Eostia: Harem Quest

by EostianScribe

The Gods have given mortals the power of The Gamer as a pass time. A hobby. A means to compete and relax. One goddess, however, sees it as a means of salvation; starting with one world. As such, she rolls the dice... (Harem, Citrus and Eventual Dark Content Warning)

75. Act III-Ch III: Hold The Line

[ - Author's Note - ]

Well... Here we are once more. This chapter is going to be focused around another large battle but there's going to be some set up and hints to things I'm planning for the Act. I also added some small character moments with James and other characters; I'll need to add more down the line as well. After all character is the important thing here, right?

Anyway, there's not much else to say right now. Rather then ramble on let's get going.

[ - Act III - Chapter III: Hold The Line - ]

Primus City, Nobility District
Dominion of Geofu
Levantine Manor
Office of Grave Levantine

Grave frowned as he reviewed the recording once, then twice, then again and again. By his tenth viewing of the voxlux propped up on a small stand on the table he finally shut it off before looking to Lorcan. The pair moved to an 'L' shaped, black couch in the office he used when it was time to play nice with people but it was usually only him and his direct underlings who got to sit on it. "I know you've seen greenhorns fools grow into troll slayers after a year... but it's only been months." Lorcan let off with a snort.

"I'm aware of that... Damn brat... That damned brat..." Grave let off, crossing his arms as he thought, Lorcan moving to refill their drinks; a berry infused vodka for some variety of drink selection. "How did he grow so strong so fast?"

"Hmmm, luck of the draw? I hear his parents are, respectfully, quite the mage and quite the warrior." Lorcan let off. "So he got the best of both worlds... Hmmm... If you think about it that's kind of the key to his successes, isn't it?" He let off as Grave grunted, moving to pick his glass up to sip.

"Explain." He let off.

"You might not have the greatest respect for mages but I know you respect what a good spell can do." The rogue began as Grave nodded. "He can cast powerful attack spells. Nothing to attack? Okay; he can fall back and heal. Get past the front lines to attack him in close range? He draws a blade and cuts you down. Hell, he can use spells in close to made his swordplay more deadly. What happens when he's unhappy with his equipment? He can use magic to modify it because he's an enchanter. What happens when he sees a gap in the military that needs closing? He makes something to close it; like the voxlux of that damned flying wagon. You like talking about how everyone needs to be a little flexible in combat? Can you get more flexible then him?"

"Hrmmmm... Hurmph... I concede the point." Grave said as he took a sip. "And when you see his equipment... I wager the Ansur Shield forged his blade... No idea where he got the strange staff but he likely improved on it himself... and I thought his armor was leather but no leather gambeson can withstand stabs like that one did... Perhaps it's dragon scale? How did he come across an armor like that? Or perhaps scales to make it?"

"If Lulu made the sword safe bet her or one of her buddies got their hands on it for him." Lorcan let off as he sipped his own drink. "I mean there's rumors he's popped Prim's cherry... And I can't confirm it but that little cult Kaguya leads had some interesting changes after he was finished with visiting Fortress Thorn... Like how every one in it's allowed to go and get married and do the good old horizontal tango!"

"You're suggesting he's slept with two of them?" Grave let off as his agent shrugged.

"Can't confirm either one, but if I were a betting man; two gold on the Princess and one on the Priestess." Lorcan replied as Grave snorted.

"I don't bet on those sort of things... but I admit, it's not... impossible." Grave let off as he crossed his arms once more. "Coupling his skills with the gifts of the Seven... It's a dangerous combination."

"So... how do we deal with him?" The rogue asked as the retired general snorted, sipping his drink once more.

"I'll let our new friend work on that..."

[-]

The problem with us is we sneer at the humans, we keep sneering so much, so often at them. How they bicker with one another, commit atrocity after atrocity on one another, say one thing and then do another, hold one to a standard and another to a different one. We call them hypocrites, pretenders, foul beings fit only for death.

And yet few of my fellows dare look inwards. I have seen dark elf bicker with their kin, commit atrocities to humans, yes, but also Laborborne and lower without a thought to whom standards are different then their higher born counterparts. To a human watching we must be hypocrites, pretenders and foul beings fit only for death.

Perhaps this is the true reason we hate humanity; they are not pests nor a plague upon the land... but a mirror held to us. And in seeing this mirror too many fragile egos are harmed.

~Scriabin Nightink, The Banned Tome Known As The Unsavory Insight

[-]

After our first battle Celestine's head general gave a general order for all forces to move northwards. The reason for it was simple; to offer more of a buffer between us and all of the towns behind us. That did take us a little deeper into the Dread Field, however. Not enough to be dangerous but... Well... There was a... weight there you never felt before. Something you could normally ignore... but you could still feel it; like a soft press on your shoulders as if a cat was there... If that cat was made of pure darkness and trying to creep you out...

Overall the feeling was still high in the camp, although I had to deal with several of Makoto's apologies; we had lost track of one another in the chaos of the last fight and she was a bit upset about it as she was my bodyguard and all. I of course forgave her for it; it couldn't be helped although she promised to do better to keep an eye on me. Other consequences of the fight included the Lyrans being much more friendly with us; respect earned it seemed. There, indeed, seemed to be a general feeling of respect to me overall with people asking me to repeat the story of slaying the trolls a few times. Even Channer seemed interested in the story although for some reason... less willing to talk about how things went for him. I could guess why; war isn't pretty.

I ended up heading back to the manor for a morning; enough spell fiber was made to get two more Cloud Riders up and running. I entrusted their operations to a pair of Mungale soldiers who I had trained to fly them as well and had them dispatched. The original Cloud Rider stayed with us in Ur, one was shipped to Ansur and one to Ken under Lulu and Celestine's commands respectively; the new ones unpainted but bearing the same, Eostian flag with a Noxdecus emblem on them. Lulu in particular was very interested in talking about them; I did let her know I wanted to be face to face before discussing anything too sensitive but I gave her the run down of what it did and why I made it; at least in part. I hinted I had a bigger plan in mind but stayed mum on it. In addition I included additional maps to be entrusted directly to the Shield Princesses.

I was back in time for lunch and opted to join the Lyrans. I had, in fact, spent every lunch with them and breakfast and dinner with my family in the Mungale camp; I needed to keep touch with the mercenary group I've been saddled with after all. Makoto, as usual, joined us for stew, bread and water. As I moved to a table I gave a sharp whistle and once heads turned a Tossed a few, small containers to people at the ends of tables save the one I sat at. "Hey guys, brought some pepper back with me."

"Ha! Now that's a lordlin' after me own 'eart!" One man let off as I sat down. I was served not long after, added some pepper and passed it to Makoto who passed it down after use.

"Heh. Not often you get a lord who cares about the little things." Sulon said, a few seats down from me as I started to eat. After a bite I shrugged.

"Not my pockets paying for you guys but we are fighting shoulder to shoulder. Have to take care of each other right?" I pointed out as a few chuckles let off and the guy next to me gave me a hearty pat on the back; thankfully between bites.

"Hey, we're used to lords who see us as dumb muscle or meat shields." The man next to me let off. His armor was splint steel with notable dings and scrapes on it. He stood some five nine and was maybe in his thirties with a short, well groomed black beard and mustache and cropped hair with green eyes. "You're a cut above most I know!"

(-)

Name: Pierce Chest
Title: Dominious Defector
Class: Warrior
Level: 24
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 43
Status: Healthy, Relaxed, Joyful

Known Traits
[Dual Strike] You are exceptional at using two weapons at the same time. +5% Dex and Agi while using two weapons at once.

[?]
[Moxie] Each time you defeat a foe in battle increase your Con, Str, End, Dex and Agi by 2%, up to eight times. This lasts up until one minute after your last fight

A former conscript of the Dominious Navy he felt the need to quit his nation due to the oppression and mistreatment. He would opt to go overboard one night as his ship neared the Eostian side of the Great Atlas River, was able to swim to shore and managed to survive several days before running into the First Lyran Guard mercenary unit. Having few options he would sign on and become a notable member of the unit.

(-)

"I mean ain't that the truth! I mean you made this voxlux thing, that's amazing!" Makoto was sitting across the table from me and the next speaker sat to her side. He was a younger man; he bore light red (Not quite pink) hair that was neck long and curly and bore a hairless, freckled face. He wore cheaper looking but functional mage robes that were deep blue and fell to the knees over black pants tucked into black boots. He bore a short sword at his hip over a worn spell book and had a wand at his other side.

(-)

Name: Myrddin of the Mana
Title: Mercenary Magic Slinger
Class: Sorcerer
Level: 18
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 51
Status: Healthy, Excited, Admiring

Known Traits
[?]
[Quick Learner] You are adept at learning most basic and many intermediate magics! +25% Learning Speed and Spell Exp to any spell with a Moderate or lower spell cost. +25% Additional Learning Speed and Spell Exp to any spell with a Low or lower spell cost.
[iMagic] All stats save Mnc increase your Mag by 5% of their total
[Badass Bookworm] Your learning has given you insight on how to handle and fight those who use magic. +5% Resistance to Magical Attacks
[?]

