Disclaimer-I do not own Naruto, Warhammer, Gate - Thus the JSDF fought there or whatever will be used in this story... unfortunately.
Note-This story is AU, the characters are OOC, and this story will NOT follow canon. Elements of canon will be extracted, but canon will not be what this story is about.
Note: found a good cover image for my fic, all rights reserved.
Shyish.
Chapter I.
Since Naruto was born he was different. Well, large fangs and beside normal food thirst for blood makes you different. Finally, Councilors of his village decided to get rid off 'daemonic spawn'. Using forbidden techniques they tried to banish him to the realm, 'where he belonged'. That's how exactly he had found himself in the Old World, in Empire's city by the name Eibenhorne. However, Naruto too long fangs gave him even more problems in this new realm, than he faced back home.
Rumors about 'little vampire' gained attention of the Witch Hunters. So Naruto decided to go into hiding, he was young, but he decided that bigger city with greater populace will be a perfect place to hide.
Fortunately for him, Lady Luck smiled to him. Soon after he arrived to Altdorf, during one of the nights, tortured by bloodthirst, he met Lady Genevieve, who took an interest in strange boy and offered him protection. He was strangely familiar, yet so… different. He was vampire, yet also human.
Looking how pleased he was by pancakes, which she made for him and Detlef, much to surprise and joy of the latter, she was very surprised that there existed someone of her kin, who was so similar to humans and managed to keep all the joys, provided by mortal life.
Nevertheless, Naruto stayed with her and Detlef and not only did her became like a child for them, he grew up like a normal child, which proved that he wasn't an undead. However, no matter what Genevieve did their happiness was short-lived.
For many years Witch Hunters tried to deal with vampire, who was legally living and Altdorf and was like a blight in Witch Hunters' eyes. Naruto's appearance gave them so needed reason to start investigation. Disturbing facts that they had found about Naruto's past, about young child appearance in the Eibenhorne, child with similar appearance to Naruto drinking blood of animals and finally, his appearance in the Altdorf.
Since Naruto grew up from child to adult and many neihbours and members of Detlef's troupe witnessed him eating normal human food, Witch Hunters decided to invite members from the Colleges. Several Battlemages one Light and one Amethyst mages followed them to the house of Detlef and Genevieve.
Genevieve had two options: either give up Naruto to Witch Hunters or to enlist him into Colleges. She knew that they will use the boy to control her, but she already viewed him as her son and considering the fact about Naruto main magic affinity being Shyish, his fate in the hands of Witch Hunters wouldn't have been pretty.
His fate in Colleges could have been quickly ended too, but his mentor, Menburg von Colfen, his teacher decided to teach his no matter what. Respected Magister never his his disdain for Witch Hunters, who tried to burn him near stake once. In Naruto he had found unusually talented and powerful student. He consumed knowledge about magic and spells like a sponge and also showered a lot of progress in different other disciplines likes swordsmanship and engineering. Of course, to excel in the last he needed a true specialist as mentor, which can be found only in Nuln and his skills with sword highly depended on his superhuman strength. In other words, Naruto usually just overpowered his opponents with brutal strength. If he faced someone as powerful as him, like Vampire Count, he would be easily defeated by him.
Nevertheless, Naruto's life wasn't bad. He continued to study in the Amethyst Order. Sometimes he visited his 'mother and father' Genevieve and Detlef. He also had friends in other Orders, which was rather surprising, especially considering the fact that one of his friends was apprentice of a Light Wizard by the name Anaya.
Both of them ended their apprenticeship and became full-fledged mages during the same year. Both of them decided to travel through the Empire, but they changed their plans a bit after a group of mercenaries gave them proposition to join them. Proposition came from another friend of their Satria, Bright Wizard, who became a full-fledged mage one year before them.
Trio of mages followed the mercenary band, while Satria dealt with any possible problems, which can arise with leaders of the mercenary band. They went south, to Tilea, where they were hired to take part in conflicts of local lords.
…
Naruto Anaya and Satria sat separately from others, many normal people felt threatened by their presence, especially by Naruto's whose Shyish powers reminded mortals about the inevitable end. Surprisingly, one of them decided to sat with them.
Lando Carlus, leader of their mercenary company. He was a high, old man, with long white beard. Clad into usual armor of the Empire's Greatswords. Most interesting thing, Lando managed to hold his greatsword and effectively use it in battle with only one hand. His left hand was cut off and he had a blade attached to his stump.
"Lando." Greeted him Satria. Anaya smiled and Naruto simply nodded. "What the matter old champ? Is there something that you want to say to me?"
"Yes." Lando raised his cup with his right hand. "It's about our little crusade to south. My contact has found something suspicious."
"Suspicious?" asked she. "Like what?"
"The enemy." Grimly stated old mercenary. "We are not fighting against local lords."
"Then who? Border Princes? Dark Elves? Maybe some Wood Elves from Athel Loren or knights from Bretonnia?" smiled Satria. "Seriously, don't tell me it's undead."
