As the group began to advance north, they began to take note of the atmosphere around them.
"We should be cautious. Darkness covers the land." Gerik warned the moving expedition.
"Indeed, and I sense darker forces still." Flora remarked, with an expression of worry. "...By the Four Kings… What perverse forces plague this land? Everywhere I sense… I can see the trails of it."
"If you do not know the names, then you are fortunate." Yuri replied. "These wastes are tainted by the existence of the Realm of Chaos. The influence of the daemons within spills out over the land, corrupting all those who walk these lands. It takes a strong will to overcome their influence."
"How… How horrible. It's almost as if…" Elma remarked, before she then remembered the quest through Midland, as her expression darkened. "...Prince Yuri… do you believe that you'll all make it through this?"
"…No." Yuri replied, his voice tinged with regret. "I fear many will be lost before our mission is complete. But Kislev, our home, suffers without Ursun. We must rescue him, no matter the cost."
"No matter the cost…" Richard remarked, repeating the words in his mouth, as if keeping them to mind. "...Hopefully, the price will not leave you with regrets, Prince Yuri."
"You speak as if you know from experience." Gerik remarked, noting the shift of tone in Richard's words.
"...It is something I don't wish to pry on. It's not important for your quest right now." Richard declared.
As the group kept on moving forward, they found an abandoned refuge site, as there was an abundance of supplies.
"What fortune." Patchouli remarked. "It seems that there are people who are here. And the supplies are here."
"I recognise that banner." Gerik remarked. "They're from Dervingard."
"If they are here… then something has happened to the fortress." Yuri realized as he approached one of the refugees that were left behind. "You all are from Dervingard. Why do you flee south?"
"Dervingard has fallen." The refugee explained. "Our boyar abandoned his post and went north. In his absence, Northmen attacked and killed many. They were led by one known as Skollden."
"And that's not the worst of it." Another refugee spoke up. "The wolf's pushing south. He's attacking The Beacon. Me and a few others are heading to Kislev to send warning."
"This Skollden seeks to make his way to Kislev…" Gerik determined.
"He will not set foot into the Motherland." Yuri declared. "We hunt the wolf at the Beacon."
"We'll need to set up our place here." Keine remarked. "Prince Yuri, please allow us to help you construct a refuge from the materials nearby. A place of respite would do wonders for you."
"Do what you must." Yuri stated to Keine.
As both Kislevite and foreigners made quick work of building what was needed to turn the abandoned refuge into a place of sanctuary, thanks to the leading of several members in both factions, the forces began to advance forth, in order to scout ahead, as Prince Yuri led the force, along with a few people.
"Prince Yuri." Gus remarked. "I must ask you a question, out of a sense of obligation to understand where your ideals lie. What is your intent for working with the refuges? Do you intend to save them from their suffering… or are you here to exact vengeance upon those who would spit at the very notion of your rule?"
"Those are one and the same, wanderer. Why do you ask this question?" Gerik asked.
"In terms of logic, yes, they are the same… but in the spirit of the word, they mean different things." Gus remarked. "...So tell me, if it will not displease you, your answer, Prince Yuri."
Yuri answered without hesitation. "Not one innocent loyal to Ursun should perish in this wasteland. I intend to save Kislev from its suffering. Our people will not survive without Ursun. If I must walk this treacherous path to save him, then so be it."
"Such faith. I hope that you'll hold yourself to it." Gus nodded with a satisfied look on his face.
"Prince! We see the Beacon ahead!" One of the scouts declared. "It is under attack!"
As Gerik moved forward, he witnessed the situation, as he was surprised.
"Prince Yuri!" Gerik exclaimed. "The enemy carries the flag of the Wolf… there is Skollden indeed harassing the fortress… but there are also active forces there who are engaging them!"
"Active forces?" UF!Richard remarked. "...I have a feeling that aid might come sooner than we thought."
"What do you mean?" Gerik asked.
