The Warriors of the Flying Sand
Despite the early shock from the falling star-like magic, the qiraji managed to prepare their defenses in a surprisingly organized way. The fortifications crumbled beneath the druids' rain of desolation but before long the prophets were able to return the favor. The barrages of black fire, the mind-shattering horrors and the shifting of the sands greeted the enemy casters. Knowing that this battle wouldn't be decided by magi, both sides begun to gather their forcesF for a confrontation, the night elves having a slight advantage time advantage.
Danoxx and Va'rel's squads had once again been ordered to work together in case of an attack. When it eventually came, they were supposed to gather on the southeastern side of the camp. The Unseen were no expert melee fighters so even in a case of battle, their job would be to cause chaos beneath the enemy ranks.
"So Danoxx, it seems you're still alive despite your pitiful mission and just punishment?" Va'rel didn't even try to hide his deep schadenfreude at his fellow squad leader's failure. Despite the two leaders' frosty relationship, there was no real bad blood between the other members of the two squads. The two armies were slowly approaching on their left, the sun burning agonizingly hot on their backs.
"Yes I am, Va'rel… Unlike you, we actually had other job than just dying in vain." Danoxx didn't want to underrate the sacrifices of his dead comrades but Va'rel had to be put in line.
"Which you squandered! Which gives you no right to insult those who gave their lives away!" Va'rel tried to grab Danoxx's throat to teach him a lesson, a move which was countered by Danoxx grabbing of his chela.
"We may continue this later, Va'rel, but right now we have a battle to fight!"
Danoxx had no real desire to continue the conversation but his interruption came due to the battle of the casters beginning to die out. Additionally, he hoped to salvage some of his name in the beginning battle. Va'rel took a look at the forming battlefield but said nothing. He knew Danoxx was right.
"Very well, let's go! We have some druids to kill" Danoxx waved his companions to follow him.
"The mission is on! Make the Creator proud!" Va'rel's voice was much more demanding and less friendly. However, the effect on both groups was similar. Even if the High Ambushers had different leading styles, their subordinates trusted and respected them completely.
Since the armies' reunification at Silithus, General Rajaxx had taken the command of the war effort. Pax'lish had been appointed his second-in-command but was firmly under the General's orders. Rajaxx was the master of the gladiators, towering over every other member of his kind. His skill in melee fighting was unparalleled by any other qiraji. He had commanded countless battles and his few defeats were dwarfed by his impressive list of victories and personal acts of heroism. The general was incredibly ancient, probably one of the oldest ones living qiraji who had been born after the War of Inception.
His gaze was fixed on the approaching night elf army. He knew that they would probably overwhelm the qiraji if the latter didn't receive significant reinforcements. The General's mouth formed a deeply anticipating smile. Reinforcements were indeed on their way and once they arrived, the elves would have a completely different view of the outcome of the war.
Among the shifting sands of Silithus, the eight Unseen moved about a dozen meters apart from each other, in a formation which resembled parallelogram. This way their sight of their surroundings would me maximized. Each of them had their own fears about the battle but the druids' true power was one of the more common ones. Would the Khar'sis be able to sense their approach? Would they be expected at all? Apparently the Unseen had suffered massive casualties lately so perhaps the elves thought they were as good as dead already?
While Va'rel was in many ways similar to Ra'jol, impatience wasn't a "virtue" they shared. The former one was a well like collaborator as he never made a hasty move or decision. He wanted to make sure that his service to the Creator wouldn't be cut short by his stupidity. Danoxx always thought about his comrades' chance of survival before making decisions as long as it didn't completely compromise the mission's success.
"At least some of the druids have gathered on those series of hills. I'd say poisoned knives are our best chance to take them out." Va'rel spoke normally as the crystals only worked with his own squad, meaning that Danoxx's group wouldn't hear the message.
"Wasps could do extra damage when the enemy's in disarray." Danoxx answered to him. The leaders were in the center of the leading line, only a few meters from each other.
"Yes, that might work." Va'rel answered simply, not willing to waste any time on unneeded babbling. Even if his patience wasn't growing thin, he wanted to get things done as soon as possible. The druids were not far from the qiraji, their eyes fixed on the beginning battle, beginning to change their destructive spells into healing ones.
That's needs to stop immediately! Our fighters cannot be allowed to die for nothing!
