Chapter 4: Eternal Army

A week passed since Azura came back to life, the Hoshidan and Norhian royals remained in New Valla, enjoying the peace and bonding with both Azura and Corrin. One day black clouds shrouded the skies, the thunder echoed in the distance as something approached Corrin´s Castle. Outside, Corrin waited as if he knew what was coming.

-My king, are you ok?-asked Kaze

-Huh? Yeah, Im glad he´s back-

-He?-

Entering the Castle front ground appeared no other than Markus and behind him an enormous army of big rock-like beings, the stopped at the Castle entrance as Corrin surprised walked to greet his brother.

-Greetings my king, your loyal servant has returned as promised-said Markus bowing before Corrin

-Markus, my brother, where have you been, and what is…that?-asked the young king pointing at the mighty army

-That milord is Valla´s new shield and sword, the Praetorian Army-answered Markus

The army came in different shapes and sizes, several soldiers where as tall as Markus, thin and their "skin" was made of smooth rock. Others where bigger and bulkier, with one, two or more "eyes", every single soldier have what appeared to be veins that glowed in different colors and carried different weapons, from axes to long spears.

-Brother, what´s going on?-asked Leo appearing with the rest of the gang

-Yeah, what´s up with this rocky fellas?-asked Silas

Among the army five beings approached them and stood behind Markus.

-Milord, allow me to introduce you to the five generals of the Eternal Army-said Markus as the first being stood in front of them, it was a big guy, sturdy and with one big purple eye along with multiple veins of the same color around its body-He is General Lilac Omega, second in command of the Praetorian Army and our most brilliant medic.

-A pleasure to meet you majesty-said Omega bowing before Corrin-My life is yours to command as it is the whole Praetorian Army

-Whoa, it can talk?!-exclaimed Elise

-Praetorian?-asked Leo

-Why shouldn´t we? We are living beings just like you shouted one of the generals standing at Omega´s side. He was as tall and bulky as his comrade but he had four little eyes surrounding a fifth one, all of them as well as his veins were red, he had two canon-like things on his back with black smoke coming out of them.

-He is Crimson Theta, another General and leader of our main Artillery Support-

-If I can see it, I can destroy it! I am under your command majesty-said Theta bowing before Corrin

-What are you? Golems?-asked Takumi

-More precisely "energy beings linked to temporal shells"-said another general approaching them. He was thin, his head was diamond shaped and had a big eye between two more little ones, his veins were light blue. He had four arms with sharp claws on them

-Cyan Iota our master swordsman, no one can wield a spear like him I assure you-

-So it seems-said Hinoka

-At your service my king-said Iota bowing

-Four arms?! Awesome!-exclaimed Hinata

-Next we have Colonel Delta Emerald, a brilliant strategist -said Markus as the general stood in front of them, he was as tall as the others but with a much a very different body shape, he had a tail, dragon-like legs, a long and thick neck connected to its head, which had a crustacean look with numerous spikes in form of a beard. He had one eye, green as his veins and also showed multiple spikes on his back, the largest being two of them rising on his shoulders.

-It´s an honor majesty-said Delta

-And last but not least-he said as the last one approached, he has the thinnest of all, his head was triangular with three proto-feathers above it, he had four eyes at the sides of his head which, alongside his veins were yellow-He is Epsilon Gold our silent assassin and range weapons expert

-My duty is to protect the kingdom, I shall protect your honor my liege-

-Well sure you all are quite different, big brother, could you explain me?-

-Of course my king, but before that could I just eat something? I'm starving!-

In the castle´s big dining room Corrin ordered a big feast for the new guests, in a matter of minutes Markus and the generals clean up the table

-You need to eat?-asked Leo

-We normally fed of pure matter, like rocks, wood or minerals, yet nothing is more satisfying than eating true food-said Iota

-If you have finished I would like to hear about how you find this guys-said Corrin

-Yes it´s time...listen up-

-When I broke free of Anankos control I knew he will be too powerful to confront on my own, that's why using my knowledge and my ability to control the souls of the dead I was able to create life from the very own matter that surrounded me. I use the mountains hard stone to shape my own army, an army that cannot be killed, that can repair and heal itself using it´s surroundings, an army capable of bringing Anankos reign of terror to an end, my eternal army…the Praetorians.-said Markus

-You were able to create an army on your own? How?-asked Leo

-I was very powerful in Valla before being sealed away young prince, Anankos invested much of his power in me-

-Please proceed brother-

-To command such an army I created the five Praetorian Generals, embodiments of pure energy, stronger than anything, cunning and with emotions, the five of them followed me to war. We battled our way through Anankos army, leaving no trace of his malice behind us, the Praetorians were stronger than Anankos forces, we surpassed them with ease and reached Castle Gyges at midnight, there the Battle for Valla begun. Anankos forces outnumbered us, but we six were able to get inside the castle while the rest held their ground against the enemy. We entered the throne room and we were received by Anankos himself, who battled us in a painful and long fight, we fought valiantly but the dragon knocked out my generals one by one, sending them flying all over the room, at the end it was only me versus him and well…you know what happened. My brothers were imprisoned by Anankos in the Astral Plane where no one should be able to find them, I was thanks to my connection with Anankos, before I was sealed away, I could read his mind and find out where they were.-

-Why didn't you tell us this before, we could have helped you-said Hinoka

-I´m sorry, I wasn't sure, the Astral Plane is huge and crazy, I didn´t want to put you in danger-

-Brother…-said Corrin

-Praetorians!-exclaimed Markus, standing before them-From this day on your loyalty belongs to Valla, defend your King with your lives and protect everything he cares for…Long live the king!-

-Long live the king-replied the five generals in unison

-Markus…-

-Worry not my liege, my army…I mean your new army shall protect our land -said Markus

-I appreciate it brother…I mean commander, the people of Valla shall rejoice-

-Excellent, this is a new beginning Corrin, a new age of peace and prosperity-

And so, Corrin´s word reach every single corner in Valla, it also reached the ears of King Xander and King Ryoma, whom after hearing it decided to see it with their own eyes, they visited Corrin once more, in the throne room Corrin, Markus, Xander and Ryoma discussed the matter with the Five Praetorian Generals.

