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Chapter 586
Chapter 586
Chapter 586: Empire’s Invasion [4]
‘The time with Igna’s been eye-opening. I would have never expected someone of this level of intrigue to be real. He’s like a character from an ancient war, a strategic genius. Not that the title would befit him. Look at the Captain, he’s stunned and unable to act. The siege alarms went off, the 200 force made for the walls. It’s a pity really, all of this was a spur-of-the-moment plan. I remember the expression clearly, one of utmost confidence and determination. Despite the precautionary measures the Captain had in form of hidden fighters, the fact remains – a single stroke beheaded the hidden. Blood drips from the wet-wall painting, a lovely rendition of the surrounding turned matt.’
Downstairs, at the foot of the watchtower, a bubbling muck of darkened aura condensed from ethereal to physical. Strong and powerful men in bullet armor and the latest rifles rose. A lack of emotion in the glare, they turned to nod affirmingly. Communication was present and telepathic.
“Bluffs aren’t much to go off,” said the Captain, the visage tightened angrily.
“Bluffs or not, the death of the supposed ambush must have been a shock,” a smug reference to the failed capture.
“Ok, really, who are you?” the eyes widened.
“Take a seat, we’ll discuss the matter over a warm cup of blood,” just then, a soldier stumbled into the doorway, “-Captain, we’re getting slaughtered. The communication link has been shut; we can’t contact headquarters. Ect is about to fall, the invading army wears unbranded uniform,” blood-soaked hands and pants, “-C-captain?”
“Julius,” called Igna.
.....
“As you wish,” he spun and thrust.
“Stabbed through the heart,” commented Igna, “-merciful.”
‘Why?’ he thought, grip on the dagger loosened per the blood loss, the faded glimmer of a person blemished before him, the feeling of taking a life. In his last moments, the soldier clenched onto dear life, Julius’s wrist reddened, ‘-I don’t care about humans much, still, taking their lives feels so wrong. Has Igna been killing for all this time, is he numbed to the pain?’ a petrified gulp led to the supposed negotiation.
“See,” said Igna, “-the castle is efficiently under my command,” he stood and moved to gaze upon the rear gate. “Don’t try to resist.” Bullets ended in faint cries and yelps. Screams of which were;
“-I’M SHOT. I’VE BEEN HIT.”
“CALL THE MEDIC!”
“THE FRONT’S BEEN BREACHED!” echoed about.
The blank eyes of the curious man had the Captain on guard, ‘-who is he. Our force’s getting slaughtered. He even saw through my ambush. What does he want, am I next – is Ect fallen?’ the questions blurred reality until, “-Captain,” a sudden mention startled the breathing.
“Yes?” he forced between the rigid lips.
“Do you hear it,” said a calm and composed voice, “-the sound of people dying. It’s nauseating. Bullets aren’t enough to kill a person, living things are far more resilient than we give credit. Someone could be shot; have their lungs collapse, stomach pierced, and spleen destroyed, and still make it out alive. Not by magic, but by sheer will. In a way, faced by the ultimate fear, people are often granted a second chance. Fight and discard their limits or surrender. Not that it matters here,” a cigar lit. “-Are you willing to talk now?”
“First, answer me a few questions,” fired the captain.
“No reason to do so,” he puffed, “-you’ll die anyway.”
“You jest,” he smirked, “-we have the inquisitors, once healed, they’ll slaughter each and every one of you.”
False hope led into an annoyed sigh, ‘Julius,’ he gestured and resumed to watch the fight.
“Captain,” said the prince, “-the inquisitors have been bested. They were nothing more than mere bait to grant entry. Once the siege is over – fighters from the blood-king’s faction will exterminate the remainder. This land was invaded without reason, the traitorous king will pay, that I promise.”
‘Such a fierce aura, a seething rage. I mustn’t be scared; I need to stand strong for my subordinates.’
“éclair, how’s the infiltration?”
“Completed,” commented he, an annoying sticker of completion flashed, “-I’ve transferred their orders to Lady Elvira. We have the advantage. Such weak encryption, truly a waste of time.”
“Julius,” called Igna, “-we’ve bought enough time,” *bang,* the last bullet hit its mark. “The siege of Ect is over,” proclaimed he. Half of the company headed to the Shadow Realm. “Restrain the Captain, he’ll be a good bargaining chip.”
On the 13th of April, forces from Noctic’s hallow arrived at Hect’s Castle. The expectation of a blood-soaked battled was foiled. The presiding noble welcomed Baron Tagn, a young nightwalker recently given the rights to a landed title. For a new noble, the reputation of a successful defense against the Empire proceeded him. Scars on the forehead and cheeks, bandaged hands, and a blade longer than the user. “What happened here?” asked he strangely, speech was impaired by an arrow.
“The young master held off advances from Ect and saved the castle town. They’ve gone to secure Ect.”
“I see, how many men did he command?”
“Four I’d say.”
“You jest!” he argued.
“No, tis the truth. The secondary forces sent to Ect should arrive at a conquered castle. I’ll say one thing, the young master is a force of nature. If he were truly intent on taking back the province, I’m sure he’d be able to. The way the subordinates fought, begs the question, what kind of fighter is he?”
Troops rocked the bridge, the front gates opened. Men in uniform approached. No armor nor weapons, in many ways, they were the same as normal folks. Light clothes and a special scent inherit from fighters of the BK’s faction. “Spread out and look for survivors. Kill anyone bearing the Empire’s crest.” Nods led into mists; ‘-they can use Shadow magic,’ thought Igna.
“Greetings, you must be the young master?” wondered a taller man with a brown complexion. By the crest, a member of the Lié par le Sang clan. Average features and a feel of a competent leader.
