It was late into the night on a muddy field. Trenches were dug into the earth and soldiers were packed into them. They had their wands pointed out towards the enemy\u2019s front and were clearly on edge. Some of the shorter soldiers had to use ladders to get themselves at an acceptable height, the taller ones had to crouch down so they wouldn\u2019t give away their side\u2019s position. \u201cSweet Ones!\u201d muttered a Goblin soldier. \u201cThe fog\u2019s playing havoc with my eyes!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDoing the same to all of us, Sir,\u201d replied a Sky Elf soldier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah, I guess it is,\u201d grumbled the Goblin. \u201c\u2026Did your family make it out?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey\u2019re safe, much to my husband\u2019s chagrin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2026His chagrin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe wanted to fight alongside me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo offense, but he\u2019s not the most physically fit Elf.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s what kept him from the front. He\u2019s Depths-bent on fighting, I had to talk him out of it as we evacuated the city. \u2018Come on, Londoo,\u2019 I said. \u2018It\u2019s time you were at the shelter.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018I\u2019m not going to any shelter!\u2019 he snapped. \u2018This is my barber\u2019s shop and I\u2019m defending it!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018Really? And how do you intend to accomplish that?\u2019 He then pulled out a box. \u2018\u2026You\u2019re going to hit them with that thing?\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018No, this is my focuser knife, the one I used to carry during my pre-war Realmfleet stint.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018I thought you were the ship\u2019s barber.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018That\u2019s right, and everyone thought it was a beauty parlor. If the Trinnies get through you guys, I\u2019ll be ready for them!\u2019 He opened the box, but there was no knife of any kind, just a piece of paper. I read it aloud. It was from his brother, saying that he was borrowing it and would return it soon. \u2018\u2026I will KILL him!\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201c\u2018With what?\u2019 Without a weapon, he couldn\u2019t\u2026\u201d The Elf\u2019s story was cut short as his badge flashed orange, as did the Goblin\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSomeone\u2019s coming,\u201d gulped the Goblin. Everyone steeled themselves, preparing for an enemy, but hoping it was a friend. Everyone waited\u2026and waited\u2026and waited some more until a figure appeared in the fog. It stood there, motionless, until more figures appeared. The first figure then summoned a fireball in each hand as he raised his hands near his head, though not near enough to burn it. The light from the fireballs gave the soldiers in the trench a good look at the figure\u2019s face. The figure was a Blaze Elf with ashen skin, glowing blue eyes, and blue veins of light snaking across his skin! The Goblin goggled, then pressed his badge, switching it to red. The other badges followed. \u201cOPEN FIRE!\u201d shouted the Goblin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTAKE NO PRISONERS!\u201d shouted the Blaze Elf, the first Revenant, Yulduk. His army of Revenants, Robots, and Golems then charged across the field, simply shrugging off the wand fire. They entered the trenches and began their bloodbath. The Golems took care of the taller soldiers, the Dryads and Trolls, while the Revenants took care of the rest. A Troll Revenant enjoyed squashing the soldiers beneath his feet. As the fighting went on in the trenches, the Robots went straight for the cannons. They dispatched the soldiers guarding them, then took over. Yulduk\u2019s enemies were rapidly decreasing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe trench is lost! Fall back!\u201d ordered the Goblin. Out of an 800 strong trench, only 17 escaped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe got them on the run!\u201d called a Golem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMoving to engage,\u201d droned a robot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNo, let them go,\u201d answered Yulduk. \u201cWe have no need of them. Recalibrate the cannons and target the city. This continent will fall soon, and it will start with Realmgate City.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat do they hope to accomplish?!\u201d growled Realmgate City\u2019s King, Erodeth Worodai, a Fire Dragon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEasy, my dear,\u201d soothed one of his wives, a Stone Dragon named Toyaktii. \u201cWe\u2019ll stop them, whatever they wish to accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey just took over the periphery trench like it was nothing!\u201d went on Erodeth. \u201cPlease tell me someone got a message out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMarutam managed to raise Realmfleet and reinforcements will arrive within the hour.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat will give us some time, the trench is about 5 hours away from the city\u2019s edge.\u201d Fire then leapt from the floor and formed into a male Dwarf in red. \u201cLord Mordek!\u201d gasped Erodeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA pleasure to see you, old friend,\u201d returned Mordek, one of the Red Divine Ones of Fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShouldn\u2019t you be on the Endeavor<\/em>?\u201d asked Toyaktii.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArsha sent me to give you a heads-up about her timing,\u201d explained Mordek. \u201cIt\u2019s still the same and she will be arriving within the hour. I will stay and help you prepare the defenses as best I can.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow many ships?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Just the Endeavor<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRealmfleet can\u2019t be serious!\u201d protested Erodeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAfter the losses we\u2019ve sustained in the Drelda Forest, Realmfleet is reluctant to lose any more ships. We don\u2019t have the time to construct new ones as of now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, the Drelda Forest is more important than Realmgate City?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cErodeth!\u201d snapped Toyaktii. \u201cYou know the Capital Tree\u2019s the source of mana for all the Realms! We lose that, the mana mines dry up in two days!\u201d Erodeth snarled at Toyaktii, then sighed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, I\u2019m just worried for my people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArsha has a reputation for miracles,\u201d assured Mordek. \u201cYou have my word that Realmgate City won\u2019t fall.