Chapter 39
Who let the dogs out?
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Violet
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Hades smiled and jumped up on the table. "You heard my boy, get ready for battle. Our building plans will have to wait!"
The scions began to whisper amongst themselves. It was understandable, given the current crisis. The fate of humanity was a heavy burden of responsibility. But I had faith in my scions; I knew each to be strong, decisive, and unwavering in the face of danger. However, even the most confident and capable of them sometimes felt the weight of their responsibilities and the fear of failure.
At that moment, they gathered in small groups, speaking softly with one another, and sharing their worries and concerns. I could hear their voices, and I thought that these whispers were a sign of the vulnerability and humanity that might lie beneath the surface of these young leaders. It was a reminder that, despite their position of power, they were still my responsibility, and they needed the support of their peers to face the challenges ahead.
Alex whispered over her robotic fingers to Nightmare, “You have fought these beast men before. Do you think they will break my library?”
Nightmare began to sign an answer back to Alex. The gunslinger nodded her head in return and mumbled, “Oh dear!”
Goliath tried to maintain some order in the conversation but soon got pulled into a heated debate with Azrael over the scorpions because she was the one who brought down the scout leader over a month ago now.
Back on Earth, I remember watching a doomsday movie with Kevin and Sam one night. Kevin picked it out, involving some terrorists bringing a nuke to an American city. I recall these Generals in a war room receiving bad news in a tense and serious situation. As a Canadian, I appreciated that no one was trying to destroy us in movies. The atmosphere in the movie was typically intense and focused, with high-ranking military officials huddled around a large table, studying maps, intelligence reports, and other data. That is precisely what it feels like in my council room right now.
I remember a young man walking in, in a dress uniform to deliver the president some tragic information. When bad news is delivered, the room falls silent, just like how I feel now, feeling the weight of the loss, the failure of them in stopping the bomb from going off. The mood in the council room can quickly shift from confident to concerned. The scions start to debate and argue about what went wrong and what steps can be taken to rectify the situation. Only the humans remain quiet, taking the scene in.
I know from my own life experiences that bad news can sometimes lead to a significant change in strategy or even a full-scale retreat. For example, a girl named Rachel whom I knew from high school dropped out in her grade 12 year because her mom’s boyfriend murdered her mom and then himself. That was a full-scale retreat. Personally, I could have used the bad news of being poor or not having a dad to hold me back, or I could change my point of view.
In the movie, the generals had to make difficult decisions quickly and communicate them effectively to their troops and allies in order to save any survivors from a nuclear blast. My scions were similar to these generals. Goliath, in particular, stood out because he sent his spiders to the hedge and doubled the patrols. Despite the challenging circumstances, my scions had to remain calm, focused, and resolute in their commitment to the mission at hand, which was to remove the wolves and scorpion threat from my domain.
System Notification: One of your scouts has been defeated. You have been rewarded 20 experience points for the battle. Unfortunately, the spider died outside of the domain's defences and cannot be resummoned. To enable the respawn of lower-level citizens, we need to increase the defence zone.
I slammed my fist on the table, causing it to shake and a small crack to form on the wooden surface. "Enough," I said firmly. My council settled back into their chairs and looked at me.
“Soldiers,” I nod to Goliath, Nightmare and Azrael. “My brothers and sisters. Settle yourselves. As we sit here arguing our next course of action, one of our outer scouts has died, and will not be respawned by the system. We stand on the front line, guarding our nation's borders against all threats foreign. Our duty is to protect our homeland and the citizens we serve. We are the guardians of freedom, the defenders of liberty, and the protectors of our way of life.”
"Hurrah!" Hades exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air with a broad grin on his face. "That's what I like to hear! Let's show these wolves and scorpions who's boss! With our strength and courage, we will protect our domain and emerge victorious!”
The others cheered in support until Hades added, "Drink some booze out of their skulls after we fucking win!" The mood soured as his words hung in the air, the violent suggestion making some scions uneasy.
I continued, “Today, our borders are facing unprecedented challenges from all sides. We face enemies who seek to harm us and undermine our way of life. They will stop at nothing to destroy what we hold dear. But I have faith in each and every one of you. I know that you are all warriors, brave and strong and that you will rise to the challenge.”
"Yay!" Oliver cheered, pumping his metal fist in the air with excitement. "Let's do this, Violet, you have my hammer! We've got this under control. With our skills and determination, we'll crush any threat that comes our way!"
