Chapter 41: Battle
The fabled elves from the Forest of Life are the most expert rangers on the continent no question about it. Previously humanity tried its use at training export bowmen who practiced the Path of Body, yet these efforts quickly proved futile, and it is the reason that not many nobles have these individuals in their ranks. Money. The materials required to train an expert bowman are insanely expensive. So expensive in fact that not even high-tier noble houses hold these individuals in their armies. Why is it so expensive you might ask? Simple. Each time one moves farther along the Path of Body one experiences an increase in their strength that far outclass what they previously held. That is why it is recommended to have a minimum of ten people from the previous tier fight against someone of a single higher tier. Multiply by ten for each increase. But if it’s only a matter of tier, why would it be considered expensive to raise an expert bowman? Materials. The bows crafted and the arrows used all must be made from superior materials. Whether it be from beast or underneath Nia itself the resources required to keep up with the tiers become very expensive. Especially when the most notable houses advance in a tier every 2-3 years. While the less reputable can take up to 4-6 years. These are only mentioning nobles, commoners who become adventurers or city guardsmen are entirely different.
* Excerpt from M-TRI. A small portion of the Report of Range Capabilities of the Empire.
Twenty thousand Nox were marching across the ashen fields of the front lines, and they were headed directly for us. My armor was spent, and a portion of my mana was gone. It was the scouts of General Irvon who informed us, and I took a moment to verify that the pair weren’t Nox before I would accept their words. Once they were confirmed to be free from any Nox influence, I turned to Amaya and the great families. It was time to discuss battle plans.
“The great thing about the Nox is that they attack more like a monster or beast horde. In fact, I would say they were some type of monster parasite if it wasn’t for them to have such a tight hold over themselves. Able to stay as a sleeper agent for an undetermined amount of time,” Ittane Corba spoke as we gazed over the sand table. It was partially malfunctioning as the Eye of Yacsuun affect the device too much.
“From the scout reports these Nox all range around tier four while there have sightings of golden vein Nox amongst them. We know these are the commanders. In truth with our joint forces, I don’t see much of a problem in taking care of this small army. I do recommend you each finally partake in the magic of aspects. Any attempts by the Nox to take over your body and soul are protected. I understand you each have your individual thoughts about it, but my cousin has guaranteed it is nothing binding, and Princess Moriah has already confirmed this fact.”
The Princess nodded in agreement to Amaya. Although I hadn’t been too vocal about aspects and perks, the princess was wholeheartedly supporting its use. The great families all knew of the strange magic my Crimson Army used but none had taken too far of an interest in becoming an aspect holder. It was understandable as to them it would be strange unknown magic. They didn’t know if it was blood magic and could bind people to me in a slave type of manner or some sort of dark magic able to do much of the same.
“I recommend it myself. I would hate… for any of you to be infected by the Nox and turned by these creatures.” I didn’t say more especially my true thoughts. I would hate to have to kill any of them because they were turned into a Nox. Ittane had been pleasant to discuss magic with. While Aisha had become a favorite of mine. As I interacted with the families and began to know their scions it became harder and harder for me to hold my previous dislike of them.
“I don’t believe it is necessary to even fight them. Why don’t we try a large spell formation and summon fire and earth to destroy them?” Ryon Grand asked gazing around the room and I knew that the young man hadn’t paid attention enough to the history lessons his family taught him. The ones concerning large-scale effects such as the Eye of Yacsuun all had one common thing. Large-scale destructive magic was prohibited unless absolutely necessary.
“We can’t any large-scale spells deployed will trigger the Eye of Yacsuun, misfire, cause a backlash or in the chance that it does manage to go off and strike true the Eye of Yacsuun will definitely retaliate,” I said.
“Then let us sweep them with our formations and end this swiftly,” Ryon Grand responded not seeing the benefits of holding back.
“That is something we’d like to keep in reserve as much as possible. Once deployed it would drain our people and unless this is a battle with the High Queen herself it isn’t worth it. Small-scale magic will be enough. Individual casting a few |Fireball| and |Earth Sprike| spells should wipe out a large quarter of the Nox,” Amaya said.
“Right now, we need to recover as much as possible before we march out to meet the horde,” I said. That was mostly for me as my armor was completely drained saving my life from a blow seeking to take it. It wasn’t until late evening that the horde was scheduled to arrive. The battle would most likely extend into the night. The Eye of Yacsuun would light the battlefield for us.
