[Sanders]
"Not gonna lie. Shamuhaza's been hard at work. Never thought I'd see all those trapped in these containers." Rorik said as he gazes upon the tanks. The very tanks that have all the stray undead trapped inside for whatever experiments he had in mind.
Sanders nodded as he gazed upon them. When Shamuhaza first took notice of the dead rising up, he quickly went to work preparing all of the essential needs to ensure the continent doesn't plunge down deep into the shambling, rotting maws of the dead. He gathered as much of his personal mages and trained them further into magical arts in order to quash them. The slaves, he sacrificed to pilfer all the shambling living corpses for his own needs.
Suffice to say, nothing went to waste. The goblins worked in transplanting magic into their heads, ridding them from the magical influence of Kazuma's necromancy. With them under their control, they began outfitting them with armor, grafting the blades onto the rotten stumps, fire arms, and more. He mused to himself that he will see a civil war between the undead. Now it's his turn to contribute something to the table.
"Have you already gathered the men?" He said to Rorik.
"500 men strong, and the materials for the ritual are ready. Those fuckers from the tides better be worth their salt."
"They will be, Rorik. They will be." With that, he smirked. Then left with his host on a journey to the beaches.
Soon, the tides will roar and tumble, and the Anduavi shall swim onto their shores, and they will fight for Volt. The perfect pieces for them to win this war.
[Thompson]
He looked around the place, biting down on the slice of cheese he held on his hand. After being let inside with his friends and allies, he called for Dennis the old fashioned way, sending a raven over towards him. He hoped that he can come over within a few days time. He and his group aren't numerous at all, and it's just a ragtag group of bar buds at the pub. Sure he can turn into a dragon,they have a Goddess on their side, and a literal dinosaur. It's only going to last them so long when they're in unknown territory. He doesn't even know if there inside a neutral zone, and he doesn't know much about the climate.
Well, that kind of worry has been solved as he sat down with him, Jasken Derleth.
"To be fair, it's quite a surprise to know that your ensemble came by. Such few numbers, and yet you were able to make it out of a raiding party. Then again, you came in here as a dragon, I guess that came with perks."
The Scotsman chuckled before taking a sip out of his ale. "I guess it's a surprise indeed. Although, there is a question I'm willing to add. Why did you come here and became a part of the rebellion?"
Jasken's face stopped smiling, he turned to look out the windows from within the inn. Looking out as if he was contemplating whether or not he should tell him. Then, it slowly returned before looking at him once again. The motion of it unnerved Thompson to say the least, how he just looked into the man's eyes. It can be quite concerning to look at a man's glassy eyes that have been decorated by dark circles. Then again, Jasken's features can make him look like an anomaly, starting by his salt and pepper hair making him look like he's older than how he looks, and when he looks into his hands, he could've sworn he had sharp claws instead of fingernails.
Then again, he shouldn't judge, considering how his face has been dotted by a medium amount of freckles. Much less admit that he's 42 years old, and the reason why he looks so young is because he stopped aging after becoming a Dark One. Semantics aside on beauty and judgement, he nodded on, and let him explain his piece.
"I came to have a statue built for her in my church." He began. "We came here to grace the land with other Gods to! All deserve a place for my church. All Gods must be recognized after all."
"You surely are dedicated to your cause."
"I truly am! This land shall see it's well deserved justice! The dogs will face retribution, and soon they will face the people's wrath!" He yelled out, his fist clenched tightly as it shakes with his rage. After a while, he calmed down, bid his goodbyes and left without a fuss.
'So that's why he needed Nemesis here...' Thompson thought to himself as he took another bite of cheese. He looked outside once more, and saw the people coming out of their tents and began dancing as if there was a festival to hold. The kids were they, smiling and twitting happily as they play with Tekeli's dino mount. His other companions helped too as he saw Alex serving up drinks and Arten juggling his blades with gusto.
After some contemplation, he decided to join in. It might take a while until Dennis gets here, so might as well do something to pass the time.
=The Next Day=
[Dennis]
"You can't come?"
Kazuma nodded grimly as he looked upon the map. Although, he can understand why he doesn't look so happy. As for there is one specific location that can be a pain in the ass, regardless if you have an army of innumerable dead men. That is none other than Red Breaker Hills, and what lies beyond it is a neutral autonomous zone called "The Conglomerate".
Two problems come in, one is that with the way how Red Breaker Hills is shaped. It got it's name during the war between Olga and Celestine, where a man named Horus the Red came marching through with an army of 100,000 men. All geared and trained to be the most ferocious fighters to fight in the name of Celestine, battled against Orgrim the Cunning. One who boasted to be the most skillful, and cunning orc that compensated for his lack of height and body mass with tactics and trickery. They fought fiercely, but it was a pyrrhic victory as Horus lost many men, and lost his life as he landed a killing blow onto the orc. Both armies receded due to the casualties inflicted.
