"Set 'em up!"

"We don't have a day of leisure mutts!"

"Faster! Faster!"

Various commands flew here and there inside the human camp. The generals and captains are all busy trying to raise a decent camp. Countless peasants and conscripted soldiers roam the place as they set up torches and work despite the night. Nobody has the mindset of slacking at all because everyone knows that what happens next is crucial to their own race.

"Sir! The Beaskins are setting up too close to us!" A soldier lightly armored reported.

"Leave 'em be!" a man dressed in fine silver armor roared. "Keep watching the east for those damn undead!"

The soldier saluted and left the tent.

"Do you think the legends are true?" A young man dressed luxuriously asked.

"True or not, everyone in Cold Moon is moving and camping the Ceaseless lands"

"It's just a bit unbelievable." The young man said. "Everybody fighting for one cause... It's amazing isn't it?"

"As you can see, I am very busy, third prince."

"Don't be like that general Vas" "We might be from different empires but we are quite close now right?"

"I always dream of the day when my blade can slash that smug face of yours." Vas said.

"That escalated quickly." The third prince just smiled through the blatant threat.

"It will in a few more seconds if you continue bugging me."

Vas finally exited the tent. He was a general in a different empire from the said prince. They share borders and many skirmishes happened between two huge empires. Vas especially hated the third prince who often targets little villages along the border to cast fear into his empire. The number of little villages that were wiped out under the third prince command numbered fifty-three.

"With so many capable people in the north, why do I need to work with that shitty prince?"

He went to another tent where other fellow generals reside. He needs to consult the deployment of troops and the logistics needed to keep the whole army running. The camp consists of 70% of the whole empires and kingdoms located in the north. He was given the responsibility as the head commander but he can't disregard other generals' opinions on how to run their troops. He wonders how such a system can stay afloat since there would be lots of opinions on how to run things while they need to face something the north is not entirely sure they can beat.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"I really want to go back on my own empire instead of being here..." he murmured before entering the tent.

He looks around to find the fellow generals surrounding a huge round table where an assortment of maps and models representing things on it sprawled all over. Everybody is talking and pointing to something that he does not know how to break the ice and start a formal meeting. He was used to leading his own men, his own subordinates and nobody opposes unless his subordinates have better ideas on things. Working with fellow famous generals of the north is a first and a really unknown experience for him.

"Ahem.." he coughed and promptly got the attention of everybody.

Everyone looked at him with various attitudes on them. Some looked at him with disdain. Some looked curious and some just can't be bothered and maintained a nonchalant attitude.

After a few more murmurs here and there, the crowd finally stopped talking and gave Vas the attention.

"I'm Vas, the head commander for this mission." He gave a brief introduction and walked towards the center.

"We are all generals and I know which button I should push and not but I do hope you also recognize which buttons you must not touch without my permission."

Some people started to whisper among themselves but no one voices their complaints so far. He was expecting a few opposers of him being the overall commander but was also happy that everyone is acting like a general so far.

"I know it's very awkward having a meeting with fellow generals that just a few weeks ago we are fighting to take their heads off."

"Just to be clear, we are not representing our empires and kingdoms for now. We are the force of humanity. The best it can offer."

His praise finally raised some smiles and some generals nodded in approval.

"Now that we have established a common ground, let's get down to business."

The meeting lasted for a few hours and everybody finally established their own work on this force of the north. The generals around him started to voice out their opinion and everybody contributed to something while trying to not go outside of their authority and respecting their fellow generals. Everybody showed professionalism and the meeting ended in a fairly decent tone.

"That went well."

Vas was left in the tent alone. He purposely decided to be left alone as he needs to remain in the central tent in case some problems arise. He took out a book and started reading. He loves reading about the history of the Cold Moon in general. He loves the stories about how everybody rose up to the challenge and face unimaginable foes while disregarding their differences. It was fairly cheezy but he loves reading it to distract himself. He knows too well how the real north works and operates. Power decides everything.

The hours went by and finally, the first ray of sunshine hit the Ceaseless lands. Vas saw the vast camp where tall walls built in a single night rose up impressively. He saw the soldiers assembling the siege machines and the cannons being positioned into the wall. Mages from different empires and kingdoms, both famous and not were working to fortify the stone wall they managed to erect.

"With this much force, I wonder if we can crush those that we may face..." he wonders as he marvels at the sight of the strongest force the north has to offer.

"Everything seems fine. Nothing wrong with the land so far..." he said while walking upon the stone walls built by the mages. "I wonder if the legends are true or we are just making a fool of ourselves?"

For humanity!

He silently chanted mentally.