2327 Imperial Calander, Ranma Pov
Ranma gazed in wonder at the Capital of Ulthuan, Lothern, the Asur's largest and wealthiest city, the gateway into the inner kingdoms and the place through which all trade with other races came through, the seat of the current Pheonix King Finubar the Seafarer.
It was unquestionably the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, white stone rose from the ground into elegant walls and towers, gold, blue, royal red and many other colors were splashed around the place in a way that made them become part of the city rather than sticking out like a sore thumb. If the term picture perfect was ever appropriate, then it was here.
The Tower of Hoeth, while an impressive site, was designed to be a fortress both physically and magically, to protect the knowledge within even if it was partly an administrative center as the capital of the Kingdom of Saphery. Lothern while defensive was designed to be a city worthy of being a capital of an Empire to showcase its wealth, splendor and power, to highlight both to other races and lesser nobles how much more magnificent and greater the Pheonix King was compared to them. In that it certainly succeeded, I saw dozens of fortresses, minor towns and fancy mansions for the nobility on the way here and none could compare to the spectacle that was Lothern.
I shifted in my armor and atop my horse. It was decided I would be disguised as a Loremaster, as nobody wanted to explain what a human was doing outside the Foreigner's Quarters and why Teclis was trying to bring a human into the Pheonix King's presence, that would cause a great deal of delays. To ensure that I remain male as my female form wouldn't be able to fit in the armor I was surrounded by charms and spells that repelled liquids, to the point the mages claimed that even if I was dropped into the ocean, I wouldn't get wet. But with my curse? I didn't want to risk it as water seemed to find me and even move uphill to get at me. Me and the Loremaster's learned I should stay well away from windows that are beside a training yard as somehow every time I walked past one and someone was practicing water magic in the yard, I would get hit. At least twenty windows were destroyed as water blasted through the glass, amusing but expensive. Even with the spells I am half expecting the sea monster that is living around here Amanar to wake up and spit water at me.
The most obvious thing in Lothern was the various gates that protected access to the harbor and Inner Sea, something that even the Druchii with their many invasions and mighty navy failed to break, a city they were never able to take even when they were outside its walls. The first of these mighty Gates was the Emerald Gate covered with war machines such as the Eagle Claw Repeater Bolt Thrower and patrolled day and night by Lothern Seaguard. The second of these Gates was the Saphire Gate, a beautiful construction made of silver embedded with sapphires. The third and final Gate was the Ruby Gate and between these gates was the Harbor, a giant one, capable of holding thousands of ships with countless wharfs, warehouses and other harbor facilities in it. A pair of two-hundred-foot-high statues of the Pheonix King and the Everqueen faced each other across the entrance of the bay with other statues of the Asur Gods lining the rest of the bay, which I was told would glow white at night with the exception of Khaine, as for some reason the designers and mages that enchanted that statue decided to make his hands and eyes glow red instead.
I understood the reason why Khaine was so singled out amongst the gods if even half of what I read and heard about the Druchii were true, plus his own reputation as the god of murder but there are ways to make it less obvious after all Khaine was still their war god and considering the Asur are permanently at war at the moment continually insulting him or pretending he doesn't exist wouldn't convince him to help you.
I sighed at least I wouldn't have to be involved in some ceremony or go to the throne room since Teclis arranged for a more private meeting, something that only very high ranking or influential people could possibly arrange, luckily Teclis is both.
As we rode, I could see we were getting quite a bit of attention although most of it was on Teclis, he did have a fairly unique get-up that made him stand out from the rest of the mages and Loremaster's and I doubted that there wasn't an elf on Ulthuan who hadn't at least heard of Teclis.
However, I noticed something else as well, there were many Asur on the streets, but the streets weren't... busy, I saw many buildings that looked like they were in pristine condition, but they were empty, I couldn't sense even an echo of anything living in those buildings meaning they had been abandoned for quite some time. The city, while not a ghost town, still felt and looked fairly empty, hopefully that situation would be rectified.
I looked towards the place that towered over the rest of the city, the palace, the center of the Asur empire.
…...Tyrion Pov
My brother likes to be mysterious like nearly all mages, I snorted what is with mages and being so ambiguous, it was like their life goal was to drive people mad with frustration. At least my brother was less mysterious to me, our bond ensured it was impossible to outright lie to each other, so as long as I could make him give me a slightly plain answer, I could figure the information out.
