14th Winter Moon, 908 – Telo Martius, New Chariot Empire

"Peek-a-boo! I see you!"

The baby Sandile gurgled and squealed, kicking his legs as his grandfather hovered over his crib and entertained him. The one-armed Krookodile laughed, lowering his hand down to let the toothless croc nibble on his finger, the little one wagging his tail gleefully.

Tiberius' laughter softened, staring warmly at the small croc. "It's like looking at Nero when he was a baby. A young warrior filled with such mirth. Who would've guessed by luxury-loving son would become the mighty emperor he once was? If only he could see you know, my boy."

The baby, unsure what the older croc was talking about, continued biting on his wrist.

Fortuna entered the partially repaired chamber that was once Nero's private floor, carrying a bowl of mashed berries. "That better not be your admission to turning him into the next emperor."

Tiberius pulled his arm away. "I keep my word, do not fret." He smiled fondly. "I just cannot help reminiscing." He sighed. "Nero and Mercurius never knew their mother, you know. I had them purely to have heirs. I never saw the value of taking on a wife, thinking only of the good of the empire. Though, it's clear to me Nero valued each and every one of your girls under his care. He was a man driven by hedonism undoubtably, but he loved every aspect of his life to its fullest, from his luxuries to the empire itself."

Fortuna set the bowl on a side table and picked her baby out of the crib. "Well, I want to make sure this little one knows how amazing his father was." She ticked the croc's chin. "Isn't that right…my sweet, little Vulcan?"

The baby, Vulcan, chirped and nibbled on her hand.

She smiled, getting him comfortable in one arm and taking a spoonful of berries. "Here you go~." She pressed the spoon to his maw, and he snapped down, suckling the berry mush off.

Tiberius sighed contently, kneeling to scratch his grandson's head. "I am reminded of how rambunctious my sons were in the hands of their caretakers. Nero was the schemer with a passion for fighting, and Mercurius was always one to stick to the rules. They never made their caretakers' jobs easy. Chasing them around this palace was a nightmare."

Fortuna smiled softly. "I don't Nero ever talked much about his childhood."

Tiberius frowned. "Despite Mercurius being my heir, Nero was always raised with an expectation to succeed his brother. He took that obligation to heart. His childhood was devoted purely to training his technique and skills in the chariot races. He mastered whatever he set his mind to. He never had a proper childhood, you could say."

"…" Fortuna frowned. "Well, his life sounded better than mine, that's for sure."

Tiberius smiled. "We can only hope for a good future for Vulcan."

"…" Fortuna nodded. "You're serious about taking Umbra Clock's deal."

"With no proper heir, I would either need to find a successor…or trust that Umbra Clock has the empire's best intentions in mind." He stood up, shaking his head in annoyance. "It seems like a disgrace after Nero's death, but this is for the good of the empire now. Though he wouldn't think of surrendering, he would always put the empire first."

"…" Fortuna fed another spoonful of berry mush to Vulcan. "No assassins. No luxury. Just a normal life. Hmm."

Before the Pachirisu could dwell on the matter further, she heard the hurried rush of footsteps racing up the stairs. Her friends burst into the chamber, excitedly carrying bundles of tiny clothes. The squirrel laughed awkwardly, already seeing where this was going.

"Oh boy…" she muttered.

"Oh yeah, sister! You know why we're here!" Invidia the Greedent exclaimed. "As if we're missing out on this golden opportunity!"

Maia the Politoed danced on her toes, squealing and gushing into the clothes she brought. "He's going to look so cute in these!"

Ceres the Mightyena pulled a bottle of cheap ale from her satchel, taking a swig. She smirked and said, "You might as well surrender, Fortuna. This is happening whether you want it or not."

Fortuna sighed. "You girls are so predictable." She smirked, setting the spoon aside and raising Vulcan toward them. "Take a long, hard look there, Vulcan. Those will be your aunts. Prepare for a lifetime of spoiling and smothering."

Vulcan responded by lifting his tail and hugging it between his legs. He nibbled on the tip of his tail.

"D'AWWWWW!" The girls rushed over, crowding around the mother and son.

"Put this on him first!"

"No, this one first!"

"Look at this adorable hat I found!"

Tiberius stood back for the tornado of cuteness storming in front of him, laughing awkwardly. Not even a week old, and he already has the ladies' attention on him. He's definitely Nero's son.