*
“I call to you fireflies who’ve lost their spark come from [Beyond].”
“I can see all weakness before me, and all shall provide to my insight.”
The Crimson Army formed neat ranks behind me their perks activating prematurely alongside my own.
Howls range out ahead of us as the horde of the Nox appeared in sight. Red eyes glowing and burning full of hatred as they detected us.
“Hold.”
Amaya’s voice rang over the army. Energized and excited for what was to come. To finally have the opportunity to lead the full Crimson Army into battle.
The Nox approached steady closer the ground rumbling and vibrating as they approached.
“Hold.”
The waning sunlight glinted from the spearheads and the gleaming tower shields. Polished to perfection.
“Hold.”
It came to my surprise that the small fluctuations that came when facing the small force of Count Caccula’s army were nowhere to be found. My troops holding standing tall without shifting.
The Nox now was around 500ft away and still the men and women of the Crimson Army held.
“FIRE.”
The Crimson General yelled out the same instant a massive fireball of her own conjuring appeared and raced off to intercept the snarling creatures.
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“Second volley.”
The first volley impacted incinerating Nox who fell in their way while others only suffered small injuries.
“FIRE.”
“Third volley.”
Screams and growls of pain roared out, but the Nox only sped faster. Close enough for me to see that there was no trace of fear or hesitation within their eyes. Only an endless amount of anger.
“Are they all staring at me?” I wondered aloud as thousands of red eyes seemed to be glaring hatefully in my direction.
“FIRE.”
The moment the spells took off I waited a moment then was off.
“SPEARS.”
As the fireballs and earth spears descended around me my ax lopped off the head of a Nox partially human with gold veins radiating from its body.
“PERKS.”
My shield bashed into another the figures having singled me out. I laughed.
“BRACE.”
Ashes fell around me as I lopped off limbs and shield bash bones into mush. I laughed.
“FIRE AT WILL.”
I danced and weaved these creatures were all beneath me it would take hundreds to stop me. I could feel it in my very blood. Pride in me roared to life as I acknowledged this fact. Knowing as long as the terrain was to my advantage I could battle endlessly. I laughed.
So, it came to my surprise when my army pushed forward arriving next to me. My first two knights on my left and right respectively weapons flashed forward fiercely as they struggled to keep up with me. I laughed. Heartily in joy and pleasure.
*
Alex struggled to catch up with the Young Lord as his sword bit into the neck of a Nox. The light in the beast’s eyes faded into blackness as his sword followed through and severed the body from the head. That’s when he first heard it. The Young Lord was laughing. Something in Alex came forth and he surged forward his partner in crime right alongside him. Unknown to them but the Crimson Army also surged forth to keep up with the Young Lord and the Princess and the great families that were slaughtering their way through the Nox.
Spells fired off behind them hitting the farther backline of the Nox and slaying all who opposed the Crimson Army.
Far behind them, the citizens of the Last Kingdom watched the battle rage on. Their surviving mages cast multiple spells to oversee what was going on. The camp General Irvon was in charge of held previously held close to thirty-thousand people. Now it was reduced to just above half of that from the damages by the Nox.
It was his perk Champion’s Stamina that supported Alex as he followed in the path of carnage left behind his Young Lord. The trouble he had when first facing the Nox was all but gone. Alex watched as the Young Lord danced his way through his enemies, bypassing some or letting them run into one another as they tried to strike a blow against him.
A few had glancing hits, but they seemed to bounce off the Young Lord’s gleaming armor. Finally, after a great heave against a Nox as strong as him Alex and Rouge arrived next to the Young Lord. So little was said but so much was stated when the Young Lord recognized and acknowledged their presence. His aura covered them and seemingly boosted them a bit as ashes descended around them.
‘You will not leave us behind.’
‘We will support you until the end.’
‘A Champion’s might is not to be underestimated.’
‘We’ve caught up.’
Alex knew it was only an illusion his mind played for him as the Young Lord held the strength of a Grand Knight and could accomplish feats greater than regular men. From the way, he bashed down the giant main gates of Tow while blowing a portion of the city walls away. Breaking the magical shields that protected an entire city. Walls fifty feet high or more came crashing down and Alex had watched it in awe at the power the young lord welded. The Young Lord is well on his way to becoming a Knight Lord and becoming one of the most powerful people of his generation. Alex was following that path perhaps if he could fight hard show more determination and continue to advance becoming a Grand Knight like his young lord then he could follow in the footsteps of his namesake. Alexander Fross.