However, this was unusual for Teclis as he was being extra secretive and cautious with this visit and for now him, his liege Finubar, his not so secret lover Alerielle the Everqueen and Korhil Captain of the White Lions in a private room that had been secured from all forms of eavesdropping whether physical or magical.
Eventually there was a knock on the door "My Lords and Lady, Loremaster Teclis has arrived" and the door was opened and in strode my brother with an infuriating enigmatic smile and another Loremaster who he didn't recognize.
They both bowed to Finubar and Alerielle as while this was a more informal setting than the throne room or the council chambers certain decorum's and manners still needed to be performed.
"Well brother why have you asked for this meeting?" I asked hoping to get to the point so I wouldn't have to suffer any headaches from trying to decipher what he was saying.
"Well, the main reason I asked for this meeting was this" Teclis said placing a single vial of a blue potion on the table.
"What is it?" Finubar asked his face impassive, but I would be willing to bet he was as curious as me, what could be so important about a single potion.
"This is a fertility potion, a potion that guarantees pregnancy once consumed, we have already tested it on three couples and has worked as intended with one of the couples giving birth to twin girls" he announced, to a now stunned room. My face along with the other three people's faces had gone slack with surprise but as the implications of the potion went through their heads, he could feel hope blossoming in his chest.
This, this could change everything, the Asur's greatest weakness was lack of numbers, and everyone knew they were a dwindling race but with this they could reverse that. It would take time but maybe in time they would finally be able to launch an offensive against those Gods damned Druchii and wipe them from the face of the world like they deserve.
"It goes without saying that the ingredients must be farmed and harvested if we are going to procure the potion in anything approaching the amount we would want and need and the best way to accomplish that would be with royal patronage and funding. It must also be secured so the Druchii would be unable to sabotage any part of the production" Teclis said and explained.
This seemed to knock the shock out of the royal pair "Of course" Finubar said starting to regain his composure "you will have my full support to ensure the creation of the necessary farms and facilities to create and safeguard this potion" "And mine as well" Alerielle stated, her support would be pivotal I thought, as the Everqueen she had a unique connection to nature and would probably be able to help mass produce the grown ingredients using her magic. With both of them working together not even the stupidest, greediest, laziest or most disloyal of the nobles would dare to drag their heels in supporting whatever cause both the Pheonix King and the Everqueen agree upon.
"I would presume that this is the inventor of the potion since you brought him to this meeting?" Korhil asked stated. Our attention immediately went to the stranger, his face obscured by his helm but the way he walked in showed the grace of an experienced fighter that few Asur could match.
My brother nodded at this stranger, and he then removed his helm to reveal... HE WAS HUMAN. What in the name of Asuryan was a human doing in the White Tower this better not be some social experiment that Teclis thought up to show that humans could be just as capable as Asur, to prove that Asur's opinion of the inferiority of humans was wrong and rub the facts of said experiment into everyone's faces. Teclis knows that humans are forbidden to leave the Foreigners Quarter unless they are given special permission and now, he secretly brought him into the presence of the Pheonix King and Everqueen!? I wanted to put my head into my hands and groan my brother just committed political suicide, people had been stripped of their noble titles, lands and banished for less. I hated politics and tried my best to stay away from it but even I understood its importance and how thoroughly it could destroy someone's life.
Yet my brother just gave an amused and enigmatic smile "Before you start yelling, I haven't broken any laws" he then started to explain
Two Hours Later
Now I wished that this was some sort of social experiment, as I felt a headache coming along, a being from another world, check. A brand-new magical system and other powers, check, implications of this world's magic and powers, check. A headache? Check.
The good thing was that his brother was right, he hadn't broken any laws, there was nothing that banned beings from other worlds from Ulthuan only beings of other on world races and Ranma's existence was kept secret thanks to the protection around the White Tower, that was a place where spies and gossipers couldn't enter and everyone in it knew how to keep a secret.
By the looks of it, a wry smile on my face, the other inhabitants of this room also seemed to be suffering a headache and I would be willing to bet that there would be some wine drinking tonight to help deal with it.
Clearly shown by the fact that Finubar was massaging his hand on his forehead "This complicates things immensely, for such a service to Ulthuan I must award you however, the fact you are human makes things difficult. If you were an elf, I would unquestionably elevate you and your family to princedom, if you already were a prince a place on my council, vast riches and your pick of some very powerful magical artifacts in the vaults or could be created but your human and while I am not prejudiced against humans having travelled around the world and seeing their power and potential for myself, but most Asur are" he finished.
