Drednia and their allies had prepared themselves to approach the tree, the summoned heroes were present along with the heads of the countries. An army of roughly 25 million. The warriors of the Elven Tree had prepared themselves. They all felt nervous, despite their superiority as non-humans they did feel the tension as a result of the number difference.
Melgis was chuckling as he wielded his pair of dane axes, his eyes were that of a beast. Salivating at the soon to be dead corpses. Wiseman simply readied his heavy crossbow for use. Raven was standing in front of them. Lighting a cigarette as he turned to Aurae, who seemed worried. His children and grandchildren had fear in their eyes, the voices of people praying for the best.
"Aurae." His hand locked in with hers.
"Don't worry. I've faced larger armies alone... But I am not alone. I am with the best people to be here with. My Claws." The Claws stood firm with their weapons in hand.
"Besters." The Besters saluted Raven.
"Bruin." The Bruin Squad reloaded their weapons.
"Black Wind Knights." They were all ready. Fair Winds had shed off its optical camouflage.
"25 million total. Including the armored units... Dragons. Wyverns. Golems too. What's the order, Chancellor?!" Letting go of Aurae's hand as Raven put on the Burning Moon Gloves.
"Begin our assault!" Those were the words as Fair Winds fired off missiles above the human armies. They readied their barriers but the missiles didn't explode. Instead, they opened up to reveal more ordinance. Free falling on the battlefields, cracking barriers. Creating thick blankets of smoke. Fair Winds railguns fired at the mage units, singular shots that sent them all flying.
A summoned hero went after the ship, a singular swing that left a scratched over it.
"Hero Klein was able to damage it! We can w-" Only for the next second for that same Hero to have a blade pierced through the chest. Then his head rolled off as Raven kicked it back. Landing on his feet. Illuminating a cigarette with a blade going after his neck. The Assault Breaker squads flew off from the starboard and port side. Unleashing the might of their guns against the foes below.
"For the Chancellor!" Missiles were being launched, grenades launched from the cannons. Gunsmoke, blood and violence were all before them. In the middle of it? Was Raven who seemed bored out of his mind as Melgis ran through the smoke swinging his dane axes in a wild rampage. Wiseman launched harpoons with his heavy crossbow, going after the heads of what he believed were commanders. Helicopters flew to the side, with door gunners unleashing the plasma shots from the plasma machine guns. Exoskeleton squads leaped out with their weapons, creating barriers that defended Raven from the immense barrage of magic.
"Melgis, Wiseman, Levi. Kill the heroes." The three went to search for the so called heroes who were easily pushing back some of the Besters and Bruin. Their distraction gave them an opening as a Claw had her chest pierced by a hero's spear. Levi went in fast, slashing the arms off then kicking the hero into the Claw's shield. The body remained as an exoskeleton medic ran over to grab the Claw out of harm's way.
"This'll be over if we kill him! Just kill the damned hero!" Soldiers went after Raven, on a warpath to strike him. His hand signaled his men to step back as human forces converged over to his position. Drawing out the Zenta Crossbow, launching a javelin that pierced through a column of them at once. Then swinging the crossbow as the blades hooked on the necks of the soldiers. Screaming in pain as Raven used them as a means to stabilize his aim. Two Heroes got in his way, throwing off Raven's aim as he let go off the crossbow. His knuckles brushed against the sword. Igniting a spark of black flames as Raven punched the hero chest. An elbow for the chin. Following it up with a javelin to the shoulder, hammering it with his fist.
Sending the hero flying into his allies, the second hero went after Raven with a pair of daggers. His right hand drew out Starbringer as the hero got close. A poor tactic as Raven punched her in the face, shoving the barrel of the Starbringer to her chest. Pulling the trigger as a gigantic hole was left on her torso. The bullet led a trail of corpses as Raven pulled the ejection lever, seeing the spent casing fly out as he loaded another bullet.
Bruin was firing off their weapons, joining in with the exoskeleton squads. Airplanes dropping off their ordinance, firing guided missiles against the soldiers on griffons and dragons. The attack helicopters flew out, unleashing the might of their ordinance against the soldiers below. Raven just sat there as he watched his forces bulldoze through the numbers. What was 25 million had been reduced to nothing but ashes.
