The world of Gallacia was separated into several human nations. Each of them was unique in its own right, and the nations existed so far in harmony.
To the west, along the western shores, lay the Kingdom of Meticia, ruled by Ioven, the warrior king. Famous for their mercantile economy and navy, it was one of the major powers of Gallacia.
To the south lay the Grand Duchy of Terabius, ruled by ambitious Duke Larson. Though powerful in their own right, the nation was always tributary to Meticia and her power.
Across the Ocean in the Eastern continent, there lay the City-State of Argonine, ruled by the republic council of senators. Mostly populated by the Silesians, the city is famous for its magical researches, though secluded from other nations.
To the north of Argonine beyond the Great Woods was the Zeracon Federation, the alliance of northern tribes living on harsh and frigid wastelands. Since no crop grew in that land, Zeracon was famous for its mercenary companies.
To the south of Argonine lies the mighty Bosphorian Empire, rich from its caravans bringing wealth across the desert. Resilient Emperor Dacian rules the vast desert power.
The last nation to join them is the Republic of Garyon, on the islands of the Ocean. It is ruled currently by the Consul Faigin.
It is summer, Gallacia, 458 A.G.
The peace among the nations is suddenly perturbed by a great turmoil in the Kingdom of Meticia.
Now, King Ioven was a great warrior, but he is a foolish and arrogant man as well. He ruled his people with harsh taxes and military. Though the people and even much of the nobility despised him, they welcomed his daughter, Princess Lena. Kind hearted and caring, she is the idol for many people, who long for her succession.
Amongst all this, however, a religious cult called Rionism begins to spread through the kingdom. Led by a mysterious prophet known as Merovine, the cult called for equal rights and treatment among people, winning a tremendous support from the lower classes. King Ioven, seeing this a threat, had issued orders to suppress the cult.
In a shocking move, Merovine calls for an outright revolution...
Part 1: Metician Campaign
Act 1: The Revolution
Salone, the capital of Meticia
The sun was rising upon the great city, rousing it from its long slumber. But its citizens were not slumbering- many were already up, and most of them were gathered in the central city square. They all seemed roused up, their faces flushed with anger and excitement. In the middle of the huge mob, a robed and hooded man was standing up in the podium, giving a vehement speech.
"How long will you hold back you anger, your grief, and your courage? Will you let this tyrant take away the natural rights and privileges that were given to you from birth? Surely, to die through honor is better than suffer through this life of disgrace, where you will all be the toy of Ioven. I call you, my brothers and sisters, to stand up to this act of utmost villainy. With me at the front, we shall become not peasants, not some low-life, but humans as we were born to be! What say you!"
At the last shout from the man-Merovine-the crowd exploded in a huge roar of approval, cheering and roaring. Their eyes were full of hope and rage as well.
"Rise up, Rionist men and women! Grab your weapons and tools, and march on to reform this land!"
At once, chaos reigned upon the city. Grabbing whatever weapons they had, the citizens attacked soldiers and garrisons, overwhelming them easily. Smoke, screams, and terror gripped the city. The majority of the crowd soon began to march for the castle, where the King was.
At the Castle, meanwhile...
The throne room was only occupied by few guards and some attendants of the king. But tension itself was present in the dimly lit room. On the throne sat King Ioven, an elderly but formidable man. He had a grayish beard and a physique, which surpassed all others'. He looked brooding, and constantly frowned. Suddenly, the door of the room burst open, and a soldier came staggering in.
"Your highness, it's emergency! The rebels have already overwhelmed the city guards, and they are besieging the castle! We are holding them back, but we cannot guarantee our safety for long!"
The king gave an angry roar and rose up from the throne.
"Arrragh, Imbeciles! Peasants! How dare they defy my rule? This is my kingdom, no one else's! Call the garrison commander. I will show them who's really in charge here!"
The soldier stammered back.
"But my lord, the garrison commander has already been killed. In fact, the mob is marching around with his head on a stake-"
"All right, then. I will go out myself and teach them a lesson! I will not be scoffed at while I live! All of you guards, follow me and prepare for battle!"