The second one is fairly simple. He's coming with Maia in order to reclaim Ansur, due to the fact that Pantielle's house has gained control over it, if they want to make sure they pudgy brat of a lord stays alive, they're going to have to comply, whether they like it or not. They wouldn't want anything bad happening to him now, would they?
"I'll give you Alicia and a host of 50,000 men, both living and undead, I'll even get Orella to come with you as well. With those numbers, maybe we'll be able to sway them to our side. We're going to need more allies, and more land as well. Especially with the friends that you have over there"
"I'll do my best. I'll bring my troupe along too so they can fill them in." He said with a nod.
"Those forces allied with the resistance will be useful, Dennis. My army may be large, but they're still dead, and I need fresh people to be a part of them now. Do whatever you can to win them over, this is probably the only chance we can get."
Dennis nodded once again. He twirls his axe and perched it on his back, and walked away. But not before making a stop at the armoury.
After a while of dressing himself up with armor, gathering his friends and a few extra lords for extra numbers, and arming himself to the teeth. He journeys forward to the Conglomerate, and with an army of both undead and living in tow.
"It might take us a while to get there, while we march, I suggest we tell ourselves some wild tales to pass the time." Bellamy Thorne bellowed out. "Let's draw ourselves a ballot and see who get's to go first."
Bronn grinned. "How do we decide? Should we repeat a number and for anyone that breaks the chain, they get to tell a tale."
"I like that idea! Although, I will admit, you're never gonna get a story out of me, for I never fail to break a chain." Torien boasted with her smug, elven smile.
"Then let's begin! 5!" John Lutwidge began.
"5!" Said Boe Dasher.
"5!" Bellamy yelled, his chins rumbling.
"5." Torien said with a smug tone.
"5!" Bronn yelled.
"6." Dennis said absentmindedly, then his eyes widened as the gears turned on his head as it dawned on him. He looked at them all and muttered "Do over!", but they were relentless, and pressed him to comply. He caved in, and began.
"You better pay attention, because I'll only say it once." Then he clears his throat. "Once upon a time, at the Mercenary's Guild, they looked at a men, who came with a sack, and told them what to do. When they gathered up, he told them that they found a letter from the glaciers of Anthelei. Sent by a group of scholars who went their to study what lies around in the ice."
"What did they find?"
"Well... They found a lot, like bones hidden in the glaciers, and some pieces of weaponry that were... out of place to say the least." Dennis answered briskly. Although, he's willing to admit that he's just retelling a document he read up on during the time he worked with the Interpol for a short time.
Guess Lovecraft did know some things.
"When the mercenaries made it there, they were met with a grisly sight. They found the scholars, mangled and torn apart with, their bones the only thing left on their bodies. The other bones they talked about? Gone with the wind." Dennis continued. "Unnerving to say the least, but now, they have questions. "Who did it?" They wondered, and they decided to start investigating some more. Days upon days, they just couldn't find anything on what caused their gruesome deaths... But they found something... And it was an old city... A city hidden within the ice."
"What lived in there? Penguin people?" The elf joked at him.
"They wished. It was all in ruins, and it wasn't even similar to the others. Queerly shaped with spires, domes, and towers, the ruins felt... alien, as if such architecture was made by hands that didn't came here. As if it came beyond the stars... They looked for more, search for more, but they only thing they found was madness, for upon the writings on the walls, it spoke of knowledge far beyond the comprehension of man. One by one, the mercenaries went mad, and the lord nearly did, but he tried to gather them all up and flee. Unfortunately, the wailing cries of men brought the attention of them. The Old Ones heard it, and so they came, and they chased them out."
With that, Dennis finished his tale, and looked at them like a lost pup, hoping for recognition. But he knew that it's just a silly thing. He's not good at telling stories, nor did he even build himself a career of being a tale-teller. Yet, he still wanted to know what they think. And the final verdict for them is... Mediocre. Just as he predicted.
"I will admit..." Torien piped in. "It reminded me of some tales that happened over at the Black Lands. I know, but it's knowledge is forbidden for mortal minds to know."
"Now that I think about it, where did you come from? Only someone wealthy can even have the luxury of bribing someone to know that." Bronn asked.
"Because I am of royalty." Torien said smugly. Dennis and the others nearly stopped their horses out of surprise just to even look at her. An action that made the Elf smile wider. "You heard me, I am of royalty."
"No wonder you have access to forbidden knowledge, but... If you're of royalty, then why are you here? Much less how long have you been here? You can't just drop something like that and have us accept it with open arms." Dennis asked her.
Torien chuckled nervously, but she never said anything beyond that. In fact, she looks bothered by even saying it. Whatever it was, it could be painful for her to say, so the others didn't bother to ask her more. The only thing they're worried about is making the destination.
