Now we return to Tempestas and Primarch II's story...
In truth...this chapter was suppose to come up ages ago, but better late than never I suppose...
As always, I hope you enjoy this...
The Battle for the Storm Hold
The Storm Hold rose like a jagged wall from the seas of Tempestas; a menacing monolith. The eyrie was the bastion of one of the oldest and mightiest of the Storm Rider orders. It had weathered numerous assaults, both from the Eternal Storm and other Storm Riders, and it was widely believed that it would never fall.
Until the rise of the Thunder Bearers.
The Riders of the Storm Hold, led by a formidable veteran known as Ajuhal, had been among the earliest to oppose the Iron Roost Riders, back since the earliest days of Torwald himself. They had ever been at the forefront in the war against the Iron Roost, from the days of the Thunder Bearer's leadership, to the present, with Thorondor the Storm Lord.
But since the young Storm Rider had risen to the leadership of the Thunder Bearers, the Storm Hold Riders found themselves losing ground. Under Thorondor's leadership, the Thunder Bearers had fought with renewed ferocity and cunning. In addition to that, the various settlements allied to them had provided them with an army, which under Thorondor's guidance and leadership became a formidable organised army capable of taking on even the Storm Riders, greatly bolstering the Thunder Bearers' fighting force.
The Riders of the Storm Hold and their allies were pushed back as settlement after settlement rebelled and joined with the Thunder Bearers against them. Eyrie after eyrie had either fallen or surrendered to the Thunder Bearers and after nearly two decades of a long hard war, the Storm Riders of the Storm Hold were the last eyrie Storm Riders left.
II II II
The rain and lightning poured heavily on the massive rock formation where Thunder Bearers made their base camp. It was several hundred miles away from the Storm Hold, yet the eyrie still towered menacingly like an unmoving tsunami in the distance.
The other forces of the Thunder Bearers, both Storm Riders and non-Riders alike have made camp on the other rock islands or formations that faced the eyrie. Tempestas's weather had taken a more violent turn, forcing the Thunder Bearers to delay their attack until the weather improved.
Gwaine emerged from his tent, relishing the feel of water splattering down on his face and the sound of it pattering off his armour. Looking ahead, he saw a great shape standing near the edge of the cliff. Gwaine made his way to it.
Sure enough, before long, he found himself looking up at the towering majestic form of Garuda's back. The Storm Eagle turned to look at him with one menacing eye, and Gwaine found himself paralysed beneath its gaze. Even after fighting alongside Thorondor and by extension, Garuda for the last twenty years, Gwaine still found the titanic Storm Eagle terrifying at the best of times, and only dared to approach the Storm Eagle when Thorondor was around.
Gwaine could see Thorondor standing between the Storm Eagle's legs; his great formed looking miniscule when compared to Garuda's. Gwaine carefully made his way to Thorondor.
The Storm Lord had unbound his ebony hair, and it hung loose about his shoulders. His eyes were unreadable, like storm clouds obscuring his soul but to Gwaine, it was the smile that was the most striking difference. Twenty years of war had changed the smile into a grim one, and Gwaine could barely remember the last time he had seen Thorondor smile from simple joy.
Gwaine stood next to his best friend, his head now barely reaching past Thorondor's elbow. They both stared out at the Storm Hold, thinking of the battle to come.
"So I assume they've refused?" asked Thorondor.
"They did," answered Gwaine.
During the course of the war, every time when the Thunder Bearer faced with an eyrie or settlement, Thorondor would offer them the same choice: join the cause of the Thunder Bearer, or be forced to join. With the settlements, virtually all of them agreed to join the Thunder Bearers after centuries of being exploited by the eyrie Storm Riders. With the eyries however, it had been a completely different story. Since each one was a bastion of a Storm Rider order, many of them were capable of defending themselves. Of the ones that surrendered, they were usually the smaller and weaker eyries or (and far rarer) eyries that shared the same ideals as the Thunder Bearers. The surrendering Storm Riders were welcomed into the Thunder Bearers, as were their armies and people.
Many more however, inevitably chose to resist. They were defeated, and the resisting Storm Rider order would be utterly annihilated. The surviving armies and people would be incorporated into the Thunder Bearers' order, but at times, some would continue to resist, often resulting in the difficult and brutal task of putting them down.
