Interlude: Motes of Light
In the outskirts of Sunspear, bathed in the warm embrace of the radiant daytime, the land unfurled before Lucanus like an exquisite tapestry, its colors vibrant and its essence pulsating with life.
The sprawling landscape, adorned with undulating hills and verdant fields, stretched out as far as the eye could see, creating a picturesque scene that beckoned one to immerse themselves in its serene beauty. The tall grasses swayed gracefully in the gentle breeze, their delicate whispers intertwining with the symphony of nature.
Wildflowers of every hue adorned the meadows, their petals an artist's palette, painting the surroundings with an explosion of colors that danced in harmony with the sunlight. In the midst of the picturesque scene, marching sounds can be heard.
Flags of the bladed sun cross can be seen billowing in the wind, along with men wearing black and gold colors.
Gathering of the Legion.
Lucanus joined the Solar Guard years ago, when the First Brother made his appearance.
He was a stoic young man. He did not complain much when experiencing hardship. Not many other things surprise him except overly extraordinary ones.
But still, as he watches the gathering of the Legionaries grouped in Photons and led by their respective Photonars, he is somewhat excited.
"Legionaries…MARCH!" His Photonar commander, a man with white hair, probably aged below twenty-five, commanded with a grizzled tone.
Oozing with discipline.
Lucanus stopped staring at the other arriving Photonars and Sunbeams on the outskirts of Sunspear, bearing their Legionary flags.
For now, he still has the command of his Beam Marshal. But the Ironheart Policy obliged him to form with other sunbeams of Sunspear into a proper Photonar.
He marched with his fellow Legionaries.
Brothers-in-arms.
His Photon took its place beside the other four Sunspear Photons. Each Photon lined up in a disciplined manner. Ten rows, each composed of ten legionaries, formed a formidable and imposing sight.
Their stances were rigid, their gazes forward, as they awaited their orders with unwavering dedication. Clad in Legionary Colors bearing bladed weapons and crossbows and some even flintlocks, exuded a sense of strength and resolve. The air crackled with anticipation as this meticulously organized formation embodied the collective might and unwavering loyalty of the Legion.
Discipline and Stoicism. Army forged in faith and rigor.
His and his comrades' armbands gleaming in the sun, he watched the other arriving Photons. Lucanus' face does not make an expression, nor does he turn his head around repeatedly like a bumbling fool while watching the arriving Legionaries.
Ordered and Proper.
But still, he watched the arriving Sunbeams grouped into respected Photons.
As he stood there, his gaze fixated on the horizon, Lucanus observed the arrival of the Legionaries of Maremonte, a sight that filled him with a sense of familiarity and pride. Draped in the familiar black and gold colors, they marched forward with unwavering determination. Their banners fluttered in the wind, proudly displaying the emblem of the bladed Sun Cross, representing their unwavering loyalty to their stronghold. Alongside it, the azure flag with the majestic White Falcon soared high, symbolizing their connection to their ancestral village.
Each stronghold having its own flag was not unique. After all, they are also the same. The resplendent flag of the Golden Spear above the sun, the emblem of Sunspear, stood beside the Photonars of Lucanus' village.
Lucanus couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for his comrades, both for his own stronghold and the stronghold of Maremonte alike.
Clad in their black and gold attire, the Maremonte Legionaries exuded a sense of discipline and resilience, ready to face any challenge that lay ahead. With every step they took, their presence resonated, embodying the unwavering spirit of Maremonte.
The Photonars of Maremonte nodded at the Legionaries of Sunspear as they proceed to take their place beside the legionaries of Sunspear.
Brotherhood and Respect.
Next to arrive after Maremonte are the familiar Valdoro Legionaries.
The village-turned-stronghold of Valdoro was one of the villages that Lucanus himself visited a year after the First Brother preached the Good Word on their village.
The village of Valdoro is full of serious and stoic people. Hardened by hardships and suffering. The people in that place do not talk much, but they are still pleasant people to converse with once you gain their trust.
The Sunbeams of Valdoro, along with their familiar black and gold colors, gleam in the warm embrace of the Sun. The halberds, swords, and crossbows that they bear alongside the Solar Knives of their Beam Marshals and Photonars reflect the glorious light of the Sun.
Their marching is in proper lockstep synchronization, just like a true disciplined cohort of soldiers.