Year 903

Takigawa Fuku stood promptly in the open chamber of her new master, her empty glare staring down as she waited to be called upon by the emperor. The setting sun bathed the windowless chamber in a warm orange, its glow masking the emperor as his harem girls dressed him in his evening attire. She remained unfazed during the undressing, a slight twitch of annoyance by the giggling and chatter from the girls.

Once they finished dressing him, the emperor turned and approached the squirrel, his features becoming more pronounced the closer he got. He loomed over her, his gaze examining her smaller frame. She assumed he was undressing her with his eyes with the way he looked, but she showed no emotion in response.

Though barely a fighter in her own clan, her father completely lost interest in his pet project. According to her original caretakers, Fuku came from a clan in Great Gate that supposedly had extrasensory capabilities. It was a phenomenon few closely observed or noticed, though her mother's clan didn't escape the leering of Lord Takigawa.

After many 'failures', Fuku would be born as the perfect specimen. Her training was purely mental, her instructors pushing her through trials and tests often reserved for Psychic-Types. Though no one could explain how her clan did it, her father's special blood greatly enhanced these senses. In short terms, she was good luck.

Anything Fuku personally deemed lucky, she would have a near perfect awareness that predicted the potential outcome.

Was it going to rain on this day, Fuku? Her answers varied depending on her mood toward the weather, but she would always guess correctly.

Which cup is the treat hiding under, Fuku? If she hated the treat, she'd predict the empty cup as her lucky token.

Who would win in a fight, Fuku? If she had some favorable stakes in the outcome, her guesses would be correct.

Her senses were wildly inconsistent depending on her mood. It wasn't future sight or anything like that. She just had these innate hunches about something, regardless if she believed them or not.

This was how she passed her exam without killing anyone. She just knew where to be at the right time, which resulted in a few of her siblings taking a killing blow in her place on occasion. Not even she fully understood how her lucky senses worked. It was just…something she was born with.

A twitchy tail here, a fluttery ear there. Some believed she had finely tuned fur like an Espeon, who can predict events based on the shifts in the atmosphere. It was certainly possible, but…for all Fuku knew, she was just good at guessing.

But being just lucky wasn't desirable in the Takigawa Clan. So, in order to bolster relations with New Chariot, her father decided the emperor needed an extra addition to his collection of women. Fuku accepted the mission without complaint, as it was her duty to the clan.

She was completely at the emperor's mercy.

"Heh. So, Lord Takigawa said I can use you in any way I want, huh?" he asked, his voice carrying a commanding tone even in such a nonchalant setting. "You are now one of my girls."

Fuku finally met his eyes. They carried a strong will behind them. They were different from her father's. Both eyes saw the battlefield, but the emperor's eyes carried unwavering pride behind them, not the bloodlust she had been conditioned to fear when meeting her father's gaze. And yet, despite that lack of bloodlust, she instinctively trembled in the presence of his domineering pressure.

This man could easily kill her if she spoke out of line.

"That is correct, Emperor Martius." She bowed to him. "To honor the bond between both empires, Lord Takigawa bestows upon you this lowly assassin. Command me however you wish, and I will not resist your advances." She already tugged on her dress, exposing her shoulders. "How may I serve you?"

The emperor snickered openly. "Oh, how positively delightful. Well then…Fuku, was it?"

"Yes, my liege. How may I serve you?"

"I think the answer's pretty obvious~."

Fuku nodded. "Of course. I shall entertain you until your heart is content—"

"I need you to help me win a game of cards."

CRACK!

Fuku, for the first time in forever, experienced an emotion that has gone dormant in her mind: absolute, sheer befuddlement.

"…What?"

Nero laughed. "See, I occasionally partake in a game of cards with the soldiers in the capital's barracks, and they had the gall to cheat in front of me." He waved it off. "Granted, the offense hardly bothers me, but I see it as a challenge to overcome. I need to remind them who their emperor is and crush them at their own game." He smirked. "When your father mentioned your peculiar extrasensory abilities, I was intrigued. Are you as lucky as he claims?"

"…" Fuku blinked once. Then twice. Then thrice. "[…What?]" She shook her head and frowned unsurely. "My liege—"

"Emperor Nero, but you're more than welcomed to just call me Nero." He winked at her.

"Uh…Emperor Nero, I'm confused. I was told I would be made into a member of your harem as offered by my father, correct?"