Alex felt his body being invigorated by his perk. His first perk, Champion’s Aura was activated, and he spotted the slight hesitation of every enemy that entered its range as the suppression from the perk activated upon them. While the ashes from the Young Lord seemed to stick to them and sap at their strength. Alex only grew stronger, his will firmer as time continued. Finally understanding what it meant to be a hero. He laughed as he felt his perks break through.
*
Amaya fired off another spell simultaneously calling out orders for another squad to reinforce a weakening area in the front. All the while she kept her attention on Aegis as he slaughtered his way deeper in the Nox horde. Unknown to him but Princess Moriah was doing the same. Cutting her way through the horde with ease as her tier doubled most of the combatants. Yet she also spared some attention for the Eye of Yacsuun. She would not allow any of its storms to befall her people.
Her perk General’s Insight was activated, and Amaya was in love with how it affected her soldiers and gave her knowledge on what and who was weakening. While the skill granted from it [General’s Intuition] allowed the Crimson Army to borrow her knowledge on tactics. This showed itself as no soldier was out of place each took the right amount of steps to protect themselves and comrades while simultaneously being in the right position to deal damage to any Nox who crossed their path. The insight fed back into her creating what seemed like an endless loop and Amaya could feel her perk growing. General’s Insight becoming better, her troops understood more of the strange feeling the insights provided them. Her Crimson Army would be perfect. She couldn’t wait to show her mother all that she achieved.
She had no plans on activating Unrivaled Dragon which would allow her to create a field of law. That was a trump card, and it would not be good to give the Nox chances to understand how it works. That didn’t stop her from activating both perks from Aspect: True Mage. True Spell Caster allowed her to hold three spells in reserve and currently alongside the other four spells in her staff Hope of the Dragon’s Amaya held seven tier seven spells all in reserve. Ready to be cast at a moment’s notice. These spells all took time to perform and were amongst the first she mastered when advancing to tier seven on Path of the Mind. Her second active perk, Quick Caster, allowed her to cast indirect spells without the extremely high mana cost. Thus, she fired off fireball after fireball on the battlefield all the while keeping her mana level in check. She laughed a feeling of exhilaration overtaking her as her troops swept into the Nox.
*
Aisha flew over the battlefield casting a spell here and there to aid her allies but was mostly content in recording the battle that raged on below. It was right here that she wished for some way to show live views to the crowds back home. She laughed as she noticed Aegis laughing as he slaughtered his way through the Nox. His ax barely pausing and his shield moving in tandem as he seemed to dance through the battlefield.
Princess Moriah was much of the same. Her white sword sliced through and instantly cauterized any wound it made. The Nox that obstructed her never saw what slew them as she moved fast, but efficiently through them. The battle craze that the imperial family was known from seemed to be kept in check as the young woman slew her foes, but Aisha could see the bright orbs Princess Moriah called eyes glowing with anticipation as she moved from target to target. Her guardsmen were not much behind her. Aisha was going to make so much money once she produced these and sold multiple copies. A business that her family had run for generations. Her laugh rang out loudly over the raging battle but remained unnoticed by its participants. Soon she would go down and participate to achieve her breakthrough into a new level of strength.
*
Koama spun and whirled her greatsword slicing through arms, legs, and torso. Amongst other body parts, her flaming sword cauterized the wounds and did not allow blood to spray over her like the madman she was interested in as a potential marriage partner. Her new level of strength was fully mastered and was now back to increasing as her mastery over her body and weapon progressed. She laughed out a booming laugh that her troops behind her reciprocated.
*
Ryon Grand snaked his way through the battlefield. Weapons never stopped as they stabbed and slice through the Nox that stood in his way. He could feel himself on the verge of a breakthrough and he would not miss this opportunity. Laughing he fought on. He would not allow himself to be left behind by his fellow great families. Already they were taking their own steps to push for that advancement within this battle.
*
The soldiers of the Last Kingdom watched in awe as the Crimson Army and their allies fought like madmen laughing as they slaughtered their way into the much large Nox army. A belief and a feeling the soldiers on the front line had long since abandoned began to emerge. Hope.