Once more, the war wagons were on march. Given the tranquillity of the voyage, it was all quiet, with the various soldiers being silent. The Ubersreik five and Wulfhart were no different.
They all looked at their surroundings, fearing that there might be an ambush in what seemed like an endless forest. While all were focused, Kerillian didn't seem to be in the best shape. Kruber was the only one to notice, and he wondered why.
Did she miss home? Hardly, she never talked about it other than to prove "Elven superiority". The Reikhammer knight just had no idea what was wrong with her. After a while, hoping to distract her from what was on her mind, he made a question regarding something he wanted to ask for some time, since they were in Lustria.
« Kerillian? You mind if I ask…»
Kerillian just looked at him irritated. « Never mind, it's a stupid question. » Kruber then said. To this, Kerillian simply sighed. « Well, you went all the way to make it, so might as well ask it anyway, mayfly. » she said annoyed.
« Well it's just…while we were in Lustria, you kept calling the Lizardmen "Children of the Old Ones." How's that so? » he finally asked. Kerillian just stood silent. « We Asrai aren't exactly well informed about the past of our world, at least not to the same degree as the Druuchi from Naggaroth, or the Asur of Ulthuan. But we know some bits. » she then spoke.
A short pause followed. « Before One Eye favourite "god", Sigmar, before Athel Loren, by Lileth, before we elves divided ourselves in three races, there were the Old Ones. And to shape the world to their liking, they created the Children of the Old Ones. The Lizardmen, as you mayflies call them. As for the rest, my knowledge is a bit foggy. But what I do know is that perhaps you lumberfoots should refrain yourself for calling them Beastmen. Sure, their plan might be against the weave, but they're not children of Chaos. » she explained, before turning angrily at Saltzpyre, who, while listening, didn't seem to care.
« Huh. Guess that's an explanation as any. » Kruber commented. « There is also something I wanted to ask, Kruber. » Saltzpyre added, an inquisitive look on his face. Kruber froze a bit at the question. « Oh, is that right? Well, ask away. » he responded.
« In our voyage to the savage jungles of Lustria I seemed to sense…doubt. Might I ask why? » the Witch Hunter asked, gaining a sigh from Kruber. « Well it's just…don't get me wrong, retirement after Ubersreik was rather boring, I say. But the thing is….what in Taal's name were we doing in Lustria? The Lizardmen aren't mutants, or at least not the kind that worships chaos, and they weren't going to the Old World any time now. Weren't WE the invaders this whole time? And for what, a couple of golden staffs and plaques? » Kruber admitted.
« It's more than just gold, Kruber. Tell me, what did you five do in Ubersreik when the ratmen attacked? » Wulfhart asked. « Well, we defended it- » Kruber responded before being interrupted. « Defended it. Exactly. The Empire has been on the defence for centuries. This is the first time in a long time we're on the attack. The gold rush in Lustria is of little importance for Karl Franz. It's the other resources that matter for him. Cut down some trees, bonify some swamps, and you get new farmlands. Farmlands that can feed the Imperial populace in times of war. Not to mention what else it's hidden in that continent. Iron, gunpowder, anything that can help the Empire survive. » Wulfhart then said.
« And of course the mayflies want to burn down the world around them. » Kerillian commented. « Why? Does this bring your kind bad memories of what you once were? » Saltzpyre mocked the elf.
« Don't confuse us for the Asur, One Eye. We don't care about becoming the world protectors nor to enslave it. Just leave the forest in peace. » Kerillian threatened the Witch Hunter. « If we wanted to conquer Athel Loren, we would have done that a long time ago. Or at least, we would have put a lot more effort. Tell Ariel she can keep her woods. » Wulfhart defused the situation.
« I don't particularly mind our voyage to Lustria. Maybe that's where Karak Zorn is located, and I've searched in the wrong continent. » Bardin commented. « I wouldn't be surprised that if any race could settle in Lustria, it would be the Dwarves. Weren't there rumours about Dwarves in the Spine of Sotek? » Sienna asked.
