* * *
Alkorn allowed himself an extra bell of sleep the next day. He knew the value of a good night’s rest, and knew that he would be facing a lot of unknowns in the next while. He wanted to be fresh. He normally didn’t drink alcohol, but he had heard rumors of Yannick’s weakness, and wanted to see for himself. It was clear that Yannick was willing to fight, at least, but he did not know if his old friend would be strong enough. He likely wouldn’t know for some time.
He slept an extra bell every day for the next week, but his sleep was fitful.
Erik had learned as much as he could, but there had been precious little time. There was a gate that would take a large surge of magic to open. Everything afterward remained a mystery. They had prepared in what ways they could, the Sikeran had provided them with food and water to last for months, and his mages had done what they could to magically preserve it. They had additional weapons, clothing for any type of weather they might face. They had planned tactics for virtually any type of enemy they could imagine, and decades of experience. They had ointments to protect from insects, fire to protect from larger beasts, easily assembled siege weapons in case they met a fortified enemy, and more. Hauling the abundance of equipment and supplies is why it had taken them as long as it had.
They had prepared for everything.
Now they had arrived. Erik stood beside Alkorn as they stared up at the gate. His mages had done their work, ripped the earth from the sky and left a gaping wound that bled sickness. He had sent his best three scouts through, with strict instructions to spend no more than a hundred breaths inside, then to return. It had been over a day since they passed the boundaries of the tear, and his men were most likely dead.
“My Lord,” Erik broke the silence that had consumed them for nearly a bell, “We must send another group.”
“Mages, this time,” Alkorn responded, “have them use what abilities they have to cloak themselves. Five breaths, then they return.”
Erik nodded his head, then left to select the mages. He would choose the best. Not the most powerful, but the most capable at hiding themselves. The most likely to survive.
Erik returned a few moments later with two mages, who had prepped hours before. They looked nervous. That was good, it would keep them sharp.
“You have your orders,” Alkorn told them, “Goddess speed.”
They saluted, but just as they started to turn and make the long walk to the portal’s edge a cry came out.
Alkorn saw the two mages slump with relief, then pick up their feet and hurry to the portal in case they were needed. Alkorn and Erik followed after them.
When Alkorn first saw the scouts he thought the portal was distorting his vision, but when he got closer he realized that the looked exactly the same. One still had the smudge of dirt slapped across his face.
The three soldiers stood at attention, clearly confused. The superior officer, a rugged captain much shorter than her male counterparts, saluted when Alkorn arrived.
“Report.” Alkorn said simply.
“General,” the captain replied, “We were gone no more than a hundred breaths, as you ordered.”
“You have been gone for more than a day.” Alkorn replied.
“I understand, general…but…each of my men can confirm. None of us drew more than one hundred breaths.”
“And what does it look like in there?” Alkorn asked.
“The land is similar to the mountains north of the capital just before autumn," she began, "It opens into a grove. The air was slightly humid and difficult to breathe. There was a pool of what appeared to be water 100 paces in front of us. There was a wide variety of vegetation, coniferous trees as well as long vine plants, along with short undergrowth. We neither heard nor saw any wildlife, nor did we see anything that looked like intelligent life."
“Very good captain, you and your soldiers may get a meal, then we will have a more thorough discussion in my tent.” Alkorn said.
“But my lord,” one of the men interjected, “We’ve only just eaten.”
Alkorn shook his head. “Very well. Head to my tent now then.”
They saluted, and left.
Alkorn turned to Erik, who shrugged and said, “It appears time is a bit strange on the other side of the tear. Slower than it is here. We may not return to a world we recognize.”
Alkorn scowled. “But we continue none the less. Make sure that the army knows as little as possible. They may not be excited at the prospect of never seeing their families again.”
“They will not be happy when we return.” Erik replied.
“With the goddess’ guidance, whatever is inside will prevent that from mattering. We do not have time for further scouting. We leave tomorrow morning.”
Muda, Sophie, Yannick
Sophia watched as Muda showed one of the younger warriors a quick thrust that was effective against heavily armored opponents. Muda and Yannick had been training them almost a year, showing them how to deal with siege weapons, cavalry, and archers. The Sikeran way had always been hit, run, and hide, but Sophia knew that future battles would not allow them this luxury. Whatever was coming would need to be hunted down and obliterated, and her forces would no longer be able to hide in their mountainous terrain.
