When the army of Hunters and Mages set out to the north to wipe out the Cruor, Ezekiel had wondered what forces would remain to take care of the city. That frame of thought lasted for the first day of travel before he realized that there would be no point.
If the attacking forces lost, it would most likely mean that the Exalt had died. In such a case, that would mean that the entire region would fall to the Cruor before any other Exalt could arrive in time to assist. Thus, it was better that the combatants join as one, while those that were in no condition to fight would retreat to shore up the defenses in the surrounding regions within the Empire.
“We’re moving much faster than when we were scouting. Won’t that mean that some of the Spirits will be tired before the battle begins?” Shine had been observing their movements as the traveled through the nigh desolate landscape that surrounded them. “That’ll affect the course of the battle, won’t it?”
“Perhaps. But the army is here mostly for the sole purpose of ensuring the Exalt isn’t swarmed. From what I understood from the brief outline of the battle plan. The battle will ultimately rely on how well Exalt Harras does against the Winged Broodlord.” Ezekiel pondered the likely course of battle as he replied. “There’s also the fact that the army won’t be able to proceed without us completing our mission first.”
It had been explained to him that he wouldn’t be participating in the main battle. Just moving with a stealth team to get as close to their mana draining fog as possible. At which point he would set off on his own to wipe out the defenses and Spines that they assumed would be present.
No one was certain as to whether or not there would be more Spines to spread the fog’s area. They had no idea what the cost of creating them was. But they knew they needed to ensure that all possibilities were covered. The only thing they couldn’t currently account for was the possibility of another Broodlord attacking. But given their last known positions, it was hopeful that that wouldn’t happen.
Shifting in his seat, Ezekiel idly reached inside his Void Pouch. Prior to the final gathering before they all set out, he had been given several dozen explosive artifacts created by the Church of Ten. Apparently, they had a timer and a yield that would be nearly twice that of the makeshift explosive he had put together during his scouting mission.
“I hope that things can be settled quickly. It’s unlikely that the Exalt and Broodlord will fight right away. They’ll probably try to drag things out for a while. Especially if they have that mana draining mist up as a defense.” Ezekiel couldn’t help but be worried.
If the Exalt stepped in to fight off any Cruor that tried to get the first strike in, then it was possible that he would use enough mana to tip the balance towards the Broodlord’s favor when they fought. Thus, the Broodlord could technically just remain within the boundaries of the mist, since the Hunters couldn’t enter without being weakened.
A sudden shift in his wagon indicated that they were coming to a stop. It was apparent that something had happened. Getting up quickly, he saw that the other Hunters around him also got ready to depart.
“You ready?” Ezekiel forced himself to calm down as he stepped off the wagon.
“I think so...” Shine was just as nervous but was clearly having more difficulties hiding it.
Far into the distance, a wall of thick misty fog created a clear boundary between the Hunters and the Cruor. It was deceptively calm as they all approached. But everyone here had been briefed on the effects of the fog. Until it was cleared, they could not proceed.
Even now, as they stopped over a kilometer away, it was clear that the battle was going to begin soon.
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Neither Ezekiel nor Shine had stuck around to help set up what little defenses they had prepared. At the moment, the Void duo was moving forward with a handful of other stealth specialized Hunters. Shadows could barely be seen shifting as he passed through the trees. Ripples in the air where light reflected, ever so slightly, could be seen if you focused, just right.
None of the other elements were ideal for stealth operations like this, and the group had to take their time as they moved forward. While they could cover the distance of a few kilometers in an incredibly short time, if they wished, doing so might spark the battle before the army was ready.
Though it was clear that the Cruor were just waiting for a signal of their own before they began. For the moment, the Hunter army was just waiting for one of two things; the Exalt told them to attack, or the fog shifted enough to indicate a change in the Cruor’s defenses.
Coming up right to the edge of the fog, Ezekiel noticed a brief shift as several minor anomalies retreated as he moved forward. Taking stock of his surroundings, he quickly marked a tree after confirming that there were no Cruor that he could sense.
