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-August 3rd of 1312

The sun is setting as the shadows grow long, Lena wears black clothing with some light amour underneath and her two claymore swords lay firmly sheathed on her back. The men having finished digging for the day head to the eating quarters. There are no guards present today at the dungeon entrance having no doubt already been dismissed by one of her loyal officers.

An anticipatory gleam can be seen in Lena’s eyes as they gleam through the dim light. She must admit that her blood was flowing with eagerness at the familiar siren call of the battlefield. It had been such a long time, since she felt the thrill of pitting her strength against another as they danced to the tune of death as one’s blood spills onto the ground in artistic beauty until only one is left standing. Can there be anything more glorious, then that single moment when one is the most alive?

The four officers don’t even bother to gaze up as their whispered conversation tapes off upon Lena’s arrival as Lena remains standing before as they salute her. Lieutenant Darrell steps forward and says, “The metal pipe that had been ringing non-stop has finally ceased. Without a doubt the enemy is only a few feet below the pits and will attack tonight.”

At a questioning look from Lena, Chief Officer Gauthier steps out of their neatly formed line and confidently replies, “Captain, all is ready and prepared from our end.”

“That being said, this is war and battles are known to be unpredictable. I am certain, that all of you will react accordingly,” Lena confidently said as she gives them a smile and adding, “That being said, do your best to not die tonight. I would hate to have to replace any of you.”

Lena and Chief Officer Gauthier head to the empty northern guard tower. Lena sits down to wait on a stone ledge and gazes at the dying sunset in the distance. The only occasional distraction is the sound of rustling feet as men sneak into the tower, that are followed by the sound of clumsy mages.

Per my orders there are very few guards posted on the walls, but the few that are some of the strongest fighters in the force. With the added touch of very few lights on as well, the fort appears to be silent and completely unguarded.

The moon begins her stead ascent into the sky as she climbs higher and higher into the twinkling starry sky. The smoothing white rays illuminate the valley until at last the moon reaches her highest peak. Most of the men are sound asleep on their feet as their heads lean against each other shoulders or against the wall. While most of the mages sleep in pile on the floor and those that are semi-awake yawn nosily as their robes rustle.

Lena intently keeps an eye on interface until six glowing dots of Corporal Vernal and five other confirmed spies begin to move. Lena’s teeth gleam wolfishly in the moonlight as she softly lets out a whistle.

Instantly the men become wide awake as they carefully shake the mages awake. The mages although startled silently rise to their feet. Lena keenly leans back against the wall and wait for the impending massacre to begin.

Shouts begin to full the courtyard as the underground enemy forces appear in midst of the digging pits. Immediately after an enemy soldier releases an enchanted flare into the air signaling for the attack to start. The enchanted flare rises into the sky and explodes much like a firework as it briefly bathes the light sky in its red dying light.

Before the enemy soldiers can even take a step, they fall into traps filled with poison, spears and the likes. Their tortured screams fill the air as their comrade’s cruelly trample over the fallen in their haste to escape.

A few men manage to leap out of the pit and into the courtyard to only find female soldiers lying in wait for them. The female archers easily pick off the soldiers that are climbing out, while the female spear users and the single female swordsmen kill any soldier that climbs out.

A few soldiers manage to scurry past the female soldiers only to have traps spring on them. The entire courtyard had been booby-trapped impossible to traverse unless one can fly or read minds in order to cross safely through the courtyard.

Lena smiles in approval of Private Ace fearlessly leading his troops in the courtyard as the guard tower bells begin to ring and troops rush out. The dark sky suddenly brightens up as enemy fire spells lighten the sky as they swarm brightly towards the fort and like comets they illuminate everything in their path including the dark battlefield.

In front of the fort towards the west side, the infantry is marching with earth shields moving in front of them to deflate enemy attacks. While the cavalry waits on high uphill from where mages are able to safely cast their spells and were the enemy general waits for an opening to arise.

Lena nods in approval of the opposing general’s actions. The enemy general wouldn’t engage until their forces went into battle. Lena could give credit when it was due.