Rajaxx was thrilled beyond measure. He was in the lead of the qiraji army and the first to have engaged the elves in the ongoing melee. Some of the more fearful elves had even tried to get away from him during the charge but they only broke the elf army's ranks. Three Kaldorei had been crushed in the initial contact and the general's killing spree didn't slow in the slightest.
"You think any of you bastards are any match for us? You think you may contain us? Come here and I'll show you our power!
Rajaxx grinned sadistically as his enemies tried to back down. The thick enemy ranks thwarted any plans of escape. Rajaxx's massive chelae swept and crushed enemies beyond measure. Screams of horror were evident when he severed Sentinel's legs from his body.
"Left flank, be careful! Take out that group of elves that's trying to outflank you! The ones around me, form a defensive position! Our reinforcements are arriving in any moment, hold the line until then!"
Rajaxx's thundering voice rang through the battlefield, carrying wise and newly-made strategies for his troops and deeply chilling threats to his enemies. No matter what the enemy or the battlefield was, the towering general was always the centerpiece of the battle, the leader of the qiraji and the main focus for the enemy. Many had tried to take him down but the General's deep-blue armor was a marvel in itself. It was made of finest thorium and it had many perfect enchanted rubies planted in it. Additionally, it hold the greatest blessings of every civilization of Kalimdor. His immense size, legendary fighting skills and a nearly impenetrable armor made him one of the most dangerous foes in all of Kalimdor.
"Left side, break their ranks! The enemy is starting to waver!
Even if the initial balance of power favored the elves, his forces had heroically held their ground. Rajaxx was pleased: with the reinforcements' arrival, the day would be theirs.
"Father, let me join the battle! We must make a breakthrough now! I'll serve better in the battlefield than here!" Valstann's voice was more persuasive than pleading but still carried a clear message. The Staghelms were following and leading the battle on the edge of the Southwind village, just behind their army.
"As a druid you'll serve better by healing the wounded. The battle is already ours: their numbers are simply too small, even with that giant berserker. There's no need for you to die in vain."
"But the big one will kill hundreds of us before this is over! We cannot ignore it!" Valstann was concerned of the possible casualties that more than likely would be heavy.
"There isn't anything we can do, either. I've checked it already, he's immune to all of our spells. He'll fall in battle soon enough, anyway."
Valstann frowned heavily at his father's comment. He might be right about the battle's outcome but the casualties would be unnecessarily big, at least as far as he was concerned.
After the fiasco of Feralas, Sirexx was relieved to see that at least something went according to plans. Their late arrival had lulled the druids into a false sense of security. He could simply observe their movements and weak points from a small distance, his presence completely lost to the overconfident group of druids. The job of the High Ambushers
would be easy as it was their job to strike first. The elves clearly thought they were safe from any surprises.
Wrong conclusion, you heathen scum!
Va'rel carried a distinct loathing to all of his enemies. If they had been unfortunate enough to have ended in that kind of relationship, they were either enemies of the Creator or total weaklings which were both of the two features he couldn't stand. Va'rel didn't feel happiness at the sight of his poisoned dagger but a distinct sense of satisfaction filled him. The High Ambusher didn't stop for a moment for he would not rest until he had taken out as many enemies as he could. Very soon the druid ranks would fall into a chaos as their comrades begun falling one by one.
Ra'jol was happy to see that their surprise attack had begun promisingly. He was stationed a hundred meters to Va'rel's left so when the disorder begun to spread, a great opportunity opened for him to take a few enemies out. The attack, however, had to be swift and silent or the druids would have enough time to kill him. The distraction proved to be more than enough for a competent Unseen to do the job.
The druids looked in confusion to their left when the left flank begun to waver and cries of pain begun to make themselves heard. The druids didn't abandon their posts nor did they stop their healing but the moment of distraction was all Ra'jol needed. A few gurgling sounds were all that could be heard from the two elves whose throats were pierced by a knife.
A few moments later both of the High Ambushers gave the orders for their squads to withdraw. The attack had been successful but any further lingering would end up in the Unseens' elimination. If the battle wouldn't end before then, the qiraji would strike again and again until either of the two sides had been depleted completely.
Fandral took a grim look at the druids' handling of the situation. They seemed to have forgotten that they were actually in a battlefield and thus in a clear danger themselves. The Archdruid usually was a supportive leader but mistakes of this magnitude irritated him greatly.