"We will see for ourselves." UF!Richard remarked, as the forces began to march for the Beacon, as they witnessed the battlefield aflame from the effects of various magic blows as the forces of the Wolf were being beaten harshly by the reinforcements, although the battle was still held in a stalemate.
"STRIKE THEM WHERE THEY STAND! KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM!" The voice of SoF!Siege ordered the troops.
"That cry!" UF!Richard exclaimed. "We have to come to their aid! The ones aiding the defenders are kin to me!"
"Prince, your orders?" Gerik asked.
"We march. The journey has been long, but we are ready." Prince Yuri rallied his troops. "Fellow Ungols, we are Kislev! Show these cowardly dogs what that means. They hunger for blood. Let them taste cold steel!"
His troops roared as one, as they began to advance, as Prince Yuri witnessed the battle unfolding, as he witnessed Titania rushing up towards an Norscan Ice Troll, leaping into the air, before driving her speak right through its head, as the large creatures fell backwards, crushing several of its own men as a result.
"Charge! Charge!" Lucelina roared, as she was accompanied by fellow knights, as they broke through the enemy infantry lines.
"Siege! Over there!" Wicke cried, as she pointed towards the advancing forces of Yuri's men. "Richard's come with local allies of his own!"
"Hah! The cavalry's here! LET'S BRING THEM DOWN! YAAAAAH!" SoF!Siege battle cried out.
"Marisa! Take the witches, and assault the Skollden back-lines!" UF!Richard shouted. "With your unit's alacrity, you'll be able to wreak havoc and allow the rest of the defending force to rush the enemy."
"You got it!" Marisa declared, before she immediately flew up, followed by fellow magicians, as they took to the air, rushing forward. "Ladies, you heard the leader, raise hell!"
The witches moved into position, before tossing potion grenades into the middle of the Skollden cannon formations, blasting most of them to pieces.
"The cannons are down! All that remains are the melee troops!" Klara roared. "Crush the enemies with the vanguard, and let the backline aid us with covering fire in arrows and bombardment!"
"Come! We must not allow these noble souls to fight alone!" Gerik roared, as Yuri's forces flanked the main Skollden force through a mountain pass nearby.
Pincered from both sides, the Skollden forces were routed by crushing force, as what were able to survive the merciless assault were left running, even fewer able to escape the pursuit of either faction without being left mortally wounded, or even captured.
"The battle has ended." Gerik remarked, glancing over at the captive Skollden forces. "It is up to you to decide their fate, Prince. Let Ursun guide your judgment."
"...We will give them a chance to redeem themselves." Yuri decided. "Have them forced into conscription."
"As you decree, my Prince." one of the soldiers said as they led the prisoners away.
"The defenders swear allegiance to us, brother." Gerik declared. "They shall continue to aid us through our quest to save Ursun."
"And we have new allies of our own." UF!Richard stated, before turning to SoF!Siege. "I never thought that the search would lead you here so quickly… Did something happen?"
"I've had a fair share of fights across the lands." SoF!Siege declared. "The trail led me here, and I have fought countless hostile factions to reach here. I can say that our budding warriors have had a lot of experience to prove their growth, with how well they handle these… unrelenting threats."
"And who is this man?" Gerik asked UF!Richard.
"My sworn-brother. Not unlike you are Prince Yuri, Gerik." UF!Richard stated. "His name is Siege Sukui, and under him is a heiress, and retainers of her fellow kingdoms."
"A prince. You must have gotten lucky, Richard." SoF!Siege quipped. "Prince Yuri, hm? It is a pleasure to meet you. Any man who would stand beside my brother is someone I can believe in. These are my troops, and their leading commanders. Many of which are younger forces, but do not discredit their youth for inexperience. They wield their weapons with mighty prowess, and rigorous vigor." SoF!Siege introduced.
Gerik and Yuri seemed doubtful (and a little bit worried) about letting fighters as young as the young adults into the fight, but ultimately decided to take UF!Richard at his word. "If you think so highly of them…" Yuri sighed.
"I can tell you are concerned for their wellbeing. No worries, I have half a mind to make them retreat fast should the need arise." SoF!Siege promised.
