Approaching the Doors to the World, Topa Kingdom, 30th of November, 1639

The sounds of the whirring helicopter rotors were blocked out by the headphones Giuseppe was using. In his tablet was a video feed of a particular news coverage from yesterday.

'Pope speaks to crowd, warns of 'Satan's soldiers' up north'

In an unprecedented move by the Italian government, Giovanni's administration pulled some strings behind the scenes to 'cooperate' with the Vatican so to speak. There, Pope Andreas spoke to a vast crowd, unusual for a regular mass, of horrors from the north that was made aware to them by so-called good samaritans. The Ministry of Defence, to be accurate. And now, with sudden support from the religious of the Italians, Italy vowed to see if the threat is really serious. Of course they knew the answer... but without the people's support, they surely wouldn't be even allowed on a helicopter right now.

The government was being very careful with the information they were allowing to be released. 'Leaked' photos were all the public was allowed to see. They would've let the pope said it was Italy's destiny, which really could be true but... not yet. They don't want a scandal to strike them, not right now. As he listened to the pope tell the crowd of vague details about Nosgorath, another man sat opposite of him; his Topan counterpart.

Minister of Defence Hados sported a thick black beard, his scruffy hairdo, and his armour yet despite his messy appearance, the man shouted experience. The many scars on him were from the battles he has endured. From what he knew of him, he was a veteran of a small scale war but the victories he lead his men to gave Hados the honour of Ministry of Defence. And being tasked to lead the Italians, Hados wasn't susceptible to his own curiosity as he spoke, "General Caruso, what is that you're holding?"

Giuseppe looked up before he showed the screen, "Just a tablet. I'm watching news from my country right now."

Hados then eyed the strangely dressed man on the 'tablet'. He then looked to Guiseppe, "And who is that speaking?"

Giuseppe eyed the screen again before he unplugged the headphones from its jack as the audio could be heard now for Hados. Despite the unreadable Italian below, the pope's words were nonetheless understandable somehow to Hados, "He is the pope. A leader in the biggest religion in Italy. He has given us his blessing to make sure Nosgorath and the demons do not attack Elysia again."

"Hold on... I was made aware demons do not exist in your world. Is your pope familiar with it?" Hados said in confusion now.

"Well, objectively demons are simply myth and legend on our world yes. This is my theory, but it seemed like the stories of the War God Emissaries passed down through the generations until we created our own version of demons. Our version talks about demons coming from a fiery world called hell," Giuseppe explained.

"Huh... A likely story. Though it is an odd flip. Demons here on Elysia come from the frozen lands of Grameus, along with ogres and trolls."

"Well stories can after all be corrupted through the ages. We had myths and stories of many creatures and beasts of Elysia. Again, could be descended from the Romans beforehand," Giuseppe said. "It is interesting to think about honestly! To see all these people and creatures that are only found in stories... it broke my mind."

"Well, you ought to keep your mind in check, general. Because if Nosgorath and his army returns, there will be no time to be gobsmacked. Speaking of..." Hados then looked out the window along with Giuseppe.

And immediately the Italian general broke Hados's advice as he went wide eyed. Below them was a vast fort, big enough to contain a small town inside as the walls easily reached six stories. The entire fort was in a distinct Roman design. It was a castra like any other except it was easily the size of a midsize town. Ironically, it would seem the so called Doors to the World was the biggest castra ever built which wasn't even on Earth.

As the helicopter started to descend, the details of the fort could be seen more clearly. Patches of grey brick were around the walls, likely due to thousands of years of renovations and rebuilding. The town within that housed the soldiers and their families had enough space for a plaza in the middle complete with a market.

The helicopter descended in front of the main headquarters of the fort as the rotors slowly came to a stop. Guiseppe slid the door open as he hopped off the helicopter. Hados took a moment to gather his bearings as the motion of the helicopter was enough to daze him. Eventually, Giuseppe eyed his surroundings. A mix of medieval and Roman architecture all over. There was a statue up ahead. Giuseppe, now guarded by his men, stepped closer to the statue as he eyed it.

The statue glistened in the sun. On it were five warriors. To the left was an elven woman with a sword, and a wolf man with a bow. To the right was a dwarf with a sharp axe, and a human with another bow. And in the middle of them, a Roman soldier stood proud with his sword and shield as the statue was designed in a way to look defiantly at someone, or something.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Giuseppe then looked to the plaque. Of course he couldn't understand the local language, but Hados then approached as he read it for him, "On this fateful day, approximately 10,000 years ago, Nosgorath was defeated by the Alliance of the Races. Under the assistance of the War God, the Emissaries were sent and defeated the Demon Lord with the ancient Elysians. Commissioned in 1587..." Hados then looked to Giuseppe. "How funny it is that history is repeating itself. To have the descendants of the War God Emissaries right here... truly astonishing."

"I can't believe it either. But we're here, and we're determined to make sure this Nosgorath threat won't be a major problem. So for now, sir Hados... I think a tour of this place should be a good start, yes?" Giuseppe said as he then placed his hands behind his back while he looked around the place.

"Of course, general. Follow me..."

...

