All of the Legionarie sentries snapped to attention as Damian stepped onto the command tower balcony. He straightened his back and raised his head high, making sure that his countenance exuded nothing but confidence.
His war armor gleamed as his long silver hair blew in the cold, sweeping breeze. Above him hovered thick, dark cumulonimbus clouds that stretched ominously across the sky. Damian breathed deeply through his mouth. The air tasted like war. He leaned over the balcony and peered into the distance. The tower’s vantage point provided a dramatic panoramic of the landscape. From here, he’d be able to see the battle’s entire progression and command it accordingly.
“My Lord,” a voice said from behind.
“And you are?” Damian asked, turning to face him.
“My Lordship, I’m the officer responsible for this tower. I bring you the latest news.”
“Report,” Damian ordered.
“The enemy forces were scouted less than two miles away, but they appear to be half-stepping and moving at an unusually slow pace.”
“Interesting,” Damian said. “And what of our Legion?”
“Our infantry is already assembled at all eight encampments. They’re awaiting your orders.”
The soldier stood at attention as Damian turned to lean against the balcony. After staring out into the distance for a few moments, he came to a decision. “Send our troops forward,” he ordered. “Swallow the Realmsic Army whole!”
“Your will be done,” the officer saluted. He stood next to a ram horn attached to the side of the tower. But instead of blowing through it, he reached into his armor belt and removed a mobile device. Since General Thane’s return, Damian had implemented the devices into the Legion. All ranking officers received them. He listened as the officer spoke into it, giving commands. A few minutes later, the ground beneath the tower began to tremble.
As the vibration broadened into a full-scale tremor, Damian, the tower officer, and the other sentries were shaken off balance. They held tightly to whatever they could as the structure swayed back and forth. Damian gripped the stone banister attached to the balcony, peering over its side. Below him, an ocean of soldiers charged into battle. By the thousands, their footfalls shook the ground.
Clambering to his feet, he felt pleased with himself. Perhaps this battle would be over in time for lunch. He wondered what the mess hall was serving—hopefully not mystery meat. He didn’t understand how anyone could eat that.
Damian suddenly felt his senses tingle. He paused, shifting his gaze to the horizon. The sky darkened, and the sweeping breeze ceased. Something was happening.
RMRMRMRMRMRM, the sky above him began to tremble like the ground—but the source of the disturbance remained concealed beyond the heavy, gray clouds.
“What’s going on?” the tower officer asked a comrade.
Damian ignored their conversation, for he already knew. Concentrating his full attention towards the clouds, he watched as their saturated bottoms began glowing amber-red and the light intensified. It was if the Realmsic sun was burning through the morning mist.
“Take cover!” someone below screamed. At that moment, the clouds departed, revealing an ocean of flames directly above them. The intense heat immediately beaded Damian’s forehead with sweat. Stretching the length of the horizon, the flames poured from the sky like lava. They splashed onto the ground like a molten tidal wave. No one had time to react. Instantly, an entire Legionarie brigade had been erased from the battlefield.
Damian wiped the sweat from his forehead. He was almost impressed. But, before he could finish his thought, the skies opened yet again, and a second ocean of fire poured from them.
“An air strike!” a soldier yelled from behind him. But the assault wasn’t a typical Realmsic tactic—precision strikes using individual fireballs. No, this was a crimson flood designed to inflict unimaginable levels of destruction. That explained the Realmsic Army’s unusually slow pace. They were avoiding the barrage!
In anger, Damian pounded his fist upon the banister. Only Kelm could be responsible for such damage. He knew at times the Wizard personally commanded the Crucifers. But despite the carnage below and the unrelenting screams, Damian remained confident. He enjoyed a challenge and admired Maebus’ newfound ruthlessness. Despite the setback, the Legion maintained one clear advantage—their sheer numbers.
The Warlord stretched his body over the balcony as far as he could and screamed a single order to his men, “Push forward!”
The Legion selflessly abided, running full speed into the flames. Their will was to obey. They charged blindly into death without fear, without any regard for themselves.
• • • • •
On the opposite side of Centre Pointe, approaching the castle, Maebus watched the Crucifer assault. Never in his life had he seen such a coordinated display of magical power. Kelm certainly held nothing back. With Leoden by his side, they rode upon horses at the head of the Realmsic Army.
He noticed that Leoden remained apprehensively silent beneath the ceiling of flames. As fire draped the entire atmosphere, it revealed not one speck of heaven above their heads. The immense heat from the waves was overwhelming, despite the day’s chill. Sweat soaked through Maebus’ armor as he stared awestruck by the barrage. In fact, part of him could scarce believe that he was responsible for such devastation. But like the Warlord, this time, the Realmsic King would show no mercy.
