Cearbhail: I wrote this kinda quickly. It only took a few hours. As my mind burns with so many ideas and things...I know just how well this will all turn out in the end. I think I know where to end this story now. Right at the end of the war. Maybe.

[Hans Battle-Born]

"Battlemage Troop 6, report."

A small image of a battlemage appeared on our magical device given to us by the Aldmeri Dominion. The battlemage was holding his crystal ball, a ball traditionally used to give status updates within the battlemage corps. The man looked tired and worn out. He was drenched in bright blue/golden blood. "Sir, our ranks are holding out. The Aedra have swarmed into the center of the battlefield now, where a Khajiit battlemage has begun massacring them."

I nodded to the man. I believe I knew who the Khajiit was too: Vatu. He was the only one that I knew about that could unleash pain on the Aedra like that. "Do everything you can to support that Khajiit. This battle is almost won. We only have a few more waves to brush through before we can drop the shield."

The image blinked away and I turned my attention to the 5th Battlemage Troop. They were losing their battle against their wave of Aedra. I pulled out the map to look at some of the surrounding battle links. I saw one where a bunch of warriors were just about to finish off their own wave. I tapped the screen, pulling up the stats on the combatants. It was the Lilmothiit collective. I tapped into their crystal ball frequency, calling up their leader. "This is Battlemage Commander Hans the Hardy, calling …Yvolda? Am I saying that correctly?"

"Almost, it's Yholda." An image of a fox-faced woman popped up on the screen. "What can I do for you, Commander?"

"Battlemage Troop 5 is under heavy fire and taking casualties. I see that your soldiers are finishing up your battle. Can you spare some of your troops to cover my soldiers?" I called into the transmitter.

The Lilmothiit looked puzzled for a second before nodding. "I will send three of my best warriors. That should be plenty for your troops." The image blinked away.

I looked at the map. Three small dots raced across the screen towards my battlemages. The circle of Aedra was closing in around them. I wished I could see what was happening, but the map the Aedra gave to us was older and had less visual graphics on it, unlike the war map in the War Room at the War Council.

…

[Ruulan]

"Everyone, pull out your alchemist fire! We're going in heavy. Impact center location marked three-by-six. Throw!" I called to my fellow squadmates. We were the special forces of the Lilmothiit kill squad. We're the best of the best…of the best species ever known. No, we're not egotistical but…when was the last time anyone has ever seen a Lilmothiit? Exactly.

I tossed my alchemist fire, my two fellow squadmates throwing theirs as well. The alchemist fire sailed right into a field of Aedra. We had caught them by surprise. They snapped their heads around just in time to see the alchemist fire erupt into a bright white phosphorus explosion of heat. Their faces instantly melted away. There was a clear hole for us to charge into now. I brought my armored forearms in front of me as I charged into the collection of Aedra.

I felt my forearm blades contact with a face. I didn't stop. I kept pushing through. Aedra were still wailing in pain from the searing pain of the alchemist fire as I charged through the melting ground with armored boots. The acid didn't affect our metal. The heat did not affect our fur or our robes. And we were too silent and fast for the blind angels to spot us, especially when they were burning to death.

"Mission: supportive defense to Battlemage Troop 5. Evacuation of wounded. Gtuja, take left side. Support healers. Mnaling, take right side. Rain of fire, Condition White. Go!"

Gtuja and Mnaling took off to handle their tasks. I focused on pushing through the Aedra, slashing my arm-blades at every one that I charged through. I had my own mission. I had to get this bomb off my back once I hit the middle of this wave. It was not so easy now. The blinded and burning Aedra I had just charged through were dead now. The ones I was about to push through were very much alert and alive. I tapped my comms. "Ruulan, handling Condition Black on back. Request Rain of Fire, position twenty meters west, marked battlefield grid three-by-seven. Light up entire grid, Condition Red."

I continued to charge towards the mass of Aedra. Explosions started sounding off around my feet and I started taking evasive reaction. The Aedra were blasting their energy bombs at me, but that was the least of my worries. Several of them were gliding up to me, drawing swords and bows to attack me.

"Request Rain of Fire on my location, mark Ruulan. Condition Red. Priority Urgent!" I called into my comms. I needed all the help I could get now. We had different conditions for situations. Condition white was used for Rain of Fire when wounded were involved. It was a light impact explosion that lightly burned, but mostly blinded all enemies and sometimes allies. The thrower, and allies most of the times, wore goggles so that they wouldn't be blinded by the explosion. I don't think it would work against the Aedra and I didn't have my goggles on. I used Condition White with Mnaling because I didn't want the Rain of Fire to fall on the wrong enemies. It would still hurt the Aedra because they had some sort of mythical weakness to oily fire.

