Chapter 14: War

Zack

11 years ago

Year: 860

Thomas tore ahead as he galloped atop his steed, Sword in one hand as he held onto the reigns.

“ONWARD MEN!” The Blue Swords approached the bandit camp, they had further numbers than the Blue Swords troops, however, they had the advantage of steeds to outmaneuver and trump them in height. The squad of five steedman approached the bandits' camp at a blistering speed. It was surrounded by thick logs to act as walls. Too tall for any steed to leap over and would force any intruder to scale them or take the front gate. As Thomas guided his squad closer, he sheathed his blade in his scabbard. He held his right hand close to his chest in a closed grip and specs of light began to rise from his hand. Soon, his hand began to emit a bright blue light, so bright it almost looked white and the specs of light began to grow larger. A small humming was able to be heard from his hand as it gathered mana but only from Thomas as the galloping of the horse's hooves drowned out the noise. After a few seconds, Matthew was ready. He dipped and leaned right on his steed as he continued to hold on to the reigns with his left hand. Still holding the stored mana in his hand, he opened his hand up and swung it forward from the back of the steed to the front, as if Matthew was splashing a giant wave in a river.

As he did so, a vortex of water violently emerged from where he swung. It was shaped like a funnel, perhaps even like a misshapen clay pot but turned on its side, with the opening facing the camp. The tsunami of water began to roar and rush towards the camp. The bandits stationed to keep guard panicked and quickly fled the flimsy scaffold structures they had been assigned to. Not long after, the torrent of water smashed into the camp's wall and was so violent it pulled out the logs that were embedded in the ground. Not very many, as the torrent wasn't very wide as Matthew had prioritised its length when casting. But it was enough to let the water flood in and create confusion.

“SCATTER!” Thomas yelled as he flung out his right hand for the signal to his men. The horsemen did as he said, Splitting into two groups. Two entered through the broken entranceway while the other three circled around and charged through the gate, Thomas once again led the charge as he took two of the horsemen through the front gate. As the torrent worked its way into camp, it began to lose its edge after breaking through the walls, now only strong enough to slightly stagger the soldiers on the ground. However, this was enough, the forces of horsemen cut through the bandits from two different sides. Adding further confusion to their ambush. All five of the horsemen sliced with their blades at blistering speed at any bandit unlucky enough to come in their way. Both groups of steeds steered their mount to the opposite exit they came through, the team of three horsemen leaving through the hole created by the torrent and vice versa. The camp remained soaked and there were a few inches of water that engulfed the ground of the bandit camp. Multiple bandits were left lying dead or injured on the floor, writhing in pain as they slowly bled out. There were, however, some stragglers who avoided being slaughtered. They quickly ran to tend to the wounded and see the damage that was done. Just as all of them were within sight, however, lighting began to course through their bones, seizing their bodies and burning out their muscles. Before long, every man in the camp was lying dead, either from a sword or the lightning, as they all lay in the shallow pool of water that buzzed with live electricity. Zack stood on the peak of a hill that overlooked the camp. Purple electricity coursed through his hand as he recoiled from igniting the water in the camp with untamed levin. He stood there with another of the Blue Swords, one of the scouts who directed him with a spyglass so they wouldn't expose themselves. An advantage to lighting magic was that it was fast and traveled far, making it perfect for a shot that was roughly one hundred meters away. Zack dispelled the leftover mana in his hand with a flick of his wrist, flaying his left hand out as he did so.

Three years had passed since Zack had first joined the Blue Swords. Three years of crusading within The Weeping Crucible and they had never been more successful. They were an army of close to two hundred men. Small in comparison to an army that Atlus would have, but their name was growing. They were heralded as heroes throughout the land of Atlus. Villages and towns needed not to worry about being raided or attacked anymore. With Matthew at the head of it all. Matthew continued to lead the Blue Swords and it was apparent why. His leadership was unparalleled, his magic was as strong as an Atlus Captain and his resolve was unwavering. The Blue Swords had grown from young boys into strong men with an even stronger kinship shared among them, now capable of really changing the country and the threat of bandits that Atlus had refused to acknowledge. Zack now stood much taller and leaner than he was years ago, The better diet was mostly to thank for that. He preferred to wear the same garbs that he was given by Matthew years ago, Albeit in an appropriate size for his taller physique. He dismissed wearing bulky metal armor that Matthew had offered to him and instead wore pieces of light leather armor over his clothes to make sure he was still agile and flexible. He preferred this as opposed to the armor Matthew and the rest of the cavalry wore, it fit his fighting style a lot better. Ever since his lightning magic manifested, He had always favored speed and precision. Lighting magic allowed him to enhance this fighting style forging spells that enhanced his mobility. Though sometimes - in today's case - that wasn't necessary and a simple lighting bolt would do.

