Knights of Rebellion
Chapter 2
This one will be another build up and set up chapter. Before, I was focused on the introduction of the character of Han. As well as the struggle he and his fellow rebels would be facing. And cello, jsdf would imply that the OC here is from Japan. He's not. He's reincarnated from Nebraska, and a former US air force pilot. I'm going to focus a bit more on some of the other characters with this chapter though and set up the eventual arrival of other forces. So on with the show.
(No POV)
It had been over a year since the fighting began between the Pakanga rebellion and the Guerrabesti forces. The fight had been at a stalemate since the rebellion moved into the deeper regions of the continent. While the imperial forces technically held the major port towns, that hold was light at best.
The further away from the coasts they got, the more contested the territory was. One fort in particular had exchanged hands more than once. Fort Gātahi was currently held by the rebellion and was the focal point for any offensive toward the either region.
The fort sat atop a mountain range and overlooked 3 major passes through said range. Not only that but it was a solidly built fort with ramparts that had been built up during the first colonization efforts.
To the Guerrabesti side, this location was a symbol of their strength and drive to expand into the region. Which was why it was such a contested target. The rebellion had at one point occupied the fort but had abandoned it when they were forced to move deeper inland. But after gaining some support from the Alvs, they were ready to make a play for the fort once again.
While Fenyx couldn't be used yet, Rageburst had still made a massive impact into the fight. The imperial forces couldn't believe that a Silhouette Knight could fly. Add to that the fast and strong assaults from the Thiben and Lupas ground units, and the fort fell within a night.
Said ground troops utilized less of the standard knight's weaponry. For the Thiben units, the bodies were built solidly and had similar gauntlet weapons to the equipment used by Rageburst. But this set of hardware had claws and no blasting power.
Like Rageburst, they had a core gem that acted as a focus point for powerful magic shots. As well as carrying rods for extra long-range options. The Lupas though had daggers fitted for up close fights, as well as smaller clawed gauntlets.
They also had rapid-fire magic capabilities as well. But they lacked heavier defense, and instead relied more on the burst power of the red crystal tissue. During the year of fighting, even with losses incurred, the number of Silhouette Knights for the Rebellion numbered around 200. This aided in their taking of Fort Gātahi and setting a foothold for their troops.
Because it was such a symbol, the Guerrabesti forces were determined to take it back. To this, one of the commanding generals of the Guerrabesti forces made his appeal.
"We need better tools and equipment to face off and possibly take the fort. As it stands, they have an overwhelming advantage alone with that flying knight. Let alone those other units. We had received intelligence that Zaloudek had been developing new units and other weapons. We have the funds back in the homeland. Offer to pay for more materials or have them shipped if they would be willing to share some of the technology."
The man making this appeal was General Scudiero. He had been one of the main frontline fighters, even in his own knight; the Erasmos. But they could not break through the battlements that the rebellion forces had enhanced. So, he was forced to make his appeal to the Queen of Guerrabesti who had been pushing for this war.
Her husband had been ill for long before the Rebellion had begun, and she had taken over the kingdom in his place. While some questioned the push for war, she would have no arguments. And now that they were committed, they needed forces and the power to fight against the strength of the rebels.
When this reaches the homeland, the Queen is upset but does agree to push for more funding and to appeal to Zaloudek. While Baldomero isn't sure about exchanging the secrets of their new weapons, the resources and funding offered are exceptionally tempting.
"This is the message to return to your queen. We will sell some of what we have gained from our research and development. In addition, we are willing to offer a fleet of 20 airships. Or at least the parts and plans of how to build them. You can construct them yourselves and we will provide a Tyranto so you can develop your own. However, we will need an extra 25% to the offer up front."
He reasons that given the development and the fact they could just develop their own new knights from a few Tyranto, and they could renege on the deal. While the Queen is annoyed by the matter, she does agree and the exchange of units, ships, and materials is set.
And it is all more than enough to fund and push forward with the Zaloudek family's goal of conquering the western half of the continent under them. And for the Guerrabesti forces, they now have units that can compete with the knights of the rebellion.
It takes an extra 6 months, but eventually they develop their own variations of the Tyranto units. They mix together a force of Attacca close range fighters, and Tirato magic blasters. For the ships they change up the interior for more magic blasting and similar types of combat.
Instead of being troop transports they would instead be fire support and bombarding types of firepower. "If the reports about that flying red knight are true, then we need a way to fight back against it." An engineer explained while working with a few of the ones from Zaloudek.
