Demeteous 28th, 687 of the Imperial calendar
Snow trickled down as Zorzal from a hill watched slaves in Ma-Nuga coats digging trenches and trap pits in the hardened ground though this was helped by those with magical abilities to create fire magic to speed up the process. His predecessor had to his credit build some trenches in advance around the city walls but these wouldn't enough. The former prince envisioned formidable lines of defense that would finally defeat the metal elephants and maim as many soldiers as possible to wear down their supplies. Sure, they could always send more from the Gate but they'd be so unnerved by increasing losses that they'd simply see taking Sadera not worth the price of useless mouths that wouldn't contribute roaming their streets.
"General Demos, how long until our defenses are ready?" The older man had been very loyal to his father but he until the enemy could be dealt with was unfathomably valuable. "It all should be finished in five months, if we can hold the mountains long enough and with little aerial attacks." He put great emphasis on the last part and overall not caring to grovel like others would. "And if the enemy does harass our attempts, do you think we can hold?" The general took a moment to think of his words, "I fear that if the enemy are allowed to cross the mountains then the capital will fall in two weeks time at best." He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Good thing I ordered those reinforcements from the Far-east, they'll achieve where the rest of the army has failed." Demos had been painfully nihilistic about the chances of victory and was one of many whom saw the writing on the wall.
Then he could here the crunching of snow behind him and turned to see a messenger. "Your dearest majesty, I've been commanded by the war council, they request that you v-" "What?!" He growled, "How dare they 'request' that I go listen to a bunch of old bags of flesh spout of the same damn nonsense!" He could see the fear in the messenger's eyes, probably thinking he was going to head his head decapitated. "Demos, make sure this project runs smoothly while I have deal with the council." With a huff, he marched down the trail towards his carriage.
About a hour later, Zorzal bursted through the door and glared at the three men who's cowardice and incompetence had costed the empire so much. "Hello emperor." Greeted Pinder but that didn't help his mood. "Gentlemen, explain to me why do three bastards have the audacity to request my presence?" Belletor whom had visibly swallowed a lump spoke. "The attack on Apostle hill was a complete failure. The shavrgsh troops under Gufort were completely destroyed and Arlo was forced to fall back." In a fit of rage Zorzal slammed his fist into the table, putting a hand sized dent in it. "Curse it! I ordered him to take that position at any cost and he goes against my order?!" "Your h-highness, had he'd stayed then we wouldn't still have those m-" The old man couldn't complete his sentence as he found himself against the wall with Zorzal strangling him. "Who said you could speak?! Who said?!!" Belletor feebly grasped at the hand chocking him but to no avail. "All you've done is sit on your hands and talk, talk, talk like it's a ball. You are no use to me or my army so now, I'll have to kill you!!!" Belletor's face turned blue and basically excepted his fate as in a sole minute, the general went limp.
Without hesitation he threw the man across the room and into a wall, the other two literally shaking in fear as he walked up to them. "From now on, I am the supreme general of the Imperial army." He turned to Napalia, "I want you to stage a naval invasion to liberate Deabis. If successful then we can divert their attention away from Sadera and encourage the locals to revolt. And if by some chance you capture any enemy soldiers or equipment, send them to propter immediately." The naval commander thumped his right fist onto his chest and bowed. "Your wish is my command." It was now Pinder's turn, "The terrible performance of the wyvern corps has greatly disappointed me, so you leave me no chose but to relieve you of command and put Powadan in charge." He was speechless, he had done everything for his country and even supported Zorzal in the coup, only to have the one thing that gave him purpose taken away from him. "You'll be commanding the tenth wyvern legion." The general bowed, "Consider i-it done your highness." Satisfied, he turned around and left the room, hoping that one of his many 'toys' could cheer up his mood.
Meanwhile at a unknown location
She could feel the tension in the air as the apostles of all the major gods gathered around in the abandoned farm house, many of them unhappy that she had picked a spot that offered little protection against the cold as the shutters were gone and the roof partially collapsed. "Jeez, it's freezing!" Exclamed Giselle as she rubbed her arms but she was meet with a scoff from Dankan's apostle, Mortar Mobkis "Quit crying ya blue dragon shite." He grumbled, "This is nothing compared to my mountain home." The dragon woman turned violet in anger, "What did you just say dwarf?! Your lucky your a apostle or you'll meet my mistress in a matter of seconds!" She growled as she prepared her scythe while the red headed dwarf raised his hammer.