Gwaine could see those deaths tearing at Thorondor's soul.
Now that the Storm Hold, home to easily over ten million souls, ten thousand of which were Storm Riders, had refused to willingly join the Thunder Bearers, they would meet the same fate of the other Storm Rider orders that had resisted, and the ten million people who called the Storm Hold home would no doubt suffer, either through collateral damage, or through resisting due to some misguided ideal.
Those coming deaths were weighing heavily on Thorondor. Gwaine decided to do his best to pull Thorondor's thoughts away from them.
"So this is it, then?" asked Gwaine.
Thorondor smiled gratefully at Gwaine, clearly realising what Gwaine was trying to do. "Yes. Once the Hold falls under our control, all of Tempestas will be united."
"With you at its heart," added Gwaine.
Thorondor remained silent, clearly turning the thought over in his head.
"Me ruling Tempestas..." began Thorondor, bowing his head.
"With all of Tempestas united, we will need a leader to hold it together, or else things would fall apart and go back to how they were," said Gwaine. "You're the only one who could do this."
"There's you," said Thorondor, looking over Gwaine with a wry smile.
"I don't command the same level of awe and respect you do," replied Gwaine sternly. He softened a little before adding. "Besides, you know I'll be at your side every step of the way. I can't have you making stupid decisions now, can I, Thor?"
Thorondor's smile widened a little further. "I just wish that Master Torwald could be here."
Gwaine said nothing, but clapped Thorondor on the back, smiling sadly.
II II II
Ajuhal was studying the hololithic map of the Storm Hold with his advisors around him. The old warrior towered over his peers, his completely bald save for the grey topknot that flowed down between his shoulders like a tail. His hard, dark eyes took in information from the hololithic readings even as various messengers periodically rushed into the chamber that he had made his command post to relay news.
"The enemy has breached the lower levels, my lord!"
"Master Tagast's company have engaged enemy Riders to the west of the Hold!"
"Master Suvan and Master Uzair's companies have both been destroyed!"
"Enemy forces landing on the eastern peaks, my lord!"
Ajuhal took all the information in with a stoic expression, barking out the appropriate orders when necessary. This was why the people of Tempestas had paid tribute to him; so he could wage war on their behalf. He had no use for ideals, only practicalities.
Ajuhal had known Torwald for decades. He had often scoffed at the Thunder Bearer's ideals, but had always respected Torwald's abilities as a warrior.
Despite that respect however, Ajuhal had not hesitated to go to war against Torwald's order when it became clear that the leader of the Iron Roost had become a threat. He had crossed blades many times with Torwald during the war, with neither warrior being able to overcome the other. Their respect for each other had grown each time.
Torwald had often pleaded with Ajuhal to see sense, to join his cause. Ajuhal could see the nobility of the Thunder Bearer's vision, but it wasn't just possible. It would have taken far too much blood, too many resources to accomplish a goal as lofty as the unification of Tempestas; there would always be rogue Storm Riders resisting, individual eyries and settlements. It would have cost far too much. The old ways were best; the Storm Riders offering protection, and the people of Tempestas paying them for it. Far less lives and resources would have been thrown away.
Ajuhal had mourned when he had heard of Torwald's death, but he had also been relieved; he had hoped that with the Thunder Bearer gone, the Iron Roost Riders would give up in their foolish aim to unify Tempestas, and things could go back to the way they were.
Only he had been wrong.
The Iron Roost Riders, renamed the Thunder Bearers had risen under the leadership of the Storm Lord and renewed their campaign with ruthless aggression. Eyrie after eyrie had fallen or surrendered to them, settlements flocked to their banners and opposing Storm Rider orders either joined them or were exterminated.
Ajuhal had been right in the sense that much blood had been spilled over the goal to unify Tempestas.
Now, his order was the only one left in the Thunder Bearers' way.
Ajuhal knew the odds of victory were nearly non-existent, but decades of experience allowed him to see a glimmer of hope.
If he could take the head of the Storm Lord, then victory would belong to his order. The Storm Lord was the heart of the Thunder Bearers and their armies, the driving force behind their vision; with him gone, they would break.
So he waited patiently, using his decades of experience to react to the situation, listening for the opening he was waiting for…
"My lord, the main vanguard led by Master Rokai, Master Kon and Master Azrael have been routed! The rest of our forces are too spread out; the enemy has a clear path to the Hold's central peaks…right at us."