Her warriors had embraced the new training with fervor. Almost all of them worshiped Muda, fought to be in his training groups, boasted of landing a blow upon him. Even those who did not like him appreciated his skill. He had defeated three of Sikeran's best warriors, he had cleansed himself of evil, and he was the champion of Sikeran.
Muda had changed much in the past year. Fear no longer consumed him. He would accept any challenge, charge mindlessly into any contest. His body and skill seemed to be adapting, as well. He was stronger than he was before his battle in the town square, and faster. He could strike before most warriors had time to raise their weapons.
Muda had been forced to stop using his own sword. It radiated fear, and turned anyone who faced him.
He now only used it when training with his elite warriors, those that would surround him in battle. They had begun to resist its influence, but its pull was strong.
Sophia enjoyed watching Muda train when she had the time. He was patient and knowledgeable, a true boon to her people. She had very little time, however. Her own duties had grown ten-fold, and she now found herself being sought for every manner of inconvenience. She was required to settle disputes, help plan military efforts, organize farming and infrastructure.
They had also seen an influx of refugees. Usually, such people tended to avoid Sikeran. It was hard to get to, and had a history of being hard on strangers. But tales of food shortages had come from Yaloran, and other countries were rife with disease, so the people decided a potential quick death here was preferable to a slow death from starvation elsewhere.
So far Sophia had not turned any away. Her mother had always been a practical leader, and had stored a significant amount of supplies, but even those supplies had seen a significant dent.
She watched for a few more moments, then walked the rest of the way down to the training grounds.
"Armored opponents are not so difficult as mages," she called down, lighting a small flame around her hand for the warriors to see, "When will you train them to battle magic users?"
Muda smiled at the sight of her. "Your mages should be making that unnecessary."
He spoke truly. Sophia's own gift had grown significantly in the past months. The goddess gave what gifts a leader would need, and it appeared that Sophia also had battle in her future.
“But that does not mean mage and warrior need separate their efforts. Magic users can be proficient at support, as well as attack. Deception, magical enhancements, distractions, healing. An adept will be able to use their power to meet any situation.”
“An army must find balance on the battlefield.
Sophia nodded. "I would have a word with you, champion." She said to him.
"Just one? Hardly s
eems worth the effort." He smiled at his own joke. Sophia glared down at him.
"It is good that you are a better swordsman than a humorist." She replied.
He pretended to be hurt for a moment, then smiled again. "You're probably right at that."
Muda turned to his fellow warriors. "We have done enough for one day. Tomorrow we will practice the spear." He walked the short distance to fetch his sword that was locked away in a chest, then hurried to walk alongside Sophia who had already started away.
Muda noticed that Sophia was wearing a necklace.
"I have not seen that on you before," he said gesturing to it, "It is beautiful."
"It is the privilege of our leaders," she replied, "I had not felt worthy of it until today."
She did not elaborate, and so Muda did not push the issue, and they walked in silence for a time, until they reached a path of altars. Sophia often came here. It helped her to think. She found clarity amongst the leaders of old.
Only those that were truly loved were given a place here. The trials that were required to leave a tribute scared most off, and killed all of those that were brave enough to try. One had to be a truly noble leader to merit a place amongst them.
Sophia often wondered if she herself would be here one day. She already spent a lot of time amongst them, amongst the altars of wood and stone and death. Death was always present here.
"Names are not allowed on the altars. Do you know why?" Sophia asked.
Muda shook his head.
"Each altar is a story. Each can be felt as you pass by. Written words would do little to add to this effect because the altar itself gives an understanding of the person it was built for. Names are forbidden because they detract from these feelings." She explained. "It is very dangerous to build an altar here. The others can grow jealous, and if the feelings of the maker are not pure they will not survive the process."
"Often they are killed outright, but sometimes it is only their mind that is destroyed. Then they are found by people like me, who walk the path for wisdom.” She paused again. “The altar is the truest possible representation of how the people perceived a person."
They stopped in front of an altar made of sharp rocks. They were forged together into a cutting spiral, and a pool of ever-flowing blood lay at the bottom, shimmering in the sunlight. Muda tried to understand the emotion that flowed from it. One word would never be able to describe it, but it was a mixture of wrath, and passion and...will.