An orphan from Arndale he grew up near an aged, retired wizard who noticed Myrddin's magical talents. Taking the young man under his wing he gave the boy an unconventional but through education before he died of old age. He opted to sell his growing skills to the mercenary unit, the First Lyran Guard, and further his skill, hoping to make something of himself one day.

(-)

Honestly, I'd taken a bit of a liking to Myr, as I called him, and even introduced him to my father who, given their matching backgrounds, was happy to offer some advice and tips; although it seemed he'd taken a liking to me more then my father. Maybe I impressed him with the trolls but it seemed he was more curious of the things I've made as he was a budding enchanter in his own right. He might have been younger then I was; it was hard to tell. Either way I was happy to talk and while I withheld my best secrets I was more then willing to give him pointers and ideas. I gave the Lyran Guard a dozen voxluxs to further help them and he was one of the ones holding one; mostly as he was a rear line fighter.

"Heh... It's that reason we won so damn hard." Sulon let off with a chuckle. "Man, I don't know what a meeting in Garan looks like but I'd pay to be a fly on the wall there."

Honestly? So would I.

[-]

Napreryvnyy City, Royal Palace
Southwest Blazecrown
Near the Borders of Blackshard and Onyxcloak
Kingdom of Garan

Once upon a time the settlement was called Arblade City, renamed for it's new emperor and empire two thousand years in the past. It was a seat of power for Eostia's longest and most bitter enemy for centuries. Their fall from grace and destruction by Olga Discordia and what would become Garan saw it renamed and repurposed; it was not Olga's seat of power but she often used it as such during wars to be closer to the front lines to receive reports faster. Many wished it was further east to be more central but the east to west roads were the best they had and no other Blazecrown city was worthy of hosting their Trueborne Queen.

The palace was once human made but efforts was made to tear it down, brick by brick and rebuilt it anew. Only old foundations and a handful of useful buildings were left. The walls remade to the preferred random seeming patterns for the lower half of the wall and smoother upper half as, seated on her onyx hued throne and it's dark purple padding throne with her staff held in one hand, Olga gazed down at the battle map from the three tiered platform on which her seat sat, her usual neutral gaze barring a slight yet visible frown.

Around the map her general and the Matrons of the High Houses gathered and tried not to wither under their Queen's stern glare and visible displeasure. Around them other Highborne involved in the war as well as notable Lowborne commanders collected. Around them other Lowborne commanders, high ranking Legion and notable knights and mages. Chloe stood by the queen's side but stood one tier lower on the platform. "I demand explanation for this failure." She said as she looked at the markers denoting their forces locations as well as the Eostians line... formed along a curve on the border. A single curve without a depression indicating some breakthrough or ongoing assault. Every report said the same thing; Eostia held the line in a way they never had before in the past.

"We are... unsure..." Vasilisa let off as she averting her gaze from her queen. "We did not lack for numbers; I personally added another thousand to the Legion I send this time."

"Disappointing..." Evgeniya added a moment later as she clutched a fist.

"I do not think we are to blame." Masya said, even as she didn't dare look to her queen. "Eostian numbers were... larger then expected..."

"I do not need excuses." Olga's voice said coldly as she banged her staff to the floor; all in the room shivering under her tone and the echo of the staff's impact, the Matrons and her general more then the rest...

All but one.

"If I may speak..." Chloe began as she looked back to her queen. "While I would love nothing more then to see them squirm under your gaze I would say only a minority of the fault lays with the Matrons." The Matrons in question looked to the Queen's Pet Halfborne with surprise, even sharing looks with one another as Olga glanced to said 'pet'.

"What do you mean, Chloe?" The queen ask as Chole turned to look to the table.

"They are right. The numbers present already is unprecedented." Chloe spoke as she glared to the map. "It seemed all but their most southern of states were present. We do expect their scouts to note when we ready for war but it takes two weeks or more before their full force arrives. But it was nearly all but here to await us. There are two ways this is possible; they knew of our motions before we began mobilizing or... they were able to communicate our build up far quicker then ever before."

"Humans like to use spell paper that the Dread Field defeats..." Olesia began with a hum. "If we assume, for a moment, they have a means to create a sheet that can endure the field then a message can be sent and received in two to three days. It's plausible that sort of head start could alert them in time to shuffle their forces to the front."

"I may have something related to that..." Czarina began as the room shifted to look to her. "My own scouts were sent out before the attack to dig up what information they could. Among what we learned is they have a faster means of communication. I don't know the form it takes, but if we assume it's true and not some human delusion-"

"If we presume it's double the speed of spell paper then we have a considerable issue..." General Dreadblade said with a huff. "That would give the humans a far...gahhh, it pains me to say it, a far superior means of communication... How they stumbled on it is something I don't know but that's a disadvantage we currently have."

"Frustrating..." Olga huffed out as she shook her head. "Then the reality is this; the Five Matorns must take direct command of their armies." She let off as chatter began around the room for a moment. "If we require better communication then having them lead from the front will be needed to mitigate the issue. Further more it would behoove us to adjust who is on what front. We should have members of each house fighting on each front; with luck this shift in talent will be unexpected by our foes."

"Then send me to the Ur front!" A voice called out, a taller one walking to the front as she crossed her arms under her bust. "I have a human to kill there!"

"Who are you?" Olga let off, looking to the woman with narrowed eyes.

"She's a younger cousin of mine; Rubin of my House." Evgeniya let off as Rubin unfolded her arms, pulled them back before smacking a fist to her palm.

"I see..." Olga let off as she hummed out.

"I also have a human to kill in Ur." Another let off as she walked to stand next to Rubin; a shorter one with a spell stone eye.

"Ahhh, yes... My niece..." Czarnia let off as Chloe hummed.

"I know of her." She began, looking to Olga. "We sent her some months ago as an initial recon to test Feoh. She lost her sister and was the only survivor of her unit; even if it cost her an eye."

A soft murmur rose up and it seemed the room was divided; one section wondering what such a weak woman could add, one section thinking she must have been strong to survive that which ended her unit and a final one that sympathized with her loss (Many of whom have felt loses of their own) and felt she had a right to seek vengeance.

"I shall charge House Chaoxis with facing Ur." Olga began, looking towards Vasilisa with stern eyes. "Do you accept these two into your forces?"

"I shall." The Matron of Chaoxis said with a bow.

"In the same vein I charge Nightsong with Geofu, Goldtomb with Ken, Reclusia with Ansur and Drakepyre with Thorn." Olga listed off as she stood. "Exchange your numbers then go to your armies. From there I leave you to wage battle at your own discretion." Outwardly she seemed as calm as ever. Inwardly her hidden thoughts rolled along.

'Celestine... what have you commissioned? Something from our cousin elves? Or have the humans made something new you've taken advantage of? Regardless while the opening round goes to you and yours the might of Garan is yet to wash over you all!'

[-]

Noxdecus War Camp
Northern Elddale
Early Evening

Scrape after scrape followed as Cress sat on a log before one of the many campfires in the camp as he sharpened his arrows on a whetstone. Things had been... tense recently but much of it broke with the first victory in the war. Cress himself had been prepared as well as possible. James had given him good weapons; his bow and his new sword, the Unicorn's Horn. Rather then put the old, ancient heirloom on a shelf or wall to be displayed his cousin instead offered it to him for his use. It was a very good sword; no match for the new masterpiece he gained from Lulu, but still an old, reliable weapon.

In addition he took his cousin's advice and went to Argon City to commission a suit of leather gambeson from the tailor Agana Bellspring; more over the one with the mage robe under layer. Given his own mana manipulation abilities the new armor was welcome; a nice set that was red leather with a blue under layer and split between a splint layer on the torso, skull cap, rounded pauldrons with the House Bijoux emblem on them and a codpiece that was a bit larger in the front then normal.

Everyone needed to be reminded what his gender was, he felt like for starters... Growing up being bullied by your peers for something you couldn't really change wasn't fun; he couldn't grow taller, or more masculine or get bulkier. He tried on the last one to put on muscle but all he managed was to get more toned as opposed to gaining thicker limbs. And more over he never had to shave anything in his life; well aside from his groin but that was to help with wearing tighter pants. Not helping was how easy it was to compare himself to his cousin.

For better or worse James had always been there in his life. For the better he'd always been a good friend and encouraging presence in his life. There was no judging or bullying from him; modest teasing at most. If anything he was the closest thing he had to a best friend and knew James was more then willing to trust and rely on him when push came to shove.