After a while of marching, their numbers grew as they encountered Orella and her troops along the way, and she gladly agreed to join them on the march. After that, they finally made it to the gated walls of the town known as the Conglomerate. The one place the rebels have under control, and guarding over until the end of time. The only thing left to do now is to rally their forces, and call upon the leader to go inside.
Until then, Dennis decides to weigh his options on how to negotiate. Along with other options in case things go awry. Even though he knows that Kazuma has done nothing but good, these people have seen the damages the Black Dogs did that led to their position, so it's fair to assume that they will be distrustful of Kazuma despite him freeing the Seven Shields from their slavery. They might think he's planning to betray them anyway and plunge the continent into an even darker rule.
That, and it's because of that they weren't kidding about how tough it is to navigate through the Red-breaker Hills. They almost lost their supplies due to the terrain, and from the creatures that decided to take residence in there.
And it also includes the fact that the Black Dogs had set up a war camp there, which led to a fight that nearly costed his life. When they saw Orella coming over, they were happy as she was able to replenish the numbers. With all of those troubles he had to endure to cross over, the last thing he needs to do is to go through that hell again empty handed.
Suffice to say, he isn't planning on going empty handed.
"Looks like you have something in your mind."
Dennis turned around, and saw it was Alicia. He only gave her a sigh as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.
"Pretty much." He said as he stared at her. "After the trouble we went through to get here, I would like to go back with my hands full, and finding a shortcut back through."
Alicia chuckled a little in agreement. She walked over closer to him, sighing grievously to herself before she asks him a question. One that happened to be gnawing inside her.
"How do I know that you two aren't planning to betray us? After what those fucks did."
Dennis pursed his lips together as he looks at her queerly. Alicia stared back, ready to fight back as she has a hand on the hilt of her sword. Both of them stared at each other until Dennis broke it by shifting his footing and sighed.
"That's pretty much a good question, but... You see, you should ask that to him. Kazuma started this war, and it's only fitting that the question is directed to him... For me, I'm just surprised that we got this far."
"What do you mean?" She asked him.
"What do you remember? What did you remember before Kazuma saved you? I already know what happened in the beginning, so I want to know what you thought about before this happened."
Alicia got taken back from what he said, but he still proved a valid point. Other than the painful memories she received from them, she starts wondering herself. What was happening before Kazuma made himself known? And that question can only be answered by her is she goes back, even if it means reliving all of those horrible memories...
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and began remembering.
"Take it in, bitch!" One man said as he forcefully pushed in his cock deep inside her mouth. She gagged instinctively, but she also let out a moan. A moan of which she always hated to make. But what can you do when you're practically alone, with no one to help you.
Black Dogs practically prowled the castle keep she has been held hostage in, and she would've escaped and rallied the people. If only it wasn't too late. Everyone practically feared them as much as they loathed them. But nothing hurt more than the waving crashes of betrayal that piled onto her again and again.
She heard all of the wailing screams the nuns made, the ones that she swore to protect. She can still remember all of their pleading faces as they try to look at her, practically begging to be saved. Yet, the worst came when Bearsely betrayed her and took her mercilessly that night.
And when she thought it was over, the worst came. She can still remember the tears dripping down Prim's face as Volt raped her in front of her.
"You lied to me..." She coaxed out.
Gods, she hated hearing it. Gods, she loathed even remembering the words and even remembering it. Yet, it was the one thing she held on to, for every twinge of hate numbed the unwanted pleasure that they gave her. Hell, it works now, as she can barely even feel the cock inside her mouth, and instead glared at the man who even dared to defile her mouth the uncounted time.
"You fuckin bitch!" Hicks growled out with a smirk as he slapped her on the cheek. "If I asked you to take it in, I order you to take it in~."
She glared even more even as her eyes dared to water. She practically screamed into his cock that she will personally drag him to the suffering pits of the underworld, making him scream as she took all those years of revenge unto him. She hated it. She hated how he just chuckled, even sighing in pleasure as if the threat just gave him what he wanted.
She growled, and futilely kicked her feet until another one came and spread her legs apart. "Looks like she's still fighting after all these years!" She heard him say. She growled before making a little 'eep' as she feels him enter her snatch, and moaned a little as he began pounding it.
Her torture lasted probably for hours, for she can't even tell how long it has been. Even then, the only thing she wishes for is for it to end quickly. The more she lies there, being used like a cheap whore, the more she wishes to kick them in the face and slit their throats. She doesn't even want to think about this entire event.
Well, that is until the door opened and they all stopped. She forcefully pulled the cock out and coughed, then she gritted her teeth until she noticed the atmosphere change. At first, the only thing she felt was that it was filled with the usual lust-filled debauchery these dogs always wallowed in, but now, it felt cold. Really cold, and there was a sense of foreboding fear and angst. If something was able to overpower these kinds of things, then it can only mean it's something much worse...