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m gonna hold you to that, My Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Endeavor <\/em>arrived to see everyone preparing for a siege. Given that Dr. Borg\u2019s army was formidable, both physically and mentally, the crew wasn\u2019t too terribly surprised. The ship\u2019s entrance ramp lowered to deposit a young Human\/Kitsune Blender woman with a rose hairpiece adorning her hair bun, a Neko\/Cecaelia Blender woman with blood-red hair, and a woman with purple skin, horns, and a tail. They all had their duty uniforms on. King Erodeth approached the Human\/Kitsune Blender and shook her hand. \u201cIt\u2019s good that you could come, Captain Royana,\u201d he began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGlad I could make it,\u201d replied the woman, the Mid-Realm Crown Princess, Arsha Royana. \u201cLet me present my first officer, Commander Denstra Welmeva\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHello, Your Majesty,\u201d greeted the Neko\/Cecaelia Blender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026and my Chief of Security, Lieutenant Commander Dalengor Mardem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPleased to meet you,\u201d greeted the purple woman. Erodeth sniffed the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou\u2026smell like a Dragon\u2026\u201d he muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBut not like any you know?\u201d asked Dalengor. \u201cI\u2019m the only remnant of the Shadow Dragons.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow is that\u2026? Never mind, we have more pressing matters,\u201d dismissed Erodeth. \u201cArsha, no offense, but I expected more ships.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo did I, but Realmfleet said we\u2019re the only ship available,\u201d answered Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou got told that too, I see. Well, you\u2019re known for being a miracle worker, let\u2019s hope that\u2019s enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat\u2019s the city doing to protect itself?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got our siege walls erected and we have cannons and catapults ready to rain Depths-fire on the enemy. I know they\u2019re resistant to damage, but if we can hold out their fire, they\u2019ll collapse.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow are supplies?\u201d asked Denstra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Therein lies the problem. We\u2019ve got enough for a few days; they\u2019ll probably last a week before they collapse from hunger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve gotten supplies to add at least two more days,\u201d reported Dalengor, \u201cstill not enough. Mordek\u2019s not one of the Green Divine Ones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s currently blasting more trenches around the city. Hopefully, it\u2019ll be enough to slow them down so we can push them back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow close is he to finished?\u201d asked Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cJust got done,\u201d called Mordek\u2019s voice. He flew towards them and landed by them. \u201cWe should start planning our defense strategy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arsha, Erodeth, and Mordek met in the Castle\u2019s conference room. Erodeth unfurled a large map of the city, its southern and eastern shores, and the lands surrounding the north and west. \u201cThe enemy is approaching from the Northwest,\u201d reported Mordek as he traced the path. \u201cThey\u2019re a 700 strong army, originally 800, but they took the perimeter trench and pointed the cannons at us. Their objective seems to be Gatepoint.\u201d He pointed at the city\u2019s northern point, where the northern ground entrance was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf they take that, they\u2019ll spill into the city,\u201d muttered Arsha. \u201cIt\u2019s not exactly a bottle neck.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, but if we have fliers,\u201d mused Erodeth, \u201cwe could force them east along the wall into the Pinch.\u201d He pointed to where Gatepoint and a straight wall met and made a narrow angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ll need the help of Realmfleet Air Fighters,\u201d remarked Mordek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain Roltam\u2019s squadron was stationed here a week ago,\u201d answered Erodeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRoltam?\u201d asked Arsha, her ears twitching in curiosity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCaptain Quenthem Roltam,\u201d explained Erodeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cQuenthem? Purple Pixie?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Yeah, why, do you have a history with him?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe\u2019s my Ex. Don\u2019t worry, it was a mutual breakup and we\u2019re just friends. Haven\u2019t spoken to him since the war started. So, he\u2019s an Air Fighter Captain?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne of the best.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith that on his record, we\u2019ll beat them back!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yulduk\u2019s army was halfway between the trench and the city as they rested. One of the Revenants looked at his rations. \u201cReal flavorful,\u201d he grumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe will eat sweeter meats once we take Realmgate City,\u201d replied a Robot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou don\u2019t even have a mouth, much less a full digestive tract.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was practicing speaking metaphorically. I have yet to fully master it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Why do you want to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause I envy you organics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026Hey, when all this is over, can I help you learn to be more like us?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c\u2026That is an unexpected offer\u2026but not an unwelcome one. I would appreciate the help. Thank you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo problem at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cUp you get, guys!\u201d called Yulduk. \u201cWe march again!\u201d Everyone packed up and began their march.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It was late into the night on a muddy field. Trenches were dug into the earth and soldiers were packed into them. They had their wands pointed out towards the enemy\u2019s front and were clearly on edge. Some of the shorter soldiers had to use ladders to get themselves at an acceptable height, the taller […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,237],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-3198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-4-trials-of-light-and-dark","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3198"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3198\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3199,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3198\/revisions\/3199"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1954"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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