Before the first barrage of magic spells reaches the fort, Water Mages counter with a water shield of their own. The fire magic spells crash harmlessly into the water shields as the opposing spells sizzle violently as they neutralize each other. However, that is only the first attack as a relentless bombardment of spells is cast by the enemy Fire Mages.

Soon attacks begin to smash into the ground and into the fort causing the fort to tremble from the violent impact. The small group of Water Mages valiantly struggle to extinguish the onslaught of attacks, but being the only group of mages on the wall, they have already begun to falter in exhaustion.

The men fidget nervously as the mages pale at feeling and hearing the impact of the spells against the fort. Without turning around, Lena says, “Calm yourselves, we need to draw the enemy closer before we begin our counter attack.”

The soldiers and mages automatically relax at the captain’s words as Chief Officer Gauthier steps closer and peeks over her shoulder at the battle below. Chief Officer Gauthier faces tightens at seeing the mass of approaching soldiers in the rapidly shortening distance.

Chief Officer Gauthier takes a deep breath before calmly saying, “Captain Bartholomew, should I have the men begin too ready themselves?”

Lena remains silent as the battle continues to rage on. Chief Officer Gauthier hesitantly adds, “Captain, the cavalry is about to begin a pincer attack as soon as the spies open the door.”

The men slightly falter at his words but remain at ease at seeing Lena and Chief Officer Gauthier remain perfectly calm. Lena softly responds, “Once it’s done signal for Lieutenant Darrell to lead the infantry hiding in the stables and in the meal hall. Staff Sergeant Jones is to kill the spies at the gate and lead his troops to defend the walls.”

The minute’s trickle by until the spies successfully open the gates. Lena instantly turns and proclaims, “We depart in one minute, Wind Mages commence casting the spells.”

The men nod as they pull on their hoods and small packs that are made of black cloth as Lena does the same only without the hood. She always hated and had the terrible habit of never wearing a helmet or any sort of head gear into battle unless necessary. For some reason, Lena enjoyed the feeling of the wind flowing through her hair and felt incomplete without it.

The fortress gates creek opens as the enemies’ infantry rush at full speed towards the opening as the earth shields drop to the floor. Immediately Chief Officer Gauthier sends a magic flare into the air as the officers react to the unspoken orders.

Within seconds the spies are dead as Lieutenant Darrell charges forth on his snorting steed and leads the infantry out of the fort. Lieutenant Darrell ranges his troops into five soldier’s layers deep: archers at the back, spearmen, various weapon fighters, swordsmen and with shield men at the front.

The mages almost finish as Lena leaps as onto the window ledge. “Soldiers of Terra, what is there fear? Should you live or die, we will gain a place in the hearts of these men. Let us go forth and fill our enemies with such terror that they may never forget our faces!” Lena fearlessly said as then men gazed back with bright, eager faces.

Chief Officer Gauthier lips twitch into a small smile at the speech as the men and mages widely grin back. “Line up and follow me,” firmly said as Lena signaled for the Air Mages to release their spell.

Without hesitation Lena leap from the tower as a hurricane strong breeze tosses her and those leaping high into the air and out into the field. Lena laughs with delight as she soars through the cool air and feels the wild breeze tangle through her hair. Her exhilarated heart beats rapidly as Lena eagerly licks her lips in anticipation.

The enemy archers let loose their arrows as they speedily fall towards the. The wind mages having been split into two groups defense/attack. The defending wind mages chant short spells to swiftly change the course of the arrows as the plummeting arrows avoid their course. Some of the arrows hit friendly forces while others unfortunately still land on her men below.

As they begin to plummet, Lena and the men pull on the loose pack string as a black parachute furls behind them as they descend amid the enemy. The charging infantry is far to occupied to see them rushing towards them. Within a few meters, Lena releases the other string as the parachute falls cleanly cut away and slips over her shoulder as it is carried away on the night breeze.

Lena squarely land on an oblivious soldier firmly crushing him into the ground. The charging infantry men pause and stare at her in blatant confusion. Lena sincerely says, “We who are about to die salute you,” as she unsheathes her hungry blade.