"Will you two stop." Said a young woman with blue hair and red eyes as she prepared a small fire in the fireplace. "Mabel's still got it." Rory could hear her whisper to herself as she stood up and the flame turned into a full on fire. "And in record time too, I'm glad you took my advice." Said one of the twins who served Ral and La respectively. "Exactly!" Commented the other, "If only you could read thou-" "Enough!" All eyes turned to Rory. "We all came for a important meeting, not to argue like children." Everyone begrudgingly shut their mouths and she continued. "We are here to discuss about the Americans." "So that's what they're called." Said Mortar , "A lot has been changed since the Gate was opened." "The power dynamic's completely inverted, this war will have unspeakable ripple effects for centuries, if not millenniums." Added Giselle.
"And all because Hardy decided she wanted more souls." Came another voice which was from non other then Silma; the apostle of Miritta. "Jeez, at least the worshipers of my mistress aren't whores." The green haired cat-woman snarled but said nothing, presumedly not to sink to Giselle's level. "Anyhow." Started Rory, "Let this meeting come into session." The apostles all gathered around in a wide circle. "I believe everyone knows why we are all here." The gods were in a stalemate on how they should deal with the new humans who despite their rather merciful manner, were a potential threat to the world they had carefully crafted.
To further divide them was the fact that the gods were always competing with each other for dominance's, the more worshippers you had, the more power you had. But the more recent events had forced them to come up with a solution to the 'Other-worlders' problem though it'd be more indirect with each apostles of the largest gods representing their respective patrons.
"Now, I believe Mortar should go first." Said Rory, "what is your plan on dealing with them?" The dwarf cleared his throat before speaking. "My lord Dankan; god of smithing, believes simply letting the Other-world-" "Americans..." Rory Mercury interrupted, her aura was filled with a bubbling anger. "..Americans be as long as they do not interfere in the doings of the heavens." Then the twins spoke, "Ra also doesn't mind their presence." Said one, "But they mustn't share any information with the locals." Replied the other. "It is our patrons' duty to teach, not their's" the twins spoke in unison, slightly creeping out Rory.
"Zufmuut wishes for them to finish the war and leave." Answered Mabel, "They are continuing one of the bloodiest periods in this world's history, only behind the Arctic and Holy wars." They all shuddered at the last part, fearing another horrific and apocalyptic scenario happening again. "Though the Empire struck first, they have effectively won through shear advancements in their civilization. If the common people get their hands on those wonders then Falmart with be in trouble." "I agree." Added Giselle, "Rory's pets have indeed filled the underworld with plenty of souls but they are being filled by Hardy's followers at alarming rate, and many are turning to Miritta for salvation." Giselle glared at Silma and the cat-woman did the same.
"Once they are done teaching the Empire a lesson, my mistress wants them gone or else she'll be forced to rain down the apocalypse upon them." The raven-haired apostle of war didn't like that very much, hearing Giselle threatening to bring harm to her favorite humans. "Hardy will not lay a finger on Emoy's archangels!" Her expression darkened and the tension was felt. "Why do you care for them so much? They are merely mortals, far, far weaker then an apostle even with their toys. Perhaps it's because watching them slaughter helpless armies makes you feel the best pleaser you ever had!" She cackled as she showed a pearly white smiled made up of very sharp teeth. "Yes, yes they do." She said, had she not been Emroy's apostle then she'd been seen as a crazy. "Especially the marines, they're on a whole new world." She twirled in a circle and leaned on her weapon. "they have shown extreme restraint and have for the most part compassion not seen before on this world."
She turned to everyone else, "Emroy is the god of War and insanity. Therefore, he not only permits their stay but also official backs them in the war against the Empire." They were all shocked, Emroy enjoyed watching the most gruesome of battles but had only a handful of times supported a side. "And for your information, I will NOT be together will Hardy if that's your next question Giselle."
"And before you both tear each other apart, let's have Silma state her god's stance." Said Mabel as she pointed to the apostle of fertility and luck. "Mother Miritta has watched this conservation long enough and has decided that the Americans are to stay but are to restrict any items that could effect fertility. Plus.." She added, "Imagine all the new babies that could come from this! Soldiers love woman!" It was decided, they would be allowed to stay as long as they limited the sharing of knowledge.
But Giselle wasn't happy, "Are you guys hearing yourself?! You want a foreign army marching around and ruining everything the heavens have created? They'd turn on us once they had the chance. They cannot be allowed to stay! If they refuse, I won't have a problem dealing with them." "But you wont." Said Rory, "Remember the last fight we had?" Giselle shook her head, "Yes...I remember, but they are a threat." Then Mabel joined in, "I suggest tricking them, they'll leave if they think the gods can close the Gate themselves. They will leave in hast and prevent further bloodshed."