It was certainly a conundrum, Finubar couldn't not award Ranma but at the same time he couldn't give Ranma the reward he deserved for this miracle potion since he was human and if he did, he would lose much political influence and respect amongst the Asur.
Ranma spoke up "Yeah Teclis already explained that to me while disappointing he did suggest that perhaps you can reward me anonymously, say that the inventor of the potion wants to remain unknown, and you fulfilled their request of what they wanted as an award" he explained Teclis idea.
That could work but the way he phrased it made it seem he wanted a specific award "By the way you said it you want something specific" Alerielle stated.
Ranma had a sort of embarrassed look on his face "Yes, I have a sort of condition" Ranma seemed to be fighting to say it "a curse "he finally says, "a gender changing curse" Ranma looked thoroughly embarrassed now.
I admit I was surprised, but magic was capable of anything, and I have no doubt many would be embarrassed by something that made them change their gender.
"So, you want the removal of your curse?"Korhil asked.
Ranma looked slightly horrified at the idea and quickly shot it down "NO, NO, NO, you do not mess with a Jusenkyo Curse, anyone who has ever tried whether they be gods, wisemen or sorcerers have always failed and have always made things worse for the victim" taking a calming breath.
"No what I want is armor, magical armor that can change shape so I can use it in both my forms as the difference between them is great" Ranma nodded his head at Teclis who then proceeded to remove the enchants surrounding Ranma and flicked some water at him.
Ranma then shrunk, his hair turned red and suddenly he looked uncomfortable and then he I mean she loosened her breastplate to ensure her assets were not squashed. I have to admit she did look a bit silly wearing armor that was clearly too big for her. If she wore armor designed for her male form, she would constantly trip over it in female form and her chest would be constricted. If she wore armor in her female form and was reverted to male it would either burst or if it didn't Ranma would likely be hurt as the armor would be too small. It certainly made her desire for transforming armor very easy to understand.
"I usually don't want to wear armor and I prefer to use unarmed combat, but this world has many creatures that are deadly to touch or physically can't be touched so magical armor and weapons would be useful. I already have magical weapons, so magical armor is needed, and I was told that only a collaboration by the Loremaster's and the Priests of Vaul could create such armor" Ranma explained.
I internally winced at that, no wonder he asked the royal couple for help to create the armor, the animosity, rivalry and jealousy between the two orders in the art of smithing was infamous, each one proclaiming themselves the greater smiths. While it hasn't yet led to blows between the two orders, so far, they have refused to stay in the same city let alone the same room with each other unless it was absolutely necessary. Not only that but such a commission would be very expensive, only the Phoinix King and the Everqueen would have the necessary authority to make them work together and be one of the people capable of paying for the commission.
This sentiment seemed to be shared by Finubar who seemed to be fighting off another headache, dealing with priests is annoying, dealing with the priests of Vaul is frustrating as they are hardheaded and completely obsessed with their craft to nearly the point of insanity, making them work with people they maybe not despise but at least disdain is certainly headache worthy.
"I will see what I can do" Finubar answered "I guess Teclis has already convinced the Loremaster's to put aside their problems with the Priests?" Teclis nodded at that "Well that certainly makes things easier, maybe I use their pride against them, saying how the Loremaster's are willing to put aside their rivalry to help the creator of that potion, showing the greater morality of the Loremaster's" he mused to himself.
Considering how prideful the Priests of Vaul were, that was a pretty good idea and angle to work from I thought, still I would rather not be in the same room when the two orders meet. It would probably be safer to deal with an army of bloodthirsty Druchii.
"However, this potion can not only help us here but can be used to restore lost influence in the wider world as well as many would let bygones be bygones or even beg for such a potion" Finubar said a contemplating look upon his face
…...
Caledor, Vaul's Anvil, Ranma's Pov
I could feel the tension, it was thick enough to cut with a knife as the saying goes. It was like two great beasts or monsters sizing each other up, seeing who backs down first or at least who shows a weakness that could be taken advantage of first. But it wasn't beasts it was the dozen Loremaster's in front of him and the Priests of Vaul in front of the main entrance of Vaul's Anvil.
Vaul's Anvil was certainly an impressive place, even among the mountains that dominated Caledor the volcano was large, also the fact that it was a live volcano with magma and lava running through and around it at various points. Currently we were on the bridge leading to the temple in the middle of the volcano in a lake of lava. A black tower rising from the dangerous orange lake, with the only thing connecting it to the edge of the volcano being a fairly narrow bridge made of truesteel.