"There are rumors about giant talking rats." Answered old man. "Can you even imagine it? I can't. But the fact that we will not be fighting against Tilea's lords remains."
"Skaven…" muttered Naruto, as everyone turned to him. "Rat-people, who fight against dwarves. I heard that they managed to infest the ruins of their old keeps and dwarves fight with them ever since."
All of them sighed, understanding how deep in shit they were.
"Nevertheless I believe that we will manage." Said Satria, but her smile seemed somehow… false. Nevertheless, Naruto decided to not care this. He trusted his friend, just like Anaya trusted her. Moreover, they owed her one, so they will fight together, until the end.
Rumors about Empire going to war reached them when the company of the Greatswords and trio of mages when they reached the Axe Bite Pass. They heard rumors about rising of the dark forces on the north, on east once again rose the curse of undeath, meanwhile lands of Bretonnia were invaded by warriors from Estalia. Seeing the desperate situation, which Tilea was in, Estalia decided to block the only path to their neighbor's territory. However, some of the lords decided that it was a great opportunity to raid their other neighbor, Bretonia. Beside the fact that King Louen had enough forces to deal with the cur s, who dare3d to threaten his realm, mercenaries, deprived of their rightful prize, decided to raid Estalia back instead. Gathered by Seth the Brave, young but successful mercenary general, Mercenaries alongside Bretonnian knights gathered to fight the Estalia's forces.
Naruto, Anaya and Satria followed Lando's company. Alongside the Bretonnian knights, they faced Estalia's forces on the shores of Golfo de Bidouze. Before mercenaries empowered Bretonnian armies infamous knights had already proved their superiority in several skirmishes with Estalians.
It was fortunate that in incoming ground forces of Seth and King Louen managed to take high ground. While mercenaries prepared their cannons and knights took care of their horses diplomats from Estalia came to the king's camp. They demanded his knights to leave, to start the diplomatic talks, completely forgetting that their border lords were the reason of conflict in first place.
Leoncour knew that Estalia's lords were far too arrogant to agree with the facts. In their minds they were blessed children of Myrmidia, descendants of the first human tribes and everyone not of Estalia's origin were not worthy to be anything but their slaves and second-rate citizens. Nevertheless, despite being known as one of the best duelists in the Old World, their armies weren't hardened in battles against Chaos and Beastmen, like their northern neihbours were. Moreover, they were divided by their political rivalries, much like city-states of Tilea.
In other words, arrogance of Estalia's citizens will be their undoing. Naruto observes the lines of different mercenary companies and compared them with knights, compression, at least cosmetically ones were not in mercenaries favor. However, Naruto knew that all these grizzled veterans, covered by many scars, with fierce fire in their eyes were always ready for battle. He knew that despite their overall appearance, mercenaries were more than skilled to deal with Estalia's forces.
Naruto looked how Estalia's forces prepared for battle. Meanwhile cannons, bowmen, marksmen and of course, mages prepared their spells.
Naruto with Anaya and Satria were behind lines of longswords' company. Lando and his men were right in the middle, with his warriors having orders to hold the lines no matter what and longswords of Empire will follow their orders… to a letter.
Bretonnians already lessened local lords' forces after their streak of victories on their own territories. Now, all that stood between them and Estalia's lands were small garrisons in towns and cities and this last army. At least such situations was on the north.
Lords of south saved their armies, giving their neighbors excuses about possible invasion from Tilea. Unfortunately, their excuses came true, but it wasn't Tilea, who attacked them. Back then, Naruto didn't know what future bore for him. He didn't know that dark forces already gathered against him.
Right now he looked how Estalia's forces fell under barrage of fire, ripped asunder by shots from cannons, bleeding from bow and crossbow arrows stuck in their bodies and crushed into dirt by hooves of the knights' horses.
He saw how Satria created large fireball and threw it into ranks of Estalians, Anaya wasn't fighting, but her effort was great nonetheless, she healed wounded and even if some of them held some minor wounds, those with serious ones were already back in action.
Aspired by Satria's success Naruto also raised his scythe-staff. His spells weren't so flashy as Satria's, but he helped nonetheless. Under eyes of mercenaries he dealt with enemy commanders, one by one, sending them into Gardens of Morr. He also spread fear and terror with his spells, making enemies break their lines, thus giving his companies more chances to survive and cause more damage.
Crushed by magic, superior firepower and fearsome cavalry of Bretonia, Estalia's forces ran from the battlefield. However, unity between the mercenaries and Bretonnians didn't last. King Louen received disturbing messages about raids of the Varg and Scaelings on the north of Bretonnia. He was forced to turn Bretonnia's forces back, to battle the threat of invasion from Norsca.
