The holy nation, after a grand speech from their leader Lord Phoenix, blessed be his name, has now declared all-out war against a foreign northern aggressor. With this foreign army's intentions of conquest clear and with the strength shown that they are capable of doing so, Lord Phoenix, blessed be his name, sent out Messengers to the rest of the Empire, calling upon them to uphold their vows of mutual defense.

While waiting for a response the holy nation was not idle, having gotten to gathering its forces in order to combat this northern threat. However, this northern foe was not content to stay in the lands of the Cannibal, sending a sizeable force into order to subjugate the lands of Okran. Luckily, the pass leading to the holy nation was guarded by the fortress of Okran's Fist.

It was soon clear however that the force of few hundred men was not going to stop the invader's army former High Inquisitor Valtena, who despite his old age and forced retirement after the war, gathered as many old friends and contacts in order to call as many men to defend to the fort.

In a shocking sort time, Valtena had a force of 1,000 troops along with an honor guard of 100 high paladins, all ready to die in Orkan's name. As news came that the northern invaders were nearly upon them and food and weapons were gathered, an army flying the banner of World end came to reinforce the garrison along with a small group of 30 sharpshooters armed with Eagle's Crossbows.

All together the defending force was 1,450, a formidable force for sure, if only the enemy did not have with them almost 10,000 strong. Once the last letter was sent for Lord Phoenix, blessed be his name, to come to reinforce them the invaders were assaulting the walls of Orkan's fist.

Magic, monsters, and well drilled soldiers went up against powerful crossbows, harpoons, and fanatical religious zeal. By the time Lord Phoenix, blessed be his name, finally came with his army to relieve the siege the land around the fort was covered in bodies of both monster and human while the fort itself was practically in ruins.

Inside the defenders that remained numbered only 200 souls, with Valtena himself having parished int he fighting by charging out with his 100 High Paladins and any man who followed him into the enemy force when it became clear that they were going to be overwhelmed. The invaders did not anticipate this daring move and in the chaos, the Elderly Valtena dueled the commander of the besieging army one on one.

The battle was one of the legends and in the end, Valtena stuck down the commander by spiting them right down the middle to their waist. Sadly Valtena had suffered grave wounds, bleeding out as the last of his Paladins defended his body to the last man.

Seems that the invaders had not taken the number of losses well, and had retreated once having caught sight of the Holy Phoenix's army, not wishing to be pinned between two clearly fanatical and decently trained forces. When hearing of the former High Inquisitor Valtena's heroic deeds and subsequent passing Lord Phoenix ordered that his body be cremated in the proper ceremonial manner that all Inquisitor's are to be after their death.

Once all the defender's body's had been accounted for letters were sent out to the deceased's family so that they know of their loved ones passing before wood, cloth, and oil was gathered so they may be cremated and their ashes take their souls above the clouds to Orkan. The time to mourn for the fallen however is short, for the invaders are sure to return in retaliation. With this in mind Holy Lord Phoenix, blessed be his name, making sure that the walls of the Fist of Orkan were repaired as quickly as humanly possible and a supply caravan setup.

Now all that was left to do was wait for their foe to arrive, while also hoping allied reinforcement came to bolster their forces. This is where we find Joseph taking the time to look over the fortress of Orkan's fist, feeling great pain in seeing the once grand fort now nearly burnt to the ground, its walls now crumbling and buildings in need of reconstruction from the ground up.

Truly these invaders were not to be underestimated, for any force to even dare challenge the holy nation must be a powerful one indeed. While deep in his thoughts a servant ran in and bent down to one knee "Holy Phoenix, I bring news that the Hive has sent a force to assist us!"

"The Hive? Of course, the insect fish lovers are the first to answer the call." The Lord Phoenix said out loud, the Hive have always been ones to exploit an opportunity when they see one, whether that was a good thing or not depends on your own experiences with them. But as much as Lord Phoenix dislikes the bugmen, he was none the less pleased to know that the Holy nation would not be fighting alone. "So when will they arrive? I need to make sure the men prepare for them."

The servant seemed too sweet slightly "Their...already here my lord..." The Phoenix stopped all movement, standing as still as a statue. "I'm sorry what? Please repeat that again." Hearing the cold sound of his lord's voice the servant spoke softly "T-The hive force is already here, m-my lord."

With an annoyed sigh, the Holy Phoenix dismissed the servant who silently thanked Orkan before taking their leave, leaving Joseph to prepare for the annoyance of speaking with whoever the Queen of the Hive had appointed as 'commander'.

Stepping out of his tent that was flanked by two guards the Phoenix waved for them to follow as he made his way past troops taking the time to rest and converse with one another. Joseph did not need to even go that far from where he had started before hearing the sound of beakthings screeching and hivers clicking at each other.

What the hive in lack of discipline they make up for in shocking skill and unwavering devotion to their Queens. Making way past the normal hive he idly noticed that their gear was of much higher quality than what they normally sell to outsiders. It's no secret that the hive makes their own gear better then what they make for the rest of the races of Kenshi, but in this case, he can't be mad, for when at war the hive can be quite formidable from what he has heard.

"Like what you see?" The Phoenix turned to see an hiver, a southern prince given the more purple coloration than the more tan color that the western hive have. Another give away that this prince was from the south hive was their purple Armoured Rags and hive chain shirt underneath as well as the tribal mark on their face, something that most western hive don't normally have.

"It's, an adequate force." Phoenix said while the southern prince walked closer before stopping a few feet away. "The Queens are sure to be pleased when hearing of your compliments to the army they provided." The southern prince said while extending a hand "I'm Fish catcher, I'll be fighting alongside your forces against this invader."

Seeing the harmless gesture the Phoenix grasped the hand of politeness more than anything else. "I hope you prove your worth then." As they conversed a sentinel watched from afar while eating ration pack. "Don't know why we're even working with you bugmen." They said to the soldier drone sitting next to him chowing down on a dried fish. "Why not fight with an hiver human," the soldier drone asked, taking another bite out of the delicious fish.

"Just stay out of our way when battle starts, don't want any of your blood staining my clothes." The sentinel said while the soldier drone just seemed to be in its own world, far more preoccupied with eating its fish then what the human next to it had to say.

Noticing this the sentinel sighed, trying to talk with a hive was like talking to a river raptor, they're more focused on eating than being concerned with the world around them. Back with the southern prince and Lord Phoenix they finished up their talk and parted way. "Well, at least we can trust them to stand fast against our foes." He thought while wondering how the other nations of kenshi were reacting to this.

Those thoughts had to wait, however, for a hive beakthing rider came right up next to him looking slightly panicked "Big army, with shields and beasts coming this way!" The Phoenix grumbled, of well at least now was a good chance to see for himself what these invaders were like.

"Sound the alarm, make sure everyone is ready for battle hiver." With a nod, the beakthing rider rode out while the Phoenix pulled out his sword and gave it a look over. The time for battle was closer then his would like, but if Orkan wishes it, they will win, no matter the cost.