After having finished dinner, everyone stashed away the facility at a sheltered point along the wide path. From there, it was only a short walk further to the citadel, so everyone prepared for their departure.
The Embers and Seekers had returned in time for everyone to set out, having ruined the pass behind them. Such destruction would take a long time clear, let alone to repair, but it would otherwise present a considerable risk for the citadel. The Reavers had also returned from their trip, having scouted ahead just in case conflict had arrived before them. The Wardens had been responsible for ensuring everything within the facility could manage itself for a time, although the facility staff would still have need of visiting the citadel for additional supplies.
From here, everyone would travel forwards as their four original factions. Even though all four groups knew the first destination was the citadel, the plan was to then split up from there to provide support as was needed. Thanrie would be returning with her brother, acting as one of the Seekers, and Zyuixqs would be joining her in much of the same way. Qheria would be going with her mother and the Reavers, whom Rhyde had also decided to go along with. Mhyl would be with Chyurae as she blended in with the Wardens, still otherwise under Aelyiq's command. Lwyn and Yuxzn would be staying with Ehryinae's Embers. Everyone else would remain at the facility, to keep it staffed and maintained, with the smith himself generally in charge.
Thanrie was still slightly disappointed, leaving the facility behind after it had been outfitted so well. The thing was pretty much their weaponized supply vault.. which was probably a good reason to not scare everyone here with it. They also knew there would be two fronts to fight from, picking one side and making a mess of everything along the way just wasn't much of an option. Still, they were leaving it in good hands, the smith was still going to remain hard at work at making further creations in their absence. This would then end up being a sort of secret laboratory they had hidden away, making even more secret weapons. Nothing about it was a total loss.
Qheria travelled along side Rhyde, who was getting used to his new power armor. Rhyde wasn't nearly as natural at piloting the thing as Zyuixqs was, but he was stubborn enough to get the thing to listen to him eventually anyway. Because it responded mostly to the motions of it's pilot, Rhyde still had to do all the walking motions just to get the thing to its destination, it wasn't like riding along was giving him the lazy way. In fact, he was being stubborn in that regard too, making the whole trip harder by bringing the thing along, just so that he could get used to it. Zyuixqs however had agreed with the idea simply in the principle that they had no better way to transport such heavy equipment, himself also in the armor beside Thanrie. As long as both of them held back to not cause any undue alarm, everything would be okay.
Yuxzn himself also had his new weapon, which it seemed could be collapsed and set to his back like a bow. It was still much heavier than a bow, but he had already gotten used to it after their trip. He was still waiting for a chance to test it, to confirm his own ability with it. He took a moment as they travelled to compare it to Lwyn's crossbow, which was also kept on her back. The crossbow itself seemed like a blend of everything his bow and his new railgun had to offer, although being much faster to fire overall than either. By nature, it didn't have even half the power of the railgun, but he knew she didn't fully depend on it's natural ability anymore. Her gift gave her an edge even he did not have.
Mhyl was still worried about bringing Chyurae along, himself still without any weapons. He still had his tools, but those would serve little purpose in the middle of a battle. However, she herself was familiar with being left to help in a battle while having no weapon, she knew what that felt like. She also knew he was very sneaky, which would help him look after himself if things got rough. She suspected he would make a great scout or messenger, if nothing else. Mostly, she wasn't willing to underestimate him, considering how skilled and helpful he had been in the past. She could still remember suffering against him in Footsphere.
Eventually, all four groups arrived passed the mountains, the base of the citadel spanning out before them. The return to this side brought them sights they had long been withheld from, though the girls saw the irony in the colors before them. While welcoming the return to grass that was green, the passage of time had brought autumn to the citadel, the leaves of trees looking a very familiar shade of yellow. Other than that, it almost looked like they had stepped back through time, seeing the market square spanning before them in the distance. The four girls were still wearing outfits that had profited from their visit to that very square.
Ehryinae motioned for all the groups to stop, herself stepping forward alone. Out from the market square stepped her peers, the other disciples of the pillars, with the Arch-Magus himself. "We had news that there was a large number of people crossing the pass, which had been alarming at first. Some of the sounds we could hear out there were equally alarming. However, when we got word you were spotted among the group, along with the other Embers, it was clear that it was no enemy passing through." "Maybe not, but our arrival should not have brought reason to dissuade an alarm. Given the mission we had set out for... Our return is in herald of our enemy himself, arriving in full force." The Arch-Magus understood Ehryinae's message, the Fortress Lord was on his way.