As they march, each photon bears the familiar flag of the bladed Sun Cross and the flag of a golden Lion. The Golden Lion, as the people of Valdoro said it themselves, is a symbol of the Divine Tradition manifesting itself in a form of a valorous Lion protecting its pride.
They got into position alongside the Legionaries of Maremonte. The faces of the Legionaries of Valdoro, although stoic and fierce, exude a sense of respect and camaraderie.
Stoicism and Unity.
Taking their designated position alongside the Legionaries of Maremonte, the Legionaries of Valdoro exuded an aura of stoicism and fierce determination. Faces weathered by daily challenges, yet still etched with a deep respect for their comrades, radiated an unspoken bond. Stoicism and unity, woven into the very fabric of their being, whispered tales of shared hardship and a resolute spirit that defied adversity.
Lucanus, ever steadfast in his stance, his expression unchanging like the unyielding landscape, offered a silent prayer of gratitude. In the presence of his fellow Legionaries, he found solace and purpose, knowing that he stood shoulder to shoulder with individuals whose resolve matched his own.
In the midst of a sun-drenched landscape, a formidable sight emerged on the outskirts of Sunspear. Lined up in perfect formation, the legionaries stood with unwavering resolve, their presence commanding attention and respect.
Clad in black and gold, their uniforms spoke of a disciplined unity, a force to be reckoned with. The warm embrace of the daylight cast a gentle glow upon their stoic faces, revealing little of the thoughts that stirred within. Silence enveloped the scene, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric and the whisper of the wind.
Young and Old blood. Ready to fight for what is right and Divine.
As the legionaries awaited their orders, an air of anticipation crackled in the stillness, a palpable energy that hinted at the imminent action that lay ahead. In this moment, time seemed suspended, as the legionaries embodied the embodiment of duty and sacrifice. They were the epitome of strength and grace, poised to face whatever challenges awaited them on the battlefield.
Then, as the wind howled, footsteps can be heard at the forefront.
In the sunlit outskirts, where the arid land sprawled beneath the relentless daytime glow, a figure emerged at the forefront.
A bald man, his presence radiated an aura of absolute charisma that commanded attention and stirred whispers among those who beheld him. This was no ordinary man, a colossus among mortals, whose towering stature cast a long shadow upon the gathered legionaries.
As he stepped forward, his measured gait reflected a quiet confidence, each footfall sinking into the parched earth with purpose and deliberation. The lines etched upon his weathered face spoke of a life steeped in both triumph and tribulation, eternally marked by the weight of his convictions.
His eyes, deep and penetrating, held a magnetism that drew all gazes towards him, capturing the undivided attention of those who had the honor to witness his presence.
Clad in his humble red tunic and obsidian trousers, the clothing that he wore when he started to preach the Good Word, he started to walk. The giant man's garments billowed in the arid breeze, as if in harmony with the austere landscape that surrounded them. The bladed Sun Cross, emblazoned upon his dark armband, shimmered as if forged from the very essence of sunlight, an emblem of faith and unwavering devotion that had rallied his legionaries through countless battles.
With each advancing step, the ground seemed to yield to his commanding presence, bowing in reverence to his stature. It was as if the land itself recognized the significance of his stride, the weight of his destiny resonating in every footfall. In his wake, whispers of awe trailed like a hushed hymn, whispered prayers to the godlike being who stood before them.
Like the ancient heroes of the old myths.
The legionaries watched. Sunbeam Legionaries, Beam Marshals, and Photonars watched. Their eyes, filled with a mixture of reverence and fear, followed his every movement, their breath held in anticipation of the words that would soon pour forth from his lips. The giant man, the beacon of their devotion, possessed a charisma that transcended the mortal realm, a magnetic force that drew even the most skeptical into his fold.
A Man larger than Life.
His voice, when it finally broke the heavy silence, resounded with a depth that seemed to originate from the very depths of his soul. Each word, measured and deliberate, carried an authority that demanded unwavering obedience. It was a voice that stirred hearts and kindled flames of fervor within the legionaries' chests, their spirits ignited by the sheer force of his conviction.
"….Isn't it beautiful, Brothers and Sisters?" The man—no, First Brother—began with a smile on his face.
The Legion watched. Their faces were stoic yet in awe.
"In this green land kissed by the Divine Tradition, concealed from mortal gazes residing at the very core of our world, countless souls converged. A multitude of men and women took to the march…A Legion, one can say." The First Brother stated while looking at the organized and disciplined multitudes standing in front of him.
Pride emanating from one's eyes.
