First Wall,
Captain of the Watch,
Standing poised atop the first wall of Qaelang, a rare sight greeted the eyes as a solitary Captain moved amongst the rank and file. His finely polished engraved armour, crowned with tassel, boasted his Noble inheritance, its wear brandishing his veteran status. The men made way for him as moved to the front, an unnecessary respectful difference as he long learned how to move through the crowd without bumping into others.
He eyed the battered wagon riding the crest of the Beast Wave, noting the men’s entranced stares. They showed no signs of fear for the enormous Wave, instead their excitement was as evident as the cursing of the Shoguns man. He couldn’t help but smile, not for the wagon but for his men for he was only here for them and the spilling of blood to maximum effect.
How strange the antics of Nobility never ceases to entertain the common people.
Breathing in the dank air of the moors he dismissed the wagon entirely to the whims of fates, as artillery Sergeants bellowed out orders. Watching the many ballistae javelins rip through the enemy ranks as a child might a branch to water, he held that breath as the Wave came into crossbow range.
“Hold!”
The great walls began to shiver gently under their feet as the tide drew nearer.
“Hold!”
Baying, shrieking and howling, all fusing together into a singular deafening roar as if there were only one massive creature before them.
A flare fired, burning a harsh bright red in the daylight.
“Present Arms!”
Four thousand crossbows were synchronised in a single movement, lifted to neck and shoulder of second-year veterans.
The flare exploded brightly.
“FIRE!”
The click of so many crossbows sounded like a frightening crack in the wall. But the whistling that followed of four thousand fire sharpened bonequarrels, always put a smile on his face as the swarm darkened the sky. It was a tune only the orchestra of war could sing and he was their conductor.
“Second Line! Step to the fore,” he cried out, dragging his words.
The Sergeants bellowed out in response, carrying his orders down the line. With the resounding echo of armour tapping against armour, four thousand recruits swiftly swapped places with the first row, as it in turn stepped back.
Swiveling their backs to the Beast Wave, the previous first row bent over as the current four thousand stepped up to the turreted wall without delay. Foot on the stirrup, they reloaded swiftly as the second row and aimed to the sky with practised movements.
“Fire!”
A second swarm of projectiles pierced the sky, following closely on the first. Both would strike seconds apart, devasting the unshielded ranks of Beast.
“Low and Steady!”
Having just fired, the second row knelt down with the first row rising behind them. This time aiming lower, straight into the front ranks of the Beast wave.
“Release!”
The first row fired smartly a second time, shredding the front rows of charging Beasts.
“Spears at the Ready!” He yelled out quickly as both rows of crossbows moved to the back, stepping aside for the spearman.
Better than any whistling volley, the men's movements were muffled with the cries of pain from murderous Beasts. As spears slammed at the ready a second and third cry of agony met the soldiers, as the first two volleys landed further in amongst the enemy ranks. With a roar of ‘Eeyaah’ the spearmen leveled their spears outward, bracing themselves forwards.
The Captain smiled grimly satisfied with his troop's discipline, as the Beast Wave faltered slightly under their roar. Whether Man, Beast, or Monster, all armies were like a singular living creature. This Beast Wave would arrive regardless, but struck decisively enough, it would recoil in pain as all living creatures do.
And that was his purpose, to break the enemy’s charge.
“Steady, reload!”
Down in the thick of the fray, fear and boldness were but fleeting novelties. Limited to the trust one had in their commanders, or in this case, the hive mind of a Kaiju. Without the press of the throng at their backs, the surviving Beasts paused, hesitating in fear before the Kaiju locked onto them once again. Forcing them onwards and spiking their rage.
If they charged en mass, he knew most would easily scale the first wall, devastating the ranks of his men. At five meters high, the Captain was painfully aware that height was not the strength of the first wall. Yet it featured an impressive five meters thickness, bristling with long spikes embedded at its base.
The first wall stood solely to whether the charge of Beast Waves and as such suffered the highest number of casualties. He leaned against the newly raised extra thinner meter, testing its strength as he did habitually for it was constantly under repairs.
Swarms of large crows swooped down with even larger reptiles of the skies, providing cover for the giant Beasts cats that towered over their smaller brethren. The Azuma spread out with the wave and he grimaced in realisation that they would hit the wall at the same time as the lesser wave denizens. His men could not survive those, nor would the first wall slow them in the least.
