It was a night that settled upon Silondras. The winter's weathering was passing now, the northern chilling winds cascading down the mountains making the clearer days still and cold. This time of year is met with anxiety for the kingdoms such as Liontari, Lykos, and Nychterida. This time of year, into the fletching days of the winter nights, the Frostlanders, Hyperboreans, become more ferocious and more powerful, fueled by the winds that shall return on the return of the season. So much effort has been placed just to keep them back from the borders. James was penning orders in his private chambers, answering letters of concern from various incursions due to the increased agitation of the Frostlands as of late. The one he read was from a recent letter sent from near the border of Lykos. Aurelius, the paladin of war, sent some of his own men there, expecting that this was where the Frostland kingdom of Mur'Elia. He also expected that they would favor more of their caste

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 49 The Frozen River

The Nautilus Omega made dock not too far from where the fighting is held. Far enough away to allow them to prepare for what may occur very shortly. Lyse has never seen a conflict like this ever in his life, and he felt somewhat under immense pressure to be grazing it. But still, they have to be prepared. They have little else an option. The crew that Moxie had personally selected began to collect weaponry and armor. It was a strange thing to see on something that was supposed to be a merchant ship, but they all moved in very practiced motions. Not a surprise to Lyse, but it was interesting to witness. The assortment of weaponry was also a bit strange. Firearms and sabers, some shields. Some in armor, some without. Maybe an ax or two. A cooking pot of several nation's most iconic implements of war, more Hath than anything. He himself prepared all he had acquired from Nychterida. The armor was well-fitting and pretty light for armor. It was a lot more comfortable to move in than the arm

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 50 The Battle of Mer'Dith

"They must be fools to believe that we shall back down now," Hagroth said heatedly as they withdrew back towards the command tent. The sentiment was indeed shared, though the reality of the situation was very much apparent. "We will not back out now when we have a chance to victory." "At least we have a timetable now, captain," Lyse suggested to him, trying to guide him to more productive thinking without stirring up anger. The captain did seem to manage and control his anger, turning to the map that still lied on the table. He seemed more worried than angry at this point. The other officers had returned, as the camp was most definitely in a restless frenzy following the sudden appearance of this messenger. Lyse would be lying if he was not at least a bit shaken seeing one so nonchalant in his mannerisms, staring them down as if he could blow them away with little effort. However, he comforted himself on the thought that if that were at all possible, if they indeed have the power to d

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 51 Not the Same

25 years ago It has only been a few months at most. Two short months of a war that James knows should not have started in the first place. Altwin was at one point a rarely small country of the outlands. Just two hundred years ago, its prince, Prince Aluune the II, managed to barter freedom of his territory from the kingdom of Duurberg. This came about with much bloodshed, as the king constantly fought against other nations who saw a new piece of meat added to the lawless market of the Outlands' bizarre. So, they had to make allies. Unlikely allies. It is unclear how or when, but soon a prince of Aetos decided to take the prince's daughter as his wife, and that alone gave them the support they needed. So much support, in fact that they actually began to expand their borders. One by one, they began taking over more and more land from their surroundings, small princedom after small princedom falling under the raised flag of Altwin. They grew in size and wealth, became quite the

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 52 Gray's Resolve

Hephaestus, emerging from the smoldering crater he had just created, looked upon the world he was alien to. A world so different yet so familiar. Like a replica of some ornament, a fake relic with just enough blemishes and imperfections that it was innoticeable. But he could see the intent. This world, at a glance, seemed unblessed by the presence of the gods, untroubled and unburdened by the calamity that had plagued it once before. The trees had grown in vibrance, the land unscarred and teeming with life. But he knows better. He could see it, the remnants of his old empire. He could see it in the turbulence in the winds. The land had been scarred and torn apart again and again. It doesn't even resemble what it once was underneath the façade. It was a fake of the most disgusting kind, a plight upon what had come before it. It was like they completely tried to erase what had come before it. He climbed out of the rubble that had been the mountain of his birth. Now, i