“Well met,” returned he, “-might I ask what the title of young master is about?”
“As the son of our king’s twin sister, you have his blood coursing through thy veins. Pretty self-explanatory. If I were to give an origin, I’d say the clan meeting. News travels fast, Lady Elvira announced our victory in the battle of Hect by the hands of the young master.”
“Cousin,” hailed Julius, “-I’ve brought the prisoners.” The youngest was gagged, the priestess stared emptily whilst the Captain kept calm.
“Here’s the chains to the prize of the battle. I have bad news, the inquisitors, as strong as they appeared in the battle, were novices. The real force has yet to leave the king’s side. They have more in reserve, the advance party truly was but that,” heavy words and heavier revelation.
The arms crossed, “-Hmm,” thought the leader, “-no idea,” a shrug later, “-the brass will think of something. My order is to keep the castle’s safe.”
“My job’s done here then,” nodded Igna, “-I’ll be taking the priestess. She’s got the potential to be a great asset.”
“S-sure,” he squinted, “-whatever floats your boat, young master.” Hence, as the sun dimly came to life, the jeep returned to their mission. A day had passed. Not that there was any change to the scenery, even the lighting was similar. “Time to work, cousin,” winked Igna, the gate closed.
“Breakfast first.”
A small lake hid amidst drooping trees and grunts of monsters. Crystal clear water was abundant in the pure child-like energy of the forest. The jeep stayed a few meters away, a tent was erected, stools arranged carelessly around a campfire. They needed rest, three days of fighting, mana ran low, summoning those fighters wasn’t the least bit easy. Afterward, turning the remainder into low-level undead, a tedious day when said and done.
“Hup,” bait flew, ‘-why did he bring the girl along?’
Thirty minutes passed, “-how’s the fishing?” wondered Igna.
“Normal I guess.”
“Not normal,” paused Igna, “-the buckets full, are you troubled by her presence?”
“Yeah,” said Julius, “-I’m worried. Why would someone willingly bring an enemy, especially one as hard-headed as her?”
“She’s been cursed,” said he nonchalantly, “-demon’s plagued her day and night. The torture’s taken its toll, she won’t even speak let alone fight. Don’t worry, once’s the seed’s been sowed, something interesting will happen. Don’t worry, just wait and watch.”
“O-ok,” shrugged Julius.
Firewood crackled, stew boiled over the pot, “-here,” said Igna, “-have some.”
She watched without much effort. “-Stop acting crazy,” returned Igna, “-eat some food else you’ll die.”
“It’s better than living this curse,” said she under her breath.
“Look, the lass has her voice back,” commented Igna. “-Should I summon the lady?”
“NO, please don’t summon her, I won’t be able to bear it. I’ll leave, sorry, I’ll eat.”
‘What in the world did Gophy do to her?’ wondered Julius. The battle of Hect took more of their precious time. Back to the actual quest – the next matter to consider was the abduction of children. The information led to two parties, a noble and a mistress, typical sadists for the sound of it. Between fishing and hunting, the 13th ended in a normal fashion. Night rose, the curse of the whore princess lit to heed to the coming of devious entities.
“Let’s go,” said Igna, “-we’ll come to get her in the morning.”
“Seriously, leaving her to suffer the assault of the beasts?”
“I’ll summon a few guards for protection. Are you perhaps feeling sorry for her situation?” glared he.
“N-no, it’s fine,” giving to the stronger presence, “-shall we start?”
“Cousin,” placing a hand atop his shoulder, “-I’m cruel and don’t care about what method to use for results. She’s an enemy, and my companion saw fit to punish. We shouldn’t stay around; she’ll be gone in a week; the screams of terror will only serve to make you feel pitiful. Keep strong, I’m the one responsible, I’ll carry the burden. In return, please help me save the province.”
“Cousin,” a hand atop Igna’s, “-no need to lower thine head. I came to help, and I’ll help.”
Far, far away from the heart to heart – the clan leaders of Noctic’s Hallow returned for another council. The good news of a successful conquest spread over a circular table. A small-scale replica of the Ardanian province rested atop, multiple figures represented differing forces.
“Greetings, dearest clan leaders. Today we meet as the servants of the Blood-King’s faction,” said Serene. “As secretary and heir to the mantle of representative, I bid thee a warm welcome.”
“It’s been quite a while,” commented Aurora sat before the banner of the Nox’s clan.
“I agree,” said Julia, sat similarly behind her crest.
“We’re here to decide the fact of the nightwalkers,” said Alaric, “-much pressure.”
“All the same to us,” said Gabrielle, “-the people demand answers.”
“So is the noble faction,” added Aurora, “-the dukes are rather tense. They know we’ll be dragged under by the arrival of refugees.”
“Please,” said Serene sat behind the Faction’s crest, “-before we start, I’d like to invite the newest member of the council, Lady Elvira. She’s been very proactive in uniting the differing independent factions under a single name, the Blood-King’s clan.”
“Do pardon our lack of decorum,” added Aurora, “-Serene, shall we proceed?”
“Yes, let the war council begin.”
A moment of doubt and hesitation sank the atmosphere, the pressure of being called the Blood-King’s faction wasn’t one for the faint. The decision could affect the lives of the secluded vampire kin. “I’ll go first,” said Elvira, “-the battle of Hect has been won. Here is the information the young master obtained. Vampiric slaying arts are being used. The ones responsible for the massacre are referred to as the Inquisitors, who were able to best Count Sebath. Goes to show the cunning of our enemy,” stopped to let the information assimilate, “-we should be more careful from now on. The inquisitors who bested the Count were novices. Or decoys I should say, the real force has yet to be seen,” *dong,* the words resounded as if bell, low and terrifying.