Though he had spent the past 20 years as a loyal solider of the Slane Theocracy, Mathias Draingan was smart enough to recognize that his beloved nation, who had served as a shining example of humanity's supremacy, was losing the war against the evil forces of Utumno.
2 other cities had suffered the same fate as Thisian, though thanks to the mercy of the 6 Gods hundreds of innocent civilians had managed to escape the infernos that consumed their homes.
And despite the best efforts of the Scriptures, which had been tasked with supporting the nation's army as they tried to hold back the demonic hordes, more and more territory was lost to the one they called Morbus.
Luckily his years of service, not to mention the fact that he was related by blood to the chief servant of the Cardinal of Light Yvon Dracrowa, the 37 year old Major had been able to sit out the war as an officer in the capital's garrison. But such fortune was coming to an end as the Cardinal of Darkness sought to save the country by implementing a plan that many considered to be ill advised.
Yes there was wisdom in concentrating one's combat potential in a single force, rather than fritting them away piecemeal. But while the Cardinal's actions served to help create what was probably the strongest military force ever assembled by the Slane Theocracy, it also meant that those who were expected to be the demon's next targets were woefully undermanned and ill equipped.
Not to mention that in order to field the numbers that the Cardinal's were demanding, the sections of the country that were furthest away from the frontlines had to severely weaken their ability to defend themselves by cutting their garrisons well below the level of what was determined to be safe.
Which meant that if Morbus managed to destroy this army, the fall of the Slane Theocracy, the last pure bastion of humanity, would happen in a matter of weeks, if not days.
And once that happened, it would fall to either the craven Bahharuth Empire, or the weak and decadent Re-Estize Kingdom to continue to halt the cancerous infection that seeped from the Northern Mountains. And considering the latter's inability to protect their borders from a purely human adversary, Mathias had little doubt that the Kingdom would prove to be an easy target.
For since the Gods chose to remain silent during this crisis, Mathias had kept hidden a thought that would have rendered any familial protection null and void should he choose to speak it.
For if the Gods refused to help their chosen people combat a Demon, then the only thing that could help them was the aid of another Demon.
….
Though his expression was hidden underneath the helmet that he had modelled after the live action version of the titular character of Tolkien's trilogy, the former librarian was currently sporting an expression that betrayed the child like joy he always felt when watching thousands of beings march in formation.
Only this time instead of watching the spectacle through the use of a tv or computer screen, his current circumstances allowed him to witness this in a similar manner to every conquering tyrant that had existed in both cinematic history and real life.
A raised platform to look out over his army of loyal minions.
Surrounded by some of his trusted servants.
It was enough to make anyone understand why so many gamers chose to be the bad guy. For who couldn't get used to the ego inflating reminder that all of this answered to him.
Rank after rank of his army passed through the gates of Utumno, until the land that laid outside of the towering structure disappeared beneath the feet of thousands of armored monsters. And as the last of his magnificent host assembled upon the field, the last remaining member of Shadowed Lord alloweda smirk to cross his hidden features as his army proceeded to express their loyalty.
"Morbus. Morbus. Morbus. Morbus".
Holding up his hand to quench the thunderous chant, well aware that his actions greatly resembled that of the cinematic character that his bearded servant had been based off of, the shape changing overlord allowed the final echoes of his name to fade before delving into his partially modified speech.
"Soldiers of Utumno. A new power is rising. Our victory, is at hand".
His words earning another round of cheering from his army, along with the expected rhythmic banging of metal against metal, Morbus didn't have to wait long for the silence to descent.
"This night, the land will be stained with the blood of the Theocracy. March to Thisian. Leave none alive".
Raising his arms as the excited murmurings of his minions grew louder with each order, the shape changing overlord bellowed his final order in a manner that any fan of the live action trilogy would recognize.
"TO WAR".
Smiling as the ranks repeated his phrase before they began to once again chant his name, Morbus took a deep breath to calm his nerves as he readied himself to carry through with a decision that was even more difficult than ordering the destruction of an entire city.
Choosing which infatuated female had the honor of remaining at his side while he exposed himself to danger. And which one had to stay at home.
"Thuringwethil. While I'm gone, you are in charge of Utumno's defenses. While I suspect that Momanga will abide by our agreement, it would be prudent to ensure that we don't tempt our skeletal adversary, or more importantly his loyal minions, into trying to exploit any possible loopholes. I trust that between you and Gothmog you will be able to perform this task to the best of your abilities"?