At the same time, mercenary armies continued their crusade under Seth's banner. Even though he had powerful oppositions, especially in face of Voland, one of the most fearsome and successful mercenary leaders. Since Kingdoms of Estalia slowly succumbed to defeat, with its forces nearly destroyed, many mercenary leaders started to think about the raise in their career ranks.
Many even thought about by placing themselves on the seat of power in unified Kingdom of Estalia. Maybe that was Seth's plan, but nobody will see him as legitimate ruler unless he has some sort of 'rights' to rule. On the other hand Voland, if rumors were true, was bastard son of late Emperor, Lutipold the First, many whispered that without a mustache and scars he greatly resembled Karl Franze. Shall Voland desire throne for himself many will follow him. Of course, relationship between the unified country and Bretonnia will be always that of constant warfare, but since when someone like Voland cared about consequences of war? It was his life, his air, his food… his everything.
He would have declared the war on Bretonnia one way or another. On the other hand, Seth was absolute mystery. Even for himself. Left in one of the orphanages near temple of Sigmar, he became one of the soldiers in Empire, when he came of age. Quickly raised to position of the cpatian, but was later forced to leave the army after intrigues of his superior officers. He became a mercenary and soon became the captain of his own company.
Brave men, who led his men by his own example, he received respect off not only his warriors, but also clients, among whom were even Elector Counts. Unlike Voland, Seth had good reputation and, like him, he had lot of political connections. Despite his unknown upbringing, Seth was also a possible candidate for throne.
Naruto knew about all these rumors, but he didn't care. Even without Bretonnians, mercenary army continued its crusade. Their first destination was City of Graus. Small port-city, well, compared to those of Bilbali or Magritta that is. However, it's walls didn't manage to hold the mercenaries for long.
Naruto remembered how Seth ordered them to siege the city. Greatswords were among those, who stormed the gates. He was glad that he didn't need to use the power of Shyish, well at least before Satria destroyed the gates with her magic. When defenders of Graus swarmed their postion with ungodly roar.
Naruto summoned his power, striking fear in hearts of his enemies, turning the furious warriors into disorganized and panicking crowd. After this, Greatswords managed to break enemy's defenses. Following Lando, their captain, they spread death and destruction on their path.
Very soon everything ended. Mercenaries pillaged homes and vaults of the traders and city's heads, meanwhile Naruto's interest caught desolated building of the library. Destroyed temple of knowledge, in a lands where knowledge was considered… sacred, was something suspicious from Naruto's point of view. Very soon he had found corpses and after several minutes of careful research, he had found interesting information.
"Steam tanks… Very interesting."
Sylvania. Drakenhof Castle. Same time.
Mannfred was a pragmatic person. When he was informed about the strange vampire, who was immune to sunlight, silver and symbols of faith. Moreover, he heard that this young creature could enjoy the pleasures usually denied to vampires. Beside, he ubstained from drinking blood, his thirst wasn't such a necessity as it was in Mannfred's own case.
Nearly soundless steps filled the silence of his throne room. Mannfred already knew, who it was. He called himself Advisor. Whatever he was, he felt that he was more than simple old and frail mortal. Whatever he was only the fact that Mannfred needed him stayed his hand… for know.
"Greetings, lord von Carstein." Said old man, bowing to his benefactor. "I heard about your interest in a certain boy… Perhaps I can help you with gathering of information."
"You? Advisor, I'm not someone who forgives mistakes and failures, if you will fail where my best spies have failed… you do understand that I will kill you?" asked Mannfred.
"I understand this, Your Might. However, your agents failed because of one certain fact…" smiled old man. "They all were vamoires."
"Elaborate." Hissed Mannfred.
"Young Naruto, such is the boy's name, became a ward of infamous Genevieve from Altdorf." Said Advisor.
"Lahmian bitch." Hissed Mannfred.
"Yes." Nooded old man. "Moreover, sisterhood protects her and they are equally interested in boy as well."
"No surprise that my agents failed. Despite their cowardice, Lahmians are the best knights of cloaks and dagger. They long since infiltrated the courts of all human countries. Their spy network is wast… Last time I heard Neferata gave her daughters an order to gather one more expedition into the lands of the Tomb Kings… before she will start another crusade."
"However, with your return to power it will be unwise of her to ignore you." Said old one. Mannfred huffed, hearing his comment.
"She will not ignore me. Her diplomats may face… unforeseen problems on their way to Drakenhof." Answered current Vampire Count. Mannfred knew how cunning Lady of Silver Peaks was. He knew how problematic it was to deal with one of the greatest assassins, who served under her, both willingly, hired for money or through mind control.
"What is she expecting?" said Mannfred. "Does Neferata know something that we don't?"
"I highly doubt but… Do you remembered that disgusting experiment, started by your father-in-darkness, Vlad vo Carstein?" asked Advisor. "The one with experiment about unity of undead and the living?"