Oh yeah, Rain of Fire. It was something we thought up at the beginning of the war with the Aedra. Rain of Fire was just what it sounded like. Bottles of oil and differently attributed alchemist fire were launched into the air by the use of catapults and magically-engineered mortars. The bottles of oil and alchemist fire exploded thirty feet above the ground. The oil and fire collected and rained onto the battlefield. The entire battlefield was broken up into grids or locations. The mortars knew where to launch the vials of Rain of Fire based on the grip patterns. I had a map on the underside of my right forearm. I knew exactly where I was and where the fire needed to fall.

Condition Red was the standard combatant response to most threats. It was our default Rain of Fire response. Not many people called it while charging straight into battle. I was looking at possibly burning up in the fire. But…I had a plan. Now, Condition Black was considered suicide if transported manually. But once again, I did not want this hitting the wrong spot, nor did I want the rest of my squad to handle such a burden. Yes, I have a giant vial of Condition Black on my back. It is not only a massive alchemist fire bomb, but it contains a very poisonous gaseous acid that melts through anything, even my armor. With the help of the explosion of the alchemist fire, the acid will travel quickly and almost incinerate anything it touches. I would be lucky to escape. But…I still had a plan.

"Condition Red Rain launched, location…Ruulan's wrist locator. Stand by for answer." I heard one of my men call into my ear.

I heard the explosion over my head. That didn't stop the Aedra from dropping in around me. I reached for my belt and unsheathed my two daggers. I backhanded them and waited for the Aedra to come to me. The first one flashed to me, slashing at my head. I rolled under his slash, bringing my knife straight up into his arm. With a quick snap the arm fell from the Aedra. I grabbed him and pulled him in front of me as several archers released their arrows. I felt his body take the hits as I started to shift him over to the Aedra thrusting at me from behind. I brought my other arm down, deflecting his slash with my arm-blade. I brought that same arm straight up, slashing his arm as well.

By now more Aedra were surrounding me. I heard the first vial of oil impact the ground, shattering into oily shards of glass. The Aedra that were around that area responded by looking away for a second before hissing at me. I looked up to see the Rain descending upon us. Now was my chance. I made a quick hand-sign and summoned my Illusion doppelganger, while masking myself invisibly. He had the same spiritual pressure that I did. I was activating my Soul Separation while I started to escape. I watched as my Illusion started taking attacks from the Aedra as the rain fell upon them. The Aedra started wailing out in misery as they started burning. I was clear before it ever touched me.

"Condition Red Fire, grid three-by-seven. Confirm launch?"

I tapped my comms and glanced at the group of Aedra. They were still huddled together. "Confirm. Repeat."

"Ruulan, this is Mnaling. Condition White Rain ineffective to Aedra. Requesting permission for Condition Red!"

"Warning, Kill Squad Alchemist…three rounds of Condition Red remain. Say again, three rounds of Condition Red remain. Send requests?" The mortar master called to me.

I nodded. "Confirm request given by Mnaling. Mine still stands."

Mnaling's voice called over the comms. "Call for grids four-by-eight, and five-by-eight. Evacuation party requested, healers present. Heavy wounded needed transport. Make it quick, this hole won't stay open long."

I tapped my own comms again. "Make like light! Condition Black two minutes away from grid three-by-eight. Estimate three-by-three grid explosion." Grid three-by-eight was where the camp of battlemages were. That was where the largest collection of Aedra were swarming. I was on my way there now to drop off this bomb and set it to blow. I was going to call in a Condition Red to blow it but…looks like I may have to blow it myself. Damn war.

"Condition Red Rain launched….launched…launched. Grids: three-by-seven, four-by-eight, five-by-eight. Heads down!"

I was still sprinting right into grid three-by-seven when I heard the series of explosions overhead. The Aedra were pulling out their swords, slashing at me. Most of them were airborne, buzzing past me. I did my best to avoid their slashes, while flashing. I was halfway to the camp now. I slashed my daggers as I rolled and jumped through the rows and rows of angry flying gnats. I felt a sword knick my arm and I miss-rolled. I landed on my back and I felt something snap. My leg started burning. I looked down to see a leak of acid landing on my leg. Shab! It had started.

"Warning, Condition Black damaged! Acid leak, acid leak!" I called into my comms. "Kill Squad, evacuate now! Say again, Kill Squad, evacuate now!"

I rolled up onto my feet, the leaking container of Condition Black on my back. My legs were starting to burn as the acidic gas rolled down on top of them. I had to hurry. If I waited too long this bomb would be no good."

"Extraction Troop, move through Aedra. Transport as many wounded as possible."

I looked up at the sky. The Rain of Fire was still burning around the battlefield. The extraction team would have to rush through the Condition Red to collect and transport the wounded. That's when I saw it. The entire region exploded into a giant fireball.

"Kill Squad Alchemist, this is Battlemage Troop 1. We'll assist you in evacuation. Stand behind us and we'll handle the Aedra."