Hours passed after the raid and Zack entered Matthew's quarters as instructed. He was told they needed to meet about something urgent. This was worrying to Zack, He hadn’t heard this level of seriousness from Matthew in years. Conquering the bandits was smooth sailing as they increased their numbers and equipment and things only seemed to be improving. Zack wracked his mind as to what this would be but perhaps it wouldn't be as urgent as Matthew made it to be. The man had a lot to shoulder as the Blue Swords grew in size so it may have been stress-related. As Zack entered, He found Matthew mulling over the map of The Weeping Crucible like usual. However this time he seemed to look more concerned, and less relaxed than usual. Matthew caught Zack enter from the corner of his eye and quickly spun to Zack.

“Ah good, come in come in,” said Matthew as he waved over Zack, returning to look back over the map once again. Zack quickly made his way to his desk and leaned over it behind where Matthew sat.

“This doesn't make any sense,” Matthew said as he ran his hand through his blond locks.

“What doesn't?” Zack asked confused. He hadn’t seen Matthew this stressed in a while so it brought Zack some concern.

“The map. The map is becoming more inaccurate with each raid we execute.”

“It would make sense, Perhaps we are finally getting down to the last of them.”

“Or…” Matthew said trailing off. “They could be growing wise to our tactics. Placing their camps in areas we hadn't predicted from their previous placements.” Zack stood quiet for a moment and pondered the suggestion.

“So do you think their planning something?” Zack asked, slightly hesitant to suggest so.

“I think so…but I don't know what, that's what bothers me,” Matthew said as he stood up and exhaled. “I believe its not a case of us whittling down their numbers… but instead they have grown wise and decided to unify…Their main force lies somewhere in The Weeping Cruci…” The two of them froze still as a muffled explosion interrupted their thoughts. The two turned in the direction it came from. The bells began to ring, A signal that an ambush had started and the guardsmen had caught wind of it. The two of them gave each other a knowing look and rushed out of the fort, grabbing their equipment and weapons on the way. The two rushed out the door to see the site full of scurrying soldiers, rushing for their positions as the unknown ambush began. The bells continued to ring from the guards. The fort quickly divulged into chaos.

“Fuck, Do you think it's bandits?” Zack said with a bead of sweat running down his face

“Most definitely,” said Matthew, He grabbed Zack’s arm firmly. “Zack, Join the main force and keep them occupied. I will join you once I’m ready Zack” Zack gave him a determined nod and they both took off. Zack rushed to the second floor of the walls that surrounded the fort. Once there he overlooked what used to be the surrounding forest, now engulfed in an inferno of flames. Embers and deep smoke rose from the flames. Zack stood with his fist clenched and ground his teeth as he saw platoons of bandits from different factions approach the fort. Bastards, you only had to scurry together to pluck up the courage to come to our doorstep All he could hear was the sizzling of the wood and foliage through the forest. His thoughts were stopped by a second explosion, landing further in the forest. The explosion burst through the forest and shot wind around as the boulder impacted the ground. Catapults as well?! No…I need to rally the forces. Zack turned back to panicked squads of men who hustled together their equipment on the site in a sloppy manner.