"This is my favorite," Sophia said, "It was made for a long-dead courtesan, who lived when we still allowed such things. Hers was a truly brutal time in our history, and she became brutal enough to match. After her lover died, she took control. Many died by her command. Tens of thousands died. But in the end, this brutality helped her forge the realm that you now know as Sikeran. Through her will a dozen distribute tribes were forged into a realm that has lasted millennia."
Sophia dipped her finger in the pool of blood, and shook.
"The first time I ever did that I spent an hour screaming before my body gave into exhaustion."
She knelt down and wiped the blood in the grass.
"There are many altars here. Some made of soft woods, flowers floating in smoothly crafted bowls. Others are living thing, plants and creatures melded together in harmony. But not the courtesan's. Hers is pure, sweltering will."
She turned to Muda. "I would do anything to protect my people." Sophia said. "Which is why I needed to speak with you today. We must find a use for the refugees. I would have you find one thousand who are able-bodied, but have no other relevant skills, and begin to train them."
Muda snorted. "You would have me take cowards, and turn them into soldiers?"
"Not long ago the same was said of you, but you were offered training." She retorted.
"That was different." He said coldly.
"It’s always different. I have already taken those who know a trade. You will first ask for volunteers. You are already known amongst them, and many will be willing. Once no more choose to come forward, you will make your own selection. Many of these people come from countries where women do not fight alongside men in battle. If any of the women wish to participate you will convince their companions that this is their right."
Muda nodded. This at least he could agree with. "And where will we put them? We cannot have soldiers mingling with the civilians. What of weapons and armor?" He inquired.
"Armor and weapons are being made, they will be ready before the training is complete. We have set up a camp outside the city. You will live there, with them, until you have established order. You will have Sikeran warriors to help you, of course. You may choose any who you deem appropriate. Yannick will help as well, of course." Sophia stared at Muda.
The relationship between the two men had grown worse over the past few months. Muda was making up for a decade of timidness and obedience with rage. He challenged every statement that Yannick made, belittled him in front of others, and made his derision for Yannick's own weaknesses well known.
"I have no need of him."
"You are a brave warrior, Muda, but you have never seen a battle. Everything you know of tactics and strategy you learned from Yannick, and I doubt he’s had time to share every bit of knowledge."
Muda glared at her. "He is to act as an advisor, no more. I will not have his weakness sabotage my army."
Sophia had expected this, and in truth was inclined to agree. Yannick was not the drunkard that he had once been, but he had stumbled a few times since his return from sea.
"Acceptable." She replied simply. "You will also be given a troop of mages. They have been instructed to obey you in all things, unless they feel there might be a danger to the other soldiers, or the citizens of Sikeran."
Muda smiled. He had wanted the opportunity to experiment with the mix of magic and soldiery for quite some time.
"I will see their power from the vanguard, when my blade slays a thousand enemies!" He boasted.
"The goddess protects us." Sophia sighed.
Yaros, Muda, Sophie, Diablos, Solaris
Ibalize stared down at his army once again. Most were at the pits, watching as the last of the survivors battled in the arena. Soon they would be permitted to challenge his own army’s champions, or join the ranks themselves. He promised freedom to any that could work their way through the trials, and challenge him themselves, but none had yet attempted. None were so stupid to challenge his lieutenants.
Ibalize no longer enjoyed the contest. It had grown predictable. He had considered commanding some of the lesser gods to battle, but Yaros convinced him not to. The army was already ripe for mutiny, no need to push it. Soon they would march to their next battle.
He needed distraction. He needed carnage. He needed... Yaros was gone. He needed nothing, and could do anything.
He began to concentrate, slowly shedding himself of physical sensation. Taste and smell, heat and cold, pain, direction, balance, light, and time faded away. When he had nothing left but himself he thrust down into the so deep the earth itself melted and raged. Then he began to search. He was unsure what he would find, but felt around. Finally, a small flicker of life. He went towards it cautiously, knowing that it could be a trap. Instead, he found something weak - barely alive. It had spent too much time in these deeps, had not fed. Ibalize slowly, cautiously funneled energy into it. When it began to stir, he intensified his efforts, giving it more strength. Finally, it was ready and he grasped its mind.