"I suppose that your word will be enough." Gerik nodded back, before turning to Yuri. "What shall we do? We cannot allow Skollden to continue this savagery."
"Indeed, we will not." Yuri agreed. "We follow Skollden's trail. He must not escape and rebuild his forces."
"A good decision." UF!Richard nodded back.
The forces began to march forth, as they were in full march in order to try and pursue the fleeing troops, although they were forced to rest.
"It seems that they run fast for wild dogs." Gerik growled, as the troops were forced to halt, lest they are too fatigued to defend. "We've marched as far as we can, Yuri. The soldiers need rest."
Yuri scowled, as the troops were left waiting, as Elma decided to take a visit to Yuri.
"Prince… may I ask something?" Elma asked. "...Do you think that there is hope that we'll be able to save your god? I… I want to believe in you… I really do… but I fear for your people… they seem to feel like their god is fading, especially those with spiritual connections… and…"
Yuri crouched down to look Elma in the eyes. "That is why I am here. I myself was on the verge of losing hope. But Ursun speaks to me. As long as I hear his voice…then there is hope."
"His voice…" Elma remarked. "...Hopefully, I am not imagining things. I wonder if he is truly speaking to you, because-"
"Yuri! The Wolf's forces march upon us!" Gerik roared, rushing to meet with Yuri. "They are led by the cur himself!"
"Cunning bastard… " Yuri snarled. "He knew that we would pursue his dregs… and so he laid an ambush for us. With a fresh troop at his command, he expects us to collapse under them. But we are not without preparation. Order the troops to take the high ground! Let him come and reap the price for his arrogance!"
"Aye aye to that! All forces, head to high ground! Let's show these bastards our might! Mages, ready your Boltings! Archers, Longbows to the ready!" SoF!Siege ordered all troops.
"The manner in which he speaks… those are terms I haven't heard…" Gerik remarked.
"You'll see the cunning my sworn brother has planned. If this won't send the wolf cowering to his den, then he's got more spine than we gave him credit for." Richard mused.
"Someone give me eyes on the battlefield! Spot the enemy!" SoF!Siege yelled out.
"A few miles out!" One of the scouts yelled.
"Ready fire! But hold!" SoF!Siege ordered, as suddenly, massive amounts of electrical power surged as Thrasir and Kilver's troops were raising tomes to fire. "Steady now…" Siege declared, as Wicke's troops raised their Longbows as did Líf's, as the army got in prime striking range. "RAIN DOWN HELL!"
Suddenly, massive magical thunderbolts rained down from the sky. Inaccurate as they were against the main target, which was their leader, they still caused tens to hundreds of foes to scatter, even die to the lightning strikes.
"ARROWS LOOSE, BLOT OUT THE SUN IN THEIR EYES!" SoF!Siege shouted as arrows by the hundreds shot into the air, raining down Skollden's forces, reducing them by roughly half to almost three quarters!
"By Tor's name…" Gerik remarked with awe, before he then noticed that there was a mass of enemy mounted troops rushing them. "Mounted units approaching!"
"WITHOUT FEAR! HORSESLAYERS, RAPIERS, HALBERDS, AT THE READY!" SoF!Siege ordered.
"Do not panic! We have accounted for this!" UF!Richard declared. "Titania! Kaguya! Cover Siege's offense!"
"I understand! Defend the back-lines!" Titania roared, as the long-spears quickly moved to the vanguard, before readying their spears, as the front parts of the mounted troops were unable to change their momentum, skewering themselves onto the long-spears, while the spear troops mixed within them charged the stragglers. Now, forward!"
"CHARGE!" SoF!Siege yelled, as Della and her Rapier wielding troops charged with Halberdiers and Spearmen troops, all wielding weapons that charged down the mounted troops easily, and were wieldable enough to deal with the supporting troops as well.
"Crush them all!" Kaguya shouted alongside SoF!Siege, as her own naginata troops began to charge the other flank of mounted troops, leaving Skollden's own ambush forces dying by the dozens, as Skollden's forces were routed once more.