Though his words caused the vampiric beauty to bow her head to show that she would follow his orders, Morbus suspected that Thuringwethil would quickly object to them as I expressed my wishes to the green eyed red head.
"Mara, you are to accompany me and the Nine as we march off the battle. However, unlike Angmar and his brothers, your role is to serve as my bodyguard. I trust that you have no objections to this role"?
Though his words earned a small gasp of surprise from the leather wearing red head, Mara quickly shook her head as she answered her lord's question.
"None at all my lord. I am most honored to be selected to remain by your side as you march to destroy those that do not acknowledge you as master".
And as he expected, her words managed to caused the dress wearing vampire to protest his decision. Albeit in a way that was far less troublesome that he had come to expect.
"My lord Morbus. While I do not deny that Mara is skilled in the arts of combat, wouldn't it perhaps be wiser for me to serve you in that role in her place? The abilities of a warrior certainly trump the abilities of an assassin when it comes to the fields of war"?
Seeing that Mara was about to offer a less than polite retort to the lightly smirking vampire, the former librarian raised his hand to put an end to the developing argument.
"Normally you'd be right Thuringwethil. When it comes to fighting on the frontlines, it is perhaps better to wield the great sword instead of the rapier. However, since I intend to direct the battle rather than participate in it, though I might hurl a spell or two at the enemy city should it prove to be a bit harder to crack, Mara's abilities are more than sufficient for my needs. Besides, with both Saruman and Sidious currently pursuing their own assignments, and Gothmog being a more physical type of combatant, Utumno currently lacks a magic caster of the highest caliber. Which is why I trust no other to fulfill this role in my absence. Do you understand Thuringwethl"?
Adding just a hint of warning in his tone to ensure that there would be no further attempts to argue his decision, Morbus nodded his head in approval as the dress wearing vampire bowed her head in acceptance.
"Yes my lord. I will do all that I can to ensure that your trust in me is not misplaced".
Pleased to have dealt with the jealousies of his raven haired lover, who would probably find other ways in order to ensure that she remained the favorite bedding of her master without breaking the tentative agreement she had formed with her fellow female, the master of Utumno turned his attention back towards the impressive sight that was his army.
Smaller in number compared to he literary and cinematic version of the forces that had laid siege to the strongest remaining bastion of the Dunedain, but larger than the army Isenguard had sent to snuff out the King of Rohan in his mountain fortress, Morbus was confident that his troops would prevail over what ever force the Theocracy had managed to collect for the defense of their capital.
Especially if they tried to repeat the scheme that had nearly seen the cancellation of the deal between himself and the skeletal overlord of Nazarick.
For unlike that undead loli, his minions would not be acting alone while they followed his orders. And if by some miracle they did manage to brainwash one of his high leveled servants, he had nine more to ensure that such a change in allegiance remained temporary at best. For while he was now confident in his abilities to defeat his Supreme Generals should their loyalties no longer rest with him and him alone, only an idiot would needlessly risk themselves when they had options that could put an end to such rebellions both quickly and efficiently.
And since he had no desire to test whether or not he was still bound to Yggdrasil's rules of player resurrection, when it came to life or death situations, he would only get personally involved if he had no other choice.
Or as the case was with the upcoming battle, when he felt the need to act the role of an insanely powerful dark lord.
...
Though her talents were more tailored towards the more clandestine aspects of warfare, whether it be assassinating enemy leaders, or gathering intelligence, Mara had to confess that for the first time, she felt a little bit of jealousy for the granted talents of her fellow Supreme Generals.
Not so much their abilities in combat, but more for their chance to lead the armies of Utumno in a crusade to spread the rule of their glorious master.
For whereas her efforts in accomplishing this were akin to a domino being knocked over, or the strategic employment of a chess piece, the act of directing soldiers into battle had more visual confirmation.
But on this day, her lord and master did not wish for his Supreme Generals to act in his stead. But rather, they would be used as the instruments to errdicate the pestilent vermin that continued to deny his rightful ownership of these lands.
"Angmar. You and your brothers will take to the sky and cause as much havoc to their defences as you are able. You are forbidden from actually engaging the enemy on the ground, but you may use magic, and your steeds to wreak as much destruction as possible. However, I want you to concentrate the majority of your efforts on their walls. You don't have to bring them down, but I want their ability to resist my army to suffer. Understood".
