Author's Notes: As usual, I humbly beg for "CONSTRUCTIVE" criticism as to point out flaws and grammatical errors as well as areas to improve upon as i have no prior experience to writing.
ok guys in celebration of even more followers and to apologize for my long leave of absence i wrote another 1. this was done in 7.51am jesus i think i need more sleep. Also i learned how to remove formatting on the buttons given to me when i wanna post my chapters. SO KEWLLLL. WTF ARE THESE BLACK DOTS i can't KILL THEM KYRA SAVE ME.
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***Capital outskirts, Army grounds***
King Gismund
“Raven this is madness! Tell Minerva to halt her advance on Eter now! I will not have another civil war happen in my lifetime. Submit your evidence and let the royal army handle it.”
“My Lord, Bane is responsible for the death of the queen and I can assure you that if we do not act now he could slip out of our grasp. As your advisor, I can stake my title and name that Bane is responsible and we’re moving to apprehend him now.”
As the mages relay messages between Salomet and the king directly, Gismund has been trying his best to contact both parties to reach a peaceful conclusion to avoid a worst case scenario. However, the mention of his late wife stirred emotions he has put aside for quite some time now. With conflicting emotions on who is actually to blame as evidence had been pointed at both Tangilus and Salomet previously. It was unusual that the suspects were now marching on the accuser with evidence pointing to them instead.
Bane has not spoken to Gismund even after repeated attempts to contact him directly. Instead, one of Bane’s retainers is acting as the middleman in relaying the messages. Frustration grips the King with the attitude of both houses as Minerva is busy force marching the army to Castle Glut and Bane is probably busy mustering his forces for the coming battle. Gismund had a solemn look on his face as he hears the reports from his generals on the preparations for departure for the royal army. 2 days minimum was the best guess. At best speed, the march would be riddled with risk, supplies can run low, equipment could be left behind, and the lack of information was the worst of it. Never a man for prayers as the family has the blood of Kyra himself. Gismund makes an honest prayer to any God who would save the Empire from needless bloodshed.
***Gluttons Maw***
Minerva
“Are you sure you’re not going to command the army? Temis knows that you’re a genius on the battlefield Kyra.” With Minerva pausing to chat with Kyra on their mounts.
“No, I’ve been in exile for far too long. The strategies and tactics that I know may be outdated and useless after so long. Plus, I’m seeing equipment I’m not too familiar with so I’m assuming there has been new changes. You will have to command the army because I know you’re as competent as I am if my memory serves me right back in the day during the unification. I will study the coming battle thoroughly to update myself to modern stratagems.”
Can’t argue with that logic. Even with all that anger bubbling inside of him, it’s amazing how he can remain composed enough to think straight. True that war has shifted slightly with the invention of black powder and the weapons using them. But truth is War never changes, even if heaven and hell were to start killing each other. An established fact even for us as mortals as we give meaning to our lives in trying to accomplish deeds and set goals for ourselves, even if those goals means trampling on others.
Marching onwards past two cliffs as my thoughts and memories fall back from all the way back from the unification until the civil war. As I can see Kyra looking straight ahead with quiet anger in his eyes. Even he is not exempt from emotion as a God. Admittedly, I was angry as well when I was in the halls with him hearing the report from the scribes. But I have trouble understanding how he can get so angry over a distant descendant whom he has never even met. But I can somewhat piece together what drives him to such lengths to care for his family. Having met him way before I was even an adult and when he was so unkempt and primitive.
A nomad, the chief of his tribe before the accident which granted him the blessing or curse as my parents told me more than a millennium ago. His base instinct to care for his young and family if I was to hazard a guess. That’s what drives him. As he stares back at me.
“Minerva, you there? You’ve been staring right at me for a minute now. Are you okay?” he says as I snapped right back to reality.
“I’m fine, I’m fine~, sorry, I was just thinking about~… Tactics! Yea! The coming strategies that I’ll be using!” as I awkwardly try to cover up my shameful staring while thinking of possible theories on what drives him.
“Ok, how long before we reach our destination?” he questions before I look around to check for landmarks to give him an accurate answer.
“As soon as we climb up this pass we’ll spot the cast~..” suddenly an arrow streaks right at my temple before Kyra knocks me off my horse.
