Chapter Five: "Defeat at Kreyf, Victory at Avion"

The next morning, halfway through the Evergreen Forest, it rained. It poured down upon them all in sheets, soaking their bodies and making the path muddy. It was cold rain - autumn had officially ended and winter was here now. How long before the rain would be replaced with sleet? Or snow?

That night, as the army hunkered down for a few nights rest, the rain was gone and the clouds moved southeast. Duncan took the night watch. No tents were set up and everyone slept with a weapon nearby.

Duncan surveyed the faces of those that remained up for the night, keeping watch for their brothers in arms. They were of varying ages - some old enough to be alive during the previous Horde incursion. Some were barely a spit over eighteen. Among them all, there was tension. Most of them had never seen battle, but were filled with stories of South Eternos and the Borderlands.

"Sir, the perimeter is clear," a young lieutenant reported.

"Thank you, soldier," Duncan replied.

The stars twinkled above them ceaselessly. It was a wonderful sight, though Duncan wished he was seeing with back in the cabin his once shared with Teelana. As was many times such as these, Duncan thought of his unborn son and smiled at the prospect of being a father. He was warming up to the idea. Perhaps there was some way Teelana could step down from her mantle . . .

On day three it was clear and by late afternoon, they entered into the Vine Jungle. The army consisted of four storage trucks, a few horses, and Battle Tanks. Also along for the trip were two vehicles Duncan co-designed after the Orc attack. The first was the Spitbull - a huge, robotic bull armed with four missile launchers and two laser cannons. Not the most dependable of vehicles in a battle, but good for speed. The second was a Bashin' Beetle, a big, bug-like wheeled land vehicle with a massive battering ram on it's side. Good for a siege - they had ten of these.

On the fourth day, they exited the Vine Jungle and came to the Mystic Mountains. By twilight, they came upon the location of their base camp. It was located in the center of tall, rugged spires, easy to hide snipers and easy to exist while not very easy to enter.

An encrypted communiqué was then sent to Eternos. They had arrived.

"This is Battle Hawk squadron Bravo on secure channel zeta-zero. Come in Eternos."

"This is Man-At-Arms on. Channel zeta-zero secure, Bravo. What's your location?"

"We are t-minus four minutes from strike zone. Arming forward missiles. Awaiting attack confirmation, Eternos."

"Confirmation granted. Attack at will."

Lieutenant Elex, son of Grant, closed the comm-lines and all of the Battle Hawks fell into the practiced attack formation. The dozen of the golden eagle-like attack vessels soared across the night sky, all weapons primed. He was a soldier, though he loathed this war. The way the higher ups were talking, it was clearly indicated to be a long, messy series of battles.

He glanced briefly at the small photo that was taped above his console. His wife Verono and his kids Darco and Petri. He was doing this for them. He was fighting this war for them.

"We are now in visual range of Horde base at Kreyf," Elex transmitted to the base camp. The second squadron was fueling up for the follow-up barrage.

Elex looked forward, locking missiles. He recalled the image that was shown to him before the mission briefing. As he looked down upon Kreyf, he realized with shock and awe that what was down there was nothing like the fortress they had been shown.

That's when, of course, chaos erupted.

"Captain! Captain Dekker! Over here!"

Dekker marched across the grass and met up with Commander Stark in the comm-bunker. Commander Stark was the squadron leader and Dekker was a little more than surprised as to why Stark wasn't going through the pre-flight check.

"What is it?"

"We may have a problem. We just lost contact with the entire squadron. However, just before hand, we were sent this sensor image."

Stark pressed a few keys on a computer pad. An image of the Kreyf ridges appeared. Upon them, in the same formation as the base, was something else. A dark structure, glowing green and hazy. The image was fuzzy, barely visible.

"We have no idea just how much damage was done to it," Stark said. "Or if any damage was done. Captain, I can't send my squadron in there under these circumstances."

Dekker nodded and took a closer look at the image. "Agreed. I'll send a scouting party to investigate this. Get me Commander Duncan."

Two hours later, Duncan and a dozen Royal Soldiers moved as silently as possible between leaf-less trees and massive rocks that jutted from the ground. As they passed one of the rocks, they could see the remains of one of the Battle Hawks. It sparked and sputtered and the body within was dead.

"Check him," Duncan ordered, just to be sure.

"Sir?"

"Just do it."

The lieutenant ordered to do so walked over and placed his fingers on the bloody neck. He shook his head at Duncan.

"Okay. Let's move on."

Commander Duncan pointed them forward, towards a ridge that would give them a full view of Kreyf. His eyes widened.

In the intelligence pictures, the compound of Kreyf was nothing more than a large base on one of the mountains with bunkers on the pair surrounding it. This was different, though. The whole thing seemed to double in size and was now made of a soot-black metal and stone. The front of the main compound was sporting a replica of Hordak's head. A tower stood from the center of the massive structure, black as well, but was also bathed in an eerie green light. From this fortress, there were bridges that went from mountain-top to mountain-top, linking the three mountains.