There.
Ajuhal straightened up, grinning. "Gentlemen, an opportunity has presented itself."
One of his fellow Riders looked at him, surprised. "An opportunity, my lord?"
Ajuhal nodded. "This is our chance, if we take it, victory will be ours."
Some of his most senior Riders nodded in understanding, but the rest looked confused.
Ajuhal rested his knuckles on the hololith desk. "Consider this; the enemy now has a clear shot to get us…me. The Storm Lord himself will show himself at last."
"How can you be certain, my lord?" asked one of the Riders.
Ajuhal shot a glare at the Rider who had spoken, making him lower his gaze. "Because the Storm Lord's victory will not be complete unless he personally takes my head. Therein lies our chance for victory."
Ajuhal turned to pick up his glaive; rotating his shoulder in anticipation of the fight.
"I will lead our reserve Riders and take his head myself."
Silence greeted his words.
"Can…can you do it, my lord?" asked one of the younger Riders. He gulped when every eye in the room turned to him. "The Storm Lord has personally killed many of our finest Riders…can…can you do it?"
Ajuhal grinned. "Fair point, but none of those Riders were me."
He turned to face his men. "We've been on the back foot in this war for the last two decades. Everything hinges on this last battle. We will put everything into this final counterattack. Clear a path for me; I will go for the Storm Lord."
"But if you fall, my lord…"
"This is war, gentlemen," growled Ajuhal. "There is no place for me to go even if I survive the loss. The Storm Hold is my home…our home…our way of life is being threatened by these misguided fools. I am not going anywhere."
Ajuhal straightened up once more.
"I will take to the Storm once more. If this proves to be the last time I do, then so be it. Are you with me, my brothers?"
They answered with a resounding roar.
II II II
Ajuhal's army collided with the Thunder Bearers in mid-air. Wrist-mounted guns roared like thunder, tearing through armour and Storm Eagle alike. Power glaives sliced through Thunder Bearer or Storm Hold Rider or Eagle. Storm Eagle talons snared Riders or tore through other Eagles, while steel-hard beak drew blood on every engagement.
Ajuhal rode through the confusion with a confidence born through decades of experience. Two Thunder Bearer Riders charged him head on and he expertly angled his Eagle so he easily flew between them, allowing his Eagle to rake its talons through one Thunder Bearer while he clove another in half with his power glaive.
Many other Thunder Bearers tried to take him, but he was too great a warrior for them, cutting them down or expertly manoeuvring his Storm Eagle into a killing position. Many Thunder Bearers fell to the violent sea by his hand.
Ajuhal grinned, his blood racing from the thrill of battle. No one could stop him.
Until he collided with another warrior who proved to be his equal. They circled each other and swooped in and out, trading blows with their power glaives or allowing their Eagles to snap and claw at each other.
Ajuhal recognised Gwaine the Lightning Rider, the right hand of Thorondor the Storm Lord. The other warrior lived up to his reputation, matching Ajuhal blow for blow. After nearly ten minutes of duelling, Ajuhal's experience spotted miniscule weak points in Gwaine's technique, so miniscule that would be unnoticeable to anyone else.
He knew how to exploit it, but it would cost him and his Storm Eagle a lot of energy, and given the Lightning Rider's own fighting prowess, Ajuhal knew he wouldn't come out of it unscathed.
Ajuhal swore, he had hoped to save his energy for the Storm Lord, but if he allowed this duel to carry on…
There was a pair of screeches, and two of Ajuhal's fellow Riders threw themselves at the Lightning Rider, forcing him back.
Ajuhal thanked them silently and flew on, searching for the Storm Lord.
Around him, the battle raged on. His Storm Riders were among the best on Tempestas, but so were the Thunder Bearers, and there were more of them.
The longer the battle went on, the more the tide of battle would favour the Thunder Bearers. Ajuhal knew he had to end it soon.
A great cry cut through the chaos of battle, and at last, Ajuhal saw him.
The legendary Storm Eagle Garuda descended from the Eternal Storm itself, many times bigger than any other Storm Eagle. His massive wings knocked Storm Hold Raiders out of the air; his talons tore through many of them with every single swipe and his beak ended lives with every blow.