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 53 The Camp

The Battle of Mer'dith will prove to be a substantial victory for the Empire of clans in their war with the Frostland Kingdoms. A thousand two hundred soldiers were trapped in a small fort of the river, burdened by a savage enemy who would have cruelly weathered them down to their last man. It was only the arrival of a few knights, and their mercenaries of the Nautilus Omega did Fate favor them. They were celebrated, as the rest of their stay was inside the walls, with the soldiers who survived the gruesome bout. They brought out the best of wine and food, but unfortunately, they could not stay to participate in the festivities. Despite Hagroth pleading the participation, they were gathering horses and supplies to be on their way northeast. There, they will truly meet the battle they waited for."Please, I wish to be your host for these nights," Hagroth said to them. They were atop their horses, Lyse petting Mist on his neck. Most of everyone was ready to cross the bridge still in pla

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 54 Bygones

Lyse carefully sheathed his sword. He had not fully recovered from the battle yesterday, and he doubts he can take on ten more golems with a hyperborean who actually managed to get the drop on him. But he got the feeling he did not need to be afraid. The fact that this Frostlander actually stopped to talk to him tells Lyse a few things. They are not hostile to him, or likely the Empire for that matter. The fact they are hiding means that he is merely a protector. And the expression he wore tells him that he is wary of him but confident that if Lyse decided to show aggression, he could deal with him. But at the same time, that wariness was stillborn from fear. Lyse may not be alone; he may be waiting for reinforcements. Or he alone may be enough to break whatever facade they are hiding within. "Speak warmblood," the Frostlander said in his broken rekeg speech. "As I said, I am a knight of the empire," he said. "I did not mean to disturb you, and I mean no harm," he sai

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 55 Preparations

Run. This is all they are allowed. They had to run and run fast, on the fleetest of foot and with the utmost haste. The darkness that crept upon the land cast their shadows ahead, and that is what Celia had to focus on. They had been running for only three minutes, but hours transpired in that time between each heavy pain. The pain she had to endure from her curse, oh the pain, like hot iron driven across her skin, made this effort ten times its actual cost. Her mind dull, the shadows of trees that surrounded them becoming enemies, and the land becoming an endless battlefield she traverses. Her eyes burned with sweat, and each breath becoming more and more of a strain upon herself. The only thing that kept her on her feet was what she held in her arms before her. Massua was still unconscious, murmuring nothing within herself. She had grown heavy in her grasp. She could feel the massive sums of power, the power of creation, her animal instincts, all of it outside her reach. She could o

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 56 Haven

20 years agoMany have forgotten the cause of the civil war. Many have simply memorialized it as simply a conflict of interest. The cohesion that the clan has endured could only exist for so long before something broke it. They've spent centuries as brothers under the banner of a united empire. But they also treated themselves as independent nations, with independent goals and prospects for the empire's future. Their success, especially after peace treaties with the Shi'Ased solidified, had turned their noble doctrines into a guide for personal growth. And the king of these seven nations: Arkouda, Koraki, Liontari, Nychterida, Lykos, Aetos, and Tigri, has turned bitter with the dynamic they have become rather acquainted with. Land rights, access to trade, access to water or farmland. These things, while minor, tolled in the minds of the soldier who went into battle. Their only concern was defending their people, their homes. So they took up their swords and spears and marched through

Last Updated : 2022-09-25

Chapter 57 The Assault

20 years agoMany have forgotten the cause of the civil war. Many have simply memorialized it as simply a conflict of interest. The cohesion that the clan has endured could only exist for so long before something broke it. They've spent centuries as brothers under the banner of a united empire. But they also treated themselves as independent nations, with independent goals and prospects for the empire's future. Their success, especially after peace treaties with the Shi'Ased solidified, had turned their noble doctrines into a guide for personal growth. And the king of these seven nations: Arkouda, Koraki, Liontari, Nychterida, Lykos, Aetos, and Tigri, has turned bitter with the dynamic they have become rather acquainted with. Land rights, access to trade, access to water or farmland. These things, while minor, tolled in the minds of the soldier who went into battle. Their only concern was defending their people, their homes. So they took up their swords and spears and marched through

Last Updated : 2022-09-25