"Indeed, that fact remains." He grinned, looking the Pachirisu up and down. "And, I must say, even in a world of beautiful women, you are truly stunning. Your tail, especially, is well-groomed. You must take immeasurable care of it."

Fuku curled her tail around herself, her face flushing red. "I…don't understand. I assumed you would…um, well—"

"You assumed I was going to pounce on you?" Nero laughed, shaking his head. "Adorable." He knelt before her, shocking her as he bowed to her. "I would never do such a thing to a beautiful woman. Though you are a member of my harem now, I will only act if and when you are comfortable with my advances. Until then, you will simply experience the luxury of living in the palace. No want or worry, just wine and…hmm, give me a moment, I was hoping to have another 'W' word there."

"…" Fuku relaxed a bit, her cold exterior melting. "So, I don't have to…do anything I'm uncomfortable with? I'm just free to…live in the palace?"

Nero bowed his head again. "Of course, my dear."

"…" Fuku looked down, wondering why her vision was starting to become blurry and wet. She wiped her eyes, examining the tear marks matting down the fur on her paw. "I've…never been treated with such pleasantness in my clan. I'm very confused right now."

A wicked smirk crossed over the croc's face. He stood, spreading his arms out and basking in the glow of the setting sun behind him. "Then allow me to quell your doubts. My only goal is to destroy everything…and ensure the future of the empire and its people. Under my rule, those who are loyal to me will never know suffering again. The luxury I bathe in shall be known to all of New Chariot, and we will prosper in the flames of war. That is how we stay on top of the shifting powers that be."

"…" Fuku still wasn't positive about her feelings for the emperor, believing him to be an eccentric of the nth degree. However, she felt…comforted by his honesty. "I look forward to our time together, Emperor Nero."

He laughed. "Excellent. Now then, about my request…"

Though she didn't know what to expect moving forward, a part of Fuku felt an unfamiliar excitement now that she was so far away from her hometown. The terrible feeling of bloodlust she grew accustomed to no longer haunted her like the looming phantom waiting to strike down the unsuspecting.

"Heh." She lifted her head, a light smirk crawling over her lips. "How fortunate for you. I enjoy games~."

Present Day

Gemini learned from an early age that, no matter how prepared you were, war could take away everything in your life in an instant. He governed his life on the principles of balance, always keeping absolute stability in the presence of disaster or crisis. This model of life he stood by was only enhanced once he entered under the command of Nero as his advisor, believing there was no other best suited for the empire's future.

It made visiting this place all the more haunting.

The graveyard of previous emperors, a far-off location standing on a hill overlooking the capital. Each emperor, beloved or not, was buried in this place so that their history could be remembered and studied. In the words of his former leader, it was a place to understand the failings of those who fell in battle.

Unsurprisingly, Nero's legacy made for a grand funeral.

His tombstone was a grand stone standing twice the height of Gemini himself with the former emperor's name carved into the face in bold letters. His list of achievements were a painstaking trial of skill for the tombstone's artisan, but done with a passion that couldn't be undersold. If it weren't for the state of the empire, a statue would've been made in place of the simple stone.

To compensate, many decorated soldiers in the battle against the invading Umbra Clock Kingdom plunged their spears around the emperor's grave, and a flag bearing the empire's emblem fluttered majestically atop. The grave resembled the site of a fierce battle. There was no better way to honor the God of War.

Gemini smiled softly, leaning forward on his walking stick. "A part of me wonders…how you would've responded to Skill Hunter's proposal, my liege. Your father acts in your place for the sake of our empire, preparing to reach out to our enemy and accept the deal they worked so tirelessly to deliver to you. Even after fighting so fiercely, we bend the knee in the end. You went down as a warrior should."

The Medicham looked toward the sky, clouds rolling in. Light snowfall would be gracing their empire shortly. Perhaps a moment of levity for the young most affected by these times.

"What type of future would you two have created working together?" Gemini wondered. "Her fierce dedication to peace, and your ruthless loyalty to the empire. It's a frightening combination of traits that could've spearheaded a new age." He laughed quietly. "The empire will be going through a number of changes soon. Your people may lose much of the comfort and prosperity they've grown accustomed to under this new rule. I know you're out there still watching over them, but you know your people are strong. You believed in us, thus we will remain strong for you."