And yet it was hard not to be jealous of him either; he had a magical talent Cress himself lacked and to say he made good use of it was an understatement. He had, through the voxlux, managed to change the kingdom and it's military. Then he made the Cloud Rider which was in the opening stages of doing the same thing; rapid resupply, transport and the option to launch ranged attacks from the air. And then there was the fact that no one ever doubted James was, in fact, a man and wouldn't be able to infiltrate a meeting in a maid's uniform.

He was also always the more popular one with women as well; of course to be sure, Cress always had his fair share but not to the extent James ever had. And of course he always always had to deal with the attentions of men who thought he was a girl. And some that didn't care about the detail he wasn't...

In short his cousin was braver, stronger and more able... While he could admire him he also couldn't help but be jealous when he compared himself to him and found himself... lacking. It was difficult to feel anything but lesser given how much his cousin had done already.

"Cress, my boy... You seem to be moping a bit." He jumped at his seat softly as the hulking from of Fredrick Bijoux, his father, moved over him from the side and slightly behind; his voice booming without even attempting to make it so. He stepped over the log Cress sat upon and moved to sit next to him; the huge, bearded man hunching over to be more eye level with his more petite son. "It's not a good look for a future lord, you know? Come now, what is the matter?"

"Sorry..." He let off as he bit his lip. "I was just thinking..." Rather then prod him along or demand he spit it out Fredrick sat silently, allowing his son to sort his thoughts before showing them. "James has... done quite a lot in little time, huh?"

"Hmmm... Indeed. You don't hear of people making such large waves that often." Fredrick said with a nod. "Only once every few centuries. Is that your issue? Jealous?" He said with a tone that showed no judgment to his son.

"No... I mean, maybe a little, but that's not really it." Cress replied, shaking his head as he turned an arrow about in his hand. "I guess... How exactly do I put this..? I guess I'm worried about being so overshadowed as to go unnoticed. I guess I want people to see me as a man... in spite of all the... issues with that..." For a moment Fredrick considered what he was told and nodded for a moment before moving to set a hand on his son's shoulder.

"My son..." Cress stiffened a bit. His father's voice softened, something that was fairly rare in his experience with the man; and as said man's son there was a lot of experience to be had. "I can see your view. Now please understand mine." He began, smiling to the smaller male. "A true man is not measured by the height of his stature nor the width of his shoulders or the length of his beard. It is not measured in the thickness of limbs, bulge of muscles or ability to fight and defeat foes. It is measured by the heart, the will and the courage of a man. To self improve, to challenge himself, to face horrors and tame his fears long enough to conquer them."

He smiled as he kept speaking. "A man is measured not by those he kills but those he protects, those he inspires and those he uplifts. Too many measure men by deeds in combat or women he attracts or beds and not enough on the simpler things. Uplifting hearts with a good song. Supporting others to allow them to do better. Swallowing pride to push through a tough spot. In this a man proves himself; perhaps not to the realm at large... but to those that matter." He chuckled as he patted his son's shoulder twice more before he stood. "I am proud of you, my boy. Proud of the man you are and are becoming. Never doubt that."

"I... thanks father..." He let off before his father smiled, stood and walked off. Shaking his head but a small smile on his face he would spend a while longer on his arrows before setting them to a quiver on his back. Standing he'd straighten his armor out and walk towards his tent... before noting that men were moving about with some odd excitement. He blinked as he walked towards them before seeing someone come into view. "Miria!" He called out, the Catalan turning to face him as she jogged up. "Why is everyone getting excited?"

"You know James' little scrying device?" She asked as Cress nodded. He was told of it; an adaption of the Cloud Rider's map he was told. "Looks like Garan is consolidating their armies into five big parts. We might be breaking camp to intercept them once we work out where they're going."

He gulped... It seemed the second battle would be upon them soon...

[-]

With the devices I made we had a bird's eye view of what Garan was doing and it was... interesting. By all accounts the opposing forces were gathering into five large armies. Before they were split into about sixteen forces for recon in force with the bulk of the army behind them; two hitting each each kingdom plus one extra for Ken and Geofu. Now the armies being sent were five, large forces coupled with the absorption of the survivors of the recon in force. Before each force was maybe six to ten thousand strong. The collected forces were now closer to sixteen to eighteen thousand each with at least a three thousand reserve. Naturally they had additional, uncommitted reserves behind them as we did and once we got a handle on their direction we moved out. There was a long, Imperium era road that cut from the north to south that they were using. A decent sized hill flanked it on one side would be a great place to set archers up on.

In addition elements of Feoh's Forces were moving to join us as did Rad towards Ken and Ansur. Moreover all of the southern states had now arrived fully as well as mercenary and guild forces had finally arrived to further bolster numbers, along with Church Forces which had formed a rear line in Ken. Aside from the Black Dogs and a handful of other mercenary outfits everyone was accounted for.

So we marched, set up a new camp where we marched to, cut trees down and built new fortifications. As opposed to a stockade a four foot tall fence was set along the top of the hill; with the larger numbers expected they opted to give more room for the archers to rain hell onto the field when it came time. Contact was expected in the morning and this time they deployed proper scouts! Yes; they didn't just drive a bunch of Legion forwards, tell them to kill anything they came across and call it a day, no sir! They were using proper tactics!

My understanding was the High Houses leadership trended to under estimating humans in general. How a group of people can get forced back for seven hundred years and think they can get away with underestimating their foe I will never understand at all. I hate to sound racist but it has to be an elf thing.

(I would ask Celestine about it later; she once opted to find any information of armed conflicts between human nations and the United Elven Kingdoms (Not reported by them, of course) in the past and found a baker's dozen. All of which ended the same way; with the elven forces forced back to their own borders after a series of skirmishes and small battles that pissed the humans off but, for various reasons, no one was willing to declare war on the UEK, so they felt the need to brag. So yes, it is an elf thing.)

Even so they were throwing enough numbers at us that we couldn't dismiss it.

"M'lord." I heard; I had stepped out of the Grand Duke's command tent and had intended to speak with my parents for a moment but I was intercepted by someone. "Captain Lyran requests your presence."

The five foot six woman wore a modified military uniform; a blue jacket with softer blue front section over what must have been DD-Breasts with a double layer of brass buttons on the front, all with gold trim with coat tails down to the knees. There was a soft blue high collar with a purple/pink spell stone set to a brooch before it and twin, pink stones of her epaulettes. Her gloves were short of elbow length and bore a leather bracer, all white with gold trim and designs. A white, knee length skirt was over her legs with black boots under them; at least knee height as I couldn't see the tops under the skirt.

She bore a lovely face fitted with blue eyes with a set of round rim glasses over her face with the ends on her pointed ears, signifying she was a high elf. Her blonde hair was tied back in a loose braid down to her hips with a braided crown of hair tied back around her head. She bore a curved saber at her left hip and bore a parrying dagger at her left, both held on a brown belt.

"Right. Lead the way, Siora." I replied with.

(-)

Name: Siora Skyblessing
Title: Logician of the Lyrans
Class: Rune Blade
Level: 21
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 41
Status: Health, Calm, Thoughtful

Romance Rating: 88
Corruption Rating: 21

Known Traits
[?]
[Merchant Mind] You know how the economy works, at least to a point. You can barter for better pricing when buying and selling, up to 7%
[Supreme Logician] You know how to get the most supply for your unit. You can barter for better pricing on bulk goods when buying, up to 10%

[?]

Abandoned by her parents she was captured and enslaved by the Kingdom of Balanar at a younger age, for an elf, before a conflict with Alaria saw her rescued by House Lyran. She would become a maid, then butler for the house and would escape with the survivors when Balanar finally conquered the nation. She's combat able but her true use is as a quartermaster and logistical officer for the First Lyran Guard.

(-)

It wasn't much of a walk until we reached Sulon's tent in the Lyran camp with Siora knocking on a block outside of it and us entering when called. We would stand behind the desk as I smiled to the man. "How are you feeling, Captain?"

"Well enough. If you're worried I'm fully healed." Indeed; he was still sore and tender after the last battle; being clubbed in the chest by a troll will do that to you. It was a small miracle he didn't die on impact or the flight over to my position where he bounced off my shield. He grinned a bit and leaned on the desk. "But anyway; the Grand Duke had marching orders for us; right?"

I nodded and withdrew a letter with a red, wax stamp bearing House Fiorire's seal and held it out to him. "He'll be using the Cloud Rider to attack Garan's supplies and camp during the battle." I began as he opened and seal and unfolded the letter. "On that note we're set to flank the enemy in the rear once more; the Grand Duke is leaving it to us how best to do that."

"Hmmm... Our call, huh?" He let off before looking to Siora. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Indeed. There's a cave system our scouts reported in on today." She began as I looked to her as she reached up and adjusted her glasses. She glanced to me with a soft smile. "It should be large enough to house us all. With an Illusion spell we can hide the entrance, maybe deal with scouts if they get too curious and then emerge in the battle. We should be striking them in their rear where any archers and mages will be located."