Giuseppe then eyed the map of the fort as he stood against a table. After the extensive tour they had, Giuseppe now started to think of plans to bring the Doors to the World up to date. Their ancestors did a fairly good job with the castra. The walls were tall and thick, fit for ancient and medieval warfare with guardsmen on the watch towers. But the general knows they can do better. After all, the success of the Rodenius War was good enough evidence that modern equipment would fare very well against medieval armies. Well, it doesn't take a genius to go to that conclusion.

Giuseppe then eyed the photos his men took. The walls still showed signs of age, the huge wooden gates, as thick and heavy as they are, could be easily broken down. And they still need to make space within the walls for the Italian Armed Forces. Where can they put the Army and their equipment? And where to put the Air Force? Where can they place their jets? What about the Navy? Sea monsters from Nosgorath could be a possibility as well.

The general sighed before a knock then came in. Hados entered with further blueprints of the castra as he sets it down, "Here it is, general. I've had the men find these plans in the archives," he said as he sets the scrolls of papers down. Soon after he then sets down a book. A copy of the Topan Chronicles. "And here, the Topan Chronicles. Or a copy of it at least... tell me, why do you need this again?"

Giuseppe looked to Hados and then to the blueprints as he gently took the old paper. He unraveled it as it showed the inner workings of the walls. The general spoke, "This is to make improvisations on the Doors to the World. This isn't the ancient times after all, I have certain plans to make sure this fortress truly is impenetrable."

Hados then had a more interested look, "Oh? Do tell me. What do you have in mind?"

Giuseppe then pointed to the overall plan of the fort, "Rebuilding of the wall with higher quality concrete, new modernised guard towers, a better gate, maybe even one made with reinforced materials. And a modernisation of our facilities. Who knows how long we will be staying around here. As such, my men will also want to put in certain modern amenities such heating, plumbing... and we'll have to build an entirely new airfield, possibility outside of the fort. For our flying machines, to be clear."

Hados nodded as he rubbed his chin, "Fascinating..." He said before he sighed in relief. "Nobody in Elysia takes Nosgorath seriously except for our immediate neighbours. Not even the Holy Mirishial Empire. All they worry about is the Ancient Sorcerous Empure, when Nosgorath can be as big of a threat as them... so thank you, general, for putting an effort with us."

"Well, no problem, sir. But... what's the Ancient Sorcerous Empire...?" The Italian general asked.

Hados looked up and then around, as if he was afraid someone was listening. He then shut the door behind him as he took a deep breath. "The Ancient Sorcerous Empire... or more accurately known as the Ravernal Empire... was this ancient civilisation that conquered all of Elysia. From the east to the west, the Ravernal Empire subjugated every country they could get their grasp on. They ruled Elysia for years... Due to their technology. Flying light arrows, flaming iron beasts, soldiers that look like demons... yet ironically they are a nation of light wing angels."

Giuseppe narrowed his eyes. Those weapons sounded much like how the Lourians described their equipment. Could just be a coincidence. He then spoke further, "Why do you seem nervous about them? Didn't you say they were an ancient empire?" The man said with a little smile as if to reassure himself as well.

Hados then sighed, "They are. And have been gone for thousands of years. But... They didn't disappear as if they collapsed. No. They literally disappeared. Their lands, cities, people... When they tried to challenge the gods, their punishment was to be a falling star that was gonna wipe out their lands. That is until they casted a spell, the strongest anyone Elysia hasn't done in eons... Their nation disappeared without a trace, only leaving a stone plaque. That the Ravernal Empire was to return."

Giuseppe then stood there for a moment before he looked to the desk as the gears in his mind turned quickly, "Disappeared? You mean—"

"Yes, a fate much like your nation's. In fact when we first heard rumours about Italy, we thought that you folks were the Ravernal Empire returning... Thankfully you weren't. But... with you being here, it may not be the gods' will after all. It might actually be some sort of side effect of their spell... or perhaps..."

Giuseppe looked up, nervous, "Perhaps what, Hados?"

"... perhaps you are here for a purpose. A nation with equal strength to the expansionist Ravernal Empire? I believe the Gods may have called you here for the Ravernals. Not for Nosgorath." Hados said grimly.

"... That can't be surely? Because, if it isn't Nosgorath... then even if we defeat him..."

"I'm sorry to say this, general. But it seems like it wouldn't be the end of the road just yet for your nation."

Giuseppe then shuddered as a new fear struck him. He took a moment to take the seat behind him as he sat there in deep contemplation. If Italy's purpose wasn't Nosgorath, then what was? "No... surely not. Maybe— maybe we are still here for Nosgorath, right?"

Hados sat across Giuseppe as he spoke, "The War Gods summoned your ancestors to defeat the Demon Army. They are of equal strength and yet the Emissaries came out on top. The Ravernals... are much like your nation, technology wise. And they're quite hated by the Gods as well... I don't think it's hard to believe that your entire nation being summoned instead of a few soldiers is to serve a bigger purpose than Nosgorath, general."

"Oh sweet Christ... I hope you're wrong, Hados," Giuseppe said in worry. "Because if we do not get home after this demon business... the people being upset would be an absolute understatement."