Demeteous 4th, 687 of the Imperial calendar
Zorzal walked up to the balcony as thousands of soldiers stood below in perfect formations, unmoving like statues. His plan had worked and he was now ruler of Sadera, her vast lands and her loyal sons ready to claim victory from the grasp of victory. Despite the light clouds covering the sky, he truly felt like the greatest man in the world. "My brothers!" He announced, "I have come with terrible news. My father, the emperor of this great country has been murdered by our own! He was killed by those who swore loyalty to the state and the crown with promises from the barbarians that if they succeeded then they'd be given more power then they could imagine."
He saw that while many were frozen, their eyes looked of shock, horror and anger. "My sister Piña and much of the senate has sided with the enemy! They would strip away our culture, our pride, our sovereignty just to further their goals and I say we stop them!" He raised his fist in the air and the men did the same, cheering on their new emperor. "We will be damned if the traitors are allowed to walk free." He slammed his fist onto the stone railing for dramatic effect. "Many of been arrested but many more are afoot!"
"Hail emperor Zorzal! Hail emperor Zorzal! Hail emperor Zorzal!" They cheered, filled with anger and patriotism while they were unknowingly manipulated by the one person they had complete loyalty to. "Soon with the new supply of men and beasts, we shall win this war or die trying. The enemy have stretched themselves too tine and are ripe for the slaughter! We'll crush their bones and bathe in their blood! Our empire is unstoppable!" Even being on the verge of winter the wind seemed to stay quiet as if it had taken interest in his speech.
"Their weakness is that they rely too heavily on their magic and war engines as they know that without them, their nothing. If the enemy are too storm a city then every living soul is expected to fight to the death and to take as many with you. Remember comrades! There is plenty of space for us in Coelum and the underworld for the invaders! Our best mages are working on more powerful spells, our blacksmith are forging the finest weapons in history, bards sing tales of glory and the whole of Falmart is ready to pounce on the barbarians like the rodents they are!"
Zorzal's voice rang about, many soldiers looked in awe as their leader spoke of glory and the "weakness" of the enemy. "The Gods are on our side! They may have given us a bloody nose before but that won't happen anymore. We'll make sure that no foe can ever stand against us ever again!"
Their huzzahs and cheers were music to his ears, gladly bathing in it all, but he had bigger things to worry about. He put up his first one last time before turning around and disappeared into the palace. "That was quite the speech my lord, I'm sure the morale of the troops have risen now with a more competent ruler on the throne." He turned to his right to see Tyuule standing patiently. "Yes it was." He boasted, "Soon the empire will go on the offensive and drive them out." She was living proof of his power, the former queen of the warrior tribes reduced to his sex-slave.
In 684, the Whitetail tribe and it's allies in a protracted war defeated the Black ear tribe, finally achieving Shivaa; a word in their native language meaning unity. In the late spring of that year the North plain confederation was formed, united the race after generations of conflict under the now queen Tyuule's rule but it was short lived as the empire would crush the young nation into dust. As it was mating season, a band of young warriors attacked a village called Mari. In retaliation the empire sent sixteen legions under the leadership of Zorzal to crush them.
In the time that it took for the army to reach the Northwest plains the confederation raided countless villages, slaughtering there inhabitants and stealing mates. Two months later the force arrived and battled with the tribes. The empire suffered heavy losses but it could always send in more men while the confederation couldn't. Soon infighting and unfixable losses saw the confederation break down into coup attempts, assassinations, rebellion and while the Imperial army lay seige to the capital city of Tve.
Two days into the siege, Tyuule arrived in Zorzal's camp and begged for mercy for her people in exchange becoming his personal slave. He agreed but broke his promise as he ordered every Demi-Rabbit be enslaved and Tve along with all it's inhabitants be turned to ash.
"Heard that you sent most of the Pro-peace senators to Bassoon prison, why not just kill them all?" She asked. "Because I wish for the peasants to see their treachery first before I put their heads on pikes." She walked up to him and put a hand on his cheek. "Don't worry my lord, you'll have your revenge soon." He grinned, a new idea popping into his head, "And I recall hearing my sister rant one about how the enemy supposedly cares about their peasants." He told as a plan formulated in his head. "Well I have an idea." Soon he'd have a trump card that would force the enemy to backdown.