"Even with those fools' idiotism the qiraji won't stand a chance. Their mistake was merely their own." Fandral's voice was firm and unapologizing. Valstann was far more sympathetic to the deceased ones but he had to agree they made fateful mistakes.
"The wind is rising. The sand will soon cloud our vision." Valstann wanted to turn the subject on other but equally important matter.
"No matter. The nature will tell us enough, at least until the last qiraji crumbles before us." Fandral used "we" even if he was the only one capable of communicating with the qiraji earth.
"Third regiment, step back! Hold the line at all costs! Prophets on the right, contain the black fires! They're moving towards the fourteenth regiment!"
Rajaxx was nearly unscathed despite the fierce fighting. He stood like an unbreakable mountain of blue, swiping his enemies like they were only grains of sand in the desert. Meanwhile, the beginning sandstorm confirmed one thing to the General: the battle was all but decided.
The elves facing the colossal qiraji might have known that the victory was near but the presence of such a harbinger of death made them shiver in despair. Each of their thoughts were focused on dodging the massive chelae and the sandstorm made their situation even worse. The situation continued for a couple of minutes…until they saw something that made them freeze in terror.
Massive shadows appeared in the whirlwind of sand and dirt. At first the elves might have dismissed them as some kind of illusion of light but they approached at an alarming rate. Additionally, the earth begun to tremble: as if hundreds of massive creatures were on the move. The elves looked in utter shock and disbelief as the newcomers arrived. The last thing the elves on the frontline saw were the feet of a colossal being, its other features never to be seen by their first victims.
"What… the hell are those…?" Ke'nir asked in awe. Dozens of statue-like creatures joining the qirajis' side of battle was a sight that filled him with jubilation but also horror. If they had beings of this power on their side, what other secrets they would have in store?
"Our job is done. Soon the elves won't be even fit to be food for the scarabs." Va'rel didn't hide his exhilaration at the unfolding massacre. He seemed almost friendly when he witnessed another victory for the Creator. Danoxx stayed silent. His sentiments echoed those of Ke'nir's but he also felt relieved to know that their job was done for today.
Sirexx was completely terrified. Beings of such magnitude were extremely rare and hard to control. If they would be used against the qiraji themselves, the consequences would be apocalyptic. Not only that but this kind of show of power would quell even the least dissent.
A jackal-resembling face. The green eyes and long ears. The white garments hanging from their shoulders. The almighty hands and their immense size drilled deep into Fandral's mind. The sight of them kicking his troops into the next world filled Fandral with dread. Even if he was a highly seasoned general, he was completely stunned for a moment. After a while, he could hear Valstann yelling the order the army was executing even hearing the order. A mass panic had taken over them all.
"Retreat! Fall back into Southwind, fast! We will try to stop the monstrosities before they reach it!" Moments like these are something that no leader can ever get used to. Hundreds dying because of your dismissal of one scenario, never mind how unlikely it had seemed. All that was left was to try to save as many as he could.
Rajaxx had vacated his position as the center of the battle. He had begun to retreat because any of the qiraji would only be on the way of their mighty pawns. The General had no power over them so the only order he could give was an orderly and safe retreat. The jackal-faced statues led the onslaught. Uncomfortably for him, only the strongest of the prophets could give them orders.
A dreary thought… Even I would be crushed beneath them and I have no way to command them! Since when did I become a walkover!? Well, the battle is won and that is what matters for now.
Immensely bright barrages of falling starlight covered the entrance to the Southwind village. Anyone standing in a radius of a hundred meters could feel the burn of the falling light and the trembling of the ground. All of the druids casting the spell of great power felt guilt and sorrow as they knew they were saving only a part of their army. They simply could not risk the walking monstrosities entering their stronghold. The consequences of such a scenario were too terrible to contemplate.
The few surviving elves from the frontline watched in horror and retirement. The thought of being denied escape from certain death by their own comrades filled them with utter despair. At this moment the only order that rang in their minds was the primal urge to live, to see another day. Had they had the time to reflect on their situation, some of the elves might have noticed something beautiful in the fact that they escaped death towards the essence of their goddess, Elune. The Children of the Stars, or the Kaldorei in their language, would meet their end under the falling stars, their raw yet enchanting power enveloping them and their enemies undiscriminatingly.
But the elves wouldn't even have the comfort of being able to take their killers with them. The living statues stopped as they approached the wall of dark blue destruction. They slowly surrounded the survivors and drove them toward the wall. The few who refused to willingly walk into their doom were taken down by the seemingly invincible enemy.