"What is it now, Alois?" Hicks asked him.
"Grim news, sir. Something of which that should be brought to our attention."
With that, the man walked in, and she can see who it is. For them, it is Alois Breaker, the grand general and strategist for the Black Dogs. One who's no-nonsense attitude can be clearly be seen on his gruff, weathered face, and studious yellow eyes that look like he's always planning ways to crush their enemies. For Alicia, she sees a decent friend. Out of all the Black Dogs, he was arguably the decent one in her humble opinion. He never really cared much about sex, and she can often see the frown present on his face whenever he sees them prioritizing obscene acts instead of the most important issues.
She calmed down as she looked at him. After all, he was the one that made sure the trade is continuing with the other lands. Along with the fact that whenever they're alone, he treats her as if she was his own daughter. Embarrassing, but in comparison to being gang raped by Black Dogs, she actually wished that she became his own personal companion.
"There have been reports of our patrols being attacked. They say that it was ghouls and ghosts... No one knew where they came from." He said to Hicks, calm clear, and straight to the point. "With all due respect, it is clear that this is serious trouble."
"What?! You got to be joking. There is no way that that is possible."
"It very much is." Alois argued. "The damages have been also brought to me, and the most concerning part is that they have already wiped out the bandits that allied with us."
"Those are...?"
"The Order of the Red Hand, The Snake Charmers, the Kings of Leather Capes, and so on. It's even worse that the encampments of the Wild Hunt have already been sacked. I find it disgraceful that a threat like this slipped under our noses. A necromancer is plaguing our lands,and here you are, wasting your time on a whore."
Hicks clicked his tongue, yet, he didn't seem to be mad, much less even bothered. Alois only crossed his arms, waiting for him to give his answer. His eyes narrow as he just hears him chuckle lightly.
"Don't tell me this isn't a big deal." Alois growled lightly.
"No no, there's a simple solution to this." He said with a confident grin. "The only thing we need to do is to keep quiet about it, and we deal with it silently."
"The people have to know that the lands are unsafe. There's only so much that we can keep things quiet. Do I have to remind you about the riot that happened back at Feoh? Much less what we did to the daughter of the elven king that was went here? I don't think you realize, but keeping things quiet and hidden is a hard task, especially considering that the world has their eyes on us. How would they even react once we let them know of what happened to Celestine?" Alois warned again.
Hicks only chuckled again and dismissively waved his hand at him.
"It'll be fine. I'll even pretend that I didn't know."
Alois sighed, but he never argued again. The only thing he did now is just uncross his arms and walked out of the room. Unbeknownst to him, Hicks cursed him under his breath, mostly for the reason that he disrupted the fun. Hicks put his clothes back on and stormed out, leaving the two of them behind.
"Well that's frightening." The Dog said as he looked at her again. "Not gonna lie, as much as I like this, I hate the fact that this is what you've been devolved into."
"What?" Alicia said to him. Confused.
"I mean it. Ever since we won, I've seen those guys hard at work for keeping it a secret. You can distrust me all you want, but the world has their eyes on us. If word comes out, who knows what they'll do."
The dog sighed again and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. Alicia sighs to herself and thinks about the events that transpired. If a Necromancer is out there, then it brings terror and dread, for every casualty means a new soldier on their ranks. It's already bad enough that the Black Dogs won and claimed the continent, now there's a Dark Lord rising in power. Then again, the thought of that brings some mild comfort to her, as even though the land will be swarmed by death and pestilence. At least the Dogs will die and will lose their kingdom.
She opened her eyes again, and she's greeted by the sight of Dennis shaking her out of concern. The way his eyes looked made her chuckle a little bit, but the only thing left for her now is to come clean with what she thought.
"It was comforting before he saved us." She began. "When I first heard about it, I knew it will be trouble, but... I will admit. I'd rather die than having the dogs defile me further. I don't care if Eostia turned into a steaming, blasted heath of dark magic, I just want them gone."
Dennis stared at her silently. but he stopped shaking her and let go. And in the nick of timing, the gates now open for them. He looked over, and saw an aged man with a prosthetic arm, and dressed in jade robes. The way how he presented felt noble, and it's almost inspiring. Seeing such a person in a place filled with refugees and other rebels. He hoped that maybe he's the leader of this place, and the negotiations go well for their allies.
"I am Ratcliffe." The man yelled out. "and welcome to the Conglomerate."
And with that, the army marched inside, wasting no time and Dennis gulped under his breath. If there's one thing he hoped, it's that the negotiations go well, for the last thing he needs is him making enemies of the rebellion. He hoped and prayed, and it better go right.