"The Wolf's army flees!" Gerik declared. "Victory is ours!"
"Don't let the bastards get away!" SoF!Siege shouted.
Kilver immediately aimed for the fleeing tribal lord, before tagging him in the leg with a distant Swarm tome shot, as it decayed his leg, before he was able to reach a horse to flee beyond the reach of any troops.
"Damn…" SoF!Siege snarled.
"With all due respect sir." One of the troops under Yuri would speak. "I believe today, the fear of the gods themselves has been struck in that man because of your efforts. If he doesn't surrender from that…"
"...We'll see." SoF!Siege huffed. "Well done, troops, minimal casualties in this battle." He remarked.
As Yuri arranged for the very few captives in the battle to be indentured once more, UF!Richard approached him.
"It seems that this battle has left him with little forces to attack forth. But I doubt that Dervingard, which would be his grounds… would be lightly defended." UF!Richard remarked. "I hope that you will be able to handle yourself… while we are mighty indeed… do not forget that we are not as many as you are, and cannot aid you on all fronts."
"In hindsight, I probably should have brought more men…" SoF!Siege huffed.
"You both… astound me." Prince Yuri admitted. "To be so powerful… yet be so humble. Had it not been for the fact that you know not our traditions, I would have believed that you were sent by Kislev's gods."
"You flatter us." Meiling answered back. "We are just simply the product of countless conflicts where we had to defend what is precious to us. We were tested many times."
Suddenly, UF!Richard stopped, just as the group were about in sight of Dervingard, as the former Kislev city was smouldering from the damage that its captors dealt to it.
"What's wrong, Richard?" Gus asked Richard.
"...Someone's in there." UF!Richard answered back. "...And from the feel of it, it's an ally that has been unfortunate to be captured by Skollden's band. Yuri, we might have to break off from your forces to save our people. If you would-"
"Do what you must. I am not heartless to let your people to suffer under the cur." Prince Yuri responded back without hesitation.
"Thank you for your benevolence." UF!Richard nodded back, before turning to Keine and Patchouli. "Both of you, prepare for what you need."
"It will not be a difficult task." Patchouli remarked, before she levitated into the air, while Keine fitted herself with a pendant with a selene dark blue gem on the center of it, around her own neck. "Keine, are you sure that you are willing to risk yourself?"
"I am not afraid of the consequences. Whatever happens, I trust in all of you." Keine answered back, before she then rode a mount towards the front gates of the city.
"What do you have planned, Richard?" Gerik asked UF!Richard.
"Something that will surprise you." UF!Richard smirked.
As Patchouli positioned herself over the front gates of Dervingard, with Keine riding towards it just behind of her, she immediately drew a Spell-Card, just as the barbaric defenders noticed her.
"What is that?!" one of the soldiers asked.
"A sorceress of Tzeentch! The Changer seeks to undo our efforts!" another claimed.
"They will not succeed. Javelins, take aim!" a third said, as some of the barbarians aimed their weapons to the sky. "FIRE!"
The defenders threw their javelins with inhuman strength, letting them sail into the sky and towards Patchouli. However, the javelins only impacted a magical barrier of light, as they crumpled against it.
"How laughable." Patchouli scoffed. "Declare Spell Card. Earth-Water Sign 'Noachian Deluge'."
The defenders were left horrified, before a entire line of blue magic circles appeared above her, before they began to rain down a hail of blue danmaku bullets, unbound by the Spell-Card Rules, as it seared and burned away at them, as Patchouli directed the hail of bullets all across the front gate.
"Madness, this is-!" One of the defenders cried with despair, before he was destroyed by the hail of bullets.
"Retreat, RETREAT-" Another cried.
As soon as the top of the gates was cleared, Keine reached the barred gates, before she then took a deep breath, as the gem on the pendant began to glisten, as she began to turn into her were-hakutaku form, twin curved horns at the ready, along with red eyes, and the blue of her hair turning green.
"Open the gates… or I shall open them myself." Keine remarked with a low voice.