The ground sparked with embers of fire, sparks of electricity. Corpses painting the fields in a grotesque canvass. Flamed licked skeletons, static corpses. The power of what he had was just good enough. The survivors were the Rulers who had seen Raven just light a cigarette.
"Good luck justifying this war." Raven said as he turned to the Elven Tree, seeing Aurae waiting for him by the gates.
Causality Has Been Saved.
Future Causalities will take longer.
+Bonus for efficiency.
+New Dungeon has been linked.
+You may keep the allies you have.
Please make your selection of allies from the following Banners
+25 SR
+10 SSR.
Abyss Gaze Vanguard Operator Severed Knot Prince of War Flames of the Forest Fragmented Mage Bloodhound Leader The Wyrm of Skrea Chancellor of War Arctic Fox Shadow Lord Man-Eating Mongrel Final Paladin Moonlight Solitude Fallen Seraphim Azure Reaper Boss of Rose Garden Supreme Commander of Erzenia Commander of the Red Caps Million Corpses Sum of All Failures Drowning Corpse Azure Eyed Ogre Conscript of Ibis Grand Master of Soul Blades White Tiger Captain Henchman of Burisa Durandal Section 1 Martial Execution Squad Merciless Duke General of Supernatural Subjugation Force Scorpio Dancing Swordsman Lone Operator Savage Negotiator The Reaper of the Winters Leviathan's Blade Oracle of the Stars Moon Walker Trick or Treat The Beast of the Duchy Sleeping Dragon Beastman Killer Elf Hunter Soloing Major Single Company Soldier Descending Fall Ancient Vampire Ace of Aces The Card Dealer
"Red Rose Heathcliff, Yellow Rose Cinder and Black Rose Benjamin. Wall Climbers. SS Little Wing, SS Trinity and SS Utopia. SR allies from Red Rose, Yellow Rose, Black Rose, White Tiger Elites. I'll take a few more SR Vanguard Operators." Raven said as he glanced upwards, seeing the large three space ships hovering by Fair Wind's Side. The Smallest being Little Wing which was an interceptor, Utopia that was a high speed artillery and Trinity that was a defensive ship. Being the one to ram ships with its spearhead shaped design. Turning to Heathcliff who walked in with his Red Rose members, scars on the face with a shotgun on his shoulders. Cinder and Benjamin made their appearance by Raven's side along with the rest of the Wall Climbers.
Making his way to Aurae, holding her hand.
"I'll have to leave first. If you ever need me, my evergreen." Raven kissed the back of her hand, seeing Aurae smile to him. Watching Raven leave with his allies. Keeping the four spaceships in his world for a while. Raven came back with his allies, finding himself at Pridelands where there was peace.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
"Boss!" Jersey came over with the latest documents, along with Stevenson who had came up with plans.
"What about preparations?" Lowell inquired Raven who just smirked.
"Where's my siblings?" Aquila, Dolores, Stervy and Falco came with the 12 Sections. Jizel and Jack greeted Raven first.
"Raven... We're going to destroy Latelica right?"
"Yep. We might see a few Sovereigns but if they do pop up. I'll just go full War God on their asses. They attacked Ivona. That's enough reason for me to just turn it into a ghost town. Astravion will stay there. Deep Down will be our mode of transport. A surprise attack. I mean I could just ask my men to nuke it since I technically do have access to some ordinance but that'll cause a lot of radiation damage. Mistakes of the current generation shouldn't be inherited. Besides, this will make people think 50 times before starting things against Euphemia or Black Wings. Only way to handle idiots like them? Is to destroy them until there is nothing left. Let's go meet the Empress. Ivona will be safe. Astravion will be with her along with Ulfang and Inzaka."
The five siblings headed to meet Empress Eliza who was with her children, along with her late brother's children.
"You've returned, Raven Ashenworth. I've asked your siblings on what to do upon their return but they told me to wait for you."
"Do you wish for a war?"
"I want their heads... How dare they do that to my brother and his children. How dare they!" The Empress slammed her fist by the armrest, tears slowly falling from her eyes.
