"Your Excellency," I hear for the hundredth time.

"Commander." I assess the seasoned leader.

"I am glad to see you with us. Elder Skyflare holds you in high regard."

"Thank you. Elder Skyflare is a man I wholeheartedly respect."

The man is pleased to hear praise for his leader.

"I assume," the commander says, "you are here regarding the mission commander Michal has proposed."

"Yes. That and to introduce myself."

The commander smiles, "Your Excellency needs no introductions."

His face turns serious, "We are prepared to begin at your discretion."

"There's no immediate need to act. I'm waiting on Elder Winter forces. Hopefully, we can draw them into the engagement."

The stalwart man nods, "That would be a great advantage for our campaign."

We spend some time relating on the nature of this war. And our role in it.

"How many daeva have you seen out there, commander?"

"It is hard to gauge their numbers, your excellency. I've seen hundreds. But I know there are thousands of them.

"There are two main types. One type of daeva has wings like a bird, while the other has wings like a bat.

"They hate each other almost as much as they hate us."

I nod my comprehension. It's another tool to use in this war.

I take my leave of the man and return to Commander Michal.

"We'll wait a few days for elder Winter's men to get authorization to join our campaign."

Michal nods.

"Your excellency, perhaps I could make a request of you."

My eyebrow raises curiously.

"Many of our brethren are recently ascended and have yet to cultivate their soul well into maturity.

"I have had the mortals of the Tower gather the local herbs.

"Perhaps you would be willing to craft pills for the men?"

I smile a slight smile, "Of course, Michal."

I set up my cauldron out of the way and begin taking orders. Except for when they're on patrol, the troops can spend their time cultivating.

I am slightly surprised by how many requests are made for the Dragon's Scream.

There is a field behind the fortress that we've established a guard over. And, every immortal who takes the Dragon's Scream finds security for their cultivation there.

With the hundreds of ascended immortals under my command, it is a simple matter to guard against the tribulation.

And so begins a sequence of tribulation, with lightning forming, venting, and dispersing. Only to form again.

These rooky ascended immortals get to temper their energetic cores in a way that few immortals can, with a perfect pill.

This goes on for days, and I come to feel like a machine with only pill-making on my mind.

"Your Excellency."

I look up from my task.

"An emissary from Elder Winter's force has come to see you."

"Tell them to wait," I say before returning to my task.

Before long, the tribulation is intercepted as I place the pill in the fresh-faced soldier's hand.

The man can't contain his excitement as he grins from ear to ear.

"Go," I motion to the door.

As the man flees the Tower, I come to my feet.

I walk into the room where a trembling man stands.

As he notices me, he jumps.

"Your- Your excellency!"

He bows low with his hand over a trembling fist.

"I hope you bring good news." I try not to come off as aggressive.

"Your Excellency... I beg your forgiveness. But, elder Winter has declined the joint operation."

The man seems afraid that lightning will strike him dead at any moment.

I let out a sigh. "You may go."

The man's relief is apparent as he bows to me again before leaving.

This decision is telling. My old alliances are but memories.

The elder likely declined due to a new coalition that he has become a member of.

Violet Sky is growing in power with every passing moment.

That ascendance puts many ill at ease.

Michal joins me as the emissary leaves.

He doesn't say anything. Sensing the betrayal I just experienced.

"We will engage the mission a week from tomorrow."

Mich nods and gets to work on the preparations.

I return to my alchemy, and the entire Tower can feel my mood.

As the fresh-faced immortals experience the perfect Dragon's Scream, they sober from their ignorance. They finally comprehend what power is.

I'm told the field where the soldiers meditate has grown white with dead plants. Oddly enough, the frequency of the use of pills in the area has made the field a sink into which the chi of heaven and earth falls.

Whatever the consequences of the Dragon's Scream may be, our forces have never been more prepared to fight.

The day arrives, and elder Skyflare's forces join us.

We're a fit fighting force of over seven hundred.

We take to the air as squadrons.

Two are for my forces, and one is for Skyflare's forces.

Michal is the main commander of this engagement. My task is to observe and learn the ways of war.

Our three squadrons make a chevron formation.

Our destination is to the North.

This will be the first major battle in our war—everything before a skirmish of patrolling units.

I catch sight of a flying figure in the distance.

He's out of range and flies back and away from us.

We're alert to any change in the terrain. Occasionally, a feathered figure will fly out from cover and flee us.

We could chase down every daeva the flees. But we have a mission.

