Chapter 14: Storming Heaven's Court

With the hustle and bustle of their various preparations, Prince was sure to have the various mage barriers up at all times. Once or twice there were reports of a flickering of lightning above them, but it never led to anything of consequence. Were they just warning sparkles? Or were they greetings? Either way, he was certain that Menace knew they were there.

Still, despite knowing they had now taken the initiative to strike, even though striking was clearly within their capabilities. If it was that person, they should not be hesitating now. Was it just because the continuous barrage had weakened them to that extent?

Regardless of what was what and for why, Prince was nearly at the point to send the first wave, although the initial hurdle was that translucent pathway… could he really trust that it was still there? That and those two stone dragon statues that held it – they gave him a bad feeling the first time, but now it was even more so. Something about them was… no, it had to be his imagination.

"First squad, to me!" he yelled out loudly. The assaulting force this time was set up in at least 23 units, each with their own mix of players that complimented one another. The first squad was an assembly of mercenary players and ruffians that simply didn't want to be here under orders. Because of that reason alone, they demanded to have a chance to strike at the enemy first. Frankly, he thought it was better that way, as he didn't want to lead the charge this time.

"Fifteenth squad, surround and wait for my command!" Prince watched the second primary assault squad that specialized in not close quarter battles but long range, as they made their way along the edges of the ring of the rise. Their task would be an all around first bombardment of the inner area to allow the first squad time to make entry. After that, their goal would be to protect themselves and put a seal over the battlefield, hopefully with a strong enough barrier against Angel's 'Lightning Crown'. If they didn't manage to stop that area attack, the mages on the inside would not be able to protect the warriors and priests that were needed to fight and heal, respectively.

"Second, third, fifth, and eighth squads, stand by!" It was hard to remember the various numbers, but this was just to address those who would actually be fighting it all out. A lot of the other squads and teams were designed to ferry goods from the base camps spread along the way and to escort wounded players from the battlefield before they get the chance to die. The task of providing momentary cover to all those in need went as well.

While the various members of the first squad began to assemble before him, he also noticed the three land dragons they had brought with them, and how they had grown anxious. Had they sensed that a fight was drawing closer? He wasn't entirely sure, but it seemed that he would find out soon enough. He only hoped that when he did it wasn't beneath their claws…

Soon the command would ring out, and any chances to start again would be lost with this final assault. Giving those that had assembled before one final look; he noted that they were as prepared for battle as any before. It made him feel like a proud parent (he was starting to feel teary-eyed as well, but decided to keep out the strong-guy façade for as long as he was capable of it).

With his eyes turned to Heaven's Court across the translucent bridge, he almost expected a pre-emptive strike from their side, but it was still completely silent. It and the other mysteries before it only worried him more. But worries were not for the present any long.

Thrusting his fist into the air, he readied his forces. Then just as quickly, he let it fall, his finger pointing them forward towards their destination.

"NOW!!"

With a tremendous rendering of the thin air, hundreds of long range attacks varying from different elements, arrows, enchanted spears, bombs, and so much more… all seemingly finding their mark on the other side as the entire platform quaked with violent force. Then, just as violently as it had begun, it stopped, and the first squad charged forward. However, it was only in the last moment of the charge that Prince felt an abnormal feeling in his gut.

Almost as soon as the first foot had fallen on the translucent bridge, a soft crack barely audible above the roars of the players had spelled the doom of the first wave, as a monstrous clawed hand emerged from its stone confines and gripped the edge of the bridge. With a simple pull over, everyone on the bridge had lost their sense of balance, nearly falling over the edge in some cases. However, just before they could move forward or fall back, the same happened with the other statue, and a clawed hand jerked the bridge the other way. And that's all it took.

At once, in the midst of the stone skin flaking away and revealing the stone dragon statues for the gargoyle dragons they really were, players of the first squad began falling like loose gravel from the side of a mountain side, disappearing into the mists below them without a chance to cry out. Moreover, before those behind them could even hope to adjust, the gargoyles took to the air, one landing in the midst of those left on the bridge, and the other on the edge of the ring. Coupled with their size and claws, it wasn't long until the panicked screams resounded through the forward ranks, and the beams of light filled the air around them.