However, the danger the bubbling magma posed seemed minuscule in comparison to the tension both the Priests and Loremaster's staring at each other, which for the Priests of Vaul is quite impressive as they didn't have eyes, as the Priests of Vaul blind themselves to match their blind god. In exchange for loss of sight of the material plane they gained sight of a more mysterious and higher plane of existence allowing them to see the Winds of Magic and using that sight to bend the winds to their will to create their various magical artifacts for those who could afford their service.
Finally, the tension was broken when one of the Priests stepped forward "I am High Priest Saron. We have been informed of your coming, follow me" his face and voice was neutral, but I could sense something like internal grimacing from him.
We followed him and the other priests into the black tower, for the main temple of a god of forging it was fairly plain in terms of decoration although the black walls were covered in runes, which were probably magical in nature. There were a few tapestries filled with images of Vaul forging and his symbols, however most of the building was dominated by forges with other priests and what looked like trainees (they still had their sight) working on various things, armor, weapons, jewelry, chariots and many other metal items lined the walls at various points each one infused with an unbelievable amount of magic.
As we continued walking, I felt something pulse, everyone else felt it too as they stopped walking or stopped forging, it then pulsed again, and I realized it was coming from me or more specifically my ki space.
I then removed the pulsing item, the Kinjakan, the weapon of fire I took from Saffron after defeating him.
"Kinjaken" I muttered "What?" That was all I managed to say before I found my hands stuck to the staff and being pulled along by the staff. One moment I was standing still the next I was flying through the air as glowing symbols covered the Kinjaken.
I managed a yelp of surprise and a quick "HELP" before I was pulled away from the group, just managing to see the surprised look on their faces before I sensed them running after me. Further and further along the numerous corridors and floors whether I was going up or down the tower it was too fast for me to tell, I was pulled surprising many Asur as I flew past them. Further and further till I came to what looked like another black runed covered wall in the tower but when the Kinjaken touched it, the runes began light up and swirl in numerous patterns and shaped.
Then as the group of Asur finally caught up with me the wall began to open, like some curtain except made of stone. Once the wall was fully open, I was pulled forward again except far slower which was a bit of relief as it almost felt that my arms were going to pulled off of my body.
"Eh, does anybody know what this room is and what on earth is going on?" I asked at the gathered Loremaster's and Priests of Vaul who were looking very gob smacked at the room.
"No, I haven't even heard of a story or tale of a secret room let alone what this place could be for" Saron said looking confused and a bit excited.
In the meantime, I was being led to the center of the room, there were numerous circles on the floor with each circle inside a larger circle, between the lines were numerous runes but unlike the rest of the building they were not elven runes but rather the same runes on the scroll that sent her here, the language of the Old Ones. In the center of the smallest and final circle was a hole in the ground which suspiciously looked like Kinjaken size.
Eventually I reached the center and the Kinjaken was inserted into the hole, with that the staff started glowing orange and then it began to spread, the circles and their runes began to glow orange as well. Then there was a burst of magic that spread far outside of the room to the point that even straining my senses I couldn't tell how far the burst was going. Then outside the tower shook as the roaring began.
…...Naggaroth, Naggarond
Morathi the Hag Queen mother of Malekith the Witch King the second most powerful Druchii in the world and one of the most powerful beings in the world was running. She had sensed a burst of magical power coming from the East, it quickly spread all over Naggaroth and then she heard roars, screams, cries of alarm and the Black Tower began to shake. She ran towards one of the many balconies so she could see what in the name of Khaine was going on.
As she burst through the doors that led to the balcony she immediately stopped in surprise, ruins... that was what she saw, burnt ruins as the many buildings that dotted the Capital of the Druchii Empire were now in shambles, either molted twisted metal or torn to pieces and in the distance with the dead and dying littered in many places, she could see many large black winged shapes flying off east.
In a moment she realized what had occurred, that burst of magic had somehow freed the Black Dragons from the Druchii's control and now they were heading East towards where that burst of magic came from. Around her the balcony began to distort under the power of her wrath which only grew when her fearful underlings reported that the dragons had also taken all their younglings and eggs with them.
While many doubted it, she knew her son would return, and she knew he would be wrathful at the loss of the dragons. This was the Asur's fault, she knew it, gnashing her teeth in rage and then letting loose an angry scream that made all those who heard it tremble.