« Wouldn't be surprised. Good mountains, a good amount of iron and gems to be extracted….mid you, not a lot of ale, but it's not the end of the world. » Bardin responded. After a while, Kerillian tilted her head towards the front of the wagon.
« Sounds like someone is having a fight over there. » she noted. « You reckon it's the El Search Party lads? » Kruber asked, trusting the superior hearing of the elf. Before anyone could speak, a loud explosion was heard. « Only one way to find out. Once we're close enough to the source, we'll get out the wagons. » Wulfhart commanded.
And so, the wagons drove forward, and after a while, even the normal hearing of the humans could hear the sound of battle. With that said, Wulfhart and the Ubersreik five got out of the wagons, alongside the swordmen, spearmen and archers.
Beyond a large bush, was the source of the sound: a battle between Banthus bandits and a group of five. Among the five was a red haired swordman, a pink haired magician, a green haired elf, a dark-haired man with a mechanical arm and a blonde boy with a large cannon.
They were all fighting well against the numerically superior enemy, although their coordination seemed to lack. « Looks like we found the El Search Party lads. » Wulfhart noted. « Children. He really did send children after that Norscan! » Kruber cursed.
« Not that they seem unable to handle it! » Bardin commented. « True that. Reminds me of Ubersreik. Us, a ruined city, a never-ending horde of Skaven…. » Sienna added. « Yup. Good old times. » Kruber sarcastically added.
« I'd say we aid this band of misfits. The sooner we've dealt with the bandit, the sooner I can inspect this "El Shard" the natives seem to talk about. » Saltzpyre proposed in a cold tone. « Very well. » Wulfhart added, before aiming at a bandit that was sneaking behind the red-haired boy.
« Besides, the lad is getting a bit distracted. » the Huntmarshal smirked, before firing an arrow.
While the boy was fighting another bandit, almost twice his height, the other bandit was hit dead centre in the head. At the sound of the man hitting the ground, the red haired swordman turned.
Before he could exploit this opening, the large bandit was hit in the head as well, the sword boy turning back surprised.
« Rena! That was my bad guy! » he complained, before Rena, the elf, turned confused towards him. « Wha-I did nothing! » she justified herself. Suddenly, everyone stopped. « Then who did…. » the red-haired boy begun to speak, before a rustle could be heard in the bush.
Wulfhart was the first to come out of the bushes, a smirk on his face and his bow and arrows prepared. Behind him were the Ubersreik five, who marched silently. And right behind them were the Imperial spearmen, swordmen and archers.
The El Search Party members looked at the group confused. The bandits looked at them terrified. Banthus looked at them angrily. « You bastards again!? » he shouted angrily. « Missed us, Northman? » Kruber smirked.
Banthus growled angrily at them. « KILL THEM! » he shouted at his men, who feared their leader more than the group. « FOR SIGMAR! FOR THE EMPIRE! » Wulfhart rallied the men, who charged at the bandits. As they charged, Kruber fired multiple shots from his rifle, which had multiple barrels.
Then, bandits and Imperials clashed. The Spearmen used their solid line of spears to keep the bandits out of the archers reach, who simply shot at their defenceless enemy. Those who tried to flank the line were greeted by the Imperial swordmen, far more skilled than their bandit counterparts. As another group attempted to charge the Imperials from behind, the War Wagons charged in, crushing down their opponents and shooting them with their multi barrel guns.
Victor cut a bandit head off with ease as he swivelled his rapier to the left, piercing the neck of another as it held its ruptured windpipe in vain. Kerillian briefly appeared next to him, cutting down two that had attempted to flank the Witch Hunter before taking out a repeating crossbow and firing it. Three bolts shooting out and skewering a trio of bandits that were in line of each other before she disappeared into mist.
Markus and Sienna fought together, the handgun stowed behind the Reikhammer cape as the Knight went about his business, shield bashing a bandit in the face before cutting him down.
Sienna on the other hand, fought like a woman possessed. Using her bright order sword to set the bandit on fire with every single cut, even going as far as swiping her hand as she clawed them out with pure flame.
