet in his hand. As he tapped away at the tablet, Luna tugged at his dress jacket. Victor turned to look at Luna.
“Sir, you never told me you had the Empress of the Veridian Empire in your custody? That’s huge!” she said, shuffling giddily. “The entire kingdom will want to hear about this! Someone needs to tell the king!”
“King?” Victor inquired, “Does the king even know of our existence?”
“Yes, he does. From what I’ve been told, he is quite interested in the Brotherhood, but quite apprehensive about fully cooperating. Maybe this might change things.” Luna said, confident that the capture of the Empress of the Kingdom’s main enemy could help strengthen relations between them.
“Hmm, so a bargaining chip? Interesting. Though I’m not going to hand her over to them. The Inner Circle may wish to extract more information from her.” Victor looked at his tablet once again. He began tapping away again before looking into the dimly lit cell.
In the cell, Empress Seraphina sat, stripped of her armour, left only in her undersuit. Sat on the cell’s bed, she looked around the room. The bland concrete walls and floors were cold and moist, the light that illuminated the room humming. Stripped of her dignity, she stood up and walked up to the window to the observation room. Although a one-way mirror, that didn’t stop Seraphina from being able to use her magical ability to see into the room.
As she looked through to the observation room, she stared at Victor. Her gaze meeting his as she began to breathe heavily. Her heart began to race as they both exchanged glances. Her head was filled with conflicting thoughts. She couldn’t help but feel a mixture of anger, fear, and a strange fascination with the man that had brought ruin to her empire.
After what seemed like an eternity to the captive Empress, Victor approached the window and sat at a table just in front of it. He placed the tablet on the table and brought a microphone close to him. Pressing a button on the microphone, he began to speak.
"Empress Seraphina Ildriana," he began. "I trust you're adjusting well to your temporary accommodations?"
Seraphina, her mind still awash with countless feelings and emotions, stood silent, continuing to stare into Victor’s eyes, her eyes wide and bloodshot. Her chest rose and sank rapidly as she constantly breathed heavily.
Victor began jotting things down on the tablet, the girls beside him both watching the captive in fascination.
“To see her highness fall so low…” Lilith said, the disappointment in her voice clear for all to hear. Upon hearing those words, Seraphina tore her gaze from Victor over to Lilith in surprise. She had not noticed her in the room with Victor and Luna, so was shocked to see her dressed in full Nod uniform.
“L-Lilith? Is that… You?” Seraphina said, her voice filling with excitement upon hearing and seeing her once loyal servant.
“In the flesh, your grace.” Lilith replied. The look on her face one of pride, having been given the chance to work for the Brotherhood.
“You look… Different. What happened to you?” Seraphina inquired, realising that this was not the Lilith she had come to know over the years.
Hearing her question, Lilith looked at her hands, the once red fur now a dark black.
“Tiberium mutation, Victor calls it. Remember the mission I was sent on to gather intel on the people of Thalindor after the attack? Well, I got caught by Victor and his men and was shot by one of his guards as I attempted to see myself out. After that, I began to change rapidly, becoming what you see before you. A mutant.”
Seraphina’s face turned sour at hearing Lilith’s story. Though the mention of Tiberium caught her ear. Putting that point aside, she continued to question Lilith.
“So, you were captured I take it?” Seraphina began. “And why exactly did you think it wise to join them? That makes you a traitor to our country.”
“Because I would’ve been killed were I to return looking like this. Victor showed me that we were more alike in more ways than one.” Lilith said, shuffling as she remembered that moment. Seraphina furrowed her brow as Lilith continued her explanation. “Well, while I was being held captive, Victor came to me and actually comforted me. He talked about his time in a s-”
“That’s classified information, missy.” Victor abruptly cut her off before she could continue. Lilith froze, a flustered expression filled her face. It was as if you could see her blushing through the well groomed fur of her muzzle.
“Y-Yes sir. Sorry, sir.” she yapped. Seraphina looked at Lilith in complete bewilderment. She never thought such a loyal servant of the Empire could fall into the hands of another faction.
As she shifted her gaze back to Victor, Seraphina began to speak. “What do you want from me? Why didn’t you just kill me when you had the chance?”
Victor smirked. “Well, what good would having you dead be? We need information after all. Especially after that soldier lady tried to go after me.”
“Soldier lady?” Seraphina asked. This confused her, as the majority of the Veridian military consisted of female warriors. Though most were always stationed on the frontlines, the highest ranking were always within the city as guard detail for the Empress.
“Correct. Woman in armour not too dissimilar from yourself tried to come after me with a sword just after you were dragged into the carryall.” Seraphina’s eyes widened, realising there was only one person whom she trusted so much as to wear armour as ornate as her own.
“Lysandra… Loyal to the very end.” she sighed, Victor catching on.
“Oh, don’t worry about her. She’s fine. I only shot her in the knee to immobilise her. I didn’t intend to kill. She’s in the custody of my men over in the capital now.” Upon hearing his words, Seraphina let out a large sigh of relief.
“I… I appreciate you not killing my most loyal warrior. Maybe you people aren’t as bad as I initially thought.” she said, before thinking back to the fact the whole city was brought to ruin in less than the blink of an eye. “Although I will never forgive you for bringing the destruction of my city.”