November 4th, 2016 of the Imperial calendar
The ambassador had just gotten down with a delicious tea made by a Saderan maid when a military policeman walked in with a Saderan with short, silver and blue eyes, "Most likely another senator." He thought as he put the cup down and sat up from the chair he was sitting in. "Hello, I am ambassador Cooper of the United states. Nice to-" "Please don't shake my hand." He told in a cold tone as he pulled away his hand. "I don't mean to be rude, but from my experience, it can mean the difference between a thriving nation or a cesspool of disease. Plus I've cone for a very important matter."
Cooper lost his welcoming act and face hardened. "What do you need to speak off?" He asked. "I, Eza, messenger of his majesty have come inform you that the Saderan Empire formally rejects the treaty of peace and we have come with a ultimatum." He said, surprising the ambassador. "But why? Why continue such bloodshed?" The messenger stayed quiet for a second before continuing. "The conditions of the treaty were unfair and would humiliate the Saderan people, and not mentioning the attack on the capital last night." "But the United states has not violated the ceasefire." He countered, "It is possible that another force had conducted a raid." Eza looked unimpressed at the American's explanation.
"Many homes of Saderan senators have been destroyed, corpses in the streets and the emperor murdered in the dead of night. We have evidence that your assassins along with collaborators attempted to wipe out the line of succession so the princess could become your puppet." It all clicked, earlier he learned that drones spotted two calvary legions that set up camp some six miles of the Jade palace and fires in the city, especially in the upper class district.
"I will only say this once, if you and your armies return to Alnus hill in twelve days days then we shall give back your slaves or they all will be publicly crucified." Cooper's heart skipped a few beats, this changed from a diplomatic crisis to a hostage situation. "So your nation has kidnapped our citizens to be your slaves then? Then I'd like to know how many of our people are in chains as we speak?" . "There are a little over three thousand of them, everyday adding to the riches of the empire. As long as you abide to our conditions, they'll be returned."
His blood boiled in fury, realizing that American citizens had been kidnapped and enslaved for seven months without the government knowing, presuming that they had been eaten whole by their monsters. "Your kind care about innocent lives very much." He added, "So far you haven't attacked any villages without Imperial presence and stories tell of your soldiers showing great kindness to the peasants." The Saderan even with his striaght face sounded cocky, almost proud in the moment. He was using the compassion of the Americans against them.
"I do not know what god you worship but listen to my words." He kept his composure but only by a thread. "If you do not release them immediately, then you shall witness the worst levels of destruction your nation will ever face, so I advise heading to my warning." Eza's eyes showed a flicker of concern but it quickly died, and shrugged it off.
"This will not change our stance,the empire has always found a way to defeat foes no matter their skill or size. If you are not gone then you'll face the consequences of spoiling our soil. Not to mention the princess is under arrest and will face trail after the war has been won. So please make the right choice, Hardy partially enjoys the souls of sacrificed slaves." Cooper finally had enough of this messenger, "Leave immediately.." that's all he said, Eza bowed and left the room, the mp escorting him out.
As soon as the door closed, he walked back and in a fit of anger slammed his fist in the desk. "Damn it!" He cursed, the cup vibrating from the miniature shock wave. 'Those damned Saderans will pay.' The public would demand more blood then they already wanted now, the current estimates of both Saderan and vassal deaths wouldn't come close to satisfying their bloodlust. Just over two weeks ago, peace was around the corner and new lands ready to be explored by the best of the best. Now it was time to roll up the sleeves and hit the Saderans hard and break the senate's false sense of security in the capital.
November 15th, 2016 of the Gregorian calendar
The plan had been drawn up months before as a way to force the Saderans onto the negotiating table but now it'd be used to punish them for their crimes. The news of Americans being enslaved shook everyone to their core and angered them on a level few events had brought them. Being 20,000 feet above sea level a flight leader and three other pilots in F-16 Fighting falcons flew in formation with their squadron over the Dumas mountain range, it's snowy peaks punching through the clouds of this new world they had found themselves in.