I start feeling like this won't be so difficult when, on the horizon, I see dots grow steadily in number.

They have no formation—just a horde of winged men and women.

Primal screams escape the throats of the daeva.

It's not chi that they command. It's something more beastial.

We fast approach. Our forces, crying out their challenge.

My sword is in my hand. Many others bear spears. We're all ready to shed blood.

"First three rows," Commander Michal roars. "Stagger up."

The front of our forces rises as stairs that the daeva will have to climb.

Skyflare's men have their own strategy. And, with that, our battle is engaged.

The feathered foes break upon our formation.

Some go up, others down.

I take my position next to Michal.

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These aren't beasts that fight us; they're demigods. Arcane magic flows through the enemies.

A fireball comes hurtling towards Michal. The daeva having marked him as leader.

I project out with my soul body. Pressure comes over the fireball, and it dissipates.

Our style of combat differs. They wield primordial magics against our chi-based spirit bodies.

I watch as some of my forces break ranks and become ripples in the fabric of reality.

With all the conflicts ongoing, the ripples go unnoticed by the daeva.

From behind them, spears and swords skewer the unaware daeva.

Despite their wounds, such as would cause death to an immortal, the daeva fight on through their injuries.

"Second three rows," Mich bellows. "Stagger down."

Our wedge formation tears into the oncoming threat.

Chi bombs meet arcane missiles.

I face off against a burly daeva wielding a sword.

The man yells out something incomprehensible as our swords meet.

I can tell his blade is superior to mine when my common sword chips.

I manage to disarm the man and plunge my sword into his abdomen.

Despite the wound, the daeva laughs.

As a parting action, I channel chi into the sword.

The daeva fails to recognize the threat and, in seconds, is blown in half by my exploding sword.

Bellows of anger come from the frenzied daeva that witness the death.

My fellows fight tooth and nail against the winged menace.

To my side, an immortal is impaled through the chest by a large arrow.

Much as I'd like to help the man, all I can do is watch him submit to gravity and fall from our formation.

The one advantage we hold is our discipline and command.

Despite my blessed strength as an ascended immortal, the daeva proves stronger, faster, and more durable.

But they're all solitary actors on the battlefield.

All out for their own glory.

Those that block our wedge get chewed up by the teeth of our formation. And those that fly over and under our wedge come into the main body of our force.

We progress onward.

"Third row, stagger up.

"Fourth row, stagger down."

Michal calls out commands, and our teeth grow.

I feel that the battle has climaxed when I hear the low rumble of a horn.

The daeva ralliy away from us, and a new threat spreads across the horizon.

These daeva, like the others, have wings.

But these are leathery, dark, wings.

A red glow expands among these new foes. I watch as a colossal dragon forms from the array of daeva.

I'm at a loss for what this new threat is capable of.

When I witness a blue glow come over the feathered daeva, Michal calls out in haste for the rows of cultivators to stagger.

As this light expands, it takes on the form of a celestial eagle.

Both threats have a beauty to them that astounds me. I want nothing more than to learn the secrets of this new form of array.

But, I'm brought back to reality by the imminent danger of the threats.

"Chi bombs forward!" Michal cries as the dragon draws close.

Hundreds of ascended immortals project out with explosive pockets of chi.

The dragon draws close. But it is steadily crumbling under the onslaught.

Before it reaches our line, the last daeva breaks off and retreats.

With that threat passed, the eagle quickly cuts into our line. It's mercifully smaller than the dragon and only cuts into a fraction of our forces.

Immortals rain down from the sky as they break upon the eagle array.

I want to save them from the fall. But, my energies are focused on the daeva threat.

Finally, the last celestial eagle array crumbles, and our men fight to claim vengeance on the fleeing daeva.

"Hold!" comes Michal's voice over the clamor. His voice laced with chi.

I watch as the retreating daeva form a cohort.

Neither immortal nor daeva moves forward.

"Collect our dead."

The order goes out, and teams collect the bodies.

With that attended to, the order to retreat follows. And we depart the battlefield with a last spiteful look to the enemies.

"Eighty-eight ascended immortals," Michal repeats for the hundredth time.

I feel his sorrow. Ascended immortals are less abundant. And, to lose so many in a single battle...

"The daeva are only growing more entrenched, and we are losing men by the dozen.

"And for what? We didn't even achieve our objective."

"Commander, we have gained insight into how they fight.