There was a strange sound then - a high-pitched ringing - and all of the soldiers watched as three beings came flying out from the top of the tower. They were cloaked in long, black robes and circled the fortress. They horrible sound rang out across Kreyf and could easily be heard back at base camp.

Duncan pointed towards the route they took. Carefully, they headed back to the base camp.

About halfway back to the camp, the sounds died off. All except Duncan went to their tents to get some rest. Duncan went to the leadership tent to confront Dekker and Stark. Above him the stars were shining boldly across the cold land. Winter was kicking up. Snow would be coming soon - especially this far north, where snow wasn't as rare.

"Captain, Commander," Duncan greeted.

"What did you find, Commander?" asked Stark.

"I'm sorry sir, but the Battle-Hawks were destroyed. Didn't look like they did any damage, either."

"What did you see?"

"It's huge. It's nearly three times the size it was when we got the report from Insectia. I can't tell you how well armed it is, but I'm betting that it's going to be one helluva fight. And I'm almost sure there's sorcery involved."

Dekker released a lungful of air and nodded. "I'm going to contact Man-At-Arms and King Randor. By morning, we'll have a decision as whether or not to strike."

"What do you think, Rohad?"

Man-At-Arms glanced at the king, then back at the screen that showed Dekker. "I think you should press on with the attack. Kreyf is holding a firm grasp on the southern Mystic Mountains. Taking it out well prevent Horde movements to Avion and Insectia. As well as allowing us to secure the regions between Eternos and the Mystic Mountains."

King Randor nodded just a little, then turned he gaze back at Dekker. "What do you think, Dekker?"

"I agree. We'll need supply lines moving up here and this will be a difficult battle, but I think that it will be worth it. The Horde must be stopped here."

Randor paused then sighed. "Commence the attack as you will, Captain. Remain in touch with us here. We'll have supply lines set up in two days."

Early in the morning, four hundred Royal Soldiers armed themselves. Armor was placed over armor, capes draping from their shoulders, honor belts hanging from their hips. Lasers, swords, pikes, and daggers were placed firmly in their holsters. After this was completely, the four hundred emptied from the camp and marched across the frozen, frost-covered ground towards the fortress.

Rolling alongside them were Battle Tanks and one of the two Spitbulls. Duncan and Dekker rode the Spitbull, which was leading the entire army. As they grew closer to the fortress, explosions echoed through the air. Battle Hawks, under the command of Commander Stark, dove towards the fortress of Kreyf and opened full assault. The battle was harsh, but it was designed to give the Royal Soldiers cover.

And it did. They neared the top of the ridge. Beyond the ridge was a steep drop into a valley right in front of Kreyf. The Spitbull paced in front of the lines of soldiers.

"ARMS LASERS! FULL SPREAD!" Dekker shouted. "HOLD YOUR FIRE UNTIL I GIVE THE SIGNAL!"

Two huge doors in front of the fortress cranked open and Horde Troopers began to march out. Moving in unison, they began to line the front of the fortress, lasers resting on their shoulders. Sunlight shined briefly through the clouds above and reflected off the dome heads of the Horde Troopers.

"Surrender now!" came a cry from the tower.

The being known as Prahvus came flying down on hover pad. He settled above the Horde Troopers.

"Never!" returned Dekker from the Spitbull.

"Then . . . DIE!"

The Horde Troopers opened fire, lasers beams screeching across the valley. Royal Soldiers went flailing back, dead or dying. Two seconds later, they all returned fire. Laser beams criss-crossed the air, throwing either blood, oil, or debris into the air.

The Bashing Beetle launched missiles. The rockets exploded against the walls of the fortress, doing very little damage. The Horde Troopers continued their assault, using heavier artillery now. Bombs roared around the Royal Soldiers, but they all held their positions.

Soldiers on both sides of the valley were blown away. The battle was very easily a stalemate. Fire and debris were blasted into the air. Bodies crumbled to the ground. The air was hot with laser fire and rockets. The fortress of Kreyf was the target of all this and it stood there upon the mountains, a thing of stone.

Is such a thing worth dying for? Is a place such as it worth killing for? Is mass murder in the name of glory worth a pile of rocks? What price dominance? What cost victory? Is an life worth such a thing as this?

The battle waged on, these questions on no one's mind. Introspection would bring them later, but for now, all were too engrossed in the fury of death and violence to think much about anything else. Explosions and laser fire continued to beat on inconsistently and constant around both armies. The beat of death.

In the end, it was not what anyone was expecting. Even Prahvus, who had just consulted with them, was shocked to see it happen. Floating from the tower in the third hour of battle, were the Three. The Shadow Weavers. It was not the loss of life that brought them out from their chambers. It was the fact that in the end, passion will defeat mechanics. The Eternians would eventually take the fortress without the aide of the Three.