I gave Oliver the best loving smile I could muster and followed up my speech. "I agree, we have the finest weapons, the latest technology, and the best training. But it is your courage, strength, and determination that will make the difference. Scions are the ones who will be on the front lines, facing the enemy, and defending our borders. Oliver and Grace, you are my last line of defence. I want you to guard the humans. Take them up the tower. Grace, you can act as overwatch while Oliver guards the tower hallways. The enemy would have to face you one-on-one, and I don't see anyone besting you, at least not with my upgrades."
Grace and Oliver both nodded their acceptance of the task. Grace spoke up first, her voice calm and steady. "We won't let you down, Violet. The humans will be safe with us."
Oliver added a determined look on his face, "And we'll make sure those wolves and scorpions regret ever crossing our borders. We'll defend this domain with everything we've got."
I gave them both a nod of approval. "I know I can count on you two. Now go, prepare yourselves and gather your teams. We'll meet at the border in an hour."
Grace and Oliver saluted before turning to leave, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and confidence in my Oath Bound as they walked out of the war room, ready to defend our domain and protect humanity. Ready to protect a race that was not their own. My heart at that moment could have burst from the love and respect I had for those two.
Right when they reached the doorway, I had to say one more thing, “Remember that you are not alone. You stand shoulder to shoulder with your brothers and sisters in arms. You are part of a team, a family, that will support you and have your back no matter what.” They turn and get to work gathering the humans and taking their positions.
Jack stands up, and pushes her chair back, “I am going to help Oliver and Grace. I know everyone, and I think my skills are best suited to keeping everyone calm and collected.”
“Excellent choice, Jack.” I shifted my point of view to the next scion on my list.
The gunslinger, Alex, known for her book skills was about to have her weapon skills put to the test. She sat at attention as I gave her the order. "We need you, Alex, to take out the scorpions that have been spotted near the southern border. The wolves are to the north, Goliath will take them on with the Iron Legion. Nightmare and Azrael are going to guard the swamp. We cannot afford to let them breach our defences and endanger our citizens," I said, my voice stern and serious.
Alex nodded, her hand already on the holster of her trusty revolvers. "Consider it done, sir. I'll take care of those scorpions," she replied, her confidence wavering.
I nodded in approval. "Be careful, gunslinger. We're counting on you to get the job done. So go forth with confidence, with determination, and with the knowledge that you are doing something greater than yourself. You are protecting our nation and everything we hold dear," I said, before dismissing her to carry out her mission.
My snake, my bookworm who was about to become my scholarly warrior, stepped forward, a determined look in her eyes as she made her way out of the council room towards the Library to gather her supplies and rally the other snakes. She knew that the scorpions would not be easy opponents, but she was confident in her skills and her duty to protect Violet and their knowledge.
With her trusty revolver in hand, two squads of snakes behind her, she set out towards the southern border, ready to face whatever danger lay ahead.
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As the commotion in the war room died down, a tiny voice spoke up. It was one of the Go-nu, the Canadian Marble Fox scions, he had yet to prove himself in battle but had been busy creating upgrades and weapons for all my forces; plus he was key in the planning of the airship. "What do you want me to do, boss?" he asked in a small voice, looking up at my boss-mode body with a mix of fear and determination in his eyes.
I turned to him with a reassuring thumbs up, like an anime’s main character, and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, little one," I said. "You may be small, but you are mighty. I want you to help protect fighters. As the blacksmith can contribute to the battle effort by creating and repairing weapons and armour for the scions and any of the Oathbound. You can also reinforce defences, such as gates or barricades, and provide guidance on the best use of weapons and tactics. Additionally, the fox squads may have knowledge of weaknesses in the enemy's weapons or armour and can advise on how to exploit them for maximum effect. If the fox smiths have combat skills, they may also join the battle directly and use their expertise to take down enemies with precision strikes. Basically, I want you to send one or two of your smiths with all our squads, but keep most back at the temple. I can’t risk too many of you if we want to create our airship. Can you do that?"
The young scion nodded, his face lighting up with determination. "Yes, Mistress Vi!" he said, his voice stronger now. "I won't let you down!"
“I have no doubt that you will perform your duty with honour, courage, and commitment. You will do whatever it takes to protect our nation and our way of life. You will not waver, you will not falter, and you will not fail.”
System notification:
Experience gain.
Squad commander skill has levelled up.
I gave him a nod of approval before turning back to the rest of the room, ready to lead and enter the battle myself.
As I finished giving instructions to my scions, Hades spoke up. "Hey boss, did you forget about me? You didn't give me any orders," he said, looking around the room with a grin on his face.
I paused for a moment, realizing that I had indeed forgotten to assign Hades a specific task. "Sorry about that, Hades. I want you to take a small team and patrol the domain from above. I need you to keep an eye out for any sign of the enemy and report back immediately if you see anything suspicious," I instructed. “Secondly, support any squad that needs the support. I do not want to lose anyone if we can help it.”