…...Lustria and the Southlands
Across these two vast continents eyes were opened, an entire races, as many of the world's most ancient and powerful beings woke up, no longer sluggish and unfocused but filled with a vitality that they hadn't felt since before the stellar gates collapsed. Around them their servants scurried in amazement and then purpose as their masters gave them orders to muster the cohorts, the age of inaction was over, the Age of Resurgence would begin.
…...Far, Far North
In the wasteland landscape was what looked like a mountain but as a burst of magic passed through the land that made the indescribable creatures of these lands stop, the mountain began to move and soon it revealed itself not a mountain but a creature. As its eyes opened it realized something, it was no longer bound to the pact it had made millennia ago with the Chaos Gods, it was free.
Across this bleak and terrible landscape all those of that creature's race realized the same thing, to escape the Chaos Gods who would surely seek revenge for the now broken pact they moved South to reclaim their homeland that they were driven from by the Ogres nearly five thousand years ago, the Mountains of Mourn.
…...Lothern
King Finubar and most of the population of the great city watched open mouthed as the protector and guardian of the great city awoke from its slumber, Amanar was now awake and with a roar it submerged itself into the sea and headed south where a Druchii raiding and slaving fleet was heading towards Araby, unknowing of the danger heading their way.
…...Ranma Pov
Across the world ancient creatures awoke and roared but those at Vaul's Anvil this was unknown, the only thing they were concerned about was the roaring that they heard coming from outside.
Once I managed to free the Kinjaken from the hole me and all the other Asur began to run outside to investigate the roars and as we crowded on the bridge, we were greeted by a sight that hadn't been seen in Ulthuan for thousands of years, dragons. Hundreds of them filling the sky the very air vibrating with their wing beats.
Then one of them moved down, coming closer, the largest one of the many dragons, bright red, making it look like he was covered in flames.
Then the dragon spoke "I am Maedrethnir, who is the one to awake us?" the now identified dragon voice booming across the volcano. This proclamation led many of the Asur to gasp and I didn't blame them, Maedrethnir was an ancient dragon that lived upon this world before the Old Ones arrived, the dragon that was ridden by Pheonix King Caledor I during the Sundering and the son of Inddraugnir the dragon of Aenarion the Defender, the first of the Pheonix Kings.
Deciding to be brave (I was immune to fire anyway thanks to the Pheonix Pill, since the pressure point like all pressure points wore off, the Pheonix Pill which restored my body to be able to withstand normal temperatures now pretty much made my body fireproof) and not waste the very dangerous creatures time especially since he had hundreds of buddies to help him, I answered.
"I am" I shouted to be heard over the beat of the many wings.
Maedrethnir turned to look upon and moved closer to the point I could feel his hot breath smothering me, then he breathed in the air probably to catch my scent. And now I was wondering what the hell is going to happen now.
…...Lothern several weeks later
I was in another private meeting with Finubar and now he really has an interesting expression, a mix of joy, hope and a planet sized headache.
"So let me get this straight you went to Vaul's Anvil as planned to get your armor, which was created" moving his hand to indicate the armor I had on, made of Ithilmar and truesteel, layered with protective enchantments with dragon head shaped shoulder pads and helmet being the main difference between my armor and the Loremaster's (I enjoyed the maneuverability that the Loremaster armor offered), with more red than blue and a great deal of silver and gold which would transform between my male and female form. They even threw in a darn good sword for free.
"As you were walking down the corridor one of your magical weapons began pulse, symbols that were identified as belonging to the Old Ones appeared on it, confirming the hypothesis that the Old Ones were on your world as well, then it pulled you down to the bottom of the building and opened a secret room that nobody knew about filled with more symbols of the Old Ones" Finubar stopped both to catch his breath and to ensure he remained calm.
"The magical artefact in question fitted a slot in the ground and activated some sort of magical circle that unleashed a burst of magic that as far as we can tell covered the entire world. This burst woke up all the dragons who converged on your location. Then Maedrethnir introduced himself and tested you the one who awoke them to see if you were worthy of riding him despite being human, you passed his test by surviving a minute of him attacking you, now making you a dragon rider" Finubar's disbelief was fairly clear even though he knew it was true.
"While your armor was being forged, the dragons were choosing riders, making the Dragon Prince's truly the Dragon Prince's again along with many other Asur across Ulthuan causing a great celebration that lasted a week, the Black Dragons showed up freed of the mental control of the Druchii with their hatchlings and eggs and asked for sanctuary which was accepted and now they swore to protect Ulthuan and to have their revenge on the Druchii, creating the dragons version of shadow warriors" he finished.