Once the new forces have been made, the knights are sent secretively to Scudiero's forces. "We may not be able to beat that red monster, but we can at least take back our pride." He says as the customizations on his own Attacca are made.
The main arms carry a sword and shield, while the sub arms wield a pair of double-bladed pikes. The script to the arms had been modified to make the hands rotate so fast that the pikes could be used like saws. Allowing for deflection as well as offense. His also has his family's raven crest on it and a more imposing look, given he is the general.
Other units use a mix of weapons to one wielding 4 swords at once, to a multi-pike armed knight with extra armor. The Tirato's though are given modified rods to allow for counter attacks if the enemy gets up close. Mainly by adding a mace like head around the crystal. Others attach small buckler shield to the outer arms, rather than large shields.
And with their new forces and weapons, the Guerrabesti forces march on Gātahi. At the fort though, Han had noted that many of the soldiers had started to become lax. "They think we have this won, but we still have a long way to go." He says to Bartalo Gergos, the commander of the Thiben units.
This is a larger man with a strong build, who has taken to using the gauntlets as well as longswords when fighting in his custom Thiben; the Brizzolato. "I agree my friend. We have been too comfortable here in the fort. We don't know when the enemy may strike next. By the way, how are things with Andrea?" He says with a grim look on his face.
Han comments that her campaign to the west had been going slowly. "We thought that she'd be able to wrap it up quickly, but the general at the forts in the region dug in quickly and solidly. Last report said she was about ready to call in the Halius units."
A new voice chimes in to say that they can't show their hands just yet. This was the commander of the Lupas units under Han, Marianna Brante. A smaller girl in terms of height, but strong of build and body and a near match for Han in hand-to-hand combat. Her own personal Lupas was the Reaming Glaive, with a special set of glaives that could strike up close or be thrown. As well as having a few magic blast points around the body, and a tail that could be used as a sword.
"If we're right and they are trying to gain new weapons or support, then they could have a counter for even our Halius forces. Ezio will just have to wait a bit longer." She says while pulling the ponytail out of her flame red hair.
As they are discussing this, an alarm goes off in the fort. Most of the soldiers think that the battle just like all the other defenses up to that point. But right away the tide turns. As the Lupas units rush out for hit and run attacks, they are quickly set upon by a line of fire.
The Tirato units were firing from a fair distance and disrupted the attack of the Lupas unit enough for the Attacca units to get up close and take advantage of the weaker armor. The Thiben warriors get to them as fast as they can, but at least 15 of the former 35 units are lost in the fight. The heavy unit has its own trouble, as when they start to lay into the new units, they find that they can roughly match the strength of the own units.
When Bartolo cuts one open he sees why they are so strong. "They have wire type crystal tissue here! Be careful! The enemy can match our strength!" He shouts out and the other units coordinate to make some headway. 'We had been anticipating this. Luckily, we have the smiths hidden away and have enough resources to try and recover. But the biggest issue will come from getting new recruits.' Marianna thinks to herself, while working to recover some of the fallen.
The battle shifts again, as the airships come into view. Han had been waiting in the fort because of a hunch and now he is glad he did. "We need to retreat! Get everyone out, all the units, all the research! EVERYTHING! I'll handle the flying ships!" Han calls out and the rest begin their retreat.
He takes to the sky in Rageburst to engage the airships and buy time for the rest to escape. He starts and Thiben finishes by unleashing a series of shots to the ground in front of the advancing enemy. He then rockets in and engages some of the ground combatants. Quickly smashing through the bodies of most of them and blasting others. He finishes most of the fight with a big trio of blasts, from his chest and both palms of his knight.
With the ground forces temporarily neutralized, Han takes to the skies to fight the airships. "Who knows how many they have. But I can still take these down." He flies in close barraging the side of one of the airships with palm blasts.
The ships of course fired back but they can't keep up with his erratic flying. Even with these impressive new ships, most of the soldiers on board had practiced with stationary targets. It doesn't take long for the first ship to fall. There are still 2 other airships though and Han is currently the only one who can face them.
With a grit of determination he shouts, "This is our home! And we will fight for it!" He then flies in fast and strikes the propulsion units on one ship before flying up and unleashing a huge magic blast. Completely destroying the other ship in one shot. He then strikes the other and pushes the ship away to the other side of the mountain range.