Hades nodded eagerly. "You got it, boss. I won't let you down," he replied, before turning to gather his team and head out on his mission.
I was left alone, I took a mental deep breath.
What was that old passage, or line? Awe, yes.
"Unleash the dogs of war!" I yelled, my voice echoing through the empty council room turned war room.
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Scorpions
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At the lowest levels of the hive lay the ant-clan's enclave, hidden in a basic tunnel located in the industrial district of Morfran's city. The area housed factories, warehouses, and other vital manufacturing facilities. The tunnel was distinct because it was exclusively used by the ants of the hive. Although there was no fighting between species in the city, each clan was territorial over its own enclave.
Half way down the tunnel the gateway into the underground enclave was a small, reinforced steel door, set into the rocky stonewall. It stood nearly one and half meters tall and was at least thirty centimeters thick, with rivets dotting the surface. The door was marked with various symbols and glyphs, etched deeply into the metal and glowing with a faint blue light. The hinges were enormous and looked as if they could support the weight of several elephants.
Two large torches on either side of the door illuminated the area in a flickering orange glow, casting long shadows across the entrance. A sense of foreboding emanated from the gateway, as if it were guarding secrets and treasures beyond measure. A set of stone steps led down from the doorway, vanishing into the darkness below. The air was cool and damp, and the sound of running water echoed faintly from somewhere in the depths. A feeling of trepidation hung in the air, as if something ancient and powerful lay waiting in the shadows beyond the gateway.
Two ant guards stood at their post, their eyes fixed on the uneventful scene before them. The guards were humanoid, with narrow waists and segmented bodies resembling those of ants. Their heads had two large, multifaceted eyes and powerful mandibles that they could use to crush or manipulate objects. Their legs were long and thin, with multiple joints, allowing them to move quickly and efficiently over any terrain. In the torchlight, their exoskeletons reflected the light, casting shadows over the reddish tint of their outer shells. The exoskeletons were hard and shiny, providing them with protection against predators and harsh environmental conditions. The ant guards waved their antennae back and forth, which they used to sense their surroundings. In the shadows, glimpses of their small, retractable wings could be seen, which allowed them to fly short distances. These ant guards looked like formidable creatures, with a unique and impressive appearance.
It was a quiet night, and nothing seemed to be stirring. The silence was almost unbearable, and they both struggled to keep their eyes open.
"Hey, do you think anything is going to happen tonight?" asked one of the guards, rubbing his eyes.
"Nothing ever happens here," replied the other guard, stifling a yawn. "It's always the same old routine."
"I know, right?" said the first guard, leaning against the wall. "I wish something exciting would happen, just for a change of pace."
The two guards fell into a bored silence, their minds wandering as they watched the empty streets. They both knew that they were expected to be alert and vigilant, but the monotony of the night was making it difficult to stay focused.
"Hey, have you ever heard the story about the giant cave troll that used to live in these parts?" asked the first guard, trying to break the silence.
The second guard rolled his eyes. "Not this again," he groaned. "You tell that story every time we're on watch. And it's not even a good story."
"Come on, it's a great story," insisted the first guard. "It's about this giant cave troll that used to live in these caverns, and how he would come dig his way up at night to terrorize the human villagers."
"I've heard it a thousand times," said the second guard. "And it's not even true. There's no such thing as a giant cave troll."
The first guard shrugged. "Suit yourself," he said, looking out into the darkness. "I just thought it might be something to pass the time."
The two guards fell back into a bored silence, their eyes fixed on the empty streets. They both knew that they had a long night ahead of them and that there was nothing to do but wait.
After about an hour, the guards' wish for something to finally happen, came true.
The Scorpion Knights are imposing figures, standing tall and proud with a fierce look in their eyes. They are heavily armoured, with black and gold plates covering their body from head to toe, the plate work fitted to the scorpion's exoskeleton underneath. The armour is adorned with intricate patterns of scorpion tails and claws, adding to their fearsome appearance. Their helmet is shaped to cover their sharp mandibles and covered with curved horns jutting out from the sides.
In addition to their armour, the Scorpion Knights carry a long, curved sword with a hilt shaped like a scorpion's tail. They move with fluid grace as if they are ready to strike at any moment, and their every movement is deliberate and precise. Despite their intimidating appearance, the Scorpion Knight is known for their honour and loyalty. They are fiercely protective of those they consider allies and will stop at nothing to defend them. Their dedication to their cause is unwavering, their cause is the orders of the queen and protecting her hive. They will not hesitate to take on any challenge, no matter how difficult or dangerous.