Due to the uncertainty of this battle, Fable and the Council had remained behind at the cottage. Therefore, if Maebus’ efforts failed today, at least they might still escape with their lives. However, General Normandy and a small band of troops had been sent ahead of the invasion. Their mission was to scout the area and report upon the Realmsic Army’s arrival.
He watched as Normandy appeared from his battle field position several thousand yards out. He’d been viewing the impact of the air strike. Maebus kept a close eye on him during his approach. He repeatedly scanned behind the General, making sure he wasn’t being followed, or wasn’t in immediate danger.
After arriving, Normandy slowed at their position and began trotting beside them. He was so large upon his horse, his feet nearly dragged on the ground as he rode.
“King Maebus, Leoden of Cyperus,” he saluted them both.
“What have you, General?” Maebus asked.
“King, the inferno is powerful, but unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to be making an impact. The Warlord’s numbers are just too great.”
“Damn!” Maebus slammed his fist hard into his palm. The initial wave hadn’t gone as he’d hoped. Now he worried that perhaps he’d misjudged Damian’s power yet again.
“Maebus,” Normandy said less formally, “The Legion is coming and, even with Kelm commanding the Crucifers, I don’t think the War Wizards can maintain this fire barrage for much longer. Right now, the flames are the only thing holding the Legion back, but they’re going to break through at any minute. How would you like the Realmsic Army to proceed?”
It took but a few seconds for Maebus to think it over. “Kelm is tasked with sending ten oceans of fire. He has two more rounds left. In the meantime, we’ll continue with our half-step march until the Legion reaches that outermost hill...”
He pointed to a nearby dale which created a natural bottleneck of the area. “At that time, our men will engage,” he continued.
“Aye, sir!” Normandy saluted.
Maebus returned the salute. “How do you feel, General?”
Normandy’s gaze hardened. “I don’t feel,” he replied, which made Maebus chuckle.
“And what about you? Are you ready for this?” he asked Leoden. He could see no sign of fear on the young warrior’s face.
Leoden shook his head no. “You can never be ready for something like this,” the young man replied. “You simply have to trust your instincts, rely on your skill, and pray that you have the First Wizard’s favor.”
“Indeed, young warrior. Indeed.”
Overhead, anothe
r round of fire soared.
“There’s the castle!” Maebus said, pointing to their highest peaks as they came into view. Once again, he’d returned home, and Damian’s Legion was the only thing standing in his way.
A surge of adrenaline hit his body as he reached for his battle sword. “Ring true this day,” he whispered and kissed his father’s blade.
A few minutes later, the second and final round of fire sailed into the distance. They heard the faint boom of its impact. The area surrounding them suddenly became quiet, save the marching of their own feet across the land. Without warning, just through the bottleneck, the first heads of the Legion appeared. Closer and closer they approached. But before Maebus could give the order to charge, several quick fireballs zipped over their heads and smashed into the approaching Legionarie ranks. The attack came from a secondary Crucifer unit, which was smaller, yet still deadly.
“Focus your fire into that space!” an officer ordered.
THOOM! THOOM! THOOM! Several more fireballs were sent.
The flames hit them, and a dozen Legionaries instantly collapsed to the ground like lifeless toy figures. The smoke rose from their burning mass. But still, their lines progressed, crawling over burnt comrades. Their ranks were proving unstoppable. Also, through the carnage marching towards them, Maebus spotted a familiar face ... General Thane!
That was all he needed to see.
“Leoden,” Maebus said. “Would you please do the honors?”
“Attaaaaack!” the young warrior bellowed.
The Realmsic Army pointed their weapons forward and sprinted into action. The Legion brandished their fire swords, slicing away like a grinder. With both forces now running full speed towards one another, the ground between them shrank with every step. Neither side, despite the imminent danger, backed down. And with a thunderous impact, both armies collided.
• • • • •
Damian remained upon the balcony of the command tower, surveying the brutal engagement between his Legion and the Realmsic Army. “At last, the real battle begins!”
He listened to the clanging of steel. He saw the quick sparks of light from his infantry’s flaming swords. Although caught by surprise and completely unprepared to fight, his Legion was still an incredible force.
The Realmsic Army was barely able to maintain their position on the field. Granted, Maebus had performed a spectacular opening attack. But ultimately, his army was no match for the Legion. Deep down, Damian felt disappointed. He was hoping for an actual challenge. But now it looked as though the battle would indeed be over in time for lunch.
Chapter Fifty-Seven