The Arch-Magus looked at the veritable army standing before him, a mixture of all reaches of society. He noticed too, standing in with such forces, were the four girls who were their original concerns, having also returned. He could barely recognized Lwyn, and could only in passing consider the other three based upon the descriptions he had heard many times about them. What stood out the most was how all four girls had an almost matching uniform, with only slight variations. The part of their uniform standing out the most was the pendant they each wore, perfectly matching each other, as if an iconic representation for who they were. A crystalline blossom, it wasn't a bad emblem at all.
What was alarming was some of the equipment he saw carried among them, strange things he knew nothing about. The disciples with him were especially alarmed by the two power armors that were standing back a bit, still towering over everyone. He could only expect that this was an example of the power demonstrated by their enemy, exactly the sort of things they were being left to fear. He knew he would have to collect more information when possible, but first he would have to provide a way for this procession to proceed. He invited all of them to join him in the citadel, to discuss a plan of action going forward.
Filtering the collection of guests before him from an army to a dozen, the Arch-Magus let the others explain the current situation. Ehryinae stood as if to begin explaining everything, but Lwyn spoke before her, standing only after the discussions had begun. Ehryinae then sat back down, leaving the floor for Lwyn to discuss what had recently occurred. Lwyn did not waste time with the whole story, not even starting with her mother. She knew there wasn't the time for it, even if she herself was still in grief over the matter. Instead, she reflected on everything starting at the Rebellion base, once they had climbed upon the roof, making for a short report if it hadn't also include all of the related tactical information.
The Arch-Magus could understand the need for urgency, even late in the day, they would have to be prepared to fight a battle they should expect very soon. Considering travel times, there wasn't a moment to lose. It would take two or three days to travel to the front lines, and Lwyn had estimated an attack arriving within a quarter lunar cycle from once it started to form. With that in mind, he wouldn't even have time to provide overnight rest for any of them. They were here to get the information they needed while leaving word of the ensuing attack, nothing more. With consideration to such a report, he wouldn't be getting much rest himself for a while now.. there would be so much that needed to be done.
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"We've actually been preparing for a siege, just in case it was required. There was more hope we could go on the offensive, but it appears we were too slow for that. There are five known approaches our enemy could count on, four if you discount the pass you just took. The Zyxaesteyln War Prince has the Wyxiri army at a choke-point leading into Wyxir, cut between the edge of the mountain and edge of the woods. The particular corner of the woods is rather hazardous, with shifting and unstable rocks in place of ground making the trip dangerous for anyone. At the other side, the Qiciri army is being organized by Miss Aiylthhiylz at their own borders, a marshland overflown from a river that has turned everything around it into a bog of a swamp. It remains the largest border to defend, but has the most substantial natural defense, like a moat ready to consume its enemies." The Arch-Magus described areas familiar to Thanrie and Qheria, places where they could find their siblings already hard at work.
Lwyn had accounted for the general location of both fronts, without as much details on possible defenses. However, she wasn't aware of two more fronts. "Beyond those two obvious paths, the Elniri front isn't itself a perfect wall. The boglands on the Qicir side, once added to the woodlands, becomes an absolute deathtrap for a large span of the land, the woods curving the flood into a churning whirlpool without end. Anything going that way will sink for hundreds of Uyn, so it will not be a problem. Meanwhile on the Wyxir side of the woods, there is a part where the rocky danger of the woods ends, and the trees thin. It's an entrance into the woods that is all too inviting, giving easy access straight into the depth of the Elniri domain, while also providing a back door into Wyxir." The Arch-Magus was implying that there was a way into the woodlands, a fear Lwyn had tried to dismiss. At least, they were still fine on the other side.
However, the Arch-Magus was not finished. "Also, while you may have addressed the pass for the citadel through the mountains, there is an even larger flatland path on the Qicir side of the mountain, which would also provide a back entrance into Qicir. Being higher on the mountain, there is no flooding to worry about at this point, only the risk of falling rocks from the mountain towering beside it would offer any danger. We also can not blockade the path, because any blockade could simply be pushed over the edge instead. There would also be the danger of such falling rocks causing even further problems for the Qiciri front, such as extra flooding. Falling rocks were the original reason for the flooding in that area, after all." The potential issue from falling rocks presented by the Arch-Magus was also then going to be a concern in the fighting. If they left too many stones to fall below, the Qiciri would find their environment danger more unmanageable.
Even with four fronts, it was very clear to Lwyn where people needed to go. The Seekers and Reavers would be defending their nations in their own front lines, joining in the existing defense. The Wardens would have to go to the aid of the Elniri, adding to whatever forces they had already established out there in the woods. That left only the mountain path remaining, which wouldn't be that far from the citadel, and was otherwise far too open. "So that would leave the Citadel to be responsible for such a flatland path. Are you going to devote the Pillars to such a defense? I'm certain the Embers would be willing to go for you as well." Lwyn was even now speaking out for the Embers on Ehryinae's behalf directly. Ehryinae shrugged, Lwyn wasn't wrong though.