Bardin sung dwarven war songs as he went about, as his axe cleaved and flung bandit parts all over the place. Wulfhart instead used his skill with the bow to shoot any bandit that tried to get too close, his firing skills marching the ones of elves.
« Kill them all! Make sure not a single one is spared from Sigmar's gaze! » Victor yelled out like a madman. A bandit attempted to play dead as the Witch Hunter walked close, springing up at the last moment.
Victor was all too use to that trick as he responded accordingly. Using the spiked end of his boot to kick into the bandit chest, the man crying in pain as the Witch Hunter then raised his foot, stomping its head in.
The El Search Party members looked at the carnage, shocked at the skills of the group. « You know, you can keep that bad guy. » the red haired boy commented slightly pale. « Looks like our siscon swordman is finally scared of something, huh? » the pink haired girl mocked him.
The black haired man smirked at the sight. « Can you blame him? These guys are good! » he commented. « This is supposed to be our battle. We should help them! » the blonde boy exclaimed. « That's the plan! » the red-haired boy smirked.
« Come on! Let's go! » he then yelled out, as the group charged in to aid the Imperials. As one bandit attempted to sneak behind Kruber, the red-haired boy cleaved him in half with his sword. « Never let your back exposed to the enemy! » he yelled out.
« I suppose you must be this Elsword Chief Hagus told us about. Can't say I agree about the notion of sending children fighting bandits. » Kruber commented as he parried the attack from a bandit. « Who are you calling a child!? Besides, these guys are a joke! » the boy, Elsword, responded offended. « Not so much the Northman. » Kruber responded. « You mean Banthus? » Elsword asked confused. « Long story. We'll explain later. For now, focus on killing some bastards, will ya! » Kruber commanded.
The pink haired magician summoned a chain of fireballs, all hitting several bandits. Before others could avenge their fallen, they were soon engulfed in Sienna's flames. She looked shocked at the sight, before turning to the elder woman. « Wow! That was incredible! Are you a magician too? » she exclaimed amazed. « A blight wizard to be precise. Increase your firepower and you're not that bad too! » Sienna complimented the girl. « Well…. I might be handicapped a bit at the moment. » she commented. « Aisha, right? After this is done, I could teach you a few tricks! » Sienna proposed, before slaying another bandit.
Rena used her bow to hit some bandits. Her aim and speed were incredible, but soon paled in comparison to Kerillian crossbow. « Lilieth be blessed, it's been so long since I've seen another elf! » Kerillian exclaimed overjoyed. « I'm glad it makes you happy! » Rena responded confused, before kicking a bandit. « Oh, you've no idea. Have you any idea how hard is it to share your living space with these mayflies? » Kerillian responded, gaining a curious look from Rena.
Saltzpyre and the black-haired man were fighting alone, surrounded by bandits. « It's been a while since I've seen men fighting so well! What are you, mercenaries? » he asked. « We do not fight for money or glory. We fight in honour of Sigmar, and in honour of the Empire! » Saltzpyre responded. Before slashing a bandit with his mechanical hand, the black-haired man looked at Saltzpyre confused. « Who the hell is Sigmar? » he asked. « As much as it pains me to admit it, this is not the time to be enlightened about the god emperor himself, Raven Cronwell. Just focus on holy slaughter against those who walk away from his light! » Saltzpyre responded.
Bardin was busy dealing with several bandits, who seemed to gain the upper hand by essentially swarming him. Before they could have a chance to kill him, they were sent flying as a large projectile hit the centre of the group. Bardin turned to see the blonde boy standing there, ready to take another shot. « Oy! Nice shot Baragumgi! Not as good as cousin Okri, but it's a start! » the dwarf complimented the boy, who looked at him confused. « Baragumgi? » he asked. « Cannon man! What else am I supposed to call that mannling weapon? » the dwarf responded. The boy simply sighed. « Just call me Chung. » he smiled. « I wouldn't count on that, boy. » Wulfhart then said, as he fired another arrow at a bandit.
Soon, the bandits were either all killed, or worked the courage to escape. At the sight, Banthus charged, roaring like a wild animal. « Looks like we made the Northman angry! » Kruber yelled. He swung his sword forward, almost hitting the Ubersreik five and cleaving a spearman in half.