On his back, bear headed, with a menacing smile was Thorondor the Storm Lord.
With his appearance, many of the Storm Hold Riders fell back, their Storm Eagles maddened with fear and refusing to go near Garuda.
Ajuhal's own mount squawked with fear and tried to turn around.
"Woah there," cried Ajuhal, patting his Eagle on the back of the neck. "Woah there, old friend."
He held his Eagle in place, facing the Storm Lord. He leaned forward to whisper to his frightened mount.
"We've been through a lot together, haven't we?" he said soothingly. "I know you're scared; so am I. But this is what we live for, Torun. We kill them here, and we'll have nothing to fear ever again. So come on!"
His Storm Eagle calmed and shot forward towards the massive form of Garuda. Ajuhal's grip on his power glaive tightened as he envisioned tearing through Garuda's torso before going for the Storm Lord.
Garuda and his rider spotted them coming and reacted swiftly.
The massive Storm Eagle's beak shot out at them with frightening speed, but Ajuhal swiftly guided his Storm Eagle beneath the blow, slashing out with his power glaive at Garuda's chest.
The Storm Lord reacted with stunning speed, making Garuda bank away from the blow so that Ajuhal struck nothing but air. Garuda wheeled around, shrieking murderously and Ajuhal knew his Eagle was no match for the Storm Lord's mount in straight fight.
He urged his Storm Eagle skyward; height was crucial in aerial combat.
Behind him, the Storm Lord pursued him.
Ajuhal urged his mount to go faster, and his Storm Eagle responded as best as it could, but it still wasn't enough; Garuda was gaining on them.
Suddenly, Ajuhal wheeled his mount around, charging straight at Garuda. Surprised, the massive Storm Eagle reacted too slowly, his beak snapping out too late.
Ajuhal guided his Storm Eagle over the blow so they were flying right over Garuda and towards the Storm Lord himself.
As one of Garuda's massive wings rose, threatening to unbalance his mount, Ajuhal angled his mount so that he would have a clean swing at the Storm Lord.
With years of experience and trust between them, Ajuhal's Eagle obeyed, giving him the perfect angle for the blow.
Ajuhal raised his glaive, preparing to swing, as the Storm Lord did the same.
Time seemed to slow between them and their eyes met.
In that moment, Ajuhal knew that he was facing a being far beyond anything he had ever met. Nothing in his decades of experience could have prepared him for that moment; if anything, all it did was confirm the vast gulf between him and his foe. As Ajuhal looked into the storm-grey eyes of the Storm Lord, he saw within them a power and strength far surpassing Torwald the Thunder Bearer, Gwaine and himself and indeed, any other Storm Rider on Tempestas past, present and very likely even the future.
Ajuhal realised then and there, that he had never stood a chance.
His power glaive, raised and ready to swing at its master's foe, faltered.
As though sensing Ajuhal's thoughts, the Storm Lord's menacing smile morphed into a smile of pity, and through his eyes, the Storm Lord promised him a mercifully quick death.
Ajuhal, the Lord of the Storm Hold's life came to an end when Thorondor the Storm Lord clove him in half with a single blow.
II II II
The Battle of the Storm Hold had lasted for a week, beginning with breaches by the non-Riders armies on the lower levels to various assaults by the Thunder Bearers Storm Rider companies on the eastern and western peaks. The battle had ended when Ajuhal, Lord of the Storm Hold had fought Thorondor the Storm Lord in single battle and was killed.
With the death of Ajuhal, the Storm Riders of the Hold had quickly crumbled and were routed. Those who surrendered were shown mercy, while those who continued to resist, either by fighting or fleeing were slain.
The battle had cost over hundreds of thousands of lives, marking it as the bloodiest battle in the Unification of Tempestas.
With the Storm Hold under the Thunder Bearers' control, there was no longer any Storm Rider order that could resist the Thunder Bearers. The smaller orders that had thus far stayed out of the war quickly surrendered to the Thunder Bearers, bringing all the Storm Riders and the people of Tempestas under their rule.
Thorondor the Storm Lord was the ruler of Tempestas. The news was met with great celebration by the people of Tempestas, with some mixed reactions by the Storm Riders.
But none would question Thorondor's prowess as a warrior and his great leadership.
For the first time in her history, Tempestas was a united world.