Gemini eased himself onto the ground, resting his walking stick over his lap. He pulled out a bottle of wine expertly hidden under his robe's sleeve.

"Rest assured, we will not fall into the same trappings your late brother did," Gemini whispered. "If this alliance is to be, I will be sure Skill Hunter doesn't lose her way for the sake of peace like he did. I won't let anyone tarnish that dream you held so dearly."

He popped off the cork and poured some wine over the croc's grave. He then tilted the bottle back, guzzling down the remaining half with a streak of wine sliding messily down his face.

"Aaahhh~!" He slammed the bottle down and laughed. "You wouldn't be moping over this stuff, of course! You would be sitting right in front of me, cackling over a well-fought battle. That is the warrior's spirit speaking, and I feel an even stronger connection to you, my liege. I never would've thought battle could be so thrilling. I remember when we were clearing out the invading Algusians who attacked our towns. It was a great battle, the best I had in my life."

He laughed, covering his face to hide the tears brimming from his eyes.

"It's such simple joy. You never wavered in the moment. Your reign would've brought endless prosperity to the empire. Perhaps, under the joined effort of Skill Hunter, you two may have achieved something you both found impossible. Would that not make for a grand battle itself? I suppose I am just talking to a grave, but your laughter still echoes in my memory."

He wiped his eyes into his sleeve, breathing a heavy sigh. He set the empty wine bottle with the forest of spears surrounding the grave.

"You have a son now, Nero. His name is Vulcan. Fortuna won't be raising him as the next heir to the empire. She wants him to live a good life away from war. Heh. Knowing you, you would've taught him how to wield the spear before he can blurt his first words. He's going to grow up to be a fine young man. I promise you, I'll be there to assist her with raising the child. He may not end up as the spitting image of his old man, but he will become a remarkable warrior of his own spirit, I guarantee that."

A smile creaked over the Medicham's face.

"And knowing you, that's all you could ever ask for in a son, right?"

"Eeeeeee~! So cuuuute~!"

Vulcan stared at his mother and aunts in blissful ignorance over their gushing. He gurgled and rolled around on the floor in his fluffy sweater that made him look like a tiny Wooloo.

Fortuna danced on the tips of her toes, radiating with overwhelming adoration. "Yes, yes, yes! Keeping that one!"

Concordia laughed. "Functional for the cold weather and super cute! I told you!"

Salacia held up a handmade onesie made with blue and golden fabric. "Oooh, put this on him! It's super snuggly!"

Maia squealed. "That will look perfect!"

Ceres guzzled down more of her ale and laughed. "Salacia spent the last few nights making all sorts of clothes for him! She was going crazy with the fabric!"

"I couldn't help myself!" Salacia exclaimed, squealing into a handful of handmade clothes.

Juno laughed awkwardly, spacing herself just a bit away from the group. She looked at the rolling Sandile with a half-smile. "He certainly looks cute…"

Vulcan landed on his back and let out a big yawn.

"AAAAAWWWWWWW!" the girls squealed.

Fortuna scooped the Sandile up, patting his head. "Alright, that's enough fun for now. Someone needs his nap."

Invidia jumped up, excitedly waving her hands. "Eeeeee! Too soon to stop! Too much cuteness to—" Ceres slammed her bottle into Invidia's mouth, taking her to the ground while swallowing the last of the ale inside.

"You won't be thinking that if you wake the kid with all your screaming," Ceres reminded with a sly smirk.

Juno jumped onto her feet and dusted herself off. "Probably for the best. I've got some errands to run."

Maia tilted her head. "What kind of errands?"

"Just…errands. Nothing special." The Blaziken waved them off and stepped out of the chamber.

The girls didn't give it much thought, shifting their attention back onto Vulcan as Fortuna put him down for a nap. They crowded around the crib quietly, gushing over the peacefully sleeping Sandile.

"So precious," they whispered.

Fortuna smirked wearily. "Yeah, you would all say that being the fun aunts." Though hard to notice, the electric squirrel did have some dark circles under her eyes due to some late nights quelling Vulcan's cries.

Ceres frowned. "Hey, if you need the extra help or anything—"

Fortuna waved the offer off. "I'm fine, don't worry. Still, I do appreciate you all pitching in where you can. The new clothes, especially."

Invidia winked. "That's what we're here for, sister!"

Fortuna smiled. "Hey, if you don't mind, I do need to make some baby food. I want to have some made up ahead of time just in case."