"Those arrays they used were made of individual daeva. If we can learn to harness that kind of power, we will grow significantly stronger."

Michal looks unconvinced.

"Your Excellency, how do you propose we learn the enemy's secrets?

"I am aware you're dabbling with arrays. But, this seems a bit beyond you."

I am undeterred by the man's lack of faith.

"Give me command of fifty men. I will practice the formation of combat arrays."

Michal looks to me with what might be respect, "You have the command, Your Excellency."

I spend the rest of the day selecting my troop.

I let the night pass in silent cultivation until dawn takes the world.

With my troop formed, I direct them in a meditation.

I take the lessons I learned from the flower of life.

At its core, an array is thought encapsulated by spirit.

With each cultivator; thought, soul, body, and spirit, I begin to break down the construction of the array.

While on the ground, I instruct each member to fashion their soul body into parts of a body.

Each cultivator takes part in the design, and the vessel takes shape.

The chi hums as the body alights with a subtle white glow.

My thoughts come through my connection with the other bubbles of thought. A central mind can be found, and I relay instructions on how to move.

Under stress, the array crumbles.

With a frustrated sigh, I return to the start.

The process repeats over and over.

Each iteration teaches me something that I didn't know before.

Michal and I agree to stop any missions to clear the daeva encampment until we can form a proper coalition.

I fear that none of the other factions will opt-in.

For now, we wait for our troops to replenish. Every week, a new squad arrives.

Michal focuses on the patrols while I work with my fifty.

My progress with the combat array is steady. But slow.

Every day, we come closer to standing our spirit vessel up.

I mix the preparation of medicinal pills into my daily routine.

The young immortals sober up quickly under the effect of the Dragon's Scream.

Michal sees to the leadership of the brigade's daily duties.

Squads are sent out to patrol regularly. And skirmishes with the daeva occur with ever greater frequency.

"They're up to something, Your Excellency. They've been establishing strongholds closer to the Tower.

"I fear they're planning an assault."

I nod my understanding.

The Tower of Acer has over two thousand ascended immortals. For the daeva to attack, they must have thousands ready to invade.

"Can we uproot these strongholds before they grow more entrenched?"

Michal shakes his head. "We would lose too many to take out their fortifications. It would be better to reinforce the Tower.

"That is unless we can rally the other factions."

I allow a bitter chuckle to escape me.

Except for Skyflare, the other elders are busy playing politics while their armies face the threat.

"Keep our eyes open. Let me know if any more of these strongholds pop up."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Weeks pass mostly uneventfully. The occasional new stronghold pops up. And I feel that the daeva are better at war than we are.

"Should we be establishing forward bases to intercept the threat?"

Michal takes a moment to think over my question.

"It might be wise to do so. But that would put Violet Sky at the front of this war. The other leagues will watch the war from afar."

I think over the man's words, "See to it that we have a base out there."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

I return my focus to the combat array. We are close to standing the spirit vessel up.

My routine continues for days, and the daeva seek to establish another fortification. But, my units afield harass the daeva deployment.

I survey the skirmish.

My immortals try hard to keep their distance from the physically stronger winged beings.

The brief battle establishes a no man's land between our two forces.

I turn my attention back to the combat array.

I establish myself as the central node in the mind of our spirit vessel.

I coach each subsequent spirit node on how to move and maintain its form.

Our vessel glows white with the appearance of a man.

As we stand, a sense of accomplishment comes over me.

The finer details of the soul construct need some work. But, I can command the fifty men who make up the varying body parts.

Now, standing, I attempt my next feat.

Flight is difficult at first. But, gradually, I learn to control the vessel as I move the body through an ocean of chi to ascended.

The construct is an imposing thing. And we do a lap around the Tower.

Our gigantic body draws the eyes of mortals and immortals alike.

It has the form of a naked man. But, the details remain obscured.

I think about the addition of clothes.

I pass on the necessary changes, and gradually, our bald figure grows a set of robes.

We stand as a celestial immortal ready to fight.

I coach my team through the lower parts of striking and grappling.

With every action, we grow more fluid. Strike leading into the strike.

I can sense the wonder of the mortals at seeing such a sight.

I think that it must look like a god come down from heaven.

The immortals are no less amazed by the sight. But, a strong sense of fear comes over my political rivals' forces.

How long will it take for word to reach the sect of the horror I've created?

My unit and I settle just outside the Tower.

The construct mirrors myself and the other cultivators.

We sit cross-legged in meditation.