"What, but the result… wait a minute…"
"Yes my lord, there was a result, and I suspect that boy is in fact von Carstein. If his power will continue to grow, he may become a threat to your rule… no, to all von Carstein line! While he is in arms of Empire, he is political dagger, pointed in your direction. Just think of it, von Carstein in service of the Emperor!"
Mannfred growled.
"This son of the cheap whore! Von Carsteins will never bend a knee in front of false Emperors. I am descendants of counts of Stirlands, the one and true Emperor of all the lands, united by Sigmar! Vlad von Carstein himself, the man who conquered death, blessed me! I am their immortal Emperor, not some mortal man, turned into god by his followers and their descendants."
"I understand how foolishness and incompetence of those around you infuriates you, my lord… but what about the boy?" asked old man.
"Deal with him." Advisor simply smiled, after his master's remark.
Estalia. Port-city of Graus. Tavern 'Empty barrel'.
Since the first town fell, passed a week. Naruto spent this time in tavern 'Empty Barrel', where all Greatswords resided alongside three wizards. He managed to get something from city's treasury, before it was completely cleaned. Therefore, he had enough money for his personal needs and research that he started after finding notes on the corpse in library.
As far as he managed to understand, dead man was of Tilea's origin and belonged to society, which devoted themselves to finding and understanding the secrets of Leonardo da Miragliano. They were mostly focused on finding the blueprints of the steam tanks, one of the greatest masterpieces left by the genius engineer. Why they called themselves 'Crescent moon society' was beyond his understanding though.
Situation was rather dangerous. Naruto didn't know how long the Tilea's agents were seeking knowledge, hidden by Leonardo. Nevertheless, he understood the possibilities. If Tilea will uncover the secrets of steam tanks' creation they will become a sole monopolist on the weapon market, beside that Tilea's powers will rise tremendously and if during the conflict it could unite… In the end, Tilea may become one of the greatest kingdoms of the Old World if not the greatest.
Nevertheless, the greatest danger lied in fact in Tilea's policy. Relaxed because of lack of constant Chaos threat, they let different magic research cults to exist on their territory, while in Empire they would have been heretical and even Chaos worshipping. Moreover, worship or 'research' of Tzeench's cults wasn't banned in Tilea. They also denied existence of Skavens and even… vampires. In the end, if Tilea will get such technologies, Skavens, Vampire Counts or Chaos-worshippers will receive it too.
At the same time, Lando once again surprised his warriors and mages with new recruit. His old friend, wizard of Jade Order, Korvus Henz, decided to join, since Greatswords' company was the place where he started his career. So… beside Naruto, there were three more mages in company.
Very soon, Seth ordered his armies to gather and march to the city of Vizeaya. Unlike the previous city, this one had massive walls and even lessened garrison could prove to be difficult to deal with. Of course, Seth could have left it and move to the main city of the Bilbali Kingdom, but leaving enemy behind wasn't something that he wanted to do.
So his army started the besiegement of the city, while nobody managed to get in or out of the city, Seth's forces prepared the catapults, trebuchets, cannons and explosives to deal with walls and fortified gates of the city.
Greatswords were in the second wave, first were the swordsmen, gathered from different men, both veteran and greenhorns, everyone who could held a sword. They took the hit from enemy's bowmen and marksmen first.
Former knights, grizzled mercenaries of fortune and former farmers, who just took swords into their hands. All of them sieged the walls, but those who lacked in skills died first, Farmers, who became mercenaries turned into grease for the swords. When Naruto and Lando's men finished climbing the walls. First thing, Naruto saw was the young boy in armor, who fought against several Estalian swordsmen.
What surprised him the most was his mumbling about 'how he was supposed to become some sort of hero and gather all sorts of different chans into his harem'. He was strange, but not in a bad, Chaos kind of strange. Whatever he meant by this, Naruto decided to care about this later, instead he unsheated his blade and stabbed it under one of the young man's opponent's ribs.
Young man didn't waste his chance, while his remaining opponents turned to see, who decided to help their young soon-to-be victim, he used the opening to push his sword into guts of another Estalia's warrior. Too focused on covering his wound, swordsman didn't notice another strike from the young man's savior. It costed him his head. Last swordsmen stood alone against two warriors, very much like young warrior was before. The last warrior prepared to honorably face his death, but Naruto didn't want to spent any more time on simple mercenary and killed the last warrior with a spell.
"Thank you." Said the boy. "You saved my life. Wards cannot say how grateful I am. My name is Ezio. Who are you?"
"The name is Naruto. Now… less talking, more killing!" said Naruto piercing a Halberdier behind Ezio into his neck. "Pay attention, boy, or you will meet Morr sooner than you want."
"I… see. Nevertheless, I feel indebted to you, so I will follow you, till I will not pay my debt." Said young lad.
"You talk like one of those Bretonnian knights." Said Naruto.
"Well I am."
"Then… what are you doing here among the simple mercenaries, who siege the walls in first line?" aren't you Bretonninas supposed to be in cavalry?" asked Naruto, with his eyes in the shadow of his hood glowing dangerously.