Muda, Sophia
Muda and Sophia had managed to meet twice in the three days, twice for meals and once for a short walk through the path of altars. Muda himself was very busy, Yannick had assembled a long list of books that he was to read, and battles that he was to study, and they had been discussing plans for army training.
Sophia did her best to give Muda her full attention, but it was obvious that she was distracted, and he felt guilty for taking away from her duties, so he tried to keep the conversation about h
er efforts. Muda had spent his life studying strategies of leadership, but until recently had had little opportunity to put them into practice, making his knowledge mostly theoretical. Sophia would listen when Muda gave a suggestion, and would sometimes use his ideas, though always with slight changes.
Muda decided it was time to leave. Yannick had given all he could, and so when they had the morning meal together, there was little to talk about. Goodbyes were brief, but warmer than Muda had expected. With Yannick's death a real possibility in the coming future, Muda was finally beginning to think about what his mentor had done for him.
Yannick gave Muda a scabbard as a parting gift. He had had some of the mages cast buffering spells on it, to reduce the new effect that Muda's weapon was having on the soldiers, at least while it was tucked away. There were no intricate decorations, or gold casting, just the inscription Honor and Sacrifice on one side.
After Muda left Yannick's home, he traveled to Sophia's to say goodbye. She was meeting with leaders of the carpenters union, and so Muda sat in her waiting room. Sophia's home was rife with tributes to the goddess. The story of the God's Harp covered the walls. Once the world was complete the gods of light and dark both craved the tool, and thus the Seraphic Wars began. In the end, the gods of dark were banished to the void, but the goddess fell into an ageless slumber as she broke the Harp into seven pieces. Each shard was given to a god of light, to be hidden away.
Muda did not believe in such fantastic stories, and if the goddess still existed he had no love for her. He did acknowledge her bravery in the story, though. It was a hard thing to destroy what one made.
When Sophia was ready, they head out into the city to walk along the riverside. They spoke of trivialities and eventually decided to take a break beneath a tree.
Swarmlord
The creature passed through stone and mineral as if they were water, its giant maw grinding and crushing the earth. It stopped twice to feed, feeling the thump thump thump of feet on the ground above it, then bursting through the earth towards its meal, tearing through red flesh. A dozen two-leggers thump thump thumping, and the creature was full.
It did not sense time, only felt the distance to its goal, dark hair dark skin throbbing with magic. Bright, bright spirit, so delicious. Up up up and through the crust to eat and... Dirty dirty dirty water!
Muda, Sophia
Muda saw the river begin to bubble, and dove in front of Sophia as he drew his sword. She was immediately struck by a wave of fear, but her mind to magic and with a quick spell negated the sword's effects. She placed a weak magical shield around her company, then began to prepare something more deadly.
The creature shot straight up from the water, and came crashing down on Sophia's guards, killing them instantly. It twisted towards Sophia who rolled away just in time. Before it hit the ground Sophia hardened the earth so the creature could not pass through. It slammed down, then rose upwards, confused. It raised half its body and opened its gaping maw.
Muda stared at the creature, calculating how best to attack. The worm was twenty paces long, and covered in thick plate. Its mouth opened with four spikes, revealing tough red flesh holding dozens of teeth that pulled inwards, crushing and lacerating. A pungent rotting leather smell erupted as viscous brown slime dripped down towards him.
The creature dove forward, the four tusks prone to grapple and force Muda down the jagged throat. Muda dove to the side again, slashing at the side of its head. The sword rang as it hit the stone-like hide, and Muda's hands went numb. Sophia tossed a ball of fire as she dove away, but the worm barely noticed.
"The mouth!" Muda screamed.
Sophia nodded and began to prepare another spell to stun the creature. It seemed to understand them, however, and back its head away, striking with its tail. The tip whipped towards Sophia, cracking the air as it snapped to where she had just been standing. She dove behind Muda.
"Protect me for a moment, I need to concentrate." She told him.
Muda picked up a jagged stone from the ground, and threw it at the creature's mouth. It snapped the rock from the air, then attacked again with its tail. He fell back, then threw another stone. The worm launched its whole body towards Muda, knocking him backward. It dove for the kill as Muda lay on the ground, but the young warrior gathered his wits and raised his sword. His blade cut into the rugged flesh, and the creature twisted, a shrill screech escaping its maw.