Concordia nodded. "We'd be delighted to help."

Ceres patted her paws on the ground before laying against the crib. "I'll stay here and keep watch of the kid."

Fortuna nodded. "Thanks, Ceres." She and the rest of the girls walked off to prepare the baby food.

Ceres yawned and closed her eyes, curling closer to the crib while keeping one ear perked up. Heh. This…This feels nice. Like a little piece of normality coming back into our lives.

With the people working hard to rebuild the capital, Terminus took it upon himself to work overtime to ensure all was going according to schedule. He would routinely survey rebuilding efforts from above, hopping along buildings and doing checkups on construction projects across the city. It kept him distracted, to say the least. He hated feeling useless in a crisis.

He landed on his newest perch to take a small breather, watching as the people of Telo Martius went about their days. The community was close before, but even with the passing of Nero, it seemed stronger than ever. Despite his unorthodox methods, Nero inspired strength in his people in the face of adversity. They wouldn't let themselves be dragged down into despair after the harrowing invasion they went through.

It reminded him somewhat of his youth in Algus. At a young age, Algusian boys were expected to be strong. A kingdom of warriors, they were, with the expectation to carry on those traditions for years to come. A lesson Terminus took to heart even when denied his birthright to the throne.

He never imagined himself taking on the role of a soldier working under royalty, but he found himself admiring Nero's strength and charisma. Despite not being the ruler he was destined to be, he discovered newfound pride in his role, being heralded as Nero's strongest guard. A vanguard to the former emperor's immense strength. The opening act before true destruction.

What was his role now, though? He no longer served the man he admired, and New Chariot would soon be undergoing a shift in power once Emperor Martius reaches out to the Umbra Clock Kingdom to accept their treaty. Raised his whole life to be an unflinching tool of justice for the empire, how would he use his strength in these changing times?

He shook his head, pulling himself out of his drifting thoughts. My role for now is defending the empire in these dire times. That is all. With his arms crossed, he stood on his vantage point to survey the streets.

As minutes passed by, and as he was prepared to move to the next part of the city, he spotted someone quickly shuffling through the crowds. He squinted, focusing in on the Blaziken hurriedly shoving her way through the street with a look of determination in her eyes.

Her again? Terminus recalled that odd feeling he got from the Blaziken before. Something about the way she rushed off after Vulcan's existence was discovered itched at the back of his mind. He was willing to believe the stress of New Chariot's status was just getting to him, and he could just be projecting that stress onto the Blaziken…

But failed to adhere to the voice of his instincts made the difference between life and death, right?

Just in case. He silently followed her from above, hopping between buildings and staying out of sight.

Juno slipped out through one of the construction sites on the city wall and made her way around to the front gate. According to the letter she got yesterday from her contact, the attack would be launched soon, and it would be best for her to get as far away from the palace as possible. If all went according to plan, she would be back in the lap of luxury soon enough.

She slowed her running, bending over to catch her breath. "Sorry girls, but manual labor and honest work isn't my style." She straightened up, scanning the stretch of land and greenery ahead. "Though, speaking of, where is Lord Blackwood? I don't see his army anywhere." She grimaced. "Come to think of it, does he even have enough manpower to take on Telo Martius? Ooof, maybe I can still save face and just tell everyone we're being invaded—"

"Lady Juno."

"EEK!" She jumped back as the Sandslash soldier popped out of the ground. "For heaven's sake, warn a girl before you do that!"

The soldier pulled himself out of the earth and saluted. "I was asked to take you to safety before the invasion started."

Juno laughed awkwardly. "Is that right? Uh, where exactly is Lord Blackwood? Not that I'm doubting him or anything, but I'm not sure invading Telo Martius with a second ambush will go over well."

The soldier shook his head. "All will be explained shortly. Now, please follow me." He held his hand out to her.

She groaned and reached for his hand. "Fine, but let's make this quick. I don't want to be anywhere near here when—"

BAM!

Her eyes widened at a streak of orange light sailing past her side and sniping the Sandslash across the face. Blood splattered over her dress and face as the quill-covered shrew flew across the earth with a sharpened stone impacting the ground ahead.

"Crap!" She tried to run, but a jagged stone axe stopped in front of her neck.

"Just because my hand's mangled doesn't mean it can't tear your throat out." She trembled at the feeling of Terminus' cold tone whispering in her ear. The Kleavor towered over her, pressing the jagged stones closer to her skin. "What were you up to?"