With that, the battle ends with no decisive victor. The Rebellion forces still have to retreat, but not before taking a few plans and pieces from the Airship that Han pushed to the other side. Meanwhile, the Guerrabesti forces also have to fall back. While technically victorious, it was very pyrrhic. The airships that they brought with them had been felled, and they had lost over a third of their forces in the battle.
Both sides retreat to home bases. The Guerrabesti return to the port town of Veineta, where the Ritternato knights are stationed. "Guess Han had both a victory and a defeat. That could do them some good." Martin says as he sees the imperial forces moving through the city. One of his aides asks if this will be enough to push back the Rebellion.
"I know my son. He'll find a way to get past this problem. And it may come down to whatever new knights he can come up with and help build." Martin then looks down at the reports on his desk, before reaching to a picture of the whole Ritternato family.
Han was 13 in the picture and stood almost as tall as his father. Just under 6 ft tall. With brown hair to match his fathers to a point. There was still a little of the fiery red blazing underneath inherited from his mother. Martin smiles at the memory of when that was painted and prays for his son and his ally's success and survival.
With said Rebellion, they are moving toward a special fort town they built themselves. This is Tūmanako, and where the most refined red crystal can be found. As well as some very good metals and plenty of demon beasts to harvest cores.
"We got hit hard. And since you are here as well Andrea, I guess you saw the same?" Han asks with a look to his fellow commander. She nods and says that they were not ready for the battle that befell them. "We were wary as is, given how staunch their defense was. But I wasn't expecting flying ships. We'll need the Halius unit from now on."
"I still think that is a bad idea ma'am. Even with that how many of those ships are out there? Han used up all of his mana to beat 2 of them. And three was pushing it." Marianna says at the meeting of the leaders.
Bartalo brings up the next point by saying they needed to regain their forces. "We lost quite a few Lupas at the fort. And at least a few Thiden were felled as well. I'm guessing it was the same for you ma'am?" He said to Andrea, who in turn nods before taking Han aside to discuss matters.
"How long until Fenyx is finished?" She asks, and Han just shrugs. "I'd say a week. But I think we need to analyze some of what we brought back from the battle. That or we need to take an airship for ourselves." When she asks why, Han brings up that the ships could bring a huge amount of versatility to the battlefield.
"We could even turn one into a launch point for the Halius units. We've had them stationed at the back to protect the Alvs, as well as the older knights. But now we need more. Of them…. Of everything really." Andrea just sighs before falling back in the chair in her office.
With another sigh, she agrees that they need to analyze the equipment. "But…. when Fenyx is finished, I want you to go out to the frontline and unleash as much havoc as you can. Try and buy us some time and….. maybe give a few of the rookies and others hope. We'll need it if we want to win this war."
Han sees what she is getting at and agrees. For the time till Fenyx is done, he spars and trains. Both in and out of his Knight, to keep his skills sharp and be ready in case anything happens.
A little under a week after the retreat from Gātahi, word comes in from the Alv village. Fenyx's cores have been finished, and the knightsmiths have finished the extra touches that Han had asked for.
When he arrives at the village, the knight is a sight to behold. Taking the bit of knowledge, they had gained not just from putting wings on the Halius knights, but also from the fallen enemy units; Fenyx had an impressive pair of bladed wings on its back.
As well as four back arms, each with a crystal for firing magic in each palm. The jets had been modified and strengthened to be able to unleash rapid bursts of speed, borrowing from the red crystal power. And the arms and hands had been made with special metals to block even magic enhanced swords and shots.
The whole unit was a mixture of red, orange, and golden yellow. Giving the knight the visage of a burning warrior. Right down to the flame markings around the eyes and glowing golden eyes, and a V horn from the top.
"Good to see you at last. Fenyx. I hope you're ready for a fight as much as I am." Han said to his new partner with a smile. And he could swear, just for a moment, the machine's eye lit up. With a look to say, "bring it on."
So, Han did just that and took off in his burning demon. When the Guerrabesti forces were marching on the towns deeper into the continent and intimidating the locals, the Fenyx would land with wings of fire burning bright.
In the first battle, he tore through 15 units before the rest started to retreat. Using everything from the fist and magic blasts in the hands, to the blades on the wings to slice some of them apart. This gives the people new hope, as they see the rebellion is still fighting. And they have a powerful ally to push back against the imperial forces.
This is a bit more to set up events that will lead to others getting involved. Also, I'll admit to this being more somber compared to Knights and Magic. Given that Ernie seems to look at the whole world as if it is a game. In contrast my OC was a soldier in his former life, so he has a different appreciation for battle and what it means to be in a war. Please review.