"Well, nobody needs a young knight, who had lost his mount." Looked down lad.
"Yet you can prove useful, if you die on frontline." Said Naruto. "Nevertheless, we have a city to take. Let's go."
At the gates, Satria burnt several enemies with her fire. Runes on her magic sword burnt with energies of Aqshy, tattoos on her arms, her eyes and even hair burnt with it too. She seemed like an ancient goddess of war, fiery elemental, who came from other realm to burn her enemies until nothing but ash remains.
Yet despite her appearance, she was very much mortal, like her friend from Greatswords' Company. She was tired, breathing hard from her fight. Her blood poured on the stones of the street from minor wounds and countless cuts.
"Where are Lando and others? Better yet, where is Naruto?" mumbled she. Satria's mission was destruction of a city's gate from inside, however, if she would focus too much on destruction of the gates, she would be wide open for attack.
Then she heard metal clanking and countless footsteps, next moment lines of Estalia's Halberdiers appeared on the street, at the same time, their halberds lowered and pointed at her. Satria summoned her flames once again. She knew how dangerous it was for her right know. She was barely standing firm, one mistake and Red Wind will consume her as it did with so many others. However, she will rather die standing, than die on her knees.
To her surprise, something landed near her. She turned her head right. Naruto prepared his scythe-staff and sword. To her left appeared Lando, behind them gathered Greatswords and remaining swordsmen. Satria smiled to Estalia's soldiers… Yes, it wasn't fighting against a lone woman. Now they faced two mages and countless warriors, who had passed through much greater and terrifying conflicts, than Estalia's warriors could imagine. Satria was glad that she managed to hold on. Of course, she required time to rest, but simple fireball will not take much of her powers and it will do the trick.
No matter the where they are born, humans react to suddenly burning people near then the same, they try to run as far as possible. Large gap appeared in the line of Vizeaya's defenders. Captain of the Halberdiers tried to gather his men, but Naruto's spell put him into eternal sleep… of course if there wasn't a Necromancer nearby. With satisfaction Satria observed, how Greatswords and free swordsmen charged forward and clashed with the Halberdiers. Blood, gore and chopped liver flew everywhere.
After admiring her work for several minutes, Satria turned back. Gate will not burn itself.
Vizeaya. Several days later.
Battle for the part city was long and bloody, but when mages managed to burn one of the gates, Lando and his company made several crucial strikes against defenders and during one of them, he maged to capture and open the main gates.
His wise tactics and low casualty rate in his Company, not even counting the fact that he had several mages with him, made Seth place him as now ruler of the city. While he and his army continued crusade Lando, his Comapany and all surviving free swordsmen stayed in the city to keep it.
Being the head of the freshly ravaged city wasn't easy for old mercenary. Especially when he and his men were part of the forces who ravaged the city. Moreover, former protectors of the Vizeaya, now disarmed and grim, at least those who stayed alive, often gathered drinking whatever money left in countless taverns.
Such big gatherings could lead to possible riots, so Lando increased the number of patrols and ordered his man to deal with riots shall they start. What was even more disturbing, countless disappearance all around the city started. In such way, they spent the first week.
During the second week, the situation became worse. Disappearances increased. Former members of the garrison managed to get their hands on some weapons. One spark was all that needed to start an all-out rebellion. Fortunately, messengers from main forces came, bearing the news about Bilbali's fall. This fact alone cooled down most of the hotheads. Even if they will manage to defeat the mercenaries who had captured their city, they will soon face annihilation from the hands of returned mercenaries. Such mindset of the locals gave Naruto time to use some tricks fueled by Ulgu. He infiltrated the headquarters of the 'revolutionists' and managed to find out that weapons were provided to them by third party.
That was what he reported to Lando, when, their heard a slapping sound and Ezio entered the Tactical Room second later rubbing his reddened cheek.
"What have you done this time?" asked Naruto, staring into a ceiling.
"I just said Satria that she is hot." answered Ezio.
"You do remember that she hates any kind of reminder about her 'profession'?" asked Naruto, as he raised a brow. "By the way, why her? There are countless girls all in city many will give you their attention… for a right price of course."
"Well I tried to ask out Anaya before… wait a minute did you just tell me to go to a brothel?" asked Ezio, completely oblivious to the fact that Naruto's eyes started to glow with ethereal red under his hood.
"Pry to tell me, why do you always ask out female mages?" very politely asked Naruto as he intensified his grip on his scythe-staff.
"Well magical girl and the young knight is classical, moreover I do not bother much about Satria's denial of her feelings for me." Said Ezio.
"Her denial?"
"Yep, she is tsundere, I can do nothing about this."
"You are an idiot." Naruto's grip on his staff lessened.
"Hey! It's not my problem that girls like handsome knights like me over broody necromancers like you." After this phrase, Naruto's eyes, which nearly returned to their natural color, started to burn with flames of hell itself.