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“SOLDIERS! IN LINE!” Zack yelled from his diaphragm as the crackling of the forest fire raged behind him. The men immediately looked amidst the panic and saw Zack standing atop the walls. “IT IS HOW WE FEARED, THE BANDITS HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION! THEY HAVE DECIDED TO AMBUSH US, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS!” Murmuring and whispering could be heard from the crowd of soldiers. “BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE SHOULD FALL INTO A PANIC!” The soldiers continued to look up as Zack continued to speak. “IN ALL THE TIME WE HAVE BEEN SOLDIERS, SINCE THE TIME WE WAGED WAR ON THEIR KIND, HAVE WE EVER ONCE FEARED A BATTLE? HAVE WE EVER ONCE GONE INTO A RAID WITHOUT A PLAN?” The men stood silent, waiting for Zack’s next words. “THEN WHY SHOULD TODAY BE ANY DIFFERENT? THEY MAY HAVE AMBUSHED US IN OUR MOMENT OF GLORY, BUT THAT HAS ONLY LEVELED THE PLAYING FIELD FOR THEM! IT HAS NOT GIVEN THEM THE ADVANTAGE! LET US SHOW THEM WHY THEY WERE FOOLS FOR EVEN THINKING THEY COULD STEP INTO THIS FORT!” Zack drew his blade and raised it to the sky. The fire from behind him lit the edge of the blade. “SHOW THEM WHY THE BLUE SWORDS EXIST’S!” The sea of men lit up in a roar of battle cries. Cheering on and following Zack’s lead, raising their own weapons into the air and charging from the gate to face the enemy. The opposition joined their rhythm at the sight of their advancing troops and sounded their own battle cries. The two armies clashed together within the forest where the fire had not yet reached. Spells went off and catapults continued to hurl boulders from both sides. Zack quickly joined the fray. Blue specs of light rose from his body until they soon became purple. He zipped down to the ground level in a trail of purple lightning, leaving a trail of thunder behind him and sparks flew out behind him. It was his primary method of travel on the battlefield, a shortranged dash where he became lighting itself was excellent for maneuvering himself in fights. He found a group of bandits that were still open to attack, Zack quickly drew their attention by firing a bolt of lightning from his palm, striking one of the soldiers. They turned to face him but were too slow, he tore through them with his blade, twisting and impaling each one You think this sloppy form of teamwork will work? Fools The factions may have united under a similar goal, but their tactics hadn’t evolved, they had no chemistry or morale amongst them. Zack slayed the group of bandits swiftly, He looked out into the forest. He saw his fellow soldiers fight alongside one another to fend off the bandits from the fort. Then, he winced. He saw men that were from the Blue Swords, Dismembered and lying dead. No, this is war, Zack. This happens, Fight on and make sure no have to die. He continued to slice and pirouette through the bandits, He fed electricity through his body to speed up each movement of his body between strikes, Allowing him to outpace the movements of the enemies. As he took down a group of four bandits, he spotted a larger group, perhaps made of twenty bandits. He threw his water skin mid-spin towards the group, making sure it was open so it would splash the area they stood in. After he defeated the last foe from the smaller group, He quickly spun and enchanted his blade with electricity, gently moving his hand from the hilt to the tip. It ran through the metal and zipped from the tip to the pommel. Once enchanted, he aimed the sword like a javelin, closing one eye as he did so, and hurled the blade as far as he could. As he hoped, moments later, the blade landed in the water pool left by his water skin. Sparking the whole area with a live current and incapacitating the whole squad, Their bodies were immobilized by the thunder that seized their skeletons. They all fell to the ground in a rhythm of random impacts. Just as he took in the sight of a successful tactic, It all washed away. The main force arrived. Zack saw them approach through the woods, Despite the smoke he could make out the silhouettes. Four times larger than the first force, and three times bigger than the Blue Swords army. You cowards! You’ll beat us down with sheer numbers. Zack realized the forest fire was unrealistic to continue fighting as it continued to spread. Sticks and lumber began to break apart and collapse, raining down and scolding soldiers. Like it or not, it would kill both troops from both armies. Is that what they're hoping for? Even if it means losing the main of their force. So long as they stamp us out that’s all that matters. Zack knew he couldn't rally the troops in all this fire, the crackling of the wood and the continuing boulders smashing into the earth made it impossible to hear anything and only increased the confusion of both platoons. Zack stood there, unsure of his next tactic. Should he stay and fight with his troops in the