"Hmmm... That'll be a mix of goblins, shamans and dark elves then." The Legion, as I recalled, weren't big on archers. They used them, yes, but preferred to get up close and personal. "If we can stay quiet long enough we might even sneak up on them and get a good attack off before they notice us."

"That was what I was thinking." Sulon let off with a grin. "Garan doesn't give much of a shit about any of the Aberrant but if we get some of their dark elves? Yeah, that'll hurt them."

"Naturally we also need to close ranks as quickly as possible if that's the case. Chaoxis mages in general are dangerous at range but often weaker in melee; at least as a general rule." Siora added.

I wasn't excited about killing people, dark elf or not, but the sad reality was they decided to pick a fight and brought it here. We couldn't sit on our hands and let them do as they pleased.

"The more of their mages we can take out the better; they don't grow on trees, after all." I replied as Sulon chuckled.

"Elven mages doubly so." He added with a grin. "We're not the only ones flanking, mind you." He let off as I nodded; I was aware of the orders as well. Another mercenary unit, the Burning Dragonflies, would be flanking from the other direction. The Cloud Rider would be transporting a mix of Blossoming Knights and Knights of Iris to the rear to hit supplies under the command of Alicia and backed up by Prim.

Once more a combination of Eddale and Ferra knights were going to form the front lines and would be joined by Ur, Classa, Bemul and Rockquarry knights. Lighter infantry from the rest of Ur's would be behind and flanking them. More over most of Feoh's forces were here as well with the Kingdom's knights along with Sanka's and Arafe's were in the front with Pulca's, Cauldona and Ironside's guarding the flanks with the rest making up the bulk of the reserves. That's not even going into the mounted units, such as Onglave's, who would be harassing Garan as well. Currently our forces stood around sixteen thousand strong with three thousand in reserve.

I took a breath. It would be another hard battle to be sure...

[-]

Garan War Camp
Northern Elddale
Late Evening

Bronka took the time to polish her flamberge with a cloth coated in soap and water; it was all one needed for mythril. Another polish material might make for a brighter sheen

but she didn't want to bother with the expense. Instead she sat in her tent, a spell stone with a controlled fire spell heating and lighting the cloth room as she sat, crossed legged on a blanket.

Since losing her eye and her sister a lot had happened to herself. She returned home a broken woman with shattered pride that she struggled to rebuild. Rather then stay at home with her mother she instead moved in with her aunt, Czarina, for a time. Bit by bit she put herself back together; she went back to her training, commissioned new equipment, challenged herself against her peers, learned new spells, new combat techniques... If she wasn't sleeping or eating she was training, learning or improving. Everything was dedicated to the goal of avenging Branka above all else. She even recalled the emblem on her killer's armor and looked it up; a so called 'Human High House' in a territory called 'Mungale' of Ur by the name of Noxdecus.

To kill him... to burn his whole, little barony down... to end his house and his family... it would be a start to balance the scales of justice in her mind...

Nothing would fill the void her sister left; not even the death of every human on this world... but it would be enough to fill it with some satisfaction...

Her spell stone eye glowed in her tent as she grinned. If luck was with her she'd see him on the field of battle tomorrow... and revenge would follow.

[-]

Once the choice was made we moved into the cave and a well woven Illusion from Siora set a false boulder that seemed to seal it. The tunnels were scouted out and there was enough room for us; if a tad cramped. Once more Makoto, Tiffany and Akanji was with me but Aeris joined us as well. Myr stuck close to me and pressed me into telling him tales of what I got up to on my road trip; it was something to do as we waited.

Waiting was the worst. You knew the battle and the danger was coming, you knew you couldn't do anything about it so there was a desire to just get it over with that reality wouldn't allow. I used my scrying device to keep an eye on the Garan forces which drew Sulon over and soon we were talking tactics. We even got to see the Cloud Rider circle about for a moment; loaded to the brim with knights; most of which were standing to cram as many bodies onto it as they could.

Finally we got to see Garan at full march, moving to position. Unlike last time they weren't rushing in and were more coordinated; likely thanks to the heavily armored knights at their lead to ensure discipline and direction. It took awhile but they would stop before the Eostian camp with everyone prepared in battle. I could see Gregory and Campbell both near the front lines of the Eostian side which made me a bit worried. Still; I had to focus on my own front here.

Eventually we got the order to move out. The Illusion at the front of the cave was removed as we piled out of the cave; gathering outside before marching out.

By the time we saw the enemy the battle had begun and, as we hoped, we wound up pointed to their back-lines; mages behind archers. We approached at a near perfect angle for ambush; from the side and behind. Screaming and shouting could be heard from the front as the clash began as arrows started to fire from both directions; more from the Eostian side then the Garanian side. The battle was in full swing as I gestured for Aeris to come closer to me as I started to build up mana slowly; the magical attacks of the rear line mages (Ranging from Fireballs and Scatter Bolts as well as others) were being fired off and we didn't want to call their attention to a sudden mana build up on our end. Surprise, for the moment, was our ally.

I drew the Dragon's Claw out into an inverted grip to aim the pommel's stone at the back-line of the Garanian army. Aeris was doing the same as I was with her staff as I kept drawing mana; hoping the battle was distracting the mages and clogging their magical senses long enough to launch the opening attack. Just as we were ready one of the mages, a male dark elf, took note and turned his head... just as I unleashed Cluster Flare as Aeris bolstered it with a massive wind spell.

The effect was... greater then I had expected as the wind carried the fireballs straight into their back-lines and when they exploded help carrying the flames and force into the Garanian rear. The effect was devastating on them; several goblin archers and dark elf mages were burned like chicken left on the barbeque for an hour too long. I swapped to a Scatter Bolt to conserve mana as I slammed the spell into the goblins; most of the dark elves either bringing up shields to guard themselves or launch attacks back as the Lyrans rushed them now.

It was a slaughter.

The goblins weren't issued any weapons beyond bows and arrows; not even basic clubs. Bows make poor spears and bludgeons and while arrows worked as daggers they were a pale imitation. By contrast the opposing mages likely weren't well trained or equipped to handle close quarters combat. The Lyrans had some archers and a handful of mages but the bulk were melee based, armored troops and they were charging in to close the distance.

That wasn't to say they were left fully unguarded; a few ogres with clubs and spears were at the back and were moving to intercept; Myr blew one of their head's apart with a Magic Missile (I had told him, repeatedly, to never under estimate the power of Magic Missile and Scatter Bolt and to his credit he listened well) while I fired Scatter Bolts and arced them down into the goblins. A few arrows were fired my way but I just ignored them; they deflected off my circlet's shield or armor without doing much damage.

That's right; I could tank now.

Even so Makoto moved to bodyguard me once more as other ogres and guard units moved to attack us. I focused on casting Scatter Bolts with the odd Magic Missile thrown in which forced most of them to slow down, dodge or absorb hits. Several dropped before they reached the Lyran Guards and of them only a trio got around them. Makoto quickly engaged two as a third moved to attack me. I just used Reflex Boost and side stepped a clumsy, overhead swing as I slashed out with an underhand swing through his gut, dropping him with his insides spilling outside. On that note...

Ewwww...

More ogres rushed over as I casted an Arctic Orb this time, throwing it in an arc over my allies heads to slam into the ground, making the Aberrant slip and tumble, fall or otherwise slide about; letting them be dealt with easier. I could see an explosion off on the other side of the field; seemed like the other flank was under attack now. Good.

The opposing mages were firing magic off at us but Akanji was on hand; her shields raised and deflecting the worst of it; that gave the men cover to close ranks with the enemy but also protected myself and others fighting at range for the moment.

I fired off more Scatter Bolts but soon enough foes were making their way over that I was forced to melee; three goblins and two ogres managing to bypass Makoto this time who was busy cutting down Aberrant by the truck load. I moved the Dragon's claw to a standard grip as I reached behind me with my left hand, twisting and pulling a Gemini half out and moving it to a standard grip as I activated it's blade.

Once the first ogre came into range I hopped back to avoid the swing as his buddies charged around him to surround me. My response?

A Heroic Leap and a slash with the Claw, taking his head off as I turned the Genini half off, twisted in mid-air and aimed with it before sending off a Fireball; the explosion knocking the goblins away and knocking the second ogre down as I turned the blade back on as I threw it at him. It struck in the back of his head as I recalled it to my hand and turning back towards the location of the main enemy.