“All ballistae on those Azuma’s! Crossbows take out their fliers, both rows on my command… Don’t you dare change position on that Ballistae recruit!” He snapped suddenly.
Mobile, they raced up and down the wall on wheels, with their teams responsible for limited sections of the wall.
“Sir”, called a fresh recruit. “If we fire from this position we’re far more likely to hit the civilians”
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At least he had the good sense to stand aside as the rest of his team reloaded it.
“To the Nine hells with your civilians, Watchman! Countermand my orders again and I will decore you where you stand.”
“Spears Down!”
Pushed back into position they tracked the giant Beast Cat that had broken ahead of the wave. It was after the wagon.
“What are you waiting for soldier!?”
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Emperors Wagons
Outer Walls of Qaelang,
“What!?” Lord Ushii looked over his shoulder in fright, at the giant reptilian cat bounding their way. “What do you mean all of them?”
“Don't make me repeat myself,” Kido ground his teeth as he reloaded his crossbow, conscious of their dwindling number too. “Now, give me your damn spear already.”
“I don’t have a spear,” Ushii yelled back.
“For the Love of…” Kido clung on tightly nearly falling off the wagon bouncing. “The Palace Polearm fool. Where is it?”
“There was a peasant.”
“Oh, you insufferable…” Kido frothed in rage as he watched the Azuma bound up to them in monstrous leaps.
Looking around the wagon desperately, all he had was his Katana and…
Lord Ushii shrieked.
“Nooo! Not the eggs, you wretch.”
Kido ignored the man, hoisting the largest egg he could get his hands on. Wobbling the two-wheeled wagon with his throw.
The projectile had far more of an effect than he had expected as the Azuma suddenly slammed its legs down, skidding to a halt. Surprised, Kido swore it looked suddenly frightened as the egg sailed towards it. In a bizarre act of madness, the Azuma swatted the egg straight back at him. Leaping away and bounding along with the wagon at a distance.
He caught it, uncomprehending he stared in amazement at the Beast cat.
By the Givers grace, what just happened?
Bizarrely he noticed it glancing back at him in equal confusion before realisation hit him.
Merciful Giver, this thing thinks it’s a grenade.
“Ushii, we got ourselves a veteran here.”
“Stop throwing my eggs, you insidious cretin!”
Kido glanced at it as he dropped it back into its crate, noting the new crack along one side.
How had it not burst?
The Azuma bounded along, not taking its eyes off the wagon. Whether it thought itself fooled or just gotten impatient, it suddenly snarled angrily and bounded back in towards the wagon. Kido reacted instantly.
One, two. The crossbow sang twice.
Both shots taking it full in the face, its skull so large, neither sunk deep enough.
The Beast cat roared with such a tremendous rage, the upcoming Wave slowed and parted for it as it shook its massive head. Ushii cursed as the ponies brayed in terror fighting his effort, their good training evapourating in terror.
With a single swipe, the giant cat wiped away both bolts, blood trickling freely off its snarling maw as it stared back with hate. Its eyes flashed dark purple as it hunched forward suddenly, the air whining furiously as its three-pronged tail lashed forward humming with power. The Beast took off with empowered speed.
“It's going to ram us,” Ushii shrieked. “If this wagon gets hit I’ll gut you myself before that beastie even lays a paw on you!”
Kido heard Ushii cursing the ponies for the first time as the air whistled overhead, a hail of arrows sailing over them.
All just background noise, as he poured his Chi forward once more, staring down the charging giant. Uncaring and unsure if the ground shook from the incoming Azuma, or if it was just his vision rattling on the back of the wagon as it bounced along.
But as time slowed and the shadow of Qaelang loomed, he held his blazing white Katana out before him with a single thought.
So close, so, so close… forgive me Seo-sang.
Fangs bared, the Beast cat launched itself into the air, huge claws reaching forward. Its mouth opened wider than Kido’s chest as he held his ground, blade high for the strike.
He blinked suddenly as something flashed past, his face wet with spray as the Azuma’s face crumpled like crushed origami inches before him. With a pained screech, it fell back down onto the side of the road, curling into a ball. Dead.
The Wall burst into roaring cheers as Kido looked forward, mask sprayed with blood. The Gates were opened wide, rows of shielded spearmen at the forefront guarding the road as peasants raced past unheeded.
“That crazy bastard!” Lord Ushii howled in delight.
“You beauty! Who shot that? The Alchemist spoke to himself loudly as they charged the last breadth. “Those mad bastards at the gate. Finally, a Watchman who deserves praise. Steady on Preafect, we’ll get them a round once we through the gates.”