-A whole army made of stone…practically indestructible you say?-said Xander examining the generals

-Almost, yes-answered Markus

-Are you able create more?-asked Ryoma

-Yes, but it´s harder now, I don't have the same power I use to have in Valla, I need a colossal amount of pure energy to create another battalion-

-It will be better if we can solve our problems without using brute force-said Corrin

-Indeed my liege, but as I told you long ago, Anankos was not the only major threat to our world…there are dark forces moving in this very moment, plotting against us, we must be prepared for everything-

-*sign* I guess you´re right-

-In fact, we need more troops if we are to defend the three kingdoms-said Markus

-Now what you are saying commander?-asked Xander

-As Supreme Commander of Valla and creator of the eternal army it is my duty to protect my king, his kingdom and his family as well…you are his family. So know that both Hoshido and Nohr are now under Praetorian protection, we shall protect you all-

-A very kind offer commander, but we´re able to defend our own kingdoms-

-I know far well what you are capable of Lord Ryoma, but take it as a symbol of our alliance-

-Hmm perhaps a few more swords can be useful, ok commander, I would not deny an offer as kind as that-

-What about you King Xander?-

-I will accept your offer commander, together our kingdoms shall prevail-

-So be it,-

And so the Alliance was formed, formed by the three major nations: Nohr, Hoshido and New Valla, with the Praetorian army at their disposal.

Shortly after the Alliance was formed in Corrin´s Castle Markus was busy as hell all the day, peace may rule the world but even in those peaceful times commanding an army as large as the Praetorians was a heck of a job, if Markus didn't sleep before it he couldn't sleep even more after the Praetorians return, as expected Flora noticed this and immediately notified King Corrin

-I´m worried about him milord, he barely sleeps or eat-said Flora

-Yes, it appears he is pushing himself too hard, haven't you talk to him?-answered the king

-I´ve tried but he is too busy he didn't even listen to me! If he continues who knows what will happen to him-

-Heh, you really care for him don't you?-

-Oh! Um well…-

-It´s ok, I going to talk to him now…where is him?-

-In the Command Center with Colonel Delta-

-Ok, you should go and rest for a while, you have also been pushing yourself too hard-

-Thanks milord-

The Command Center was located in the main section of Corrin´s Castle, it was a large room with a big stone table in the middle, there was Colonel Delta with Markus, arguing over the Praetorian army progress around the land, as Corrin approached, they stopped and bowed, greeting their king.

-Your highness, we have moved our forces to the North, there have been rumors of mercenaries reuniting in the mountains, we need to be wary-said the Colonel

-Understood Colonel, could you please give us a moment?-

-Of course your majesty-

-What troubles you milord?-said Markus as Delta walked away

-Are you alright Markus?-

-What? That´s all? I´m fine Corrin-

-No you´re not, I can tell by your look-

-Common I can't look that bad-

-Markus, I know you are doing everything you can to protect us but you must have some rest, you are pushing yourself too hard-

-Corrin I´m fine, I shall take a break later I promise ok? No if you excuse me your majesty…-

-Markus! You will take a rest now!-

-But my liege…-

-Listen, we are protected by what you called the strongest army ever created, even if that is not enough we´ve been capable of fending off big threats on our own, we will be fine, you have done an excellent job, I couldn't ask for a better Commander than you, trust me. But you are my brother as well and I care for you, which is why I order you to take a rest of no less than a week-

-Are you crazy?! A week?! What the hell am I supposed to do?!-

-Umm I don't know maybe you should try to SOCIALIZE with our Nohr and Hoshido siblings, I mean you barely talked to anyone besides Flora, Shigure or me-

-You mean YOUR siblings? You have to be kidding me-

-Please give it a try-

-But…*sign* you know what? Ok, it's pointless but I will try-Markus said leaving Corrin in the room as Jakob entered

-I hope they get along…for the sake of all-said Corrin

-You mean the commander with the others milord? I´m sure they will-

-I hope so, sometimes he is just too stubborn-

-Heh, then I know two individuals who can definitely get along well with him-

-Yeah, I was thinking the same-

Meanwhile, in the far lands of the north there was a frozen castle hided between the icy mountains, inside its cold walls walked a cloaked silhouette, reaching the castle´s throne room. Sitting on the icy throne there was a dark figure with red glowing eyes that shone like fire.

-He has returned…have you noticed? The offspring of Anankos has come to the realm-said the cloaked man

-Yes…after all this years, the Praetorians have returned-

-He knows of us, he will send his eternal army to end us-

-It matters not, we´ve been waiting for this day since long ago, and finally the son of Anankos has-he said standing up

The castle tremble violently, the celling cried as the floor roared…dust and ice were falling all over the place

-The earth will burn beneath the shadow of our unstoppable army, the will not be able to stand against…-

-…the Forgotten Ones-added the dark being

End of Chapter 4

Hope you like it, see ya next time!