"My brother was a gentle soul... And they..." She could not finish her sentence as the three children held her hand. Calming her down with their touch, her eyes met with Raven's.
"Your Majesty. I have the power to destroy Latelica. I just need you to give me your order." Empress Eliza paused as her hands were shaking. What would happen if she said yes? Would Raven fail? What would happen? Yet, seeing Raven's eyes? It was an answer. Not a shred of fear or hesitation. It was as if Raven knew the outcome from the moment this conversation started.
"A small portion of their army is on their way as we speak. My information says they're at the Demaskri Port in the South East." Raven immediately dialed a number on his phone.
"Then I'll handle it. Captain Mayfield."
"Yes,Chancellor?"
"Here's your first order. I'm giving you coordinates to the location and the images of enemy forces. Little Wing is to engage and destroy all enemy forces. Civilians are in the AO so no heavy bombardment in the cities. Don't use too much ordinance from the ship, have the squads handle it."
"Yes, sir!" The joyous voice on the other line sounded young but Mayfield was the most jovial out of the four Captains.
Meanwhile in the Little Wing's Hangar.
"We have our orders. All teams prepare to move out. Ship is now in Yellow Status of alert." The pilots immediately grabbed their helmets, the soldiers readied their guns.
"Ruby Squadron. You're first up for launch!" The 12 pilots who wore ruby suits put on their helmets, making their way to their forward swept wing fighter planes. The flaps were moving up and down during the initial check. Flicking switches and levers, they were being brought to the launch area. As large mechanical arms grabbed them into place. Hatches opening up as the pilots stepped on the throttle. The engine was burning up as bright lights guided their path.
"Ruby Squadron is ready for launch! Shooter 1!" They see a man with a cap standing by the side of the launch area. Showing a thumbs up to every member of Ruby Squadron that reciprocated. the man with the cap swayed his body outward as the 12 planes were being launched simultaneously. The 12 Ruby planes got close forming into a line.
"Ruby Squadron, maintain air superiority. Engage all bogeys and damage the fleets. I've marked four aircraft carriers. Feel free to sink them."
"Copy that Captain. Let's go Ruby!" The the wings slid into their frame, the back of their tail planes and rudders flattened up as the planes went straight to where the aircraft carriers were. Not firing a weapon as they got closer. Weaving through the anti-air fire. Seeing the planes glowing red as per their namesake.
"They must be mad! What are they doing!?" Piercing right through with the body of the plane, leaving silhouettes of the attack.
"Ruby. Break. We're sinking these ships."
"Yes, Sir!" The 12 planes dispersed, launching missiles that spread out into smaller missiles that gave chase. Sharks at sea, they were going to tear through the ships. Breaking the sound barrier as they would hide in the waters, using their piercing attack to rise upward. Dropping off ordinance as they flew past the ships. Ordinance that caused their systems to go haywire. Controlled shock explosives that would interfere with the energy flows of their machines. The scrambled fighters gave chase, only to be shot down by railgun fire from beneath the red planes.
CIWS, Anti-Air, fighter planes giving chase for a dogfight. Yet it felt pointless, even if they were dispersed. Shots from a distance tore through their numbers. They used each other as bait, moving fast to provide cover with the railgun to deliver the final blow. Blowing out the wings of the Latelican fighters. Diving straight into the water to disarm any chasing missiles.
Raven who was watching the show with the Empress, marveled at how only 12 planes had done so much damage. Yet as the Latelica ships tried to retreat, they were met with cannons that tore through the Latelica fleet. No survivors as Raven turned to the Empress who was trying to hide the grin. Her eyes were ecstatic but she couldn't show it on her face.
"Will you truly destroy them?"
"There won't be anything left after this." Raven said as he stepped outside to see all of his allies wearing the newly equipped gear. Regal and Warcrest had designed some new pieces of equipment for them to use.White Tigers, the Roses, the Black Wind Knights, Besters, Conscripts of Ibis and the like had gotten their new equipment. The Dead Flowers now wore masks over their faces. Kuota and other Operators put on their masks. The Durandal Section 1, old and new were given new suits.
"Warcrest, Regal. Is that the new equipment?"
