Giant Breaker
The early morning fog had a dank and dead feel to it. It almost seemed that the old stories of the land being entrapped by ghosts and malignant spirits were true. The soldiers of the strike force, led by Captain Garis Cord, kept weary of their surroundings. They couldn’t tell if it was a trick of the land, or something more…
A single figure stood out in the nearly opaque fog, and that was the clear dome of energy around Kara. The fog stood no chance against her holy warding, and all around her could feel the warming presence surrounding her body. This knowledge brought a keen smile to Faux’s lips. He knew that the fog had to be evil if Kara could ward it off.
Ezekiel peered through the blinding fog in search of any signs of enemies, and it seemed that Garis was trying the same. Neither could see at all.
“We won’t be able to strike until this fog lifts. It would be foolish to run in blindly,” Garis explained.
“True enough, but when do you suppose that would be? It won’t be long before the Bladenheart army knows of our presence,” Ezekiel responded.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they already did…” Garis said grimly.
“Do you think Kara could perhaps lighten our path with her magic?” Ezekiel offered.
“I’d not risk it. She’d more likely signal her own doom. The best we can do is give it more time. If nothing changes soon, however, we’ll shove the fog out of our way. We’d be noticed sooner than we could like, but that’s what we’re here for, isn’t it?” Garis answered.
“A distraction for the main force in the south…” Ezekiel finished with a nod.
**********
Jowl examined his troops thoroughly. When he was finally content with what he saw, he nodded his head and turned to a well-dressed man standing next to him.
“Things look as they should, Ferlyne,” Jowl said to the nimble man beside him.
Ferlyne Gower nodded his head in agreement. He had middle-sized, dark red hair that was curled slightly up. His eyes were an orange color that burned with the passion for battle. He had a suit of armor that seemed fit for a royal guard of Rullenfay and a beautiful rapier strapped to his side. He was a fire adept of a far off land who happened to be traveling in Liteo when he came across Draven searching for followers. The desire for power led Ferlyne to join the void adept, and the choice had served him well. He was now the new 4th in command of the Bladenheart army, replacing the recently deceased Julia.
“How do you feel about all of this?” Ferlyne asked Jowl.
“What do you mean?” Jowl responded.
“I mean…how do you feel about the death of your sister?” Ferlyne asked quietly, not wanting to upset his superior.
“Why should I feel anything about it? Julia died because she was weak…in my opinion she deserved what she got,” Jowl said calmly.
“You don’t even feel a pang of regret for her death?” Ferlyne asked incredulously.
“It is sad to know such a useful ally has fallen, yes…but as a sister I am disappointed in her, and glad she is gone,” Jowl replied coldly.
“I see…very well then. I shall go ahead to the southern end of our lines,” Ferlyne said with a bow and walked off.
Jowl watched the man for a moment before turning his attention back to his forces.
**********
Draven grinned eagerly as he stepped through the fog covered field north of Tier Bastion. He stopped next to a soldier who was struggling with his helmet and asked, “Are all of our giants in position?”
“Uh…yes, sir. Three stand in the higher hills to the west of here, and two more stand in the lower hills, all with a vast supply of rocks to throw and weapons ready in case they must pull closer,” the soldier responded.
“Good. How about our two special cases? Have you readied them in case they are needed?” Draven asked.
“You don’t mean those two do you? Sir, we still don’t have full control of them. It would be too risky to bring them out during the battle. They’re likely to take out our troops along with the enemies!” the soldier said with a frightened face.
Draven whipped out one of his knives and slit the man’s throat open. The soldier fell to the ground and all those around flinched in fear.
“When I say I want Mourn and Lament ready, I don’t want back talk. One of you get them ready this minute,” Draven said, his words full of venom. Without question, two other soldiers headed back to the fortress.
“I know you’re out there…” Draven mumbled, staring off at the Cloud City army hidden behind the dreaded fog.
**********
“This has lasted too long. It’s now the time to act,” Garis said firmly, holding up a hand to draw all of his soldiers’ attention. “Listen to me! It is time for the winds of Altem Tier to relieve us of this shield and strike!”
On command, all of the soldiers in the first row held out one hand in front of them, the second row readied their glaives, which went between the first row, and the archers all knocked arrows into their bows.
“Now!” Garis commanded, and the first row of soldiers all let out a burst of wind energy from their outstretched hand. The massive gust of wind shoved the fog back until finally they could see the first few rows of a huge, black-suited army standing across a vast field. “Archers!” Garis shouted next, and a shower of arrows poured from the back lines, falling into the ranks of the Bladenheart army, and yet none of the first few rows moved. “Charge!” Garis finally said, readying his nagamaki, katana with a pole-like handle of a glaive and an enlarged blade. With a kick of his feet his horse sped off towards the oncoming battle, and all of the soldiers charged forward.