The Arch-Magus turned to his Disciples. "This might be the best course of action. I expect the other Pillars are already prepared to help out at a moments notice. Ehryinae, can you ensure that the Embers are sent to help out the other Pillars?" "Yes sir. We came here expecting to do just that." The Arch-Magus nodded to Ehryinae, still worried about preparations. He would have to send messengers to report the oncoming threat, a threat they still hardly understood. He turned back to Lwyn, clearly having grown so much in her departure. They would have to catch up on a lot of things, once this matter was cleared up.. whenever he found time. He knew he would have to come clean with some of his secrets eventually.
Everyone cleared out of the room, except Lwyn stuck behind for a few moments more. Once everyone else had gone away enough, Lwyn passed her own parting words. "See you once we're done, grandpa." With that, Lwyn hurried after the other Embers, knowing she didn't have time for anything more. The Arch-Magus paused, just how much did his granddaughter figure out already? However, he found himself relaxing, coming to terms with the stress of spilling a lifetime of secrets. This would make everything much easier after all, he could now relax and focus on his work. After a few more moments, the Arch-Magus was left to wonder if Lwyn had done that intentionally.
From here, all four groups split accordingly, the Reavers and Embers going East, the Seekers and Wardens going West. After travelling for a day, each group split in half again, the Embers turning towards the mountain to reach the flatland pass with the other Pillars, while the Wardens turned towards the woods to meet up with the Elniri. A day later, they each reached their destinations. The first to arrive was the Embers, though left to work to build up a defense with the Pillars from nothing at all. The Reavers and Seekers arrived almost at the same time as the other, as if it was a race that neither of them won again. The Wardens arrived last, having the farthest distance to cover, not helped by the wild woods they had to traverse that extended beyond their normal society.
The four girls blended in with their four groups, no one the wiser that they had returned. The Disciples knew that Lwyn was there, and knew that Lwyn was respected by the Arch-Magus, but they had no idea why she might be important otherwise. The rest of the other Pillars knew even less than that, they thought she was just one of the Embers. None of the four girls worked on standing out, nor about learning about their homes in their absence, all they worried about was the job in front of them. However, regardless of all of this, there was rumors passing around each faction about a woman with a pendant of a crystalline blossom, who seemed to not completely fit in with the others. The weapon carried by that woman looked like nothing they had ever seen, and those around her treated her with visible respect and admiration. Just who was that woman?
Rumors started leafing into reports by messengers, passing around the others, and making its way around. Even borders did not stop such rumors, as they had started to form in the wake and passage of all four women the moment they reached the citadel. Long before Khaexyn's forces arrived, everyone was aware of the presence of the Crystalline Blossoms, four unknown agents sent to the front lines of the battlefield, like some kind of secret weapon that had shown up from out of no where.
The second prince and Qheria's sister had both heard of the Crystalline Blossoms that was sent by the Citadel, but wasn't going to let it bother them. They knew war, they had been faced with it for a while now, and they could do perfectly fine without some kind of agent of the Citadel. Ihzyhur though was a welcome face along with his Seekers, the second prince could make great use of the additional soldiers. The second prince didn't expect his brother to keep up with matters of war, but having Ihzyhur on hand for various tactical responsibilities could still be very valuable. Qheria's sister was excited that her mother had returned, knowing that Xyithy could be very capable in small scale situations. The army was still her's to command though, so she would not be showing any signs of weakness with her mother. It would be best to instead give Xyithy specific tasks, like a proper leader would, and worry about the casual matters once they were victorious.
Once the Wardens had met up with the Elniri host, Aelyiq found his responsibilities heavily diminished. He was only an assigned agent of the High-Seer, not one of the Wardens even, so his importance was negligible when put before the entire host. The Wardens however knew that Aelyiq had been keeping up with relevant matters the whole time, being able to communicate effectively. This gave him an advantage in knowledge, something the Wardens respected. Overall, they put him as an assistant of their Saviour, along with Chyurae. It was perhaps still a bit of a demotion, but it was one due to happen eventually. He knew Mhyl was far more important anyway, and thought that maybe he should have made sure this happened sooner.
Preparations for war continued right up to when they got words from scouts that their enemy was seen approaching from the distance. At that point, it was time for the battle to begin in earnest, the defense of their various homelands were at stake here.