"Beastman! Slay her! Slay her!" One of the defenders who managed to react, as they used the portholes in the gate walls to fire arrows at her, as they merely dinged against her body.
"So be it." Keine remarked, before she then stepped toward the gate, before arching her head back, and launching a earth-shattering head-butt that smashed the entire centre section of the gate into rubble, crushing the defenders inside.
However, Keine's rampage did not end, as she rushed forward to assault the rest of the defensive structures, shrugging off any attempt to wound her, due to her nigh-impenetrable resistance to their physical weaponry.
As this was happening, Líf had snuck in another way, as he was moving through the place like a plague of death, slicing unknowing enemies in twain with Sokkvabekkr, and any enemies that did notice him didn't far much better, his own terror sending some defenders screaming for their lives.
"AAAAAHHHHH! THIS MAN… HE IS DEATH INCARNATE!" One screamed in insanity before also perishing.
"Charge!" Prince Yuri declared. "We must not waste this opening that the allies have made for us!"
The Kislev troops rushed into Dervingard, as they were taking sections of the city by storm, thanks to Keine destroying any makeshift blockades that could be made, while Klara and her fellow retainers were sweeping every section of the city clean, experiencing with urban combat due to their training and experiences.
Eventually, UF!Richard and SoF!Siege were able to reach the source of the signature that the former sensed, as they slew the wardens and guards, entering the prison itself, to find Wilheim, and several of his fellow men, who were chained to their cells.
"You!?" UF!Richard exclaimed.
"...It must be disgraceful to see a man of Timaet in this sorry state, is it not?" Wilheim remarked weakly, as he was visibly wounded, but not critically so.
"When did-!? I thought you were over with our counterparts!" SoF!Siege exclaimed.
"The other Richard sent me forth to here, to find a disturbance." Wilheim remarked. "...I underestimated the bastard greatly… and it seems that there are other forces who wished for our demise."
"I'm also here." A voice called from the shadows, as invisible threads suddenly sliced down other foes as a familiar dark skinned blue haired ogre arrived.
"Souei!?" SoF!Siege exclaimed. "Who else is going to show up!?"
"You'll see. For now, General Wilheim needs medical aid." Souei declared.
"Indeed." UF!Richard remarked, before cutting the cell doors open, one by one, as their troops carried the wounded Timaetean troops out, starting with the most wounded.
As the battle raged on, Prince Yuri managed to reach Skollden, as the two of them clashed, steel against cursed steel.
"So, the princeling fancies himself a hero!?" Skollden remarked. "Bah! I have taken men many times your greater!"
"You do not faze me, cur." Yuri remarked, parrying an overhead slash with his great-sword. "Your men are scattered and broken, and you nurse a wound on your leg. Slaying you will not be an insurmountable task."
"Then come and take my head then!" Skollden taunted, as he began to emanate an aura of red malice, as his attacks became far more stronger, eventually overpowering Yuri, despite the latter's effort to hold his ground, before downing him with a cut to his leg.
As Skollden walked over, he raised his blade, prepared to land the fatal blow.
"Time to die, princeling!" Skollden cackled with malice. "Your head will be a fine prize to show your fellow 'men'!"
However, before Skollen could finish the job, he found himself being impaled through the throat by Eternal Etherflame, as Gus withdrew his blade, while the warchief gurgled blood before falling down dead in a pool of his own blood.
"Are you alright, Prince Yuri?" Gus asked, reaching a hand out. "Can you stand?"
"I…am fine. You have my thanks." Yuri said, taking Gus's hand and standing back up. "By this point, I imagine I will end up as a footnote in the tales of this expedition." He chuckled.
"No, you will still be known as the one who led the forces." Gus shook his head. "Do not depreciate your value, Yuri. Your men believe in you, because of what you are."
As Yuri was about to leave, he was suddenly beset by Ursun's voice.