"Yeah, it's to stimulate mana and aura use. Something that we'll all need. Only for the current teams, I can't do much with your crews on the ships."
"New weapons to suit their combat styles. We armed the Wall Climbers too." Bayern was with his team of 4 other Valiants. Armed with a variety of weapons as they gave a nod to Raven.
"Trinity, Utopia, Fair Wind. Let's get moving." The three space ships appeared in the sky as helicopters scrambled from the side hangars to bring up the other allies. Bringing them to the cafeteria as food was being served. Though this time everything looked regular and not any sort of alien food that the crew was used to. Raven just headed to the bridge where Captain Morgan was present.
"We'll be there in 2 hours at cruising speed. We could go lightspeed but the barrier they put up would be annoying if we get caught in it, Chancellor."
"Calm before the storm, Captain. I'm sure everyone else is feeling the tension. Put me on loudspeaker."
"Yes, Chancellor."
Raven's face was on every display, from phones to large monitors hung on walls.
"Latelica is a country that is known for its dictatorship. It's pure strength and raw firepower unmatched. But the best way to tear an opponent that believes they are untouchable is to rip them bit by bit. They've got beautiful locations. We're going to kill people. We're going to turn the entire country into rubble. Nothing more. Nothing less. They kidnapped people and turned them into living experiments. It's gloves off. We're killing the soldiers without hesitation. They surrender? Just give them a quick death. Only civilians we'll kill are in the capital. We bring the Royalty to the deck, put them in cuffs and make them watch the destruction of their capital. That's the end goal. Let's just get this over with so I can spend time with my niece." Raven said as the four ships cruised along the sky, staying in a formation as Raven headed to Fair Winds' core area, where he was going to find his Assault Breaker. The pure white machine that contrasted his blood stained path.
Sleek than other Assault Breakers. A lean humanoid design. On its knees, the machine's eyes glowed as a response to Raven's appearance. Making his way into it, as he stepped in. Remembering the fights against hostile forces. Aliens and monsters that wished the downfall of his planet. He ended it by dying in battle, but he claimed the heads of the warmongers.
'The Knight's Horse Will Find Its Way Back.' The display read as the machine switched itself on. The chains unwrapped away from the shoulders. The small wings on the back began to unfold, gently stretching as Raven took a deep breath. The machine was designed by him and can only be used by him. Moving its hands as the system now linked with his brain. There was a sting because it was literally forcing a literal 'out of body experience'.
"Seems like my White Horse has returned. Let's bring you out to the hangar." Taking steps gently as his entire body had felt the metallic sensation overwhelm him. He was now seeing through the White Horse's eyes. Taking baby steps as he was getting used to this sensation. The doors opened up to the hangar as the Assault Breakers were moving items around the ship.
"Oh Chancellor!"
"Just do your jobs, people. I need to get White Horse back to the hangar."Heading to the hangar where Raven could see Aquila, Stervy, Dolores and Falco just marveling at the sight of the White Horse.
"What's that?"
"The White Horse. Chancellor's Personal Assault Breaker." They see Raven wave at them, then taking slow steps to move around to the bay where it was designated for the White Horse. They watched Raven slowly stumble in the machine.
"Attention crew. We will be arriving at Latelica in 30 minutes. Switching to alert status Black." With those words everyone started with their Pre Combat Inspection routines. Final checks on ammo and any sign of wear and tear on the tank threads or rotors. 30 minutes is a long time as they could make changes and repairs immediately.
Raven watched how Gryphus and his section 1 members were talking with Jack and Jizel. Seeing how Gryphus seemed cautious with his words whereas Jack and Jizel were far more casual than the new Section 1 leader. Turning to see Heathcliff, Cinder, Benjamin and Jersey just sitting down with Aisha and Rodin for casual chats. Stevenson with the other Colors who were preparing attack plans.
Wiseman having a good chat with Corvus and Ciara. Kuota and the other Operators were readying their gear. Final checks as they were within range. Arctic Foxes grabbing their rifles with Jeanne readying the shotgun.
Claws simply kneeling with Victor and Fang reading out their orders. Lowell had came up with a plan after consulting the captains. Raven? Just sitting on his chair sipping a mug of coffee. Waiting for the storm.