Two other trees, well outside the range of the fog, were marked in turn. Indicating that his escort had received the signal. They would wait for a set amount of time, indicated by artifacts that they all had in their possession. Ezekiel as well, so he would know whether or not he should retreat back this way later. For now, however, he was officially on his own.
“Keep your senses focused, but have your awareness spread out. We need to know if we’re facing anything we can’t handle.” Ezekiel could feel his own focus sharpen as he allowed his mind to fall into the Void.
He didn’t like doing this, but he had left a few people with instructions to snap him out of it when he returned. While it was dangerous, he couldn’t allow himself to feel anything that might distract him. That would be even more dangerous in this situation.
“Got it! Nothing close just yet. But I’m not sure where the Spine is.” Shine knew that their role was mostly going to be supportive in this instance. But the moment they saw a chance, they would be backing Ezekiel up with a myriad of Void cutters if need be.
Stalking silently forward, Ezekiel could feel the sensation of the fog trying to grip his mana once again. But it was obvious that it wasn’t able to do anything. If anything, since he had grown so much stronger, reaching the peak of Tier three, the feeling had lessened.
Ultimately, it took only a few minutes before they reached what looked like a patrol of some sort. It had a number of Fanged and Bone Cruor, but no Winged. Which made sense, as there was no point in them patrolling on the ground.
Silently following behind the patrol, the Void duo made their way further and further away from their army, until they eventually reached an area that looked like a camp. In the middle, there was a large, but still much smaller, Ichorous Spine. Unlike the last one they had seen, which was over ten stories tall, if Ezekiel’s memory was right, this one was only about fifteen feet tall.
“I think this one was planted recently. It doesn’t seem to be letting out as much fog. It probably didn’t have time to absorb as much mana from the environment.” Shine’s observations were in line with Ezekiel’s. But even if it wasn't as strong as the one that they destroyed before, it was still a threat and a hindrance.
Looking around, it was clear to Ezekiel that even the camp was new, and likely undermanned. He figured that this was a makeshift defense set up solely for the purpose of defending and watching over the Spine. But given how weak the defenses were, Ezekiel knew that something must be up.
As he observed the forces at this base, he realized that, if he was careful, he could potentially wipe them out without being caught. He’d be dead tired if he did so. But it was still possible. He didn’t move, however, as a familiar feeling of foreboding flooded his body and soul.
“This is a trap...” Ezekiel came to the realization that the camp was not just a defense for the Spine. “They knew that we would be here and laid a trap to have us hunted down after destroying one of the Spines.”
Looking into the sky, he could feel it in every fiber of his being. Something dangerous was waiting above. Specifically, it was waiting for the moment to strike him down.
“It’s strange...” Ezekiel had a sudden thought as he looked up. “Why is it only now that my ability to sense dangerous portents is so much clearer than it was when we saw the first Spine?”
For a moment, Shine wondered what Ezekiel was talking about. But as they thought back to their scout and patrol mission, they realized that not once had their danger sense flared up like it was now.
“Is it because we’ve gotten stronger, maybe?” Shine tentatively pushed forward their idea.
“Perhaps. But I think it’s more likely to do with how we interacted with the last Spine. As well as the amount of Ichor we absorbed.” Neither Ezekiel nor Shine liked that thought. It would mean several things about the changes in their connection to the Cruor if that were true.
“Food for thought at a later date. For now, let's give our ambushers a problem to deal with.” As he pushed aside the possible connections to the Cruor, a plan began to form in Ezekiel’s mind as he readied some of the explosive charges.
Taking a look at the timers on each of the artifacts, Ezekiel couldn’t help but grimace as he realized that his plan would put a snare in the Exalt’s preparations.
“Oh well...” Moving invisibly towards the Spine, Ezekiel formed a number of small Void Panes that moved like a drill, digging a hole beneath the Spine. Setting the timer for as long as it would go, Ezekiel teleported the Artifact underground.
“You’re putting a lot of faith into them not digging up the bombs.” Shine wasn’t so certain of this idea but couldn’t think of anything better at the moment.