She clenched her teeth. "L-Let's be reasonable here."

"You said Lord Blackwood. That's not a New Chariot name, and it's certainly not Algus or Great Gate. Who were you conspiring with?"

"K-Kind of hard to th-think with the murder rock against my neck," she panicked. Even if she was naturally strong as a Blaziken, she knew one wrong move against Nero's bodyguard would end in a closed casket ceremony.

He hooked his arm around her neck and dragged her back toward the main gate. "You're coming with me for questioning."

She attempted to pry his arm away, kicking at the ground as she was being dragged. "Let me go! Let me…agh, go!"

Before Terminus could tell her to shut up, he felt a rumbling through the earth. He released her, dropping her onto the ground. He narrowed his eyes cautiously as cracks started forming in the earth. "What the—"

BOOM!

Gemini jolted with a start, rising to his feet and looking back toward the city. His heart sank when he saw a plume of dust rising near the city's front gate.

"What the…?"

Terminus shielded his face as the earth split open in front of him, kicking up a terrible dust storm that blew scraps of rock and grass at his face. Juno curled up on the ground and protected her head as everything disappeared under a heavy cover of dust.

"What's going on?!" a soldier from atop the city wall shouted.

Terminus used Tailwind to blow the dust away from him and shouted, "Arm the ballista and sound the soldiers for battle!" The soldiers saluted down at him before racing to arm the mounted ballista. Terminus faced toward the subsiding storm, powering up his axe hands.

The curtain of dust parted, and standing in place on the once empty fields was a large, mixed army.

At the front were soldiers dressed in chainmail and armor, not too different to the knights of Umbra Clock. They wielded a variety of weapons from swords to shields to crossbows to maces.

The backline was what caught Terminus off guard. Making up most of the army were clearly barbaric Pokémon dressed in scrap metal, fabric, and even stone. They wielded misshapen spears, clubs, and amalgamations of metal that neither resembled swords or clubs. They were Subterrans…working alongside surface dwellers?

Terminus also noticed ten strange, metal crates evenly spaced out between the soldiers and Subterrans, the latter standing by with crowbar-like tools.

Then there were the four standing in front of the army.

Though heavily covered in a myriad of metallic parts, he instantly recognized the Tinkaton who was imprisoned by Nero and one of the prisoners responsible for the death of Tyranno.

The next was an unfamiliar Oranguru dressed in red robes with bits of armor hidden underneath. He wore a golden headband with a red gem in the center.

Standing tallest was an intimidating sight: King Obsidian, the Virdisian Carracosta whose presence burned the grass beneath him. Dressed in dark gray armor with a billowing red cape hanging off his shoulders, a formidable aura permeated off him. The war hammer he wielded carried a particular presence itself, one that radiated with earthen heat.

The final opposition stood out the most, contrasting the battle-hardened soldiers: a well-dressed Obstagoon who looked like he was preparing to attend a nobleman's gala in the evening. He wore a purple cloak draped over his left side. He carried a banner in his other hand, displaying a flag with the emblem of a golden shield wreathed in wolfsbane.

He must be Lord Blackwood, Terminus deduced.

Juno raised her head and shouted, "Your timing could've been better!"

Blackwood smirked, handing his banner off to a soldier and throwing his cloak off. He stepped forward with open arms. "Greetings! Sorry for the abrupt appearance, but I couldn't wait a second longer! I am Lord Fearghas Blackwood, lord of Blackwood of the Umbra Clock Kingdom. We have come to invade your capital and take command of it!"

Terminus scowled. "What is this? I thought the Umbra Clock Kingdom was aiming to make peace with us. Why did they send an army?"

Blackwood laughed. "I'm afraid there's been a change in plans. After all, regardless of his death, Nero's influence is far too…problematic, to say the least."

Terminus stepped back. The fact that he has the Subterran army behind him, there's no way this was set up by the Umbra Clock Kingdom alone. So, does that mean…someone else is pulling the strings? Could it be…?

He recalled the old Sceptile that was also imprisoned, his anger growing.

Him.

Blackwood clenched his fist. "Consider this a personal matter needing to be resolved. After all, with the atrocities committed by the empire, the idea of making peace with you people makes me ill!" He laughed. "And my good friends from the earth below have quite the vendetta to sort out with you, too!"