Watching in approval as her master's nine creations nodded as one, the red haired assassin found herself stiffening to attention as she found herself enjoying the full attention of her armor wearing lord.
"As for you Mara, you have the important task of helping me to coordinate the assault of my ground forces. Which will be organized into 3 waves".
Doing her best to keep her joy at this news contained, Mara had once again marvel as the brilliance of Utumno's shape changing overlord as he outlined his plan of attack.
"With the Nazgul being used to damage, if not cripple, their ability to maintain their defences, I have decided that the first wave of our assault will be comprised of our Goblin troops. Supported by troll artillery, which will be divided between causing further destruction in the city and bringing down the front gate, I will direct 4000 Goblin troopers to make a frontal assault. With their ability to scale all but the smoothest of walls, which your agents have informed me is not the case here, their task will to pave the way for the second wave by either seizing control of several sections of the wall, or by stalling an attempt by the Theocracy to seal any breach that we have made in their defences".
Nodding her head to show her full acceptance with this plan, the green eyed red head managed to retain her military pose as Morbus continued to explain his plan.
"Once this has been accomplished, which may or may not require my personal involvement should their defences prove to be greater than anticipated, the second wave will be carried out by 15,000 Orc troopers. Their task will be to crush any remaining resistance within the city, and to ensure that no one escapes. Should this prove to be insufficient, though I doubt it will, we will have 6000 Uruks to act as a reserve to reinforce our efforts should they falter. Though again, considering the effects the Nazgul have on humans, be they magic caster or warrior, I doubt that we will need to commit them".
Having reached a similar conclusion herself, Mara couldn't help but give voice to her curiosity as she noticed a missing element of her master's plan.
"Pardon me for asking this Lord Morbus, but won't the human insects have time to prepare for our arrival? As glorious as your army is, it's not exactly a force that is easily hidden from prying eyes".
Fearing she had overstepped, the red haired assassin was relieved to hear the unmistakable sound of chuckling coming from the towering shape changer.
"You are correct in your presumption Mara. Even marching at a swift pace, it would take the army at least a week to travel from here to the Theocracy's capital. Ample time for our enemies to not only discover our troops, but also implement methods designed to slow the army down. Which is why the army is NOT going to be wasting time and energy marching through hostile territory".
Pleased at having her concerns validated, Mara's confused expression quickly morphed into adoration as she watched the ruler of Utumno once again display the brilliance of his tactical mind with just a single word.
"GATE".
...
Though he was surprised as any one of his comrades on the wall, Mathias was certain that he was one of the few that immediately understood that the fiery tear represented the final death knell of the city.
For while it was not unheard of for teleportation spells to be used to transport small numbers of people or goods, such visual displays were always small in scale, and could only be performed by magic casters of above average ability.
By such was not the case for this gate, for its appearance, size, and bone chilling aura were enough to convince the 37 year old Major that the city's defences had no chance of defeating the forces of the Evil One.
The rank upon rank of demonic soldiery emerging from the gate was bad enough to inspire dread within majority of the army that had assembled at Kami Miyako . But the thousands of armoured beasts that marched from the fiery gate way were not the true source of the city's new found feeling that all hope was lost.
For emerging from the top most corner of the flame covered portal, which was perhaps nearly twice as tall as Kami Miyak's
largest cathedral, was undeniable proof that the power of Utunmo not only ruled the skies, but could also turn even the most stalwart of men into a spineless coward.
And as the 9 bat like shaped cried with the voices of death, Mathias knew that the end had come.
...
Annnnnnd that's enough for now XD.
Happy new year everybody. Tried to get this chapter out with the rest of my Christmas release, but sadly, that was not to be.
Finally got around to another battle scene...or at least the start of one. And intend for this one to be a bit more...fleshed out than having an army of Uruks used as part of a Dragon trap.
Also, if you may have noticed, incorporate elements from both Two Towers and Return of the King when it comes to the nature of Utumno's army. By which I mean, modifying the White Wizard's speech to his army, and having the army/Nazgul attack a walled capital city.
Also of course, more competition between the ladies of Utumno. Always like cat fights XD.
Anyways, please review, no flames.
And til next time.