AGNOMAKHOS
by Ulquiorra9000
Chapter 18
A light wind picked up as Alex and a hanfful of rebels marched down the dirt road toward Meletis' towering, white-stone wall. For weeks he had looked forward to this day, and now that it had arrived, he felt his red mana churning with anticipation. Today, we set things right!
Nearly thirty red-robed rebels clustered around Valerie's towering quadruped machine, ants compared to its massive bulk. Of course, the Reverent Army sentries on the wall had spotted it from far off, and even from here, Alex could hear alarm bells clanging. The city's enormous double doors sat shut, barred from the inside with wood, metal, and magic.
It wouldn't be enough.
"Here we go, kid!" Lakram smiled widely, thumping Alex on the back. He pointed up at the machine's head, where six fire mages summoned up their red mana. Alex watched in awe as the mages hurled arcane fire at the mana collection dish, and the dish hummed loudly and began to vibrate. Then, all of a sudden, a thin, blinding red beam shot from the machine's head and stabbed the city doors at their base.
Clouds of dark smoke poured from the burnt wood, and the machine's head slowly tilted, tracing the beam along the doors to break them off their hinges. Alex coughed as the smoke wafted over the rebel squad on the wind, but he couldn't tear his watering eyes from the sight. When the beam reached the end of its arc, the doors creaked and leaned inward. The mages shut off the beam, their job done.
Next, the machine lumbered forward at top speed, shuddering the ground with each footstep. It bowed its head and plowed right into the weakened doors, its four legs straining against tons of magically-enhanced wood. The loud groan of stressed wood filled the air and, for a few seconds, nothing happened. Then, the doors collapsed and crashed to the ground with a deafening boom. The machine strode victoriously into the city.
With a collective shout, the rebels suddenly surged forth. Alex ran with them, grinning fiercely as he summoned his red mana. Flames burst to life on his fists and arms, and he felt his heart race in his chest. We're in! The plan's working!
Already, Alex could see crowds of citizens scattering from the advancing rebels, retreating indoors as the siege began. But so far, no Reverent Army units were in sight. It looked like Elsa's anti-oracle trick was working; the Army platoons had no doubt been stationed at the wrong parts of the city, fooled into expecting an attack there. So, the rebels and the machine pushed deeper into the city unopposed, the city hall drawing nearer with each step. Before long, the city hall's walls would fall to the machine's beam, just like the city doors had.
Finally, platoons of hoplites and battle-wise mages marched over, spears and shields already in phalanx position. Barriers of white and blue mana shimmered over the hoplites. By now, Alex and the other rebels were just over halfway to the city hall, but the hoplites looked ready to make up for lost time. It would be a tough fight, no doubt.
Argyros tapped Alex's shoulder and pointed. "We're going right down the main road, kid," he told him. "You, me, Lakram, and Estello are part of the main attack force. Let the diversionary forces take up the Army's attention elsewhere when they show up. See? Here they come now."
Indeed, hundreds of rebels emerged from the alleyways and other hidden spots, quickly forming a hundreds-strong army that clustered around the machine. The Reverent Army's platoons slowed down, suddenly cautious at the sight of so many rebels.
Alex nodded. "Let's go."
*o*o*o*o*
Alarm bells clanged in all the tallest buildings, and Jaina already had Heliod's favor encased on her body as she led fifth platoon out of First Battalion's barracks. Nearby, all the other platoons rushed out to meet the enemy. "Remember your training, warriors!" Jaina barked over the din of bells and men shouting. "The rebels will give no quarter and expect none. Make me proud!"
"Yes, sir!" Jaina's men shouted.
However, as Jaina led her platoon down the main street with the rest of the Reverent Army, another thought crossed her mind. Things are about to get messy, and soon. The Army is ready to fight for the council, but do I want to do the same? I swore to Heliod that I'd defend this city and its people, but defending the council might not accomplish that today.
Jaina thought back to councilor Rinax's charity ball and councilor Kero's suspicions, and her doubts deepened. Perisophia is hiding something, and if I don't find out what, all this may be for nothing! Ephara and Heliod are powerless to help me. I might be the last person in this city who knows what's really at stake.
Thinking fast, Jaina told her men, "I'm going back to city hall to double-check our defenses there. I must go alone."