“I know.” After making sure the Artifact was buried, and that there were no traces above ground, Ezekiel and Shine left the small camp. “But I don’t think they would risk the chance of damaging them just because of a small suspicion. They seem to care about the well-being of these Spines too much to do anything without proof first.”
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Nothing else was said as they left the scene. Given the timeframe they had to work with, they needed to move fast. Back tracking along the patrol route that they followed before, the pair searched for another camp, and another Spine. They wanted to hit at least a couple more if possible.
All the while, the countdown for the beginning of the battle silently ticked closer and closer to zero.
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Far above the fog emitted by the six lesser Spines, and one center Spine that the Broodlord had been used for the conversion process in the Broodlord's Den, dozens of Legendary Cruor waited. They were observing as the Hunter army made their preparations under tarps and other makeshift cover.
Two Cruor, in particular, were nervous as they gazed toward the location of the three Spines that were closest to the Hunter army. They had patiently waited for a signal that one of the bases was under attack. Yet, it had been nearly an hour since the humans had arrived and nothing had happened so far.
Previously, they had been ordered to stay at the Broodlord’s den, away from the front lines of the battle. In preparation for when the Void Mage took down the Spines in the temporary bases surrounding the den. Given they were flying high above the center of the den, with the human army still far in the distance, the orders they were given were still being followed. If only technically.
However, as time passed, they were beginning to wonder if they would be able to complete their mission.
A deep aching within their souls spread through them, slowly causing them to feel more and more concern as they could sense their Brood’s frustration echoing through their Ichor.
“How much longer do we need to wait? They know that it will be impossible to fight with the fog up. So why hasn’t the Void Mage been sent in yet?” Nara was biting her talons as she idly flipped her wings to stay afloat.
“We need to stay calm and patient. Once we get the signal we shall head out. Even if the Void Mage showed a strange amount of power when last we saw him, there is no possible way for him to defeat us once we go after him together.” Azrak appeared much calmer, but the tapping of his own talons on his crossed arms showed his anxiety.
“What if he doesn’t even go for the ones nearest to the army? Perhaps he and a separate team split off to attack from behind?” Nara couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander to worse and worse possibilities. The sheer threat that the Winged Brood had made had turned her from the confident warrior she once was, to a nervous wreck that was aching to please her master and lord.
“Logically, that doesn’t make sense, even as a distraction. The army still wouldn’t be able to move forward if the fog was still up in front of them.” Azrak’s face and voice were stoic as he spoke. He knew he needed to keep calm.
All around them the other Legendary Cruor politely kept their silence. But more than a few gave them pitying glances. By this point, any and all enmity had disappeared. They were all aware of what Azrak and Nara faced should they fail. At this point, some of them thought that death at the hands of a Hunter might be preferable to returning in failure.
Suddenly, some movement below caught their attention. Across from them, dozens of flight specialized Hunters began to rise up towards them. At the same time, a loud horn flared through the region. It seemed like the Hunters were going to make a move, even though the fog had yet to fall.
“You two had best prepare yourselves. We must head out to support the rest. Do not leave the perimeter of the den. You don’t know when the Void Mage will strike.” The battle leader of the Winged Cruor waved at his team, and all of them set out, leaving Azrak and Nara behind.
As the battle at the edge of the fog began in earnest, the pair found themselves growing more and more restless. It was looking more and more like they wouldn’t be able to fulfill their mission.
“Perhaps we should go to the Broodlord. He might be willing to--” Narra’s nervous proposal was cut off as a sudden explosion rattled through the ground and echoed through the air.
It was the Spine that was closest to the Hunters. Given how they were spread out, the destruction of this Spine didn’t disturb the fog too much. But given a few more minutes, it would disperse enough to create an area that would lead towards the den.
“There! Let’s move!” Azrak and Nara went into a steep dive as they flew towards the now destroyed camp. But they hadn’t gotten more than a few meters before another explosion rang out. This one came from the Spine that was the next closest to the humans.
