Hey there i'm back and with the next installment of our series: the Siege of Ascension Peak. The first event of the game with lore oh how I waited for Hi-rez to do something like this ad they just keep doing it every couple of months. But anyway read and review.
It was evening as people were traversing around the mountain village Ascension's Peak. It was here that a long time ago an enlightened monk known only as Jenos ascended and lived among the stars. Since then pilgrims traveled to the peak of the mountain hoping that they too could leave their old lives behind and become one with the cosmos like Jenos.
It's been centuries since then and no one has been able to ascend since and still people travel to the mountain. One such person was meditating near the edge, hoping to forget what he did during his time in the Sentinel.
"OMMMMMM.. OOMMMMMMM… OMMMM- Aw this is starting to get pointless!" said a hulking monk like figure as he stopped his meditation.
Buck was a complex person; he had the self-discipline of a devout monk, clever ambushes commonly used by underworld thugs, and the tactics and weaponry of a front-line soldier. He was once part of the Magistrate's elite squad: The Sentinels, but after that disaster of a final mission and its disbandment he was lost. When he heard of Ascension's Peak and its story he decided to give it a go, however it was starting to become a waste of time.
"Nope, remember what Master Quan said slow and steady wins the race" the ex-commando said to himself as he closed his eyes and resumed his meditation.
Soon days turned into weeks and weeks into months as Buck continued his pilgrimage on the mountain. He went through many storms both rain and snow and still maintained his focus trying to find the answer he so desperately seeks.
Then on one quiet night as Buck was doing his night meditation he thought he heard something but just assumed it was the wind. He then heard again knowing it to be fabric flapping and opened his eyes to see something he never thought he would see… The Ascendant himself.
With wide eyes he saw the being just floating in the air in front of him not saying a single world. He approached the soldier and looked deeply into his eyes. Buck felt something surge in his mind as he was suddenly as he started seeing many things he never dreamed possible.
Countless worlds with indigenous lifeforms, lost and forgotten powers never thought imaginable, and then a great darkness surrounding him and everything as far as the eye can see.
When the visions stopped the monk was brought back to earth; he saw Jenos stood up and proceeded into village. Buck simply pulled himself together and got back up quickly almost tripping as he followed the cosmic being inside.
Soon Ascension's Peak was in a frenzy as their idol had returned to impart his wisdom, everyone was following the man and doing whatever they can to be of use to him, but Jenos simply wanted to do what he thought was best. Soon traveling merchants would bring word of what was going on to down below and the Realm would soon hear the news… The Ascendant has returned.
In one place, in the Ruby Throne room nobles and aristocrats were talking about the sighting of Jenos at the mountain and wondering what this means. Sitting on the throne was none other than heiress to the Ruby Throne, Lian. Seeing an opportunity, she decided to whisper to her advisor and general: Khan the Primus of House Aico.
"Khan" she simply said.
"Yes, milady" the giant man said giving a bow as he was ready to carry out whatever the scion wishes.
"It would seem the courts can talk of nothing, but Jenos's return" she said.
"I will admit lady lian that when I first heard of the stories of Ascension's Peak I merely assumed they were nothing, but old child tales. Now after hearing from more legitimate sources this could be changing point in the war" the general said.
"Exactly as I was thinking; if we can get Jenos over to the Magistrate, I can end this petty war and House Aico will be gain more power than it ever did in it's prime" the Scion said as she looked cockier as ever.
"I shall mobilize our forces immediately" Khan declared as he began to leave his liege's side.
"I knew I could count on you Khan" Lian said as she requested a drink.
A few days later at Ascension's Peak Jenos was teaching the villagers his philosophy when Buck came rushing in almost out of breath.
"Jenos…large army…coming…this way… got any…water" the commando said between huge breaths and coughs.
The Ascendant merely nodded and told everyone to stay where they are as he went to see what this was about. He descended to the bottom to see khan and his forces marshalled at the path ready to lay siege to the mountain.
"May I help you?" the man asked.
"I am Khan: Primus of House Aico, advisor and protector to the Ruby Throne. You are the Ascendant yes?" he decreed.
"I am" Jenos replied.
"Than I shall get straight to the point. Our government the Magistrate are currently at war with extremists known as the Paladins, My Lady Lian wishes an end to the conflict and demands your assistance in the matter" the general explains.
"I know what goes on in the realm through the words of the travelers that come here, and I must say they paint a different picture to what you said. Therefore, I am not sure whether I should involve myself in this matter" the ascendant says as Khan had his forces prepared to invade.
"Than I shall make you choose!" the general said as his forces charged only to have the cosmic being wipe them out with one blast.
"Impressive, but that will not stop me from completing my task" Khan said as the Ascendant hovered towards him face to face.
"Then show me how far you are willing to go" Jenos said.
"Very well I will return with an even larger force than before in five days' time. You will either submit willfully or forcefully if I have to" the Primus of House Aico said as he turned and slowly walked away leaving Jenos to return to Ascension's Peak.
The next day at Paladin's HQ Valera was discussing plans when Ying entered the room to give the elven warrior the news.
"We can't let Ascension's Peak fall and we also need more allies on our side" Valera said as she called several champions. Inara and Cassie all joined to see what their leader has to say.
"As you may not have heard the Ascendant, Jenos has returned to the realm and now the Magistrate want his power added to theirs. A large force being led by house Aico is ready to lay siege to the mountaintop and we can't let that happen" she said.
"But we barely survived our last battle. How are we going to win this one?" Cassie asked.
"The terrain will give you all an advantage and you will probably have the aid of Jenos, along with any other person you can find. Now get going you should make it to the top by the end of tomorrow" Valera ordered as the two left to get ready for their hike.
The next day it would seem to be getting dark as the warden and huntress had finally reached the top of the mountain when Cassie's bird squaked.
"I know ziggs, hopefully this place has an Inn or something?" she said as they came across Buck.
"Are you guys with the magistrate?" he warned ready to fight if necessary when Jenos stopped him.
"Now, now. Come yourself Sentinel, these two hardly look like they're from the Magistrate" the being said.
"Sentinels? Isn't that the squad Tyra came from?" the stagalla said getting a surprised look from the monk.
"Tyra, but last I heard- which you two must be Paladins" Buck said surprised.
"That's correct I'm cassie and this is Inara" she said as the Stagalla waved.
"Please come in you must be weary from your travels" the ascendant said as the four entered the town.
At the base camp on the bottom in the main tent, Khan was explaining his strategy to Lian and she was dining.
"And so, once our artillery decimates what little forces they have left, I shall secure the temple and capture Jenos" he said.
"Good, I shall make sure no impedes your incursion" the heiress said before reaching for a plate of roasted duck.
"Milady?" the man said.
"Why I shall be joining you of course. That is unless you don't think I can handle it?" she said that last part sternly before eating the meat.
"No of course not, Lady Lian" he said quickly not trying to anger her when suddenly one of the gourmet rice pudding cups floated up in the air mysteriously.
"Skye" Lian said as she pointed her crystal rifle at the spot where the treat is levitating, and the elven assassin appeared.
"Oh, come on Lian be a good little hostess and share" she said, when several more figures entered the tent.
"What is this?" Khan demanded.
"The Grand Magister believed you could use some assistance, so he sent us" Ash said as she, Zhin, Skye, and Seris were seated.
"It's okay Khan as long as they know who's in charge" Lian made it clear with serious intent as she reached for her drink.
"Of course," Ash responded.
The forces are marshaling and the Siege shall soon begin by the morning can the Paladin's prevail this time or will the Magistrate triumph like last time.