The target was non other the Sadera itself, the heart of the magic driven enemy. Captain Brooks had spend the week being briefed on the mission and what targets were to be hit. The plan was for the USAF to target strategically vital assets to the empire like Imperial garrisons, wyvern stables, bridges, canals, ports, aqueducts, fortresses, dams, estates of Pro-war and large medieval foundries that could produce all that the Imperial Saderan army needed. Most of these targets were in or around cities like Rondel, Telta, Bellnahgo, Proptor, Mare, Rekki, Aureum and Sadera of course.
"This is black pepper, approximately ten minutes from the target, over." He said into the comms and soon heard the word Roger repeated twice while one lone pilot said "Copy that!" The formation began to descend to 10,000 feet as the capital come close and formed a tiny dot on the overall green plains of Sadera. "Prepare to lock on targets." The mission was simply, locate the individual targets and destroy them. The first flight would focus on the estates of Pro-war senators including the Imperial palace, the second had to eliminate the bridges that connected the two sides of the city that crossed over the Enta river, the third would wipe out military garrisons in and around the city, the forth would target government offices and his had the job of neutralizing the port that lead to the blue sea and any good sized ships.
As soon as he reached seven minutes he quickly pressed the air-to-ground mode button and turned to the JDAM SMS page where he selected VIS and activated his payload of four JDAMs. Making some last minute adjustments before heading to the targeting pod screen where the seasoned pilot adjusted the settings until he had a visual on the targets. "This is Blackpepper, got visual on target, over." "Roger, also got a visual." One of his wingmen replied. He decided to lock onto a horreum on the edge of the docks. Black pepper watched the approximate time for impact decrease from twenty-five, his JDAM smart bomb going four-hundred feet per second straight for the target.
The moment the timer went to zero the thermal screen light up before a black fireball engulf the horreum before it transformed into a mini mushroom cloud. "Target destroyed." He relayed through the radio as he zoomed out the screen, seeing additional explosions saturating the docks. After some chatter on the comms the flight flew in a wide oval to conduct another pass, Black pepper this time targeting a large vessel that exploded into millions of splinters after it was it. By the time his flight had all dropped it's payload, the docks and Sadera had thick, black smoke rising over the buildings.
The fighters quickly turned back and headed the rendezvous where three KC-135 Stratotankers would replenish their fuel tanks before heading home. In the meantime, the pilot looked out of his cockpit to see the beautiful blue sky that he held so dear to his heart, second only to his wife. He remembered watching top gun as his mother made gumbo in the kitchen. He then pulled out a small picture of him and his wife on their third anniversary, the evening sun turning the Hawaiian water in the background pink. 'Don't worry Tasha.' He thought to himself, 'I'll call as soon as I get back to base.'
Demeteous 15th, 687 of the Imperial calendar
"Damn it!!" The emperor slammed his fist into the armrest as he assessed the damaged of today's attack. He expected the enemy to compromise but it backfired as the capital had been rocked by explosions and buildings like the senate had been destroyed. To make things worse an attempt was made on his life when the Imperial palace was attacked though he had been in the war room underground so he physically hadn't been hurt but that couldn't be said about his pride.
"They were supposed to flop over and concede to our demands." He turned to his adviser Tyuule, "We gave them a path of peace but they decide to attack Sadera with their flying contraptions!" Tyuule remained calm and thought of her words carefully. "My lord, the enemy does not follow the rules of our world and will act only on their own accordance. Conducting any more diplomatic action until we've reclaimed Italica would be foolish." There a moment of silence before he nodded, "As I expected, wise as usual my servant." He turned to the senators who were unusually quiet, perhaps it was the cold or fear of enticing Zorzal's wrath.
"It is evident from today's attack that the enemy won't listen to reason." He said, gaining the attention of all in the ruins of the once grand senate. "I want all you to know that it'll take much more to bring down the empire. Our fatherland has stood the test of time and will succeed like it has always has." There now was a little murmured between themselves as they slinked into their wool coats. "And that means we have to do what is necessary, I plan on building a alliance with Avionese." Instantly there was a massive uproar by the very senators who has assisted in his coup.