"In a mere three Solar years since I've started to walk down these humble lands, the seeds of the Good Word have taken root….And now, thousands stand ready to march in unison towards our noble cause." At that, the First Brother smiled.
Even Lucanus, in the disciplined sea of gold and obsidian, started to feel pride at the words.
"Men of faith, old and young, found revitalization under the Divine Tradition. The Solar Principle is strong in their hearts..." The First Brother continued, his voice echoing throughout the verdant field.
Words that echoed through the howling of the wind.
"The Good Word rings true, my comrades. The Great Awakening is upon us, and do you know how I can be so sure? It's as simple as this: I stand at the very forefront of its unfolding!" At that, the First Brother roared, pointing at the assembled men in front of him.
At those words, a faint flicker of a smile dances across the faces of the Legionaries. Though they strive to maintain their stoic demeanor, the undeniable spark of joy peeks through, tugging at the corners of their lips.
"As the seekers of the Sun multiply, so too do its defenders. You, the Legionaries of the Divine, my Brothers and Sisters in spirit, have wielded the blade! Through tireless effort, you have not only honed your skills in combat, but also transformed the humble surroundings into a testament of resilience. Your sweat and labor were not solely spent on mastering the art of violence, but also dedicated to constructing humble abodes that embody the dignity of the human spirit!" The First Brother continued.
The holiness of work and the necessity of violence.
"Indeed….Our will dared to build humble abodes upon the darkness of this world." Then, the tone of the First Brother started to turn sinister.
Even the Legionaries lined up on the green field of Sunspear felt something.
"But as we build our abodes, the darkness remains watchful, never idle. Only yesterday, I witnessed the audacity of the darkness as they unveiled their face." The First Brother said with a rather grim tone.
The Legionaries felt that they are here for a reason.
"Our Brothers in Ashborn, a stronghold that was forged by the hands of its humble people and hardworking Legionaries, delivered a dire news."
The Legion held their breaths.
Then the First Brother began to glow.
"The army of the Great Enemy has brazenly arrived at our very doorsteps, brandishing the Ruinous essence. And in their vile company, they have gathered a motley crew of ruthless brigands - skilled thieves, raiders, and rapists! Not only have they defiled the purity of the Solar Essence, but they have also audaciously brought these dishonorable wretches to the very doorstep of our abode!" The First Brother now roared. Anger and righteous wrath oozed out with every word he uttered.
The gathered Legionaries, down to the last unit of Sunbeam, gritted their teeth in anger. As if the words themselves infused their souls.
The aura of the Demigod. Righteous anger made manifest in the materium through the empyrean.
"And as we gather here, our comrades in Ashborn stand firm in the face of darkness. They're out there, putting everything on the line to defend their homeland. The enemy may be pressing hard, surrounding them with a relentless siege, but mark my words, they won't back down! They're holding their ground with unwavering determination and courage!" The First Brother said fiercely.
"But we are not leaving them alone…" The First Brother stated to the disciplined faces standing in the verdant field.
With that, the grim flowing in the air was abated.
"….WILL YOU LEAVE THEM ALONE COMRADES!?" He roared.
The First Brother asked the sea of obsidian and gold as he pointed his hands at them.
At first, there was silence.
Then there was an explosion.
The Legion roared.
"NAY!" The legionaries, down to the last sunbeam, even Lucanus himself, roared with unity and synchronicity.
"If that's the case, then—"
In that moment, as he stood at the forefront, his bald head glistening in the unrelenting sun, time seemed to bend, and the world itself paused in reverence.
"LEGIONARIES…"
His presence, more akin to that of a deity than a mortal, stirred something primal within the hearts of those who bore witness. They were no longer merely legionaries, but devout followers of a sacred cause, ready to march into the crucible of war under the banner of their charismatic leader.
"—MARCH!"
And as the sun cast its unyielding rays upon the outskirts of Sunspear, bathing the land in a warm and harsh glow, Athanasius, the embodiment of conviction and zeal, set forth.
Lucanus and his comrades set forth. The Photonars readied their flintlocks. The flag bearers steeled their muscles and eyes.
March of a Legion.
The legionaries, like a shadow cast by the First Brother's unwavering presence, followed in his wake, their hearts aflame with devotion and their spirits fortified by the indomitable force. The Divine Tradition blazing in their hearts.
They march to protect those motes of light.
=I=
That's the interlude! I'm sorry if I suck at portraying the surroundings lol.