I found myself smiling as I continued to run through of the Aedra. I was still covered in Soul Separation so their haphazard attacks barely came close to my body. They were more likely being affected by the acid and responding to it rather than me. Some of the nearby Aedra were grabbing their throats in pain as they started falling to the ground. I could feel it too, the acid burning in my throat. My lungs were liquidating at the very second. My eyes were burning, my vision blinding. But…I wasn't down and done yet. I had to get to my coordinated spot. I had to finish my duty.

The fire had started falling around me. If I waited too long this canister would blow just from the heat itself. But…it was already blowing right now. I forced myself to stand up, my legs barely functioning, fiery rain falling on top of me, enemy surrounding me on all sides, time was not on my side,…and I had an exploding canister of death on my back. Yeah…this was a normal op for me.

I started flashing as fast as my melting legs would allow me. I would let myself die once I reached my location. I jumped through and past all the burning/wailing Aedra that were falling from the sky. It was like they were meteors crashing into the ground and I was the only thing still standing up. I had to get to the camp. I had to blow this thing up once and for all. My left eye ceased working and my nose stopped taking in air. I think my left lung had collapsed. My right arm was beginning to fail. My feet were tripping over everything. It was by pure willpower that I kept going.

I found the muddy hole that used to be the medical tent for this region. I smiled. Center location for grid three-by-eight. My mission was complete. My legs gave out while I was flashing and I fell into the camp, rolling through the mud until I came to a stop only inches away from my original target. I allowed myself to attempt to laugh as I rolled myself back up onto my feet. I flipped the large canister of Condition Black off my back.

"Condition Black, ten seconds! Clear three grids from grid three-by-eight all sides." I called into my comms. I didn't wait for a reply. I started the timer. The acid had already started killing me. All I could do was sit here and wait for the end result. Nine…eight…seven…

I dropped my Soul Separation. I wanted the Aedra to know that I was here. I summoned what was left of my strength and willed my magicka to flow all around me. The Aedra all started looking at me, their mouths outstretched. They started swarming around me. Four…three…two…one.

I closed my eyes. This was it. I was one of the last generation of original Sparvia…specially trained warriors that took risky moves. I was the leader because I was one of the last still alive. I was getting pretty old. I guess this was a good way to die. No…not die. We never died. We only went missing in action. We were a legend. You can't kill a legend, only misplace it. I smiled. I was sure I would somehow live through this…I always do.

Then I heard the explosion.

…

[Hans Battle-Born]

I watched from the map as the entire region of Aedra just blinked out. I pulled my helmet off my head and hugged it to my chest. I had been watching that blue dot as he raced into the battlefield. I watched as Aedra blipped one-by-one away. I thought he'd survive. But I didn't see his dot anymore. He vanished as soon as the other Aedra did. He must have died in battle.

Looking at the battlefield…he did it. He rescued my men. He saved them from the largest gathering of Aedra on the entire map. He wiped out what was left of the massive waves. Now…there were small pockets of Aedra. This was it. This was our finishing act. "Alert Battlemage Troops. Collective fire on positions four…ten…twelve…and nineteen. Let's finish this war!"

My supportive crew all started calling on their crystal balls, informing all the Battlemage Troops about my order. This was it. This was our finishing act.

"Hans! Hans!" I heard the last voice I'd expect to hear calling my name. I spun myself around to see Sosia running up to me, her face etched in fear. "Hans! We have a problem. The War Council…it's gone. Everyone was dead. Fiirnar…he killed everyone."

I found myself chuckling as I spun away. "And here I thought it was going to be Zeelius that was going to betray us." I looked to the map of the world sitting feet away from me. I felt something buzz behind me…like a feeling of anticipation. I learned over time to never ignore that feeling and right now…it was pointing me to the map. I had a sudden feeling of dread. A feeling of…oh crap.

"Everyone, away from the globe!" I screamed as I grabbed Sosia.

Everyone started backing away, just in time too. The globe started to glow and then it exploded into a massive fireball. I threw my hands up and summoned a huge round shield that covered the explosion. I held it against the raging fires as it tried to expand. It was hard and my hands felt like giving up while I continued to hold it but…I succeeded. The explosion started dying out and finally fizzled out. I held the shield for a few seconds while consulting with everyone.

"Evacuate the base, now! The Aldmeri Dominion is aware of our positions, our bases. Evacuate everything we have. Go underground to hidden bunkers! Give the order now!" I boomed to everyone inside the base. I turned my attention to my crew. "Warn all Battlemage Troops, all Fighters Guild, all Imperial soldiers. The Aldmeri Dominion is making a move!"

My crew got busy as hell. It didn't help. "Sir…our signal is being blocked."

I cursed under my breath and looked at Sosia. "Sosia, grab your daughter and get the hell underground. I am going to the battle bubble and getting my men out of there."

She was about to protest with me but she suddenly nodded. "Be careful, Hans."

I smiled. "I never leave my men unprotected."

Cearbhail: So, the story is not quite over yet, but things are growing quite serious. I'm not sure I can handle this progression but...my fingers dictate what I write, not so much my mind. That's ok because it always works out better in the end.