Completely obliterated already, their formation was rapidly dissolving as the battle ensued on the edge of everything. The hot – yet cold – breath of the creatures nearly claimed Prince's hand, as he attempted to call out to the others, to regain control of the dismal situation. However, just before he could get a word in edgewise, the land dragons before broke free of their retainers, and jumped into the fray, successfully adding to the body count as their massive forms plowed others over the edge and into white streaks in the sky.

"KENSHIN!"

Raising his voice against the overwhelming throng of those gathered, he summoned his ally just as the rampaging titans were about to turn him into the meat paste that was held within those buns he loved so dearly – vanishing into thin air, only to reappear just away from it all. He looked up to the NPC with grateful eyes, before finding something else to say beside his thanks.

"Help the others!" he shouted out, "Mages, to me! Fall back! Priests, Clergy, all squads, re-group!" He cursed under his breath as the brawling creatures thrashed into the heart of their siege camp. However, it appeared as though the land dragons were successfully overwhelming their opponents. He only wished they had chosen somewhere else to fall-

"That's it!" He looked around and saw that they were fighting just before the opening of the entrance pathway to this area. "Mages, long range force attack those things! Push them over the edge!"

"But if we do that, it'll affect those trying to come up –" said one of the girl sorceresses next to him.

"It can't be helped…" he said regrettably. "Our forces here will be annihilated otherwise!"

She gave him a nod and others in the proximity agreed as well, shouting their various spells and sending the five combatants sprawling over the edge, certain to continue their battle all the way to the large plateau below. He only hoped that the relay point there would survive, and maybe help to defeat the gargoyle creatures. Any re-enforcements would have to come when they could.

Prince gritted his teeth as he glanced around. Just in that little upset nearly a third of their assault force was taken out, and another third looked wounded. The various supplies they had brought also looked smashed… but there were still players that could heal, and others could still fight. Luckily those sealing the sky demon's lair were unharmed… but it was unclear how long their powers would last without re-supply.

If there was a window to attack the time was now, before Angel and the rest of Menace had a chance to recover.

"Mages! Who has earth and wood abilities?! Come to the sky chasm if you do!"

Despite the various injuries and personal damage, they assembled rather quickly.

"Build a bridge that works for us – if you can, that is!" Said Prince feeling a bit desperate. He was wondering why he didn't think about it before, especially when it would have made things easier.

In little time at all it was finished, and Prince gathered together the various pieces of the sixteen remaining squads.

"We're going," he said simply, "if anyone wishes to turn back, now is the only time to do so. But those who feel like me… I will win this. I will not give in, I will not bow*.

"I won't blame those who wish to run. But for all others, will you come with me?"

There were various murmurs of the affirmative, and some even stated that it was only natural. Relieve by this, Prince led the group forward and across the new entrance bridge into Heaven's Court. However, whether thanks to the assault from the fifteenth squad or another thing, Heaven's Court was mostly in ruin. All the splendor that once existed here was broken or destroyed. The great pillars broken and collapsed, the gardens and fountains dead and lifeless… even the ground was cracked and parched. It was almost as if… the land itself was dying.

"Ah, Prince," said a familiar voice happily from at the far end, "I was wondering who had come to battle, I'm happy you chose not to abandon me."

"Angel..." Prince said with dislike. He raised his sword level with his arm and pointed it at her throat. She was – once again – all alone. "Are you ready to die by my hand today? You'll find that I'm… different than I was before."

Angel smiled as she lifted herself from her chair, a familiar looking arc of electricity streamed between her hands and the chair, before breaking off. She tilted her head slightly, almost looking as though pitying him.

"Really?" She touched her lips and held back a laugh. "Well, we'll see about that. Won't we?"

*****

A/N (8/19/09): The fight starts next time.

*This was my theme song for Prince's feelings for the latter part of this chapter. Breaking Benjamin's new song – "I will not bow", it's a good one, so go listen to it if you can.