Dazed for a second before shouting to the captain to raise shields. It was too late as he was shot right in the neck with blood streaming out of his artery. Hundreds of soldiers were peppered with arrows before a proper order was given. Looking at the situation, this was a strategic nightmare with no cover and no way for us to reach the enemy. Officers were targeted specifically and we were only given 2 choices which is a full retreat or a charge through the pass before they hold it.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Before the order was given, we were given a horrifying sight as the pass was already occupied. Not only by men but also a horde of demons. They charged the column as they dropped from both sides of the cliffs and down the pass slaughtering the men. It was chaos, small pockets of mystic knights were holding them off valiantly before they were outnumbered and butchered by demons and the troops of Eter.
Cursing my luck and negligence, in our haste to march to apprehend the Eter cowards has left us vulnerable and the scouts we had sent out earlier have not reported in which has led to this sorry situation we are at now. I presume they’re all dead seeing how well the enemy has set themselves up to ambush us here. Rocks were falling killing both allies and enemies as the enemy mages bombarded the Cliffside with high powered spells. Shouting my orders to the mages to counter the enemy bombardment. I see Asur charging with his small retinue into the thick of the fighting where the squads of mystic knights were. He was dressed in that armor I know all too well, it took some time for the servants to scrub it clean of viscera but he was much more worthy of that suit and that sword compared to Andre. Bodies were flying with the raw strength of the demonic forces and some even have the nerve to feast on corpses in the middle of the battlefield as morale plummets and all hope is about lost as men are panicking.
Conveying my orders as best I can, I look back at Kyra and he has an arrow stuck in his shoulder. No doubt, he got shot because of me but apologies can come after the battle. Many of the enemy forces were charging straight at our position as they recognize me and the mages were directing the demons towards me as well. With only time to chant short incantations to ward off the tide of oncoming enemy forces. I was effectively silenced as a commander as I cannot convey orders and chant my spells at the same time. Raven is straining to shield me with a mana barrier whereas Kyra is clubbing anyone who gets too close for comfort.
Men were crying while fleeing as all discipline and order were thrown out the window. The battle was lost until Kyra’s voice boomed across the battlefield.
***Kyra***
In a display of power and to attract the most attention. Just as I swung my Greathammer upwards in an uppercut motion to fling a demon that was roughly 18ft in height high into the air. I shouted with mana and exude my divinity outwards to calm the men. I pull the arrow out of my shoulder with surprise as I see that it was barbed.
“Fight! Do you wish for these creatures to invade your homes?! Fight!” as I swing my hammer again to launch a few enemy men into air in a mangled mess as I applied a little too much force.
With little effect the men began to regain their sanity and pour in their last as the words I said has a ring of truth in it. I continue to say simple phrases while spreading out my divinity which also stung the demons. Simple phrases that even may be lies were told to regain control of the situation as I tell them to hold out for dear life as reinforcements are coming.
With sparks of hope and the realization that these creatures should not roam free. The soldiers begin to fight back. The battle can finally be salvaged but it was still a horrible start as the enemy has gotten a huge advantage over us.
“All available Mystic knights hold the cliffs! Let no demon pass! Cover the flanks and hold!” using age old tactics to have the elites to hold the flanks. There was a need to stop the demon horde from constantly climbing the cliff walls down on the column. Nodding to Minerva as she chants a large spell. I tell Raven to command the mages to the best of his ability. Strange weapons were spouting fire and I can see speeding projectiles eject out as the enemy continue their bombardment. Strong enough to punch right through most armor but the heavy infantry and the mystic knights could mostly ignore the projectiles due to enchantments and overall armor quality made from special metals. Leaving my analysis for later, I see that barrels were being thrown right down at us with fuses lit. Understanding what they were, I shout to Raven to counter the issue. However, some barrels land with devastating effect as some unfortunate souls were blown apart and many more were concussed.
Before Raven begins chanting, the retired Archmage unleashes her might with bolts of thunder and lightning striking the both cliffs. Huge explosions can be heard and balls of fire light up the sky before the rain comes and renders both our sticks and theirs useless.
Looking closely now, this was a battle I can manage without the new weapons. As it was back to simple weapons I know. Charging to break into another demon group surrounding a group of knights, I rallied the soldiers to charge with me to break out the pass.
Just as I stood on the front of the line about to lead the charge, I saw a towering creature with teeth and tentacles together with a warrior who was standing on top of it which I can guess who it is judging by the armor and that smug look.
Anger grips me as I scream the bastards name and charged. “Bane!!”