"How did you just call me?"
"Necromancer, aren't you… one…" girly screams of Ezio, who was nearly emasculated by Naruto, were heard by everyone in town, who wasn't deaf. It took at least half of the Greatswords to hold him from finishing Ezio for good.
During third week Ezio tried to not get in Naruto's sight. Amethyst mage was glad for this small gift of fate, because he started to doubt that saving young lad was good decision on his part. City was divided into two halves, one led by Lando and other one by Elcuro, former captain of the Vizeaya's garrison. Despite the fall of Bilbali Kingdom, he decided to fight to the last man. Thus, he brokered a deal with some shady benefactor, who provided him with weapons for his men.
Half of the city supported him and other half supported Lando, who stopped the riots and managed to return the order without shedding to much blood. It was Elcuro, who caused most of the conflicts and tried to start a war in the city. The main reason for such actions was Lando's complete control over the port area. Moreover, seeing how ruthless and mas he was, his supporters started to leave the former captain the city garrison.
Yet suddenly they didn't hear anything about him in days. It was suspicious. Especially with how zealous he was about returning control over the city. Because of this, Naruto once again lurked in shadows of Vizeaya. He used whatever mastery of Ulgu he had in his disposal to hide his presence. So far he was succeeding.
Elcuro retreated to old part of the city, where engineers once resided. Whoever, as Vineaya expanded, engineers left their old residence and it turned into slums, part of town inhabited by thieves and bandits, usually, they payed city guards so they will not be bothered, but Elcuro destroyed everyone and occupied former workshops.
Streets seemed to be empty, but due to powers grunted to him by Shyish, Naruto felt the life around him. Several humans hidden in half-destroyed buildings… smell of powder… Handgunners? Maybe. Whomever they were, they served with Elcuro and by the look of things they knew something.
Naruto stepped into shadows and appeared from them already in the building. Dagger in his hand stabbed onto the neck of one, his sword pierced the chest of another and paralyzing spell deal with the last. Taking back his dagger from the corpse, Naruto turned to the captured enemy, as flames in his eyes became brighter…
As he managed to find, Elcuro, in reality was a Tilean spy and rather high ranking member of the 'Crescent moon society'. He was in charge of finding Leonardo's stash here in Vizeaya, in the end he had found something that was worth conflict with his former colleagues.
Moreover, he had kidnapped an engineer, who is now working over Elcuro's personal project. Naruto knew that whatever it was, it meant nothing good for their forces. Therefore, Naruto sneaked into the seemingly abandoned workshop.
"What the…?" truly, sight before him was so surprising, unbelievable and horrifying that he had never considered it possible… Inside the workshop was steam tank. A fucking steam tank. Now he understood why Elcuro decided to take his chances with going rogue. With such weapon under his command… he can take the city back into his hands… However, why he had yet to do it?
At this moment doors to the workshop opened and Naruto's target, Elcuro, entered the building alongside several guards and bound man.
"I think that I made it clear before, John. I found blueprints, materials, tools… everything you may need to fix the 'Merciless', yet you fail again and again. Some genius engineer you are." Said Elcuro. "I'm starting to think that you are sabotaging your work. So I decided to… encourage you."
Man in front of him looked like he was in his thirties. It was rather hard to tell with his growing beard, it gave him more elder look. He had brown hair and blue eyes, with scar on his face, which started in the middle of his forehead and ended on his right cheek, crossing his eye. Looks like sometime ago he had nearly lost his right eye. He was also high, Naruto esteemed that his height was above six feet.
Elcuro clicked his fingers and his soldiers threw several children inside.
"I know that you were a loyal soldier in your past. A protector. Will you manage to continue living, counting the fact that you were able to stop me from killing these children. All that you need is to fix this machine behind you. Moreover… if you weren't so stubborn they wouldn't be here in a first place." Proudly, he raised his head exposing his neck.
His smug face nearly begged for a large stone thrown in it, but Naruto threw his dagger into his neck… and didn't miss. Coughing blood, dying rebel fell on his back, children screamed and John used this moment to ram his shoulder into the of one of the guards, man was fast enough to grab a dagger from guard's belt and free himself.
Naruto landed near him, jumping from ceiling joist and unsheathing his sword. However, it wasn't needed. Bodyguards of the fallen captain ran away from the building. John choose this time to talk with his savior.
"So… who are you?" asked he.
"Naruto. I'm with the mercenary army, who is stationed in the city." Answered blonde mage.
"Heard about you. Also, saw the siege of the city. I must say that I am impressed by the level of specialism from so-called mercenary army." Said engineer.
"Well, we war is our life… Nevertheless, you plan to leave that steam tank behind?" asked Naruto.
"Oh, that…" John scratched his head. "No, it is fully functional, I just need to grab my staff and fix the tank after this. It will be our ticket out of this mess."