For hours, I meditate on the nature of this new force in the cultivation world.

In all my time as an immortal, such a thing hasn't even been whispered of.

It was the daeva who gave me this insight.

Throughout the night; we maintain the array in meditation, every member of my team dedicated to the task.

When morning comes, I take command of the central brain, and we engage in martial techniques.

I wonder if I can craft a sword into the construct.

Eventually, I call a close to our training and dissolve our combat array.

My fellows each have a smile of triumph on their faces.

I dismiss them to their affairs.

When I entered Violet Sky's headquarters, many stunned faces greeted me.

With the display my team and I put on, everyone in the Tower wonders the same thing.

"What did you create, Your Excellency?"

Michal is as dumbfounded as the rest of the witnesses.

"A weapon," I say enigmatically.

"I request an additional fifty men for my combat array."

Michal sobers up and says, "They're yours, Your Excellency."

I spend the rest of the day selecting the men and women to increase the size of the soul construct.

The weight of this new vessel is significantly greater. And as I coach the new members through the formation of their soul body, we break apart over and over.

Days pass as we struggle. But, with persistence comes prosperity.

We manage to stand the colossus up.

I look down at the Tower below me.

I need to remember myself in the scope of this new level of power.

In the horror's right hand are a series of cultivators harnessing sword ki, a sword formed of immortals.

Like the previous soul vessel, I perform exercises to train as our central mind.

My role is pivotal in coordinating the masses.

This time, we fly out to the forward operational base. Our robe flutters in the air.

As we come upon the fortified stronghold, several cultivators fly up close to determine the allegiance of the new monster.

As they recognize us, they bow hand over fist.

I find a place next to the miniature base and take a seat.

Our meditation in celestial form continues for days.

Each day; we grow more integrated as a unit, our souls recognizing each other.

On the horizon, winged entities fly back and forth.

They only draw close enough to observe our new weapon.

Eventually, I tire of the display and turn our vessel to the Tower of Acer.

We break our array and fly into our headquarters as we reach the Tower.

A sense of triumph is upon each Violet Sky member.

Michal greets me with a salute.

"Your Excellency. In your absence, the former Violet Horizon elders have begun dispatching their forces to the Tower."

I appraise the man, "Good. Glad to have them."

"Your Excellency. One of the elders from Violet Horizon has come claiming leadership of all Violet Sword forces."

Commander Michal is ill at ease.

"Have you sent anyone back to verify the claim?"

Michal nods.

"And?"

"Your excellency, it is true."

I am uncertain as to how we should proceed.

On the one hand, the loss of autonomy is demoralizing. But, on the other, our forces united will stand a better chance against the daeva.

"Where is this elder set up?"

Michal gives me directions to the man's headquarters.

I fly with an entourage. My soldiers do not want to separate from me.

As we approach, I tell them to hang back. They grudgingly follow my directions.

I come down, the guards having long since noticed my group.

They respectfully stand aside and give me access to the elder's chambers.

As I come in, I see a man seated. Several attendants stand around the elder and force leaders from the various factions.

The elder looks up from his throne. I wait for my presence to be acknowledged.

"Elder Rook," the man says in greeting. "I am glad to see you joining me."

I have difficulty gauging the man. Is he friendly or hostile?

His eyes flash a predatory gaze as he looks at me.

I step forward and bow hand over fist to the powerful-looking gentleman with salt and pepper hair.

"Your Excellency," I say.

The man waves dismissively.

"As you may or may not know, I am Richard. Elder of the council of Violet Sword."

The man lets his words sink in.

"I am here to oversee the removal of the daeva threat and capture the pillar of creation."

"Understood, Your Excellency."

The elder looks me over.

"I must say, elder Rook, you are full of surprises. After you volunteered to come to the front, I was impressed.

"But, when I follow your example and come here, I hear word of a celestial giant under your command. What am I to make of it all?"

I can't help but feel he's building to an order.

"I recognize your skill. And, as commander of Violet Sword's forces, command you to instruct this new weapon's control to several immortals of my choosing."

"Yes, Your Excellency," I say.

I resolve myself to the task. This is not about my league. It is about all of Violet Sword facing the threat to our world.

As I get assigned a new team to command, I go through the laborious process of coordinating the control of a celestial immortal combat array.

The weeks roll on as I train new teams how first to become parts and then to become the nucleus of the array. To be the central node of the spirit body's mind.