[-]

As the opposing force charged Cress couldn't help but gulp a bit as he adjusted his skull cap. It was... a lot of Aberrant to say the least; more then he'd ever seen before. Indeed; there were even five trolls in the formation; these ones holding heavy looking tower shields made of logs designed to catch and halt the damage of arrows. Contact was about to happen between the lines and he was front and off-center of the archers of Mungale; Miria on the other side of the line. They had their own protection as well; a series of spell orbs erected behind them formed a shield over the archers and front lines that wasn't that strong but would repel any arrows with ease along with weaker spells while allowing them to fire out. In spite of everything he was scared... Oddly enough it wasn't a fear of death but a fear of failure that gripped him.

In some ways as much as he tried to change, as much as he knew he had changed he still too often felt like the bullied little boy, shoved around and hiding behind his crush's skirt. He didn't want to be that person but in some ways he was always anchored by it, held back by it. He was always worried that even if he could change everyone would still see him as the little, girlish boy with no worth beyond something to be pointed an laughed at. Hell; he had ruined his relationship with Miria for a time by giving into his fears in a moment of weakness.

He took a calming breath; it's not like he could run now, was it? He was scared... but wasn't everyone around him? A glance behind him and he could see two men, around his age, looking to one another nervously as they talked in hushed tones, one thumbing the string of his bow. He looked ahead once more taking a deep breath. What could he do? What could he do to help? As he pondered his father's words from the other day came to him...

'A man is measured not by those he kills but those he protects, those he inspires and those he uplifts. Too many measure men by deeds in combat or women he attracts or beds and not enough on the simpler things. Uplifting hearts with a good song. Supporting others to allow them to do better. Swallowing pride to push through a tough spot. In this a man proves himself; perhaps not to the realm at large... but to those that matter.'

"Archers at the ready!" The call came out as he took a calming breath as he and the archers around and behind him notched arrows and drew bows back. Whatever could be said about his father he had a wisdom to him that was hard to argue with. And with that... he swallowed his fears and did what he did best...

Let arrows sings, sing the song of justice!
Let them sail to the sky and to the earth!
Then strike evil down in lines before us!
Then from war may a new peace birth!

"Fire!" The called came as they let the arrows fly... each one now glowing softly under the effect of Cress' mana infused song; their missiles sailing into the enemy and slamming down with more force; weaker shields held by goblins and some ogres were even pierced as the archers reloaded and fired once more as Cress kept singing.

Sing arrows sing!
Sing across the sky!
Sing until you bring!
Death from on high!

One of the trolls roared out; an arrow finding it's way through a gap of it's log shield as it the missile slammed into it's eye, making it shake it's head out. "Keep firing!"

As the arrows sing across the field!
They come down upon the foe!
Under our fire a fate is sealed!
The enemy finds nothing but woe!

What would surprise him next... was that the other archers started to sing with him!

Sing arrows sing!
Sing across the sky!
Sing until you bring!
Death from on high!

From on high the arrow shall sing!
Sing until the impact comes!
Crash down with feathered wing!
Once the foe's dead rises in sums!

Sing arrows sing!
Sing across the sky!
Sing until you bring!
Death from on high!

From there the song would start from the beginning as arrow after arrow was fired, Cress firing one as he noticed a troll pull it's arm back and saw a glimpse of something in it's hand. Unsure of what it was he drew an Arcane Arrow and added Breeze Weapon to it as the troll hurled something that was set alight; a barrel of something. Gunpowder, oil or something else he didn't know beyond it was likely bad. His song picked up as he tried to enhance his arrow as much as possible as he fired at the huge Aberrant barrel; the impact shattering it and pulling the contents, oil, along in it's jet stream... as it caught on fire and fell onto the Legion's number, setting them alight.

"Nice one!" Someone called out, Cress unable to answer as he kept his song up, pulling another Arcane Arrow and firing it off at the troll. It lifted it's log shield up but his mana made missile was still powerful enough to puncture it and into the troll's head, the beast falling backwards with half a face missing... as it turned and moved to crawl away as it's brethren crawled over it to keep marching forwards. He could see a matching, wind bolstered mana missile soaring out and running through three ogres at once; Miria's work, clearly.

He notched a normal arrow to conserve his weapon's mana. There would be need of it later, clearly.

[-]

Once more lines broke down and we were fighting in small groups. Makoto stuck closer to me this time as she struck down foe after foe in an effort to guard me. Even so I still had my fair share reaching me that I cut down with the Dragon's Claw and the Gemini half. I pulled my blade out of an orc's back as it slumped to the ground as I stepped back and took a moment to breath, deactivating and setting the Gemini half behind me before withdrawing my flask to having a long drink of water, panting before setting it away and pulling the Gemini half out. I was about to launch another magic attack into the bulk of the Aberrant but instincts kicked in and I leaped back.

A Fireball impacted where I just vacated, exploding out before a dark elf landed at it's impact site. She looked to me and I noticed she had a red spell stone in one eye as she glared at me and rose to her full height, as she pointed a flamberge rapier at me with a metal goat's skull as a D-guard and a weird, goat's skull shield. She sneered at me as I blinked at her. "I've found you, human."

Ummm... Who dis?

(-)

Name: Bronka Nightsong
Title: Avenger of the Nightsong
Class: Rune Blade
Level: 24
Alignment: Hostile
Reputation: 3
Status: Healthy, Angered, Vengeful

Romance Rating: 0
Corruption Rating: 117

Known Traits
[?]
[Blast & Blade] 5% of your Str is added to magical damage. Add 5% of your Mag to physical damage
[Burning Fury] You hate humans with all your being. -100 Romance Rating for all Humans. +2% to all Primary Stats when fighting a human with a Romance Rating of 0.

[?]
[Unending Fury] You are in a near constant state of anger and it fuels your strength. +3% to Mag when directing your anger to a target.

The surviving half of the Nightsong Twins, she is the current heir apparent to the throne of Onyxcloak after her aunt deposed of her mother in the role of Matron. Aggressive and haughty the battle that saw the loss of her sister forcibly humbled her and her views about her society and pressed her to train hard to avenge her twin's death at the hands of an Eostian noble. Now she seeks his death and those of all humans.

(-)

...

No, really, who dis? "Who are you?" I asked as I pointed my saber at her as she balked in surprise. She stared at me for a long, long moment as if she didn't believe what I just said. "No, really, who are you?"

She blinked for a long moment before bearing her teeth and snarling as she pointed to me with her sword. "How... dare you! You killed my sister!" She let off as I blinked, giving her a rather confused look. "My twin sister!" Confusion continues. "You drove a blade through her heart!"

"Woman, I've had a lot of shit happen in short order for a while now; you wanna narrow it down a bit?" I let off as I tilted my head to her. She snarled openly at me with a glare as she narrowed her eyes further, her spell stone eye even glowing briefly.

"You killed my sister!" I still had no idea what she was talking- "At the old lumber camp!"

"Ooooooh..." I let off before glaring back. "Now I remember... You were attacking people in Arafe and we put a stop to that."

"You'll pay with your life for killing her." She sneered as I sighed.

"You and yours came to kill innocent people." I shot back as I glared back. "You don't get to whine because you and yours died in the attempt."

"You bastard..." She hissed out as she started to approach, weapon pointed at me. "Compared to her life a million humans is nothing!" She let off as she charged me as she pulled her off hand back with mana collecting in it under her shield. I brought my glove's shield up and held it before me as another Fireball impacted fired from between the eyes of her skull shield; this one absorbed well before she thrust her blade at me. I kept the shield up and blocked her attack, pushing her blade aside and swinging with my own.

Flamberge swords are a bit... weird. The waves in the blade could catch swords to a degree and it could make wider wounds without a loss in piercing potential but didn't have any more or less cutting potential. Looked cool though, I had to say.

I dropped the shield as she blocked my strike with her blade allowing me to thrust forwards with the Gemini half as I turned it on. To her credit she used the horns on her odd shield to catch it and force it to the side... and yelped as I ended the blade and just clubbed her with the half on her temple. I followed with a saber thrust but she hopped back as the Gemini half lit back up with a blade as I pointed it forwards with my saber held back over my shoulder. I thought she'd be the aggressive one and charge back in and she did not disappoint me.

She rushed in with a glare, thrusting her weapon at me as I used the Gemini half to deflect it while I used Breaking Blow to chop down at her. She tried to catch the attack with her shield but I hit with so much force my blade forced it down impacted her shoulder; a flash of purple mana blocking the blow more fully suggested she wore some form of Armor Weave. The hiss of pain from her told me the Weave didn't block all of it, however. I landed a front kick on her chest before Dual Casting Shadowblaze Weapon on both of my blades; that should help cut through her Weave. She staggered back and then used Blazing Weapon on her blade but also on the horns of her shield.

Well, okay then.