"Why would we ally with ur rival?!" Said one, "My lord, they'd just stab us in the back!" Cried another but Zorzal would have full control no matter the squabbling of the petty senators. "ENOUGH!!!" It all went dead silent and all eyes were on him. "Look at you! Whining like children while our capital has been attacked for the first time in centuries! They have an untapped pool of manpower and ships that could be decisive in this war against the other-world. With the Imperial army and Avion's unchallenged fleets, our foes will be pushed back and beg for forgiveness! I will not have infighting in my court." He then focused his attention to the demi-rabbit.
"Tell Juno to give emperor Artus my proposition, join our war and he can have the Felixia." That Island chain in the Far-east where one of the best fishing spots and diamond mines in Falmart and had been a point of bitter confrontation between the two titans but now it'd bring them together. With that she made her way to find a messenger, the new emperor not realizing he was looking at the person that could orchestrate Sadera's downfall.
November 15th, 2016 of the Gregorian calendar
The aircraft rumbled as it flew across the countryside to the heart of the Empire. As word that Princess Piña had been imprisoned at Bassoon prison got out, high command formulated a plan to rescue her and if possible the other doves. Chuck looked at his team, "Remember! We got thirty minutes, no more!" They nodded and readied their weapons. "Bravo team, stay hear and keep them away from the Osprey while me, Thompson, Smit, and Harris get the princess!" "Alright, we're at landing site, godsped gentle men." Says the pilot as they touch ground. "Go, go, go!"
Without hesitation the men get out of the Osprey and begin the three hundred yard march to Bassoon. He knew they most likely heard them but sped was the key and every second wasted was less fuel and the less chance the princess would be ok. After about ten minutes they reached outside the entrance but the drawbridge over the moat was up. "Thompson, shoot the chains." He whispered, "On it..." with two shots he broke the chains and it came crashing down. "They definitely heard that." Said Harris, "Ok, weapons free!" The men run as fast as they could across the bridge and into the courtyard where several guards with torches opposed them, who were very quickly taken out.
Thanks to a spy, they easily found a door that went into the basement part of the prison, rats could be heard running all over the place but they ignored them. The US special forces had a distinct advantage as they were using night vision googles, as where the Saderans used torches. "Haven seen any tango yet." Whispers Smit, "Looks like they don't typically patrol this part, there's no even torches alight." Reply's Chuck as they round a corner. "I see the objective." Referring to a particular cell with a number twenty-seven on it written in the Falmart alphabet. "How much time Smit?" "Just under fifteen minutes left." 'That's enough time.' He though as he pulled out a lock picking kit and went to work, hearing a satisfying click just over a minute. He turned on the flashlight on his weapon and opened the door, startling a young woman with red hair in rags who was laying on the floor.
"It's ok Princess, we're the good guys." She looked up to see chuck and his team. She looked malnourished and had a few bruises scattered across her body. "T-thank you.." She said meekly before he slinged his weapon and grabbed her hand, rushing to the stairs. "This is Bravo team! We got the whole Saderan army on us! You got ten minutes before we leave your sorry asses!" "Understood! We got codename Phenix, I repeat, we got Phenix!" Once they climbed up the stairs the courtyard is not filled by a handful of guards the entire garrison. "No time to stop! Open fire!" His team cuts them down with rapid fire while he pulls out a 1911 from his holster.
As they begin to fall back he feels resistance and looks back to see she had tripped. 'For fucks sake!' He then quickly picks her up and runs full speed with her bridal style in his arms. He can hear gunfire and screams as the Osprey rotors spin faster and faster. "About fucking time!" He lets out a small chuckle before practically throwing her inside. "Get us the fuck out of here!" Thompson shouts as he snips a man off his horse. The Osprey jolted and it shot up while Chuck took the time to throw a grenade at the crowd of men raising their swords in the sky in anger. "Mission complete boys, and just in time." He comments as the alarm on his watch beeps...
Now the capital has finally been dragged into the Saderan-American war and things will get worse before it gets better. With the ceasefire out of the way, the US will have to climb three mountains to reach Sadera; the Dumas, the Romalia and the corpses of the Imperial Saderan army. Also please don't argue in the review section, there's no need to fight each other over a fanfiction about the US army crossing a portal into a fantasy world. But I'd like to add that Im thankful for reaching 100 followers! As long as you want it I'll keep pumping out chapters.