“No...” Azrak’s heartbroken voice was a whisper in the wind as he and Nara slowed their descent. Turning to the third Spine closest to the human army, he prayed inside his heart that it would not explode.
His prayers were left unanswered, however, as a third explosion shook the world, and a third Spine was destroyed. Looking at the destruction, he barely heard Nara nearly breaking into tears of terror as three of the Spines given to them by their Broodlord were destroyed.
While not as powerful as the Spines that had been cultivated in the center of the Desolate Lands, the ones provided by a Broodlord were still quite precious and powerful.
“New plan. We move to one of the other camps that haven’t been destroyed yet. He will likely go there next.” Azrak’s voice was thick and gravelly as he choked on his own fear. Given their sudden loss, he knew that he and Nara were worse than dead should they fail to capture the Void Mage.
Moving towards the camp closest to the one that had just exploded, Azrak and Nara frantically began to actively search for Ezekiel and Shine. Ignoring their previous orders to stay within a certain range of the den until the Void Mage’s location was determined.
Given the sudden unexpected development, this fact hadn’t even crossed their minds.
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A few minutes before the explosion, Exalt Harras and his advisors gathered in their command tent. They were impatient as they listened to a report given by the Hunters that had accompanied Ezekiel to the fog. It had been hours now, and the original meet up time had long since passed. Yet no word from Ezekiel had been received.
“So, as far as you are aware, there has been no indication at all regarding Ezekiel’s whereabouts?” Lightning sparked as Exalt Harras suppressed his anger and disappointment. It seemed like they were going to have to take a risk to draw the Broodlord out.
“Yes, Exalt, it seems like he has abandoned us.” One of the accompanying Hunters knelt before Harras and his household. The man had been tasked with watching Ezekiel for any suspicious behavior, as they still didn’t know the full extent of Void Magic capabilities.
“No... If he had broken his contract, I would’ve felt it. He’s still under control, for now at least.” The holders of the contracts for all the exiled or otherwise criminal Mages in the army were monitored. So, they were fully aware of just who had and hadn’t broken their contracts. Ezekiel’s contract, in particular, had been handed over to Exalt Harras to personally watch over.
“Harolt! How long do the timers on the explosives last at max?” The Death Mage in question looked up from his notes.
“Well, if he managed to find a Spine and set it within, perhaps, fifteen minutes of entering the fog, then the maximum time they would last would be expiring within the next half hour or so.” Harolt ran the numbers in his head, an idea of what Ezekiel had planned began to form. “You think he found evidence of multiple Spines and is trying to hit several at once. A smart, but risky plan. Something that would make sense if they were trying to set a trap. Especially since they might know that only he can enter the fog without being drained.”
“Indeed. Those were my thoughts. Ready the flight capable Hunters. We need to get a vanguard up for when the Winged Cruors start the attack. Ground forces and mana cannons will be set for Bone and Fang Cruor. Only the Lightning and Tempest cannons will be aimed skyward. Move! We have only a few minutes to prepare for an opening strike!”
The advisors and other Legendaries in the command tent went out to do their thing. It took only a few minutes before they were ready for their assault. Given the nature of the battle and the powers that would be used, it was unlikely the battle would last longer than a day. Thus, everyone had to be prepared, because this was likely going to be the hardest fight of their lives.
In the rear of the army, Exalt Harras and Aiden stood alongside Naeri and Harolt. They knew that opening the battle with the Exalt and Broodlord taking the initiative would lead to an unacceptable loss of life right at the beginning. Better to move the weaker forces first and get a good feel of who was truly on the back foot.
“It looks like everything is ready.” Exalt Harras’ face was set with a grim sense of determination emanating from him. His emotions leaked into the aura he was subtly releasing into the world. “How certain are you that this is the right timing?”
“More than certain enough. There is always the chance that he got caught, but I doubt it. That boy is too clever for his own good sometimes.” Harolt’s reply was calm and emotionless. But the way he clenched his hands showed that he was nervous. “To be honest, given our current state of affairs, we would’ve been able to react when the fog came down, regardless of any prior warning.”