The Scorpion Knight squad leader, Nightshade, approached the two guards with a commanding presence. His deep voice was often laced with venomous sarcasm, "Excuse me, I need to speak to the garrison commander."
The first red ant guard, straightening up on the approach of Nightshade, asked, "Do you have an appointment?"
Nightshade was a little annoyed but respected the ant's duty at guarding his enclave, "No, it's urgent. I need to discuss a matter of great importance."
The second red guard stated, "I'm sorry, sir, but without an appointment, I cannot allow you entry."
Nightshade, starting to get angry, was thinking, "Don't these ants respect my position?" Venom entered his voice again as he said, "This cannot wait. I am on a mission."
Both guards at the same time spoke, "I understand your urgency, sir, but rules are rules. If you'd like, I can try to schedule an appointment for you for a later time. Or come back in the morning."
Nightshade argued, "I don't have time for that. Please, just let me speak to the garrison commander. Lives depend on it. They might be your lives." The knight placed his clawed hand on the hilt of his long sword.
The first guard, nervous, eyed the sword and armour of the Scorpion Knight. He knew better than to push and said, "Very well, sir. I'll see if the garrison commander is available. Please wait here." He turned around, nodded to his partner, and pushed open the gate before heading down the stairs.
Nightshade and the second guard stood in awkward silence, looking at each other. After a few minutes, the guard returned.
The first guard, shifting his spear in his hands, said, "The garrison commander will see you now. Follow me, please."
Nightshade nodded and said, "Thank you."
The second guard warned, "Just a warning, sir. The garrison commander does not take kindly to those who try to bypass protocol."
"I understand. I'll be respectful. I am on a mission for the queen. Didn't you hear her speech this morning? We are at war," replied Nightshade.
The second guard said, "Very good, sir. Right this way," as the first guard and the Scorpion Knight entered the ant enclave.
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Attack Squad
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As the three members of the attack squad's footsteps echoed through the darkness that started to drape over the border of Violet’s queendom. They were following the hedge and hoping for an opening. As they walked, they heard strange noises coming from the bushes and felt like they were being watched.
Nyx was in the middle between Hunter and Bloodthrone. She pinched Hunter’s butt, “Look out Hunter, that robot spider is coming for you.”
“It fought with honour and grit. It was a great battle, not something to be made light of, Nyx.”
Bloodthrone laughed, “For a second there, when Hunter was on the ground, I thought it got you! Then I would have Nyx all to myself.”
“You can keep her, sir. After this mission, I am hoping the alpha will allow me and a few others to search north.”
Bloodthrone nodded, “With all this lumber, we can make quick work of those bugs. Metal or organic.”
As the sun began to dip behind the canyon wall, casting the three into shadows, Nyx didn't want to be left out of the conversation. She let out a sigh and said to her friends and lovers, "I guess it's true what they say - hot weather for a cold bitch." Her comrades rolled their eyes and laughed, knowing that Nyx always had a way of sneaking compliments about herself into conversations.
A minute later as they walked, they found a breach in the hedge. A stone pathway was there, leading them into an opening from the trees. Hunter whistled out, “About time we found a way past these bushes.
They were suddenly met with a chilling sight, something that made them freeze in their tracks. Hundreds of eyes stared back at them, unblinking and unmoving. A few hundred glowing eyes stared out at them from the darkness in front of them. They couldn't tell what kind of creature it was, but it was definitely not beastkin.
The eyes glimmered in the darkness, reflecting any stray light that managed to penetrate the shadows. The eyes were of all shapes and sizes, some round and unassuming, while others were narrow and slit like a cat's. They were of all colours too - somewhere the deep brown of a tree trunk, while others were a vibrant green, like fresh grass in the springtime.
As the attack squad stood frozen, the eyes seemed to multiply, appearing from every nook and cranny of the darkness within the hedge. It was as if the eyes belonged to creatures from a different world, peering out from their hidden lair to survey the intruders in their midst.
Hunter could feel the weight of the gazes upon them, like a physical pressure that threatened to overwhelm them. The eyes seemed to be filled with an unknown intent - were they curious, malicious, or simply watchful? Nyx slowly backed away, nothing witty to say. The eyes remained fixed upon them, unyielding and unwavering. The Bloodthrone could only hope that they would make it out of this mission unscathed. At that moment they all thought that the memory of those hundreds, or thousands, of unblinking eyes, was forever seared into their minds.
A deep voice thundered around them, "You should not have ventured into these woods alone. They are filled with dangerous creatures."