It tried to back away, but was suddenly unable. Muda looked at Sophia and saw her face clenched with concentration. He prepared for the worm's final attack. It dove forward, and Muda planted his sword into the ground. Sophia saw, and used her powers to force the monster forward. Unable to stop, it smashed down onto Muda's sword. It drew back, and tried to dislodge the sword, but its efforts only made the weapon cut deeper. With a final shake, the sword lodged into the creature's brain, and it slumped forward, dead.
Muda ran to Sophia to see if she had been injured, but she was unharmed. He turned back to his sword, but Sophia placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Do not worry about your sword for now." Sophia suggested. "I will send workers to cut it out."
Muda stared at her, not understanding her calmness. "We...we almost died!" He said.
"A mistake on my part," she replied, "I have been lazy with protections within the city. This will need to be corrected."
"The creature is known as a Swarmlord." Sophia continued. "They are supposed to be almost impossible to kill. It was being...guided, I suppose you might say. Someone wants us dead."
"I sensed it as well." Muda replied. "It was powerful, and...angry."
"It appears this alliance with Yaloran may be more necessary than we previously believed. We must speak with Yannick. There is much to be done."
The two of the quickly walked away, too shocked to speak further.
Alkorn
There was no sun on the other side of the portal to help Alkorn and his soldiers go about their daily routines. No sun to tell them when to wake or prep camp, no sun to guide their path and keep them right. Just a constant haze, like autumn dusk.
So they relied on their bodies. When the soldiers were tired, they rested. When they were hungry, they ate. They had made camp eleven times, and one in every three they were given a full 'day', of extra rest, but half rations. They had not found any living creatures to hunt for meat, but some of the trees bore fruit, and there was water in abundance.
They could not tell how much time passed, but it felt like every day they were able to travel longer. The soldiers all said the same thing, the void was soaking into them, reinforcing them. It was making them stronger.
The results could be seen in their training. Blows came harder than expected, breaking equipment and occasionally bones. Small cuts and bruises healed in what seemed like a matter of bells, and those that had known sickness before entering no longer showed signs.
Erik believed that the void wanted to make use of them. He claimed it had a kind of sentience, like a hound that could sense the goodness of its master, and so would let him near her pups when anyone else would get a firm bite. It was building them up to help with something, though Erik could not say what, or why.
Alkorn was more concerned with practical matters, like enemy forces, and so he sent his scouts out in every direction, in hopes of finding some clue. So far they had found nothing
Getting the entire army through the tear had been a feat. At first, they believed that time moved slower on the other side, and their world was speeding by, but as more and more people through, they realized it wasn't so simple. They entered in units, fifty at a time. Sometimes when a group went through they would find their predecessors standing, waiting patiently across the grotto, but other times they would crash into each other. When a troop of horses had to pass through they crushed a soldier's legs. He was fortunate a pair of mages stood ready.
When the entire army had finally assembled, Alkorn picked a direction and they began to march. They left a trail so th
ey would be able to return, but did not even consider communication with their world. They were until they found what the void had to offer, or they were dead.
So the marched, not knowing why or where. Until today.
"One of the scouts did not return two days ago." Erik told him. "We sent out six more, in groups of two. One of the scouts has just returned. It appears we are not alone, and our companions are not human."
"Cow-heads?"
"Some, yes," Erik paused and thought for a moment, then let out a slow breath, "Other things as well. The scout that returned got a good look at the enemy. Their force is approximately the size our own, but most of it is unrecognizable. Creatures of nightmare was his best description, like your night in the alley, but worse. Green things that look almost human, but are half the size, or double the size. Giant dogs. Fish things. He even described a giant lizard the size of five horses."
"Impos...." Alkorn couldn't finish the word. He had seen too much to believe anything was impossible. "Do they know we are here?" He asked instead.
"The scout is uncertain. His partner was killed by something, but he claims it was not sentient. The others have still not returned, but it does not look promising."
"Then we assume we are known. How far away are they?"
"Approximately half a day's march." Erik hesitated. "There's more. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but whatever the mages have been sensing, they are confident that it is in the direction we are moving. It has been faint, but it gets stronger as we progress, and...it appears that the other army is moving in the same direction."
"I think it is safe to assume we have found our prize. And that we go to battle."
"Inspiring, my lord." Erik said with just a hint of sarcasm, "I go to prepare the troops.'
He was gone before Alkorn could finish scowling.
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