Ioven stormed out of the room, followed by several of his men. One knight, however, looked thoughtful; he hesitated for the moment, and then headed for another room where an important person resided...
The royal bedroom was richly decorated, and its colorings would seem to make anyone happy. But its owner, Princess Lena (Princess, Lv. 1) was not happy at the moment. In fact, she was pacing back and forth in her room, silently lamenting. She had a light brown, long hair which she had in a ponytail, and green eyes. She wore leather pants, boots, cotton blouse, and a leather vest.
"How did it come to this? Why did this happen?"
She silently whispered, though no one was in the room. There was a knock on her door, and a knight came in. He was an older man, in his twenties, with a blonde hair and blue eyes. He wore a heavy armor, and held a steel lance. Lena lit up and smiled.
"Nelson! What brings you here?"
Nelson, the captain of the Imperial bodyguards, was a private bodyguard of Lena since she was a child. He was also her sword instructor, which Lena had taken a great liking. To her, Nelson (Cataphract, Lv.2) was like her brother.
"I am sorry, milady, but there is no time for pleasantries. You must escape quickly."
"Why? The people always loved me, as I loved them. They would not harm me, would they?"
Nelson shook his head.
"No, milady. They are now a mob, and they will stop at nothing to kill the entire royal family, even you. They will break in soon. You must get out, while I hold them at bay. Please use the back passage. It will be relatively safe there."
"But…But how about you?"
Nelson smiled.
"Do not worry about me, princess. Just make sure you stay safe. And here, use this rapier to protect yourself."
Lena grasped the sword Nelson handed her, and looked up.
"Please, Nelson…Promise me you will return to me safely."
"I will, milady, I will."
With that, Nelson disappeared out of the room. Lena, too, after packing her belongings, set outside her room.
The castle was at turmoil. Servants and maids were running about, and soldiers were hurrying to their positions. Lena started down the corridor. Few minutes later, she found herself alone in the back passage, without anyone to notice her. Suddenly, she heard a noise around the nearby corner. She drew the rapier, and called out.
"Who's there?"
"Ah!"
A soldier, a girl about her age, stepped out, looking peevish. She had small plate armor on, with a helmet perched on top of her head. She had blue, short, hair, brown eyes, and an iron lance in her hand. She fumbled around, and saluted.
"What are you doing here, soldier?"
"Ah..well..uh...Captain Nelson sent me, milady. He told me to guard you outside to the castle!"
Lena sighed, thinking of Nelson's kindness.
"Very well, soldier. What is your name?"
The girl stammered.
"Alyce, ma'am. Alyce of the 4th Praetorian Brigade!"
"All right, Alyce (Guard, Lv. 1). Let's go."
"We should hurry. I heard that the western gate has already been breached!"
The pair quickly ran down the path. However, it wasn't long until they had company, this time hostile. Three men, obviously part of the mob, blocked their way. Two had axes, and the leader had a sword.
"Well, well, look at these fine chicks, fellas! And one of them is the princess! Oh my, we will have a fine night tonight, heh?"
The leader drawled, and two other men sniggered.
Lena stepped forward.
"Look, gentlemen. I swear I have nothing against the people of the kingdom. I loved all of them. So please, be reasonable and-"
"I don't care about what you did! All you will love is me, in my bed tonight! So give up!"
Alyce frowned.
"It's no use, milady. These thugs are to be fought, not parleyed."
"So you will fight us, heh? Let's get them, boys!"
The leader and two men charged, raising their weapons.
But two girls were ready, too. Lena blocked an axe with her rapier, and smoothly stabbed the man in the stomach. Then, she sliced the neck of another man, who gagged and fell. The leader looked panicked, and tried to run, but Alyce instead impaled his back with her lance.
Cleaning their weapons, the girls said nothing, but Alyce noticed that Lena's face was ashen, stricken with sudden grief. As they exited the castle's secret exit, she could've sworn Lena shed a tear.
Will Princess Lenna and Guard Alyce escape from the capital city? Hang on for the next act, "Flight from Salone!"
Please, R&R!