True to his word, Shepard was fast, it took Naruto five minutes to free the children, mainly due to their natural fear of Shyish energies, which oozed from his being. Shepard returned back in leather armor, with chainmail under the tabard on his chest, bronze-like shoulder pads sword on his belt. He also carried a helmet with him. It was stylized after a dragon, when put on, it was as if small dragon was sitting on his head, protecting it with his body, while its downed wings protected the lover parts of his skull and face. Shepard, in his full attire, looked more like an ordinary soldier, than engineer. Nevertheless, he was used to wearing uniform, something that came from serving in official army, at least in this Elcuso was right.
"Ha!" Shepard attached something inside the steam tank. "Get in, we are getting out of here!"
Naruto managed to take all notes and blueprints, which were in the workshop and also followed John into the tank, where all the children already were. Engineer pulled several rods and engine roared forcing massive armored machine to move forward. In front of them was a brick wall, but steam tank didn't even notice, destroying it and moving to the street.
However, something was wrong… the city was burning.
…
Some time ago, in the mercenary quarters, Satria was once again trying her best to ignore Ezio. Annoying young shit was once again trying to gather a harem of young women for his own uses. Especially problematic to deal with was his constant blabbering about becoming a king in the future or marrying a princess.
Ezio still continued to talk, but Satria tried to focus other sounds, to silence him at least in her mind. All that screeching that she had heard beside Ezio's voice… wait… screeching… Window's glass shattered spraying razor-sharp shards everywhere.
Satria's reaction, honed by recent battles saved her life, she threw a fireball at something that destroyed the window and only after that gave it more closer look. It was a giant, humanoid rat. Skaven as ANruto called them… She thought that he was just shitting with her…
Than a horrific memory came into her mind… Skavens were like rats… they never operated alone. She heard how windows shattered everywhere in the building.
"To arms!" screamed she with all power of her mighty lungs, pushing Ezio aside. "We are under attack."
Lando stood firm swinging his giant sword around, cleaving rats left and right. Skaven assaulted the barracks of Greatswords, but didn't manage to catch them with their pants down, like they did with swordsmen. Seeing their commander always walking everywhere with his sword and in his armor, his healthy paranoia soon rubbed on his soldiers. They knew that old Lando had good instincts, and when his wounds were aching… troubles should follow.
Ezio on the other hand spent most of his time chasing skirts, and didn't look over his men much. They slacked in nearly everything and very much like their commander used any minute to start a fight or hook a girl. Maybe lack of discipline was the reason behind Ezio being so heavily supported by his men.
This reason was case of their downfall. Lando, on the other hand, always prepared his men for worse. He passed through many campaigns, fought, against rebel Imperial citizens, Bretonnians, Tileans. Estalians, Greenskins, Beastmen, Undead and worshipers of Chaos. He had passed through countless battles and kept his skills sharp and warriors safe, knowing that his men and his personal powers will be only two things, which will help him survive the incoming battles.
Nevertheless, lack of Halberdiers make their defense against Skaven harder, than Lando anticipated. Rats surrounded the barracks and threw spears, arrows and stones into windows. Korvus and Anaya proved that they were worthy of their staffs. Only because of them, wounded warriors managed to return back to fight.
However, rats assaulted them from all sides and Naruto, main trump card in forcing enemies to retreat was missing. Usually, Skavens were rather cowardly, but these ones… sure it was normal for rats to fight with rage, cruelty and viciousness, also relying greatly on their numbers. Usually, when skavens easily panicked, when they saw that their usual tactics, surround and burry the enemies under mass of screeching, stabbing, biting mass of grey-furred bodies.
These Skaven were different. They with no self-preservation, like there were no tomorrow for them, attacked humans with fury and zeal never seen before in these disgusting creatures. Lando hated to admit it, but without reinforcements, they will not hold on.
He looked down, from the second floor of barracks and saw, how constantly moving sea of grey, black and brown giant rats screeched raising their weapons above their heads and thirsting blood of humans. He noticed some motion in the end of the crowd. At first, all that he had managed to see were skulls. Soon he noticed stakes. After this, he saw the largest rat-man among the crowd. Clad in heavy armor, with spikes attached to it and skulls placed on them. In his armed was slightly glowing green scimitar and standard with infamous mark of Skaven upon it. Equilateral triangle, which also reminded Lando about disgusting Chaos worshipers. He snarled remembering the horrid smell of rotting bastards.
Skaven warchief squeaked and snarled rising the spirits of his rats, view of them screeching at once, raising their weapons again and again nearly destroyed moral of Greatswords and this moment large steam tank under command of John and Naruto choose to smash into back lines of the skaven army.
"Get a bit more steam into the system!" screamed Naruto. "We need to move faster, if we wish to get to the barracks of Greatswords!"
"It's an old machine Naruto!" screamed John from the insides of the steam tank. "If we make it move faster it can explode, I'm not even saying that we are endangering children, whom we have freed from Elcuso."