"So this it." A night elf sentinel sighed in deep sorrow to her comrade and friend.
"I guess. Of all the ways and places to die, it has to be this hellhole. Trapped by our own troops…" Her words were angry but her voice was already beaten.
"We'll try to fight them until our last bone shatters. Let's show these monstrosities how a true Sentinel fights!"
"We will… We'll meet again in Elune's domain. For Vordanaar!"
The two night elves charged towards the approaching enemy, only seeing their legs that crushed the elves' friends. Sickening sounds of crushing bones were all that could be heard around them but they didn't care. It was only a couple of seconds, however, before it was their turn. Before the two friends could see what was happening, the fists of the massive statues wiped them to the next world.
The devastation was complete. Under the dying sandstorm could be seen the handwork of the new fighters. Judging by the number of the corpses, the victory was a major one for the qiraji. The statues were finishing their job and only now could their total number be estimated. There were about a hundred of the mysterious killing machines. The wall of falling stars was still unrelenting as the elves couldn't risk the enemy entering their village.
The faces of the qiraji were mixed in deep reverence and surprise. They were happy to see that the newcomers were on their side but curious about their origin. The elves, on the other hand, were shivering in sorrow and defeat, completely in loss after the crushing defeat. Whereas from the qiraji side could be heard voices of jubilation and happiness, the elves' silence was only broken by voices of sobbing and questions about their most likely dead comrades. The sight was inconsolable.
The qiraji were still recovering the wounded from the battlefield and giving them the best treatment they could when the bell rang once again. This time, however, the General was standing next to it, implicating he had something to say after the victory.
"Heroic defenders of Ahn'Qiraj! Today you have been blessed in the way no one has been ever before! Our saviors, the unbeatable constructs of living stone, were gifted to you by their divine majesties, the Twin Emperors!"
Audible gasping could be heard from the qiraji army. The Emperors were content of myths, never seen or never heard about. If they were behind their new allies, they had to be stronger than any enemy or ally. Rajaxx devoted his speech to celebrate the victory and to acknowledge the instruments of their triumph. His brilliantly blue armor was covered in the blood of his enemies, testament to his legendary ferocity.
"Our beloved rulers have for centuries without end researched the items of power you and your forefathers have brought to us from your missions! No one has ever before been able to breathe life into stone, a feat only possible to such magnificent beings! But this achievement wouldn't have been possible without their devoted subjects' loyalty." The General's praising voice quickly turned into what seemed to be a genuine sign of acknowledgement from the mighty qiraji.
Most of the Unseen had already rejoined the main force and listened to Rajaxx's words with deep relief at the fact that they were hearing it. Va'rel and Ra'jol felt the deepest pride at the acknowledgment and greatest respect at the Emperors' efforts. None of the Unseen was left totally unimpressed at their leader's heartfelt speech. Alt'hesh, who was standing on the right side of the Unseen ranks, seemed to cringe slightly but otherwise his expression was as triumphant as the others'. No one could read his real thoughts unless they really wanted to see signs of blasphemy in them.
"This is what it means to be a servant of the holy Creator! We pulled a victory from the jaws of defeat with weapons like none of our enemies will ever see! The Emperors were the first, the mightiest, of the Creator's servants and their help turned today into a triumph. But remember: you don't have to be an almighty being of divine power to leave your mark on history! Today you, like your forefathers all those thousands of years ago, made history which will one day be a legend."
The wall of falling starlight was finally beginning to fade away as the living statues begun to back away from it. Their mission was done for today and they began to approach the qiraji army. In the distance could be seen the beginnings of giant fortifications. The elves wasted no time in securing their positions.
"But only if we win this war. The invading elves still try to seek our total extermination. No one would have right to ask more of you but we have no choice. We must push this army of conquerors far north and claim their lands! Only this way will we and the Creator's will be safe! Failure to do so will completely undo everything you, your ancestors and the Creator has ever done!"
A condemning chorus of cries echoed from the huge crowd. The elves goals were known since the start of the war but the General's words were like a final confirmation to them. There would be no mercy, no compromise. Not for the hated enemy.
"And the Emperors' creations will help us do just that. Soon there will be thousands of them, more than there will be elves! They will not stand a chance! We will march from victory to victory with the invincible Anubisath!"