She would charge once more; feigning a strike with her rapier before thrusting with her shield's tip; I pushed it aside with the handle of my Gemini half before slashing with my saber. She was quick to block with her rapier along with my follow up strike with the Gemini before I hopped back and used Piercing Strike to dash in with the Dragon's Claw. She blocked it with her shield and tried to force the strike away as she pulled her rapier back to bash me with the D-Guard but the force meant she wasn't able to fully force my strike away and it grazed her shoulder as she cried out and leaped away, eyes wide as she looked to her shoulder where a gash was set, sizzling softly. Shadowblaze Weapon was a Dark/Fire spell which meant it's main ability was to bypass any sort of mana based shielding; like those in Armor Weave.

"Bastard..." She hissed out as I was ready to press my advantage but something held me back... And then...

"YOU!" I heard as I leapt back before where I was ended up as a crater to a huge (As in the size of a beach ball!) flail head of a meteor hammer made of mana slammed into the ground as a new figure landed next to it; this one I recognized.

"Rubin..." I let off, my eyes narrowing. "Fancy seeing you here..." I let off as the tall, female dark elf arrived. Indeed, it was Rubin Drakepyre who I fought back on the Ansur section of my tour. She'd even gained a level to an even thirty! I wasn't that worried about Bronka; I was a comfortable level over her and as long as I didn't get cocky I'd be fine facing her. Rubin?

Yeah, we were nearly even level now and I was less sure how well this would go.

She undid her Arcane Weapon on the flail and made a claymore sword of mana from the same spell as she half smirked, half grinned at me as she held the weapon up. "I have awaited this fight for awhile now! Have at you!" She let off as she charged right at me. I backpedaled a bit to soften the charge but once she was in range I turned on my shield and blocked an overhead swing before swinging back with my own weapon. She blocked my weapon with her forearm bracer, shoving it away as I transitioned into a Power Punch with my D-Guard to her face. She grabbed my saber by the D-Guard with her off hand as we half grappled, neither getting an advantage.

"I have you now!" Bronka let off as she charged me, seeing me tied up. I felt her move to me with Ring of Alarm before I saw her... as well as someone moving to intercept her.

"I will not let you!" Bronka was forced to turn and block as Makoto dashed to her, Kouzenken alight, and clashing with the woman.

"Out of my way!" Bronka snarled back, shoving the mana katana aside to stab at my bodyguard only for her to slide away from the stab and slash at her, forcing her to use her goat's skull shield to block. I started to shunt that fight out of my mind; I had my hands full with Rubin, after all.

I channeled lightning mana into my weapon which jolted Rubin into letting go of my weapon before clocking her in the face with a Power Punch in the face with the D-Guard, knocking her back before slashing at her, although she was quick enough to block with her own blade. My shield dropped as I swung with the Gemini half only for her to slide to the side as she swung back for me as I blocked with my own saber before I turned the Gemini half off, aimed it and unleashed a Gale Burst to knock her back, following it up with a Scatter Bolt. She stayed on her feet and skidded back with the wind spell and rolled under the Scatter Bolt, letting her blade fade as she formed two hand axes... as my Scatter Bolt turned and cut into the Garan line.

I didn't have time to see the full effects as Rubin was charging me once more; I used an Arctic Orb through my foot to coat the ground with ice which made her slip for a moment but she was able to block my overhead swing with both of her weapons, did the splits as she let her feet slip to maintain her block before holding my saber back with one weapon and slammed the other down to break the ice. I was impressed, even as she managed to shift on the ground to, somehow, kick me in the gut hard enough to knock me back a few steps before she did a spinaroonie to her feet. Did I say I was impressed?

I was impressed!

I let off a close range Holy Flare (With how things broke down I didn't want to risk friendly fire) which she crossed her weapons to block, tanked the rest of the impact and just charged me and swiped at me with an axe. My own saber strike was blocked by her in turn as I tried to stab with the Gemini half only for her to swat it aside with her other weapon and punched me in the head. It caused no real damage but I felt it while being forced back a step as she slammed an axe to my shoulder with no small amount of force. I winched as I slammed my D-Guard to her face with a stiff, straight punch, impacting this time, and knocking her back. She also had a purple mana barrier flash with the impact (Shadowblaze didn't cover the D-Guard, so the barrier wasn't weakened by the punch) as she grinned at me. "Armor Weave?" I asked as she chuckled.

"We call it Weave Scale, but I recall they are similar." Rubin replied as we started to slowly circle one another; moving to our right. "That is no ordinary gambeson, is it?" She replied as I smiled back.

"Dragon scale." I replied simple as she whistled lowly.

"Impressive..." She let off with a grin. "Under other circumstances I would love to speak over good drink and food... But as we are enemies I must kill you."

"You can try." I let off, sounding more confident then I really was.

"You're mine!" I hear as Bronka rushed at me from the side; getting around Makoto for a moment as she leapt at me from the side...

Before I inverted my grip on the Claw and hit her with a Vortex Tunnel. "Hush you! I'm dealing with something important right now!" I barked back as she gawked then glared at me as she landed on her feet... and rolled over her shoulder before Makoto struck her down. She screamed in frustration but the truth was the bigger threat was right before me.

"Ha! You acknowledge my strength as I do yours..." Rubin let off, dispelling her weapons to draw new ones; a long curved saber in her right hand and a mace in her off hand. She charged once more and we would renew our battle; I deflected her mace blow with the Gemini half's blade as we both swung with our right hands; our weapons clashing and bouncing off each other as I attempted a shallow slice with my off hand blade before striking hard with the Dragon's Claw once more. She blocked it with her mace and was about to strike with her blade before adjusting and blocking another sword; I noted Sulon and rushed in as we both pressed on her before she gave a hard push back, forcing us away. I assumed a Combat Art was used to increase her power.

"Sulon; what brings you over?" I said as casually as possible as I kept my eyes on Rubin as she looked to the newcomer as he banged his long sword to his knight's shield.

"You looked like you were having some fun so I wanted in on it." He let off as I was relieved. Rubin didn't look ready to back down as she sized up Sulon; with him backing me up I was much for comfortable in taking her on-

"Ara, ara, are the humans giving you trouble, Rubin?" I heard, glancing over as a dark elf woman wandered over... past a few broken, unmoving bodies; sadly many human. She wore a gold and black outfit made as some form of Arcane Robe but with armored pieces on her forearms, shoulders and legs. Yellow eyes looked us over as she grinned, In one hand she held a golden staff with a spiked butt on the bottom and capped with a 'U' shaped, golden colored blade with one end being a four inches longer and both coming to a point. Nestled inside of it was an oval, purple stone that was half the size of a soda can.

"Matron Vasilisa!" Rubin let off, stepping back as the woman moved around her, looking right to me. A Matron of a High House, huh? This wasn't good...

(-)

Name: Vasilisa Chaoxis
Title: Shadowed Matron of Blackshard
Class: Sorceress
Level: 35
Alignment: Hostile
Reputation: 25
Status: Healthy, Confident, Battle Ready

Romance Rating: 77
Corruption Rating: 101

Known Traits
[?]
[Work That Shaft] You are an able combatant with any sort of stave, spear or polearm. You can equip any stave, spear or polearm as a Primary or Secondary Weapon. Add 15% of your Mag to your Str when using such a weapon.

[Molded in Shadow] You can find your way around in darkness without sight thanks to your other senses. +25% sensitivity to touch, smell and hearing when unable to see more then a foot ahead of you.

[?]

Having spent over three hundred years as the Matron of the High House Chaoxis she is one of the more cautious members of Garan's Matron's Council and is more respectful of human capacity for war. Even so she looks down on humanity in general as lesser and weaker, fit only for being wiped out and enjoys inflicting pain upon them.

(-)

Yeah... this was not good. The matron looked right at me with a smirk as she sized me up. "So... This is the human that slew the Grimm Brothers? Honestly you insect, trolls don't grow on trees, you know?"

"Neither do people, but you don't care much for that, do you?" I let off as she grinned at me.

"Hardly." She let off with a smirk... before I brought up my glove's shield as her mana spiked before I was slammed with a wind spell; Vortex Tunnel or something like it, and sent me back several feet. "Leave this one to me..." Vasilisa let off as Rubin grit her teeth before looking to Sulon who wasn't sure if he should break off to assist me or handle the other dark elf as the Matron quickly hovered closer to me before setting down to stand on the ground as my view flashed white, the boss music kicking up as I ended up zoomed on her feet as she settled onto the ground before trailing up her body to her smirking face. "I am Vasilisa Chaoxis, Matron of my High House! It's been too long since I've had my kind of fun with you humans... So... try and entertain me..." The view pulled back as she spread her arms to her sides still holding her staff in one hand.

_Shadowed Matron of Blackshard
Vasilisa Chaoxis

Once my view returned to normal she channeled a lot of mana and held up her bladed staff as the stone glowed. I brought up my shield once more, bracing for what attack she had in mind... except it wasn't an attack spell; instead a thick, inky black fog was emitted from her staff's spell stone that washed over me and the area we stood in as I clicked my tongue. I recalled her Molded in Shadow trait and knew what her plan was. Well I had my own counter as well as I checked the Ring of Alarm spell in my glove and...