"And what if they discover this bluff?" Questioned Mortar, "They won't." The blue haired apostle replied, "They know very little of our world and will our word as truth." "But It's seems the course of action has been decided, the majority appears to allow their stay." With the exception of Mabel and Giselle, they all agreed and then and there it was decided.
"I believe this meeting is over." Said Rory and they all nodded, even Giselle acknowledged the fact that she wouldn't be able to sway their opinion. One by one, they all left out into the now moonlight night until only Rory and Giselle remained. The two for a moment only looked at each other, their faces illuminated by the dying flame. "Do you have something to say?" She asked coyly. "You know that me and Mabel are correct, it's our jobs as apostles to not only carry the gods' will but to also to prevent the discovery of anything that can be used against the gods." Rory may have despised Giselle and the being called Hardy but she knew she was indeed right. The reason why the Saderans were being absolutely malled was becauses the gods had destroyed any hopes of technological advances and anyone who had tried. The gods hadn't been very happy when the Avionese created kanonis but tolerated it as they were only just as effective as bows and had only seen use in Puka against the insurgency there.
"Remember, while we have to keep our garden clean of any weeds, a thorn on a rose isn't the apocalypse." Giselle only rolled her eyes like a older sibling hearing the younger one go on about something stupid, only that the older sibling was actually younger by a few hundred years. "Heed my warning Rory Mercury, all the other gods are making a mistake." She warned and then walked towards the door, suddenly stopping as her hand touched the handle. "Oh, and Hardy wishes you a good evening."
Demeteous 29th, 687 of the Imperial calendar
His body was numb from the cold as he, Felix, Berica, and Suloc marched in single fill down base of a mountain peak. "By the gods...please bless us with something, anything!" Groaned Felix while he used his now useless kanoni as a walking stick. "Well you can thank them now." Berica pointed to what appeared to be small blooms of light grey smoke! "Perhaps it's a camp!" Said Lunix cheerfully, thinking of finally have a nice warm bed and food after living in caves for the past week. "Or it would be the enemy or the damned Oprichnina." Replied Suloc, cracking his knuckles. "If you are true." Told Felix, "either we surrender or continue to starve." They hadn't eaten in days and would've parished had it not been for Berica's previous work as a hunter that killed any exotic animals from the Far-East.
By the time the group reached the woods at the bottom it was dark and they were all exhausted. Twigs and snow crunched under their feet as the light of what appeared to be a tiny tavern on the side of a dirt road. "We're nearly there...just keep moving." Called out Suloc as he trudged ahead of the group. "Hey, slow down!" Yelled Berica but then let out a exclaimed in pain, losing his footing and falling down onto the ground. "Berica!" Felix rushed to his aid and turned his eyes to the large man's foot which was in Berica's large hands. The slim man pulled off the shoe and turned pale. Berica screamed as skin peeled off his foot, sticking to the shoe and what was left on was black. "Oh dear Zufmuut...the foot's infected." "We need to get help." Said Lunix, "Good choice, that tavern the dwarf ran off to is our best option. Now help me get him up." The two Edeners with all their strength lifted the giant and dragged him to the the direction of the tavern.
"Come on Berica!" Grunted Felix, "We got you." Then Lunix noticed something very off. "Why is the front door open?" Asked the young boy while the sounds of shouting could then be heard. "Don't know but wait here." They sat down Berica at the edge of the tree line while Filex swong his weapon from his shoulder and carefully walked towards the entrance.
He could see peak inside from the side but then back away with his hands in the air. "Don't move deserter!" He knew too well who that voice belonged to. Then stepped out general Dax and a group of Imperial soldiers armed with crossbows. "Where are your friends?" He asked, drawing out his sword and placing the tip of the blade dangerously close to his throat. "Their dead sir, taken by the cold." Dax clicked his tongue while shaking his head. "I know when someone's lying you know...and I detest liars!" It all went in slow motion, the vile general pull his arm back before thrusting it into silver-haired man's abdomen.
"Find them." Dax pointed to the trees and the Imperials marched towards his direction. His fight or flight instinct kicked into overdrive and he dashed into the woods, the sound of Berica's yells growing fainter and fainter as he disappeared into the swirling wind.
After a little over a whole month I'm back! Had the case of writer's block but couldn't let this story die. I'm happy to say we are half-way there and I'll hopefully see you soon my loyal readers.