"Son of Kislev…" Ursun's voice rang through his head. "These allies may prove resourceful, and are true to your cause… but they will not remain forever… You must be stronger… you must stand amongst them. Take the cur's blade… wield it…"
"Ursun?" Yuri remarked, as Gus noticed his words. "But, my god, his blade is the work of a cursed Daemon. Wolfsbane is tainted with Chaos. To take it would mean-"
"Were you not the one to say that those with a strong will could withstand the taint of Chaos?" the Bear's voice asked. "You are my champion. As long as your convictions to protect Kislev remain, you will be a beacon of light that repels the darkness. Its power will bend to your will, and become yours. Now…take the blade, and use it to strike into the Realm of Chaos… By their own blade… let them taste their own steel, turned against them."
Yuri was silent as he stared at the blade, as he approached it.
"Prince?" Gus remarked, before Yuri drew this blade.
"...Gus, if I ever let myself falter… remind me why I take this blade." Yuri stated. "I take this blade in the name of defending Kislev. A symbol of my will to use power to save Kislev. Those who follow the Father Bear… let this blade turn from a symbol of darkness into a symbol of conviction."
"A noble notion and heart." Souei declared as he heard the words of Yuri. "Always be wary of power, however. Power can easily corrupt one's mind into believing what is right. Do not lose sight of what you truly fight for, in the end of it all."
"Who are you?" Prince Yuri asked Souei. "You seem like that you are akin to those who lurk in the shadows… Assassins, if I recall my teachings. Are you ally of these foreigners?"
"He is." Gus responded back. "I never thought that you would end up here, Souei."
"General Wilheim was the first. Tasked by King Tendaris the minute we heard word to use Timaet's forces to capture this stronghold. Alas, he was ambushed and felled, as you witness." Souei declared, gesturing to the wounded dragonkin being aided by healers.
"That's… I'm glad that the Future Seekers and their allies aid us quite quickly." Gus nodded.
"Yuri!" Gerik exclaimed, rushing forward. "Leave that sword, the weapon is cursed with Chaos!"
"The blade is dictated by Ursun to be carried." Yuri declared firmly. "He told me to wield this blade to prove my conviction. Its power is untamed, but it is potent, and will be even more so, as long as I refine it with my will."
"You toy with fate, Yuri. The blade is made of sin." Gerik shook his head disapprovingly. "But if it is Ursun's word… I will not question it further. Let my words remain in mind though."
"I have warned him already." Souei remarked to Gerik. "I shall keep watch of him… know this, Prince Yuri, protection of all I deem my family is of utmost importance. These soldiers, mere as they are, are part of that by order of the one I serve. Should you make one move to harm them… I shall show you that I am more than worthy of the notion of 'Assassin.'" Souei declared with heavy emphasis on the last word.
"Your words are noted. I will not let them slip from my mind, as with Gerik's own." Yuri answered back firmly.
"Then it is so." Souei nodded. "Wield that sword well, Prince."
After saying this, Souei turned to SoF!Siege and UF!Richard. "I have ill news, sadly. Unfortunately, our Siege will not be participating in the events to follow. Heed the words that Rimuru Tempest now leads the Future Seekers for now."
"...If it is possible to pry further… then I would." UF!Richard remarked solemnly. "But from the look on your face, you are not ready to do so. Who among all of you answered the call?"
"Siege's brother follows, as do my ogrekin Benimaru, Hakurou, and Shion, and one from their new companions. So do several of his Nikkes who are fitted for this occasion, and the two Overlords, as well as Helga and Sigrid from Hornheim." Souei answered back. "Mind you, I will divulge this information… when we are not in the midst of the army for rumors to spread."
"That will suffice." UF!Richard sighed.
"While these wanderers speak about their own kin…" Gerik remarked, before turning to Yuri. "Dervingard is infested with Chaos."
"Then we sanctify the grounds." Yuri remarked in response.
"How, brother? How do we purge Chaos from these walls?" Gerik argued.
"Leave the banishing to us." Sanae suggested, walking up. "We have magic dedicated to purification of malicious forces. But I think that you will need to invoke your own faith to occupy the gap in the realm."