Shit!

It was pinging everywhere around me, the spell itself was consistently registering on it! I cast my own and adjusted the parameters but... either I got everything or I got nothing.

Okay, now I was worried.

I considered my options; it boiled down to fight or flight. The issue with flight was I didn't know where she was and she could move to intercept me or strike at my back. Try literal flight and go up? I'd likely get hit by another wind spell; a wind and fire spell if she used a Dual Cast on me. I looked about as I listened but the sounds of clashing around me made it difficult to pin point. Where was-

I let off a surprised cry as the back of my shoulder was struck with a hard, slashing impact; I swung back with the Dragon's Claw but hit air. I glanced about unable to figure out her position until a flash of metal appeared in the corner of my eye; it was so close that by the time I saw it it took a mere fraction of a second for it to slash at my right ribs before I could react as I chucked a Holy Flare in the direction the attack came from, hearing the explosion and...

Nothing... Even the light of the blast was drowned by the pitch blackness in every direction.

I was afraid... That's not uncommon for me but usually I could mitigate that by considering what I could do...

But what could I do? A moment later I heard Vasilisa laugh around me as I looked around, turning as I tried to find and face her; her voice projected from every direction so I couldn't track it with my ears alone. "My, my... That's rather good armor... I thought I'd cripple you with those hits but you're still standing..." She said as I moved my left hand to my side where she struck... The scales there had suffered damage; a long line carved out of them. Keep in mind this was very impressive armor; that she damaged it fairly easily is impressive. Worryingly impressive. "I guess I'll have to... try harder..."

Shit...

I didn't have time to react as I was stabbed in the left shoulder; her weapon was now clad in black mist, Shaded Weapon I think... This time I felt real pain as I backed up from the impact, an actual puncture getting through as I swung back with my Dragon's Claw, hitting nothing. I got to a defensive stance only to be slashed on the back, then stabbed in the left ribs. I grunted and yelped in pain and staggered with the hits before she swung for my head; the circlet's shield blocking the strike but a soft crack told me one of it's three layers was broken; it would be a little while before it regenerated.

I needed a counter and quick. It took a long moment before I had an idea but had to wait for her next attack. I sheathed the Dragon's Claw and pulled the other half of the Shining Gemini out but I kept both inactive now... I was looking around, waiting for an attack as I heard her laugh at me, her voice coming from everywhere, all at once. "Scared little human? You should be!" She let off as another hit came to my left side, pushing into my armor with her blade pressing to my ribs directly (As it went through my armor and flesh!) as I swung, one half of the Gemini glancing off her blade as she withdrew it. I winced before I was able to use Blessed Recovery on myself then stacked Regenerate Wounds on it then turned both halves of the Shining Gemini on in full, adding Shadowblaze Weapon to both ends as I combined them together as a single, double ended spear. I looked around as I waited for her to move, still suffering phantom pains from my earlier wounds even with my healing. "Well, well now, I'm getting rather curious... How many more hits will it take before something breaks?" She let off as I smirked finally, a less nice one then my usual grin...

Before turning almost one hundred and eighty degrees and thrusting my weapon straight ahead of meas I stepped in... and was rewarded as she let off a strangled cry. "Graghffhghh!" Was the best approximation of it as the black mists started to vanish after my strike, enough that after a few seconds I could see her now, her weapon raised up high over her head as she looked to me with shock and horror before looking down at herself...

As a mana formed blade from my weapon, clad in deep, purple flame ran through her midsection just under her breasts and out of her back. "Just one." I let off as she dropped her weapon, letting it clatter to the ground as her dusky skin started going slightly pale.

"H-how..?" She let off in horror as I grinned.

"Oh? That. I managed to place a Tracking spell on your weapon." I replied as she looked confused before realization hit and her eyes widened; I had placed it with the Gemini half when it glanced off of her blade. Not only did it let me sense were she was but what kind of attack she was about to use. The dark mist fully vanished as I glared to her. "Don't complain about this; you fucked around so don't whine about finding out." I let off as I slashed my blade down and to the side through her abs; her internal organs were likely destroyed by that as she fell over, arms clutching her abs to keep her guts from falling out in a last, desperate attempt to stay alive.

She was dead before she hit the ground.

"He slew the Matron!? Impossible!" I heard someone cry out as I turned to see another dark elf mage look to me with shock before I turned to look at her then glanced to Rubin and Bronka as they disengaged from Sulon and Makoto respectfully. Rubin looked shocked before looking to me and narrowed her eyes; there was some anger but also respect in them. She clearly held what the Matron was capable in high esteem so seeing me come out the winner was surprising to her, clearly. Bronka looked torn between anger and shock; clearly she thought I wasn't coming out of that alive.

"James!" Makoto let off happily as she hopped further away from Bronka and moving between her and myself as I smiled back to her before looking to Rubin once more as I spun my weapon about before holding it one hand, horizontal and looked to her.

"The Matron has fallen! Retreat! Retreat!"

"Th-the Matorn!? How!?"

"Fall back!"

The dark elves were the first to break and flee with the Legion quickly doing the same. Rubin and Bronka both hung back for a moment before Rubin paused to grin and shake her head, walking backwards and pointing to me before turning and rushing away. Clearly she was saying 'we'll meet again', or something to the effect. Bronka stayed and glared at me before stomping a foot and turning to leave as well; joining Rubin in a brisk run.

I sighed as I turned the Shining Gemini off and set it behind my back. Before I knew it Akanji was walking to me (I didn't know where she had been during all this exactly, but I was glad to see her alright) as she moved a hand to my back, casting a healing spell over me. "Are you alright?" She asked me as I sighed, Makoto, jogging over to me as Sulon moved to harass the opposing, retreating forces.

"Battered but yeah." I let off as I looked down where Vasilisa's corpse was lying as I huffed, Makoto stopping next to me.

"You do not like killing, do you?" Akanji asked me in her soft, accented voice as I looked for a moment longer before shaking my head.

"I won't deny some people deserve to die, nor that fighting back is needed in times like this." I replied as I sighed finally looking to her worried face. "But if I could go through this life without killing anything larger then a mouse I would."

"War makes sinners of us all, or so it is said." She replied as Makoto frowned softly.

"There is no sin in defending you and yours." My bodyguard let off as she looked to Akanji. "If anything it is a virtue."

"Perhaps..." Akanji said as she shook her head. "But I have seen warriors go from defending their home to burning down those of people who might become a threat..." Makoto frowned and bit her lip but made no effort to disagree; I imagine given her background she had experienced or heard of something that made her agree with the Sunkissed woman, at least to a point.

"We can engage in philosophy later. Other segments of the battle might be on going; let's make ourselves useful." I said, ending the discussion for now as I reached down, picking up Vasilisa's weapon and passing it to Akanji who frowned breifly but still took it.

War waited for no one...

[Defeated List]

Garanian Forces=6500XP
Bronka Nightsong=1700XP
Rubin Drakepyre=2000XP
Vasilisa Choaxis=3200XP x 1.25 Kill Bonus=4000XP
+20% Dark Horse of Eostia Bonus
Gain 17040XP Total

Achievement Unlocked: Chaoxis Matron Slain
You slew a Matron of the High House Chaoxis in single combat

[-]

We ended up finding a pocket of Legion that hadn't retreated and, joined by the First Lyran Guard, we made a dent in their numbers before they routed and fled. Eventually we went back to the camp and I rechecked my armor. Dragon scale armor self repaired and the Arcane Robe layer underneath was enchanted to do the same, if slower. Aside from some scratches the armor was fully repaired; at least on the outer layer. Once back at camp there was another celebration going on. I would have joined in last time (Except, you know, mother) but I felt more... sober for lack of a better term after the second battle. Instead of getting a drink and joining the celebrations I moved to where the mess tent was, grabbed a bread roll, a mug of decent enough ale, moved to a campfire that had been stoked a bit and sat down, taking a bite as I tried to decompress after what just happened in the battle.

Eventually I recognized someone who had just arrived in camp; Alicia. She saw me and turned, walking closer as two men I was unfamiliar with flanked her as I waved with the hand holding the bread before taking another large bite, chewing, swallowing and downing a bit of the ale. "Alicia; how did the raid go?" I asked as she got close enough. She moved to sit down on a log to my side, both of the men sitting to her side.

"Not as well as we hoped; we did some damage but they had a more sizable rear guard then we expected." She said with a sigh. "Anyway; I wanted to introduce you to these two; the pretty boy and the lost boy... or better known as my brothers, Christopher and Benton."

"I understand making the joke in private..." Christopher let off with a sigh, dressed more fancy and formal then you'd expect on a battlefield. "But are you two so comfortable that you can make it before him?"

"Relax, Chris. He's the one she called on to help with that Beardsley business, right?" Benton, in quality chain mail armor, let off with an easy smile. "Pleasure to put a face to the deeds finally."