I couldn't really say much so I shrugged my shoulders and said "Yeah". Finubar looked at me and then did what was probably the least kingly thing he had done since being elected, he banged his head against the table.
"At least we don't have to worry about a riot being formed with the discovery of a human in Ulthuan" Finubar said pinching the edge of his nose, Maedrethnir smell ousted me as human (I was disguised as an elf) but the triple accomplishments of the pregnancy potion, awakening the dragons and becoming the rider of Maedrethnir removed a great deal of potential hostility of me being human. In fact, I earned the nicknames of the Reviver and the Restorer of Ulthuan.
"I know this has no precedent to do this for other races, but I have no choice but to elevate you to princedom thanks to your great accomplishments" Finubar said, which quickly turned into a fairly vengeful grin from all the headaches I had given him as I flailed around trying to turn down the offer.
"The ceremony will be in one weeks' time" Finubar said "and attendance is compulsory" looking at me in clear amusement as I muttered like some child who didn't want to do something.
"However, it will merely be a title, you do not have the training or want to look after some land with all its people on it, so you will gain most of the benefits of the prince with the exception of income as you would have no land to draw income from but considering your already being paid by the Loremaster's I do not think you would mind" Finubar explained.
That calmed me down as Finubar was right I didn't want to be tied down and becoming a lord of a place would certainly do that, plus it would be boring and as Finubar said I wouldn't know what to do. I was a fighter, not an accountant or manager.
"Fine" I said (diffidently not pouting) much to the amusement of the room's other occupants.
…...Lustria, Alter of the Horned Rat, Clan Pestilens
"SCATTER, FLEE" and other such shouts filled the air as one of the last and most important holdouts of Clan Pestilens in Lustria was falling. Skaven scattered everywhere trying to flee the city, cutting each other down when another Skaven was in the way.
A number of Skaven looked back to see what distance between them and the advancing enemy (as well as to watch for backstabbers) and in the distance they could see the Lizardmen advancing, skinks, Sauras, Kroxigor's, Stegadon's, Cold One's, Saurian's and other giant monstrosities while the sky was filled with Terradon's and Ripperdactyl's.
However, it wasn't these that broke the Skaven defenses but rather what was to the rear, Temple Guard marched surrounding half a dozen bloated creatures on floating thrones that smashed everything in the way of their army with their magic. Meteorites rained from the sky, lighting bolts blasted from nowhere and pillars of fire turned everything into charred crisps. The Skaven's Grey Seers and Plague Priests unable to offer any real resistance to these beings and were instantly incinerated.
The Slann were awake and across Lustria and the Southlands the same thing was happening, for nothing could offer true resistance to a Slann's sorcery and it wasn't just Skaven that was suffering from the resurgence of the Lizardmen.
Greenskins were also being purged from the continents and in Eastern Lustria the Vampire Coast was under siege barely holding the Lizardmen back thanks to the sheer numbers of undead Luthor Harkon and his vampires commanded but they too were being pushed back. While where Skeggi once stood was now a smoking crater that the sea was filling in and the Chaos taint the settlement brought was cleansed.
But this wasn't just a purging of their territory but also reclamation, as Temple Cities such as Quetza were being rebuilt the geomantic web would be restored and the great warding bolstered. The Age of Resurgence for the Lizardmen had truly begun.
…...Mountains of Mourn
Ogres were not used to being the underdog or small but that was what they were in this instance as many ogres were flattened by giant hammers wielded by creatures much bigger than they were. But still the ogres fought on, they fought for the Maw and their own bellies but then the ground began to shake.
Then a creature the size of a mountain entered the valley, and the ogres froze, first from shock the fear, these few seconds of inactivity were enough for their attacks to take advantage of it and break through their lines.
The ogres began to run but the mountain sized being took a single step forward and crushed them by placing a single hand on top of them. Roars of victory then began to echo through the Valley as the mountain being Krakanrok the Black had secured them the victory.
The Dragon Ogres had returned to reclaim their home and the only way now was forward as they had blocked off the entrances that led into the Chaos Wastes to ensure that their former masters couldn't send armies after them. To victory or death was the war cry that echoed the valley during the battle and as Krakanrok turned around to survey his descendants, he saw something that hadn't been seen since they made the pact with the Chaos Gods, something they discovered they were capable of again, children. Behind the hoard of adult Dragon Ogres there were children, one of the most Ancient Races in existence was resurgent.