"If we will not move faster, we are goners, John!" screamed back Naruto, using his magic to keep rat-men away from the tank. "More steam, more speed, more killing, or we will be these rats' dinner!"
Main cannon mad a shoot and large portion of square was became clean of skaven. Steam engine roared and tank increased its speed smashing into skaven's crowd and throwing them everywhere. John turned the wheel forcing steam tank to turn right and take the attack from warp fire with frontal armor. Frontal cannon annihilated the Warpfire Thrower and gave opportunity for steam tank to continue its path… only to face the Rat Ogre.
Massive unholy creature managed to stop the steam tank, while they were in bare meters away from the barracks. Naruto gritted his teeth. Blood poured from his nose as he summoned power of Shyish. He exploded the heart of the giant creature, but steam tank stopped and got itself almost immediately covered by bodies of Skaven.
At this moment gates of the barracks opened and Greatswords charged into battle.
…
Squek the Desecrater hissed in anger. Stupid man-things didn't want to die. They surrounded all remaining defenders after the forces of Under-Empire filled the streets of Vizeaya. However, Squek presumed that appearance of strange man-made machine was some intrigue of clan Skryre.
Four Great Clans of Under-Empire prepared this attack on the kingdoms of man-things for countless years. They emerged several times before, but either civil wars, or noble heroes or great champions of darkness put an end to their plans.
This time it was supposed to be otherwise. Tilea had already fallen, Estalia was next and Border Kingdoms are nearly conquered. Soon all south shore will be in hands of the Under-Empire. Nevertheless, man-things in the city continued to fight. They have broken the will of simple citizens, captured them and used as sent them underground, as slaves. However, two last remnants of their resistance stood resilient against Skaven assault.
Squek screeched, gathering Stormvermin around himself and raising his Banner and sword above his head and running to the Greatswords. With loud clash of metal Stormvermin and Greatswords crossed their weapons. Massive swords rose, cutting limbs, parrying spears and crashing bones like twigs. Skaven pierced them with spears, with them sometimes snapping like bones.
Lando was surrounded by vermin, but he stood firm, killing rat after rat. Naruto sent spell after spell into crowd of rats and John fired another shot from the main cannon of the steam tank. Greatswords stopped the wave of rats and slowly pushed them back. Squak screamed, trying to make his rats start one more assault, but they feared Imperial forces more.
Skaven made a step back, then another… finally they ran.
Squak tried to make them stop, but Clanrats were panicking, they followed their instincts. More elite forces, like Stormvermin, who gathered around their leader, managed to retreat more organized than others. Seeing that his efforts go in vain, Squak commanded his rats to follow him and went to the nearest canalization entrance.
Soon streets of Vizeaya were empty. No men, no rats… Just remaining mercenaries, who, after patching their wounds, decided to go and search for other members of their warband.
…
Naruto sat near the bad of wounded Sombria. While Ezio, was nowhere to be seen, she gathered soldiers around her and hold the line, but before skaven retreated, lone arrow pierced her body. Though wound wasn't mortal, if the arrowhead would not be pulled out from the wound, she would bled to death.
Korvus said that he was helpless to do anything, if he would try to remove the arrowhead from the wound he could cut main arteries or veins… So all Naruto could do is stay with her… until she would die. Naruto sat near her bed for several hours and didn't notice when he appeared. Vampire was so deformed by his heinous magic and curse of undeath that he reminded Naruto a giant bat. Seriously, his face was nearly identical.
"Ah… here you are." Said he as Naruto rose to his legs staff in hands. "Young Trueborn."
"Why are you here, bloodsucker?" asked Naruto. "One my call and you will find the end of your undeath coming sooner, than you ever expected."
"How about a deal? I will help the girl… You will do something that I will ask you in future. I promise a favor that you will owe me will not be used against your friends, family or Empire of Sigmar." Said vampire stretching his hand. "Deal?"
"Deal." Naruto shook his hand, too crushed by current situation.
"Here it is then." Blooded arrowhead fell into Naruto's opened palm. He turned to Satria and saw that wound was open, he screamed calling Korvus, also clutching the wound, to stop the blood from flowing out. Jade Wizard managed to reach Satria's room inside. He forced Naruto out of the room and closed the door behind him.
For a long and maddening hour he sat near the door and prayed to Sigmar for Korvus success. Hour later Korvus left the room and sat near Naruto. He took a smoke pipe from his pocket and started to search for lighter. Instead Naruto managed to ignite a small fire atop his finger. Korvus moved his pipe to fire and made a deep breath in.
"She will live." Finally said he. "Situation is grave, but stable, she is slowly recovering from blood loss. Nevertheless, how did you manage to get out the arrowhead?"
Naruto looked at the bloody piece of metal in his hands. "Let's just think that it is a miracle."
"Hmph… I always thought that you, Shyish guys can afford only dark ones."
"Deal?" remembered Naruto the wards of vampire. "I fear that it was."