Kido steadied himself as he looked up and saw a second swarm of bolts flying overhead. Heart still thrashing in his chest, his dizziness fled as he blinked in realisation. The gate guards had just fired a ballista right at them. A magnificent shot, but too close for comfort.
Lord Ushii showed no signs of slowing down as they raced towards the massive Ascendant gate, cackling in delight. On foot, the blue-robed Palace guards before them gave up their ground, racing back towards their parked wagons.
They Burst through the gates with the cheers of soldiers surrounding them on all sides. The Wagon raced on unimpeded up the Ascendant road as the gates boomed shut loudly behind them.
They had made it.
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First Wall,
Ballista Team,
“Takers Tits! A magnificent shot! Well done, Tjien my boy! Now, do it again.” The Sergeant spoke as he helped reload.
Tjien grinned wildly under the compliment. His back getting a bruising as the rest of the men congratulated him, he didn’t mind though it helped hide how badly he was shaking. The Captain had not acknowledged his feat for which he was sort of grateful for. After stupidly deciding to speak up, he preferred the Captain just to forget he existed right now.
The man was watching closely as the Wagoneers cheered the final wagon through the gate, instantly giving a signal to the Shogun. It was an infectious cheer that spread amongst the men. The Captain allowed it, seeming to appreciate the small respite of encouragement affecting his troops, every bit would help now.
“Close the gate!” The Shogun's voice boomed out loud.
The screams of horror as the last surviving stragglers saw the gate closing before them pulled at the Sergeant's hardened heart. They threw themselves against the gates even as they boomed shut and even he flinched at that sound.
It was a terrible thing to reach the gates seconds late, but he knew tactfully necessary sacrifices were always made on the backs of lesser men.
“Crossbows Release!” Cried the Captain
Eight thousand bone quarrels took to the sky, ripping apart the flying horrors that swooped down for an ill-fated attack. The Sergeant watched in loathing as the bolts bounced harmlessly off an Azuma’s face as it snarled in irritation.
“The big ones, Tjien. Come on!”
The ballista rattled with purpose. Only Razors and Emperor’s bolts in use now. So too were the empowered shouts of Sacred Artists, as only they could cut through the din of the horde.
“There! The glowing one damn it, man!”
The ballista rattled again, the bolt clipping the Azuma and taking a tail with it. Fire shot overhead from its two remaining tails as it spun on its allies, frenzied and furious.
“I will cut you, boy!” The Sergeant snarled angrily into his face. “Now AIM properly.”
“Open tunnels! Second rank Double time to second wall NOW!”
The urgency of the Captain's words helped the men jump off the wall after quickly hooking their crossbows to their backs, sprinting single file across the ‘Shoguns Arena’. Those who could, braved the lifeline ropes where they could, as Beasts of the sky poured down in pursuit after them.
Of the eight thousand crossbows of the Watch, the first was peppered with promising Seeded who showed potential. The second was exclusively veterans and entrusted with the deadlier Razor bolts that awaited them atop the higher second wall.
“Free Fire. Free Fire!”
The first row of crossbows took up standing positions, firing over the kneeling ranks of spearmen who held their ground. Below two smaller trellis gates banged open and the first of the peasants ran through screaming as they bent low against the bamboo roof.
The gauntlets though short and narrow, were lined with veteran spearmen making any beasts that charged in after them easy pickings. But so too did the men have to watch for the thoughtless fool who tried to drag their harvest with them, clogging the whole thing and dooming the others.
“Wind Dancers!” The Shogun bellowed
Ballistae shook as they fired as rapidly as they could, their Sergeants demanding more.
A hundred meters out the fiercesome Azuma broke forward in droves. Those that fell screaming and hissing, clawed out and raked at their fellows that trampled over them in the charge.
Long-robed men and women leapt from the second wall, channeling heavily as they landed gracefully atop giant poles set in between the two great walls. Chi flooded over the area, distracting the charging giant cats to look up in hunger as they sensed the power being channeled by these blade twirling Disciples of the wind.
“Get down, dammit Tjien!”
The Sergeant pulled him low as the surrounding veterans stepped forward and knelt with their spears placed atop their heavy shields. He felt the wall trembling against his hands, knees and feet as Sacred Artists cast runes and hurled out powered shouts of defiance.
“Brace for IMPACT!”
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