The Three circled the valley, avoiding all weapons fire. They then grew closer and formed a moving ring. From the middle of that ring, huge bolts of lightning came sheering into the lines of Royal Soldiers. They spread out, all across the lines.

Dekker watched as his soldiers scrambled for cover. It would be hard to call retreat. But Dekker soon realized they had no choice. The Horde Troopers were starting to move forward. The lightning strikes were getting larger.

"RETREAT! PULL BACK!" Dekker commanded.

"UNITS ZETA AND BRAVO, PROVIDE COVER FIRE!"

"RETREAT! PULL BACK!"

The bombardment of Avion ended as dawn broke and, as always, Stratos took a little sigh of relieve. He turned and checked the displays. The shield would only last another two days - if even that. The time to prepare for a defense had finally come. But as Stratos watched the sun come up and the candles in the windows of Avion die out, a thought occurred to him.

What if they went on the offense?

An idea came to Stratos then. And he ran to the High Senate.

Batros hated the sunlight. Having lived on the Dark Hemisphere his entire life, under the gray clouds the seemed to constantly hover over the Santalucia Mountains, the new leader of the Bats hated the time spent here at Avion. In fact, most of his people did.

However, Batros was well aware in a mere two days, the force field would fall. And victory would be great for the Horde . . . and the Bats. And, more importantly, for Batros himself. His leadership was already one of great praise from his people home. Surely, he would go down as the most successful leader in history. Such an honor! After this war was over, there would statues of him everywhere!

Stepping outside, into the horrible noon sunlight, Batros took a good, long look at Avion. After their defeat, the Bats would be the only masters of the sky. But as Batros stood for another few seconds, he began to notice something . . . strange. The force field was shimmering. It was shimmering more and more and did so a lot during the night when they fired upon it, but now . . . it was different.

And then, the force field was gone.

Batros stood there for a moment, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. The force field was down.

There came a noise right then. Avions poured from the city, each one bearing weapons. Batros let out a terrible screeched that echoed outward.

"THEY'VE BROUGHT DOWN THE FORCE FIELD!" he shouted as he ran, sounding alarms and pounding on bunker doors. "PREPARE FOR AN ATTACK!"

Immediately, Bats were in mid-air - but it was too late. The Avions came crashing upon high-rise Horde compounds like a terrible wave upon sand castles. Bats and Ilkorts were running in wild confusion, screeching and trying to fight back.

Down below, at the base of Avion, Ilkorts began to gather. A huge unit of Avions dove down and began to attack. Despite the long willowy fingers of the Ilkorts, that drew the Avions to their deaths, the Ilkorts were taking a beating. Missiles sent infernos upon the tall, lanky creatures.

Stratos took no pride in the fact that he killed. But it was kill or be killed and he understood that. He hated it, but he understood it. Batros came flying towards, rage burning in his eyes.

The Bat opened his mouth to unleash his sonic scream, but Stratos closed his hand firmly on Batros' mouth. Then, with his other hand, he punched hard in the gut. He released. Batros sputtered in mid-air, and Stratos kicked him across the face, grabbed him by the straps and sent him into a cliff wall.

"Tell your masters, Batros, that Eternia - that Avion - shall not fall to the Horde or any other!"

Batros made no reply. He shot at Stratos, claws out, glistening in the noon sunlight. Oh, how he hated that sunlight. As soon as he neared Stratos, the Avion leader upper-cutted him, sending Batros onto solid ground.

"FOR AVION!" shouted Stratos, grinning at the victory. "FOR FREEDOM AND VICTORY! FOR YOUR FATHERS! FIGHT ON, MY BROTHERS, FIGHT ON!"

As the battle erupted, Batros scrambled for a remaining communications bunker. He found one and ran in, bleeding and bruised. At his command, the unit activated. Hordak's horrible image appeared.

"What is it?" grunted Hordak.

"S-Sneak attack, Hordak. The Avions dropped the force field and took us by surprise. We're being ripped apart! I need reinforcements!"

Hordak snorted in displeasure. "You fool! You were supposed to be prepared!"

"There was no- " An explosion shook the bunker and the comm-line fizzled for a brief second.

"Prepare to pull out. We've got a situation at Kreyf and I can't afford to divert resources because of your idiotic foolishness! Retreat from Avion and reassemble at the Canyons of Dealon. I will contact you there with new orders. Understood?"

Batros was about to protest. He was the leader of the Bats! Who did Hordak think he was, ordering him around like that? However, an explosion ripped the left wall and roof off the bunker.

"Understood!" shouted Batros and the comm-line was cut.

Batros then went flying out of the bunker, shouted and screaming.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

The words carried over from general to general, soldier to soldier. Retreat. Victory for Avion. As the Ilkorts went running away from the city and a huge dark mass of Bats took wing and shot east, Stratos smiled. Retreat. Victory for Avion.