King Obsidian raised his hammer toward Terminus. "The people of Subterra have waited long enough. The crimes you surface dwellers have committed against us will not go unpunished. For the lives you've taken, and for the humiliation and torture you've dealt to Oddvar, our attacks against your empire end here. We will be taken Telo Martius ourselves!"

Terminus growled. They've joined forces. Shit.

Blackwood laughed, stepping closer. "Don't look at me with that pitiful look. Your people had this coming for a long time. For that, it's time you understood the weight of your actions. Today, New Chariot will not only experience loss, they will be treated to a humiliating defeat that will be remembered throughout history—"

"Fire, NOW!"

FWOOSH!

A soldier fired on the approaching Obstagoon with the mounted ballistic, dealing a direct blow with the heavy bolt. It sent him sailing, his body dragging across the ground and stopping in front of the army. The Subterrans stared at the fallen Obstagoon in horror, yet his own soldiers didn't even flinch.

"Commander Terminus!" the soldier above exclaimed. "Give the order, and we'll rain down death upon these invaders."

Terminus breathed a short sigh of relief and glared at the army. "You all were quite foolish to step onto our land so brazenly. Your greedy king executed a plan to destabilize us from the inside. Did you really think you could just walk up on Telo Martius and take it so easily?"

"…Actually, yes."

Terminus' eyes widened as the fallen Obstagoon, despite having an iron bolt stabbing into his chest, rose off the ground. He casually dusted himself off, seized the bolt, and pulled it out of his tattered tunic as if removing a splinter. He tossed it aside, grinning at the stunned Kleavor.

"Yes, we did."

Terminus stepped back. Our ballista can punch a hole through a Tyranitar's hide, yet there isn't even a drop of blood on this man?

Blackwood patted himself off. "New Chariot's tactics have been the bane of the east since its founding. An army of steadfast men charging in endless droves, always winning out in wars of attrition. I admit, if it were over the last two hundred years, any effort of defeating you would end in our inevitable destruction." His smirk grew. "But this isn't the last two hundred years. New Chariot's reign as the masters of war…has finally come to an end."

The soldiers above trained their ballista on the army. "Commander, give us your order, and we'll rip them to shreds!"

Juno, realizing she would get caught in the middle of the conflict, scrambled away from the distracted Kleavor and pressed herself as close to the city wall as possible. This is going to get messy fast.

Blackwood gestured to the iron crates behind him. "Luckily for you, we wouldn't want such masterful practitioners of war to experience their obsoletion without a firsthand demonstration. Consider this my gift to New Chariot!"

Obsidian stamped his hammer down, gesturing to his soldiers. "{Release the automatons!}" The soldiers saluted, plunging their crowbars into the crates.

Terminus scowled. "Fire on those soldiers, now!"

The soldiers worked fast to adjust their ballista, taking aim at the Subterrans. "Alright me, fire at—"

One of the Subterrans ripped through their crate first, and Dalibor instantly touched his temple, activating his headband.

A beam of scarlet light fired from the split in the crate and sliced across the top of the wall. The stone swelled with heat before erupting in an explosive wildfire, drowning the New Chariot soldiers in a horrific eruption as they screamed out in agony.

Terminus flinched as burning bodies fell off the wall, landing behind him. What…kind of weapon was that?

CRACK!

All ten crates burst open, and ten objects propelled into the air.

Terminus looked back in horror, gazing upon the weapons that hovered above the invading army. He trembled, studying the features of these strange creatures, his mind racing to pick apart why they looked so familiar.

Spheroid bodies of crimson. Onyx black limbs with crimson, gauntlet-like hands and feet, the latter spewing jets of flame to keep them airborne. Seven symmetrically placed dots on the front face: two lines of three and one centered below. An ominous, scarlet-red glow hummed behind those dots.

Terminus recognized the design from the old legends back home. It resembled…

Are these…creations of Regigigas?

Blackwood laughed, raising his hand toward the city. "This is the new age of warfare, New Chariot! Ancient alchemy and ancient science brought to the modern day! Gather your audience to witness…the beginning of your extinction!"

Harsh red glows permeated from the automatons' faces, their fingertips alight with power. Terminus, sensing what was coming, leapt into the air and took shelter behind the city wall.

The automatons fired on the wall of Telo Martius…

And a wildfire would soon spill out into the streets.