(-)

Name: Christopher Arcturus
Title: Polite Prince of Feoh
Class: Bard
Level: 24
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 32
Status: Healthy, Nervous, Exhausted

Known Traits
[?]

[Theme Tune] You love a song more then any other and sing it better then any other. +2 to all Boosts when singing your favorite song.
[Deadeye] You are accurate at any range. Compare your Acc and Dex. Whichever is lower is increased to the one that is higher or by ten, whichever is lower.
[Lord to a Knight] You are considered highly attractive to more knightly women. +15 to all Romance Ratings for any female with the Fighter, Solider, Swordswoman or Paladin classes as well as their Advance Classes.

The eldest son of King Aston Arcturus, he is the most well educated of his siblings but also the least martial and aggressive. Known for his kindness and humility he has an exceptional number of female admirers among knighted females that is often to his own embarrassment.

(-)

Name: Benton Arcturus
Title: Wandering Prince of Feoh
Class: Cleric
Level: 32
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 41
Status: Healthy, Relaxed, Tired

Known Traits
[Drop the Hammer] You are adept at hammers and maces. +2 Damage to all one handed hammers or maces. +4 Damage to all two handed hammers or maces

[Light of the Defender] All defensive and curative Holy based spells have their mana costs halved. In addition casting time for these spells is decreased by 10%

[?]
[Muscle Wizard] When training your magic you also train your body. For every 5 points of Mag (Rounded Up) add 1 to your Str

The youngest child of King Aston Arcturus, he opted to engage in his wanderlust and traveled; at first around Eostia and then the rest of the continent. He has traveled from the far east to the far west, enjoying the sights, peoples and foods only opting to return when he heard of his father's illness.

(-)

"Pleasure to meet the both of you, finally." I let off, moving my bread to be held by my mug holding hand, reaching over and shaking both of their hands briefly before looking to Benton in particular. "I imagine you have stories to share, given your travels."

"Oh, I do." He said with a chuckle before his smile turned sad. "Although I wish I came home sooner... Father doesn't seem to have much time left in him..." That brought all three siblings to a quiet moment as I hummed.

"It can't be helped..." I said softly as I gave them my own smile. "But if I may say he's still willing to smile for your sake. Make sure to return the favor."

"Of course, that is wise advise." Benton said with a grin. "So, what is this I hear about you fighting a Matron?" He asked as I sighed as I took a bite of my bread, chewing, swallowing and drinking before starting to explain the tale; starting with being challenged by Bronka, then Rubin and then finally the appearance of Vasilisa Chaoxis.

"To face a foe in total darkness like that without being able to see them... That must have been rather difficult..." Christopher let off as I nodded. By now my bread was finished as I was left with a mostly empty ale mug.

"More stressful then anything else, but yes." I said with a sigh. "Honestly; if I didn't have my armor I'd be dead." Alicia winced as I said that but didn't say anything beyond crossing her arms. "I have a feeling it'll be rougher as things go on, though..."

"I agree..." Alicia let off as she frowned. "After all... Olga herself hasn't marched yet..."

[-]

Napreryvnyy City, Royal Palace
Southwest Blazecrown
Kingdom of Garan
Following Afternoon

Olga stood and stared into the off-white chamber pot of her bathroom. It was, of course, enchanted to destroy all the fecal matter and urine before then depositing ashes that could be disposed of into a separate bucket. She had yet to use the feature yet, instead she kept staring at her own urine for what anyone would call too long before sighing deeply, shaking her head. "It's still black..." She let off, referring to the color of her own urine; seemingly a watered down, unnaturally colored ink.

She shut her eyes and stepped on the attached pedal, the pot shutting itself before disposing of all inside of it as she turned and left. The color had been unchanged for weeks now, a clear sign of...

She steeled herself as she left her quarters and marched down the hall. No, she had to force it out of her mind; any form of weakness could not be shown at all. She would reach her throne room as members of her command staff turned to kneel before her, even Chloe by the throne. She would ascend to her throne and seat herself down upon it. Only then did all stand... although as Chloe did she didn't look to her; that was a sign and not a good one. "What news of the war?" She asked. Silence greeted her for a long moment before Chloe spoke.

"My queen..." She began as the dark queen frowned. "Our second attack has failed." Olga gripped her staff slightly tighter as she kept her face passive for a long moment as Chloe continued her report. "More over both the Matrons of Chaoxis and Drakepyre have fallen in battle." Olga's eyes narrowed at that as the news filtered to those in the room who didn't know, murmuring rising for a moment. To lose a Matron in combat was fairly rare. To lose two at once was previously unheard of.

"Do we know who slew them?" Olga asked, the murmuring ending as she spoke.

"Matron Drakepyre fell to their Shield Princess known as 'Kaguya'. Matron Chaoxis fell to someone we've not heard of until now; by the reports his name is 'James Noxdecus'. Supposedly Noxdecus is one of their noble houses; a mostly unimportant one."

"Hmmmm..." Olga let off as she thought over things. 'I cannot allow our losses to carry on as they are... in spite of my condition I cannot be idle. Very well then...' "General Dreadblade." She let off as Gavrilla saluted her quickly.

"Ready to serve." She barked out.

"I will be taking the field personally." Olga let off as most of the people in the room turned and grinned; morale starting to rise before her. "Prepare my forces for deployment; we leave tomorrow morning to the Ur front."

"As you wish, my queen!" The General said with a bow as Olga looked to the map in the room.

[-]

Tapping a foot to the floor of her temple in the divine realm Anncastel looked down into her well as things played out. She saw it all; from the initial battle to Alicia's semi-failed attack in the Garanian camp to James fighting and defeating Vasilisa in a difficult to watch fight. She even saw Kaguya fight Evgeniya in one on one combat; finally crippling the dark elf's right side with her kanabo with a heavy strike to her leg then arm. To the woman's credit she took her defeat with dignity and requested an honorable battlefield death with Kaguya granted her.

'Glory to you' were her last words. Benterra sighed as he looked over the views as well. "I prefer war when all involved are made of pixels."

"If only all wars involved pixels on screens." Ann replied as she heard someone enter. Looking back she could see their friend, Carlongera, enter and walk over. "Carl, how have you been?" She asked as he smiled and waved.

"Well enough. I've been bouncing here and there." He said before taking on a more serious tone. "Have you heard about Fredlocall?"

"Ohh, geeze... What's that ass up to this time?" Ben asked as he huffed, hands moving to his hips.

"Meddling, as he does." Carl said with a shrug. "He tried to go over Gregciconna's head in regards to those employing Gamers and gamer systems to the worlds they over see. Needless to say he's not happy about that and is being reminded of the pecking order and his place in it. At least he shouldn't be a bother for awhile."

"Good to hear..." Anncastel let off as she sighed and crossed her arms under her bust. "I was just about to ask Ben about his opinion of James' strength at the moment."

"Oh?" Carl let off as he moved to the pair, finding a seat behind them and sitting down. "Well then, what's your opinion on him?"

"He's a little stronger then I expected but not as much as I had hoped." Ben admitted before smiling a bit. "But he was able to get a hold of much better equipment then I had hoped. I think that'll make up the difference, for the most part. That said I love his Shining Gemini; wish I thought of it myself. I also wasn't expecting him to make a flying wagon; I mean he played RPGs, I know that, and airships are a staple of them... But still..."

"But..." Carl parroted as Benterra put on a worried look.

"But, while they've been delayed... You know who is going to be arriving at the field of battle soon." He said as Anncastel sucked in a breath.

"Well... It was bound to happen sooner or later..." She replied as she looked to the well and an image of a ship crossing a river...

[ - Author's Note - ]

Whew... There we go...

I had planned to have the gods pop up in the first chapter of the Act but I forgot to add them... My bad... Still having them show up here allows me to drop a... hint on who'll appear next chapter. Speaking of which...

Eostia is now two to zero over Garan but this time Olga is going to show up in person which begs the question; will the winning streak hold up once she arrives to fight herself? What I will say is that things can't go smoothly forever.

As for the fight between Vasilisa and James; I wanted him to have a rougher time for once and the idea of a fight in a blacked out fog came to me, as well as James' eventual solution to it. I didn't want him to come out as battered as he did from his fights with Halbert or Blood Caller but I still wanted him roughed up a bit. I also thought it'd be a good idea to show off how important armor can be; this ain't his old gambeson, baby!

We also see his rematch with both Bronka and Rubin. Bronka also has the honor of being the first character we've seen the results of Observe twice on. Good on her.

We also had a moment between Cress and his father which I had planned for awhile, and he sang in the battle... Why I keep writing songs when I can't carry a tune in a bucket I don't know...

As for the next chapter... Olga arrives and things get rough for our heroes...

~~Eostian Scribe