burning forest? Or push forward to get out of the forest but leave his troops behind? There was no time to think. From his left approached a ginormous man, even with Zack’s tall height the man towered over him in both height and weight. The behemoth charged at him with all his might, Zack knew he wouldn't win a fight of brute strength and empowered himself with thunder. He zipped past the man’s charge as a wisp of lighting, about 5 meters. Zack had to avoid overusing mana, lest he run out in the middle of this fight. The gargantuan man drew his blade, A long single-edged blade. A weapon that was about as tall as Zack himself. It didn't match the man at all. The man wore the crude bandit armor the rest of the bandits wore but his limbs were gigantic. His torso was thick and muscular This guy was going to be trouble Zack thought to himself. The man took a wide stance and swung his sword in a horizontal slash. The arc was so large Zack had to backstep out, only just making it out of range. The bandit stepped forward into the attack, applying pressure on Zack, and swept the other way with his blade, this time in a low horizontal slash. No! I won't make it. Zack - instead of dodging. Thrust his sword into the ashy ground, held on tight to the handle, and steeled himself for the impact. The strike arrived and a large clank of blades reverberated through the forest. He felt the impact travel through the sword and into his muscles, then into his bones. It felt like they had cracked but he couldn't be sure. The adrenaline coursing through him made it difficult to feel pain. Zack ground his teeth and came to a stop. Thankfully his sword stayed in one piece and stayed embedded in the ground. Although the soil wasn't strong enough to withstand the impact and it dragged him and his sword back, bringing him down to his knee. He recovered quickly, ignoring the pain. The large swordsman went to take advantage of Zack’s staggered state and returned his sword back to his close stance position. Then, readied the blade for a thrust. Zack reacted in a split second as the thrust came down and stepped on the blade, forcing as much weight on the tip as he could which sent the blade down to the ground. Unfortunately, the arm-banded man didn't way enough and quickly stumbled off as the bandit pulled his sword up and back into a close stance. The man didn't waste any time and seemed to have an unbreakable poise. He dragged the sword to the ground and swung in a slanted vertical strike. It tore through Zack’s chest, shallow, but long. His eyes widened in surprise, Blood sprayed from the slash and fell onto the blades of grass not yet turned to ash. Shit, I messed up! Zack was launched from the strike and fell onto his back, He quickly tried to recover but he couldn't ignore this pain, it ran all the way from the shoulder to his stomach, The wound felt cold as it throbbed. Zack was only able to get to one knee before the bandit approached. He stood, looming over Zack and only lit by the fire behind him. The man readied another strike, like an executioner ready to take a man’s head off. Zack growled, straining himself to make his body move. The sword did not slam down, however, instead, the bandit turned, hearing the sound of hooves slamming on the soil. Zack wasn't paying attention and only focused on pushing through the pain to make his body move. The bandit's attention was fully changed now, but it was too late. A quick sound of water rushing was able to be heard and the man was met with a spread of holes in his body, as if someone had taken a pike and lodged it all the way through multiple parts of his torso. Blood poured from the holes and the man fell - thankfully not on Zack, lest his bones be crushed into dust. Zack hobbled to his feet and looked up through his blurred vision. Thomas sat atop his steed in full heavy armor. He smiled through the pain as he saw his friend. Matthew quickly lept off his steed, lifted his visor, and gave Zack a shoulder to support him.

“I’m sorry I'm late Zack,” Said Matthew

“Matthew…the forces…are much larg…”

“I know,” Matthew said cutting off Zack.” I will take on the main force head-on. Can you still fight Zack?” Asked Matthew as he looked down at the wound on his chest. Upon hearing the plea from Matthew to fight again, Zack felt invigorated and his strength returned slightly, he winced through the pain. “It's only a shallow cut I’ll be fine” Matthew smiled. “Matthew…are forces…were losing quick” Matthew grabbed Zack with both hands against his arms, making sure he had his full attention.

“We need to get out of this forest, rally whatever troops you can, and take them out of here, save as many as you can.”

“You can’t fight all those men alone Matthew!” Matthew let go of Zack and climbed upon his steed once again, facing down the enemy force that approached outside the forest.

“They will have wished that had been the case” Matthew slammed down his visor and broke into a full gallop on his steed.