"We'll back you up, sir!" a few hoplites offered.
Jaina shook her head. "No need. I'll be fine. Just worry about that." She pointed down the road, where a massive, quadruped machine stomped toward her, surrounded by rebels. "I'll be back soon."
Ignoring her soldiers' confused looks, Jaina pumped her favor's power into her legs and broke into a run, bounding over a dozen feet with each stride. She kept her eyes on the city hall, where Perisophia and the others sat, comforted and sheltered. Jaina balled her hands into fists. Your time is up, Perisophia. Now you'll answer to ME!
*o*o*o*o*
Once again, the quadruped machine's mana collection dish hummed with unbridled energy, then spat out a vicious beam. The searing mana lance swept across Fourth Battalion's phalanx formation, burning angrily against the hoplites' defensive barriers. Sparks of red and white mana flew everywhere like a fireworks display.
Alex marveled at the sight. So far, the bulk of the rebel army had done its job, tying up Second, Third, and Fifth Battalions along the side streets and alleyways. Even from here, far down the huge main road, Alex could hear the clash of swords, the shouts of men, and the hum of spells. Still, the rebels couldn't hold forever; without the machine's backup, they'd be overwhelmed by the hoplites' advanced training and equipment.
Men were tossed into the air as the machine's beam finally punched through the defensive enchantments. Leftover energy carved a glowing trench in the brick street as the machine swept its beam through the battalion's ranks, and the surviving hoplites and mages quickly scattered. Army archers took aim, and although their arrows clouded the air and riddled the machine's body all over, it was futile. The machine plodded on, its mage crew already charging up another beam.
The city hall loomed large up ahead, and Alex figured that the machine was already two-thirds of the way there. At first, the Army soldiers had attempted to flank it, ambushing it from the cover of alleyways. However, the machine's body-mounted archers had answered with a deadly volley of arrows, discouraging the attack. Alex could only imagine the soldiers' frustration, and it delighted him.
"Not much further," Estello commented as Fourth Battalion shrank back. She tossed her dark hair. "I'm going to provide cover fire. See ya." She climbed up a shop's wall and began running along the rooftops, her expensive bow held at the ready. She nocked an arrow and infused it with her blue and black mana.
We're nearly there! Just a few more minutes and... oh. Alex's hopes dimmed a little when he saw five more platoons emerge from the alleywas up ahead, reinforcing the ragged Fourth Battalion. There was no mistaking the man leading them, a soldier with slicked-back blond hair and blades strapped to his wrists. Next to him stood Olivia, who stood proudly despite her missing right arm.
"Be careful. That's First Battalion!" Alex shouted to his fellows. "They're the best the Army has to offer, and their colonel's deadly."
Argyros unsheathed his black-handled sword, Lepida Akyrosi. "Oh yeah, I've heard of him. Tough son of a bitch. But we can take him."
The words had barely left Argryos' mouth when several more individuals appeared, and Alex could clearly sense their intense mana auras. Elias, the colonel of Second Battalion, stood calmly next to Kulla, clad in his usual blue robe. A second later, the brawny colonel of Fifth Battalion, Mulos, arrived. He had his three-pronged flail out and twirled it eagerly in the air.
Lastly, and most surprisingly, Pierra showed up with three reserve platoons in tow. Alex recognized the armor of the reserve units, made up of older warriors who would only be called into action during emergencies like this. The platoons' presence didn't surprise Alex, but Pierra? She still looked worn and feeble, but her posture suggested that she was ready to fight to the death.
"Funny. I thought she was going to sit this out," Lakram commented. His wide smile faltered for a second, then brightened. "Just means she'll be easier to kill. Her bravery is foolish."
"We need to take them out," Alex said cautiously. "The colonels and captains, I mean. Or they'll overwhelm us."
Argyros ran a finger down Lepida Akyrosi's blade. "I agree. That Olivia girl was foolhardy to arrive here in such a condition, so I'll finish her off."
"I'll take the Second Battalion's leader," Lakram hissed. "He seems like the calm sort. I can't stand people like him."
"And I'll deal with Kulla," Alex said grimly. He clenched his fists. "He and I have some unfinished business."
"You sure, kid?" Argyros said. "He's no joke."
"Believe me." Alex's fists seared with more flames. "I can handle it. Trust me."