The Battle Begins

Crimson blossom looked down from the window of her base towards her army, a grand collection of over 400 demons. If this army were to be deployed in full into creation there would be mass panic and the dragon-blooded would try to face the army with their wyld hunt. It might even work as it her opinion the army was incomplete, if it had second or third circle demons in it then it might be complete but as she lacked them (playing along with the rules she didn't technically have to) the army wasn't complete. Should the full force enter creation, complete with second and third circle demons; it is likely at least that direction of creation would fall.

She turned back to her war room. Her command staff which were not "forces" so she was free to keep them near her. She had a few skilled tactitians but none that were famous. Along with them were about two dozen smaller demons that would carry her orders to the troops. Each of these smaller demons had a pair of wings so all they would do is jump out the window and head for the group she was giving an order to.

Crimson blossom checked the time. A minute left. She watched that hand of the clock make a somewhat jerky movement around the circle. In the last few seconds she walked to the banister rail on the window and called out just as the minute passed "Go! Kill! Destroy!"

With those words of encouragement the demons moved out like a tide as they all moved to follow that plan as it was layed out before. Each of her Talons of assorted demons moved in it's own way. One charged down the street towards Rin's base. One went through the buildings as their strength combined could smash through any wall. The Last was going under the layer, they had dropped through a hole and would be following that "Underground" route to Rin's Base.

Crimson blossom looked down the road and a messenger demon flew beside her to inform her "The first Talon has encountered the enemy, It looks like a loose Talon of assorted demons much like your first Talon but judging by our sight it is more accurate to say the enemy is two Scales of such."

Crimson blossom nodded before speaking herself "Very well, get back out there again then. And if your next report was as needlessly long I will kill you."

The demon flew away in a panic but she just called another to her to hear her orders. The demon flew up, clearly scared, and listened as she gave orders to it "You, go to the crew of the cannon, tell them to fire at the enemy scales."

The demon flew away quickly "Of course my lady."

Moments passed as she waited for more information to come through.

Eventually some did, a messenger demon flew up "More enemies identified, A scale made entirely of blood-apes. They are aiming for the cannon."

Crimson blossom nodded "Keep the cannon away from them and deploy the Tomescu to defeat them." The demon bowed and flew off. At least Rin was actually playing her game, that made this so much easier in her opinion.

There came a rumble like an earthquake and a large fissure started opening that would cut the road in two. Crimson blossom moved quickly, she sent orders for her forces to split so that none of them would fall into the opening pit. Slowly the pit widened further and some great appendage reached through the hole. It squished forces on both side of the battle but it seemed like Rin's forces were already falling back. They must have expected this.

A demon came in with a new report "The Behemoth is one named the 'Eater of stone' it seems to have already destroyed your talon that tried to take the route below the plate." Crimson blossom cursed and the news and gave orders quickly "Retarget the cannon and get my long range demons into the fight, we need to drive the beast off." The demon nodded and flew off.

More time passed and Crimson blossom was starting to pace around the war room. Her tacticians glanced at each other, not wanting to anger her further most of them left to take command of some force or another. By doing this they would become "Forces" and not be allowed in her presence. They were really just running away. A few stayed however and took over responding to the messenger demons as Crimson blossom sat in her chair.

One of the tacticians heard something and passed it along "My lady, when our essence cannon fired it gave away it's position. It is now being fired upon by an enemy lightning ballista."

Crimson blossom sighed "Any good news?"

The tactician nodded "The main fight between our first and second talents is pushing through their defenses and the fight is occuring away from the Eater of Stone. They have a scale and a half of defenders but another scale came to reinforce."

Crimson blossom asked "What are the status on our Tomescu and their blood-apes?"

A different tactician answered "Our forces in that clash are slowly falling back, we simply don't have the numbers when fighting those blood-apes."

More time passed as the sound of combat raged outside, finally good news came "We broke through! One of our scales has managed to push through their lines and has sent as force directly to the enemy base. Should we target the ballista?"

Shaking her head, Crimson blossom spoke "No, target the enemy commander directly, let's end this fight."

The orders went out and Crimson blossom waited with a happy smile. Her soul wasn't happy of course. The name 'Sakura' was in tears. Crimson blossom didn't care.

A messenger came in shivering with nerves. Crimson blossom looked expectantly "Well, is she dead."

The demon took a breath before speaking "They are not there. The enemy base is completely empty!"

"WHAT?" Crimson blossom yelled and swung her spear. The demon was isntantly turned to dust. In her heart 'Sakura' felt like singing.

Crimson blossom yelled into her war room "Find Her! Kill Her! Don't let her escape!"

The room quickly emptied, everyone deploying to the front line until only one demon was left. A Demon made of silver fire known as a Gilmyne.

"What?" Crimson blossom asked with annoyance.

The Gilmyne only looked evenly at her before speaking one word "Checkmate, dear sister."

End of chapter

Next chapter is basically going to start with Rin's version of events before continuing on.