Before he could recover, Elsword swung his sword upward, before Aisha hit him with a fireball. Kruber was the next to attack, hitting him at full speed like a battering ram. Saltzpyre and Kerillian hit him mercilessly on the chest, causing him to cough blood.
He was so injured by the fight, that he didn't notice a red circle of magic grow beneath them. Sienna smiling as she pointed her staff.
« Goodbye, Darling. »
The circle exploded into bright red flames, torching the bandit king alive. He tried his best to turn off the flames, he rolled on the ground, he hit the flames with his hands, but nothing worked. It wasn't until Wulfhart shot him with an arrow that he was put down from his misery, like a rabid dog.
The Imperials looked at the dead man with little care. « Another heretic's body stains the ground. » Saltzpyre commented coldly. « Well that was unnecessarily brutal. » Elsword commented. « It hardly matters. What's important is your mission ahead….and my inspection. » was Saltzpyre response.
« You're right. It's good that we stopped him before he could carry the El Shard away- » Rena said, as she inspected the pockets of the dead man. But before he could finish her phrase, a green crystal came out of the bandit's pockets.
The Imperial's eyes widened at the sight, and Saltzpyre pushed Rena away. « I knew it…I KNEW IT! YOUR EL SHARD IS DOOM INCARNATED! » the Witch Hunter yelled fanatically. « Doom incarnated!? What the heck are you talking about!? That's an El Shard! » Elsword exclaimed.
« Source of power my arse! That's bloody Warpstone! Everybody stay back! » Kruber yelled out. « Wha-Warpstone? What the heck is warpstone!? » Aisha exclaimed. « Whatever Warpstone is, you must be confused! The El Shard is what made this land fertile! » Rena tried to ease the tensions.
« You mean to tell me we've been walking and fighting in Warpstone corrupted land!? No, you mean to tell me this whole land is contaminated by Chaos solidified essence!? BY SIGMAR! WE'VE ALL BEEN CONTAMINATED! » Saltzpyre shouted.
« LUMBERFOOTS! CALM. DOWN! That's NOT Warpstone! » Kerillian shouted. « Or at least…it's a different kind. » she then said, as she walked forward. She crouched down where the crystal was, and moved her hand closer.
« I wouldn't do that, Wutzelgi. » Bardin warned his companion. « It's fine. Whatever…this thing is….it's not connected to Chaos….it's connected to the forest… » was Kerillian response. « Did the weed tell you that? » Kruber asked. « It's the weave you're talking about. And as it stands…the El Shard IS the weave here. » Kerillian responded.
« Is that so? » Saltzpyre asked. « A long time ago, the land of Elrios was barren and lacked life. It was dark and chaotic. It was Ishmael who threw the El Crystal, and it was this way that life begun. » Rena explained.
« So this "El Shard" is harmless, right? » Wulfhart asked. « That's what we've been trying to say! » Elsword exclaimed. « Oy oy oy oy! Can't blame us for this one! You've never seen what Warpstone does to a man. » Kruber responded.
« None the less, we should put it back to the Tree of El. The forest is going crazy without it. » Rena then said. « Aye, true that. The forest feels like it's dying, even if I can't speak with the trees. » Kerillian added.
« Wait, you can talk with the forest? I didn't know elves could do that. » Chung commented. « She's an Asrai. A Wood Elf. An inhabitant of the forest of Athel Loren. And to survive that Sigmar forgotten realm, you need to be friendly with the trees. » Wulfhart explained.
« Okay this is getting confusing. First this Sigmar guy, and now Athel Loren. What does any of that mean? » Elsword asked confused. « The way back to Ruben is a long one. We'll explain on the road. » Wulfhart responded.
Hello folks! I've a request for you lot.
What could be some interactions between the Ubersreik Five and Markus Wulfhart and the El Search Party? How would Bardin call them?
In the meantime, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please review so I can learn your opinion. I'm willing to accept suggestions, so stay tuned.
See you on the next chapter!