Exalt Harras just grunted in annoyed agreement. The Hunters had all been warned to be on the lookout for any changes in the fog. If it seemed like it was retracting, even a little bit, they were to begin their assault. Carefully, of course, as it would do them no good to get caught in a trap and covered in the fog when they couldn’t retreat.
Just then, a massive crack of thunder rang out in the distance. The fog immediately began to thin out, just after the flying Hunters had taken to the skies. It seemed like the Hunters had managed to grab the initiative on this battle.
Two more explosions shook the ground and echoed through the air. The fog began to dissipate even faster. To the point where it was almost totally clear. An army of Cruor stood, previously hidden, not even a kilometer away from the Hunter army.
“Open Fire!” Exalt Harras’ command rang through the human army like a gong, and the mana cannons that had been charged up immediately let loose.
With a bellowing cry, the front lines of the Cruor charged, only to fall to the opening shots from the hunter army impacted, letting loose a maelstrom of magical effects. Fire rolled over the Cruor, while icicles pierced through bone and flesh. Light melted and thorns of stone and steel hardened wood rose up from the ground. The terrain had become more difficult for the Cruor to traverse as well.
Up above, Lightning spread through the sky like a net, catching and killing many of the lower Tier Cruor. In an instant, the humans and Spirits had taken the upper hand in this battle.
“I think that that may very well be enough to release Ezekiel from his contract early, wouldn’t you say?” Harolt’s voice was mild and idle. As if chatting about the weather. But the smile on his face was wide and gleeful, as he watched the Cruor be devastated by the Hunter’s forces.
“... That all depends on whether or not we win this. I won’t be letting go of any forces that could aid us until after the battle is won. Not a moment sooner.” Exalt Harras was beginning to feel regretful that he hadn’t been able to rope Ezekiel into a stronger contract.
But he knew that doing so would only sow resentment in the young man. Something the Inquisition had already done. That didn’t stop him from planning for different means of doing so later on. He already knew that he had done something to himself regarding some knowledge of Void Magic. Although, according to the little bits of information he had left for himself, and provided by Aiden, it was kept secret for the good of the Empire, so he wasn’t certain whether or not it could be used later on.
Regardless, that was for a later time. Right now, he needed to keep his attention forward, and his senses peeled. The Broodlord could step in at any minute, and he needed to be ready. The same for if the tide of battle changed, and their forces began to dwindle too much.
The balance of battle needed to be kept, until it couldn’t be any longer. He just hoped that he wasn’t the one that ended up breaking it.
At the same time, a worried thought held firm in the minds of the Exalt and Grand Scholars.
Where the hell was Ezekiel?
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Hidden behind a large boulder, Ezekiel peeked his head around the corner.
Not far in the distance, a large Spine, roughly the same size as the one he’d first destroyed a week ago, loomed in the distance. Surrounding it was a castle sized structure put together in a mess of construction that barely looked like it was holding together.
“I don’t like this. Are you sure we can’t go and destroy the other Spines first?” Shine was nervous as they sensed the various Cruor that were within the surrounding area.
There were a number of Legendaries, but mostly they were Tier threes and below. The majority of the Cruor forces had left for the front lines. Hence why it had been relatively easy to get close to the apparent den of the Broodlord.
“Given that that’s the first place they’re likely to look for us, that probably isn’t a good idea.” Ezekiel was calm and collected as he gazed at the Spine.
He had briefly taken a break to release his Void, so as to temporarily feel his emotions and let himself get a sense of his true mental state. But as they had gotten closer and closer, he had forced himself to suppress himself more and more.
“Look. They’re sending more Cruor away as we speak. The explosives at the other Spines must’ve gotten their attention. We just have to wait until the Broodlord leaves, and then we’ll be able to take out the center Spine. From there, the battle should fall into our favor fairly quickly. At least when it comes to the weaker ones.”
Shine didn’t really have anything to say that would refute Ezekiel’s words. They were in a prime spot to do some damage to the Broodlord’s den directly. So, for the moment, they were going to sit, and wait for the right opportunity to strike.