Steady progress sees the advancement of many cultivators in this new form of combat mastery.

Days and weeks and months pass.

The number of fortified positions has grown.

My lone Violet Sky forward operational base stands in opposition to the advance of the daeva.

Recruits show up on the front line at all hours. And Violet Sky has more than replaced the eighty-eight fallen immortals from our last battle.

The daeva are growing bolder by the day, and my base is coming under attack.

When word reaches me, I am caught up in meditation with a training group's soul construct.

I relay the commands to the other thoughts that make up the array.

A thrill of excitement comes over me and the other cultivators. This will be the first time such a vessel will see combat.

We lift into the air and fly at maximum speed to reinforce the Violet Sky soldiers.

When we arrive, we see our forces pinned down by arcane magics.

Our combat array takes action as soon as we arrive. A celestial sword cuts with a speed that belies its size.

Sword ki shreds a handful of the daeva.

With the new threat engaged, the daeva turn to attack our celestial immortal.

I cover the attack with my off hand and draw my sword out to strike a gathering of daeva.

The manifest form of the sword is far broader than it first appears to be. Sword ki sunders the space around the blade.

As I draw focus, the Violet Sky members turn from their defense to go on the offense.

The attacking daeva turn to flee, and I shred as many as I can before they escaped.

We survive with our base intact and prove that the combat array is functional in battle.

We dissolve the array and return to the Tower.

Cheers reach my ears as I walk into the Violet Sky headquarters.

A number of these men and women followed my lead. But my team and the defenders did the lion's share of the fighting.

Michal comes up to me, hand over fist.

"Your Excellency doesn't disappoint."

I nod, my thoughts turning to elder Richard and his part in this war.

The number of functional combat arrays has grown significantly in the last few months.

I turn from the accolades of my league and seek out the elder in charge.

Once more, I pass through the sycophants in the man's throne room.

"Elder Rook," comes a pleased voice. "I have heard of your performance. Truly remarkable."

"Thank you, Your Excellency," I say. "I was wondering when we might strike out at the threat.

"Our forces are ready, and the daeva only grow bolder."

The elder's lips twitch. "Just carry on with your training for the moment, elder. I have plans for our next battle."

I want to act. But, I can do no more here.

At first, I thought having a leader would allow us to go on the offensive. But, the elder is playing the war defensively.

The daeva only grow in number, and my Violet Sky is the only force opposing them.

This status quo remains for weeks, and I begin to lose faith in the elder's planning.

I've turned from the combat array teaching and have returned to the crafting of pills.

When thunder threatens to form, a detachment of the elder's comes to my headquarters.

"His excellency commands that you produce pills for his court, alchemist."

This pompous messenger doesn't show any respect for me in requisitioning my products.

I let out a sigh and take my cauldron up with me. I leave directions on supplying the elder's HQ with herbs.

With that, I join the elders.

"Elder Rook, thank you for coming."

I measure the man with my eyes. Since his arrival, I've been nothing more than an errand boy for him. Anger stirs within me.

The man and his sycophants disregard me as he says, "Begin."

I stow my complaints and begin crafting what I know he wants, the Dragon's Scream.

As the hours roll by and tribulation comes and goes, I look to the ever fewer members of Richard's court. Each of them takes to their private cultivation.

This continues until only Elder Richard, his guards, and I remain.

"One for you as well, your excellency?"

Richard observes me as one would a snake.

"No, elder Rook. I am fine. You may leave."

I can feel an intimidation upon them.

Tribulation lightning is supposed to be a rare occurrence, and I can summon it repeatedly.

As I pass by the elder's men, a heavy air is over the headquarters.

At last, I am free of the elder.

Violet Sky stands alert, and I settle in Michal's office.

"Something's off," I say.

"Your Excellency?" Michal puzzles.

"Every day, we get new soldiers. We have combat arrays at our disposal. And I produce pill after pill.

"The daeva grow bolder, and we sit here waiting... Something's off."

Michal looks like he wants to say something.

"Your Excellency, I believe you're overestimating the danger.

"If we can contain the daeva threat until we're strong enough to attack. What danger is there in waiting?"I sigh.

"Tomorrow, get the men training with the combat array."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

I find a quiet corner of the Tower and calmly meditate. I clear my thoughts as I breathe in the chi of heaven and out my pollution.

Over and over, I cycle my breath.

What is it that I'm missing? I can't help but believe Elder Richard is a political enemy. I've come to have so many in recent days.