"Yes, that would be most ideal. Order our men to build a totem to Ursun. Let devotion shield this city from further corruption."
As the days passed, with the shrine being made, and Sanae leading the shrine maidens to purify Chaos influence from Dervingard, they were able to march once again, as Dervingard was renewed once more.
"It seems that we were right to ask aid." Gerik remarked. "The taint of Chaos has left the city entirely."
"Then Dervingard is truly liberated." Yuri declared with satisfaction.
"Prince Yuri." Wilheim remarked, as he approached the leading group. "My men have recovered completely as a result of the treatment that we have received. We have heard that you aid our forces in saving what good remains in this world. I am General Wilheim, and I pledge my request to ally with you, to help you fight."
"More allies would never be seen as a burden. I welcome you, General Wilheim." Yuri declared.
"And a Frost-Maiden has come to us, driven to hiding." Gerik remarked. "Her magic shall prove useful to bolster our forces independent of our growing number of allies."
"I bring news myself." The Frost-Maiden remarked, stepping into the room. "However, this information is solely to be heard by the ear of the Prince first. If you wish to divulge it later to others, that is your choice. My name is Zorya, and I have witnessed a grave betrayal."
"All of you, take your leave." Yuri declared, as the leaders of the factions left, before turning to Zorya. "Tell me, what do you hold to your bosom?"
"The former ruler of this city, Slavin Kurnz, fell into madness." Zorya declared. "Swayed by the words of the Dark Gods, his iron-clad will was turned into a thirst for power and control. He desires rule over all of Kislev, if not the entire world. He abandoned this land, for the sake of running to his 'masters'. Many opposed his words, almost all of those who believed in Ursun. He was not kind with them. Most were left to hang and rot. Others were exiled to the mercy of the savages of the North. I will show you where his journal lies, and let that be proof I speak true."
Yuri then let Zorya guide him to Kurnz's quarters, where he found the man's journal, as he read through it, as it was filled with the ravings of a power-hungry man, further solidifying Zorya's testimony.
"Curse him in the name of Ursun." Yuri growled. "To think that he would let the Dark Gods into his heart…"
"Now then, what shall you do, Prince?" Zorya asked. "I gave you your choice. If you wish to tell your allies and retainers of this, I will not stop you."
"...I will share this with the others." Yuri decided. "I trust Gerik. Then…we will do what must be done."
"Very well." Zorya remarked.
Yuri wasted no time in gathering the leaders, revealing the truth to them.
"A book of lies. Burn it." Gerik growled.
"No, this is a testament of a traitor." Yuri retorted. "He will face justice."
"I must concede with Prince Yuri, Gerik." UF!Richard answered back, crossing his arms. "No man of sane mind would commit the atrocities that have been written in this book."
"Either way, we'll learn the truth." SoF!Siege. "I suppose we'll follow that trail then?"
Just as Yuri was about to say something, Ursun's voice rang in his head, as it sounded a lot more… ragged.
"Dervingard is reclaimed. Now we embark on a greater quest. Deep in the Chaos Waste stands the 'Citadel Who Howls'. Within its halls lies a hidden portal to my prison. However, you will not reach it, for the Screaming Chain prevents it. Journey to the Lucent Maze. Find the secret runes, for they hold the knowledge to undo this obstacle."
"Ursun has spoken." Yuri declared. "We leave at first light."
"Leave!?" Gerik exclaimed, smashing his hands on the table. "We gave our word to those trapped in Dervingard that we would keep it safe!"
"Ursun confides in me. We must journey through the Chaos Wastes and find the Lucent Maze, for it is a step to find Ursun." Yuri argued. "If we do not find Ursun, it won't be just Dervingard that shall be condemned. Kislev as a whole will suffer."
"I…" Gerik remarked, as he was left without any response.
"Do not worry. We will leave some troops behind to defend Dervingard. We will not go back on our word to do what we can." UF!Richard assured Gerik.
"...I suppose that will suffice then." Gerik remarked. "...But I still do not approve of this, brother. I do not."