Without allowing them a chance to reply, Lena leaps forward and stabs her blade through the soldier in front of her as she whips her other blade cleanly through another soldier’s neck. Without a single pause, Lena twirls as she relentlessly moves on to her next target.

~ POV of General Custer (General of the invading Army of the Kingdom of Cypress) ~

The air is filled with the shouts of men, animals and the familiar accompaniment of the sounds of bombarding spells. The battle field is painted in shades of red and orange creating the scene of men fighting through a sea of blood. But that is true for any battle.

Everything is going as planned, but why did General Cluster have a growing feeling of unease? Their forces more than outnumbered the enemy. And even if he was forced to retreat, the reinforcements would be arriving any day now. What was there to be afraid of?

General Cluster shakes his head trying to convince himself, that is merely his old age speaking. As if in response the cavalry horses rustle and stomp impatiently beside him as Prince Icarus white horse neighs alongside him.

General Cluster automatically clenches his helmet resting between his legs unable to completely hide his anger at the loss of his men. Schooling his feeling, General Cluster keeps his gaze firmly fixed on the battlefield.

Prince Icarus snorts and crossly says, “General, I am going to move out; I am tired of waiting.”

Keeping his temper in check, General Cluster calmly replies, “Please wait a few minutes more sire, if there is no change then please gloriously lead the cavalry to victory.”

The second prince somewhat appeased at the response impatiently waits. All of a sudden the front gate opens and without waiting even a second longer, the Second prince raises his sword in the air as the men follow suit and roar as the second prince leads the remaining light cavalry ahead.

The prince’s charge rushes forward at great speeds as the horse’s hoofs thunder across the valley. General Cluster still daren’t move as the heavy cavalry behind his shifts in anticipation, but firmly obeys. Nothing is amiss as General Cluster puts his helmet on and raises his sword into the air.

The men yell ferociously as General Cluster lead the charge forward. The earth shakes beneath their hooves filled with pride. The enemy pours out of the gates and organizes itself into an a 5-man deep line of defense. That may work against infantry, but that measly line of defense would not hold against light or heavy cavalry.

Dark shadows begin to appear overhead as General Cluster raises his gaze to see enemy soldiers dropping from the sky onto the infantry before of them. His eyes widen at the unexpected surprise, but he cannot let the men see him falter.

General Cluster calmly leads the men around the infantry and rushes towards the enemy. The second prince forces are engaged with the enemy barley holds out against them. Before the heavy cavalry reaches the enemy, a loud blast is heard from behind them as General Cluster is thrown off his horse.

General Cluster grunts with pain as he lays dazed on the battlefield as the battle rages around him. General Cluster blearily rises to his feet to see the cause as his breath halts in my chest. Their position on the steep hill has been taken over! A group of earth mages builds protective walls around what appear to be magic cannons.

Without hesitation, General Cluster raises the war horn at his side and sound the call for retreat. They would not survive till morning if the enemy possessed magic cannons. General Cluster curses himself for not waiting for the reinforcements, but unfortunately, he could no longer find or give the second prince excuses for a lack of an attack. It was ride with the second prince or be executed for insubordination.

The men instantly begin to turn around, but before the second prince uses his own war horn to sound the call for charge. Caught between commands, the men follow the second prince’s call and continue the charge. General Cluster grinds his teeth in anger as he cuts his way to towards the second prince.

Cloud of arrows suddenly rains from the sky as an arrow grazes him. General Cluster hisses but continues to move forward as an enemy charges him from the side. General Cluster brings his blade to meet his as sparks fly at the crossing of the blades.

The enemy soldier swings his blade as General Cluster parries and shove the soldier back. The enemy soldier stumbles back as General Cluster dashes forward and brings his blade down on the ungloved hand. The blade slices through the bone as the enemy soldier screams in pain and drops to his knees.

Without pity, General Cluster thrusts his blade through the soldier’s chest. The enemy soldier gurgles weakly as he clutches at General Clusters arm in vain. With a hint of compassion, General Cluster close the soldier’s eyes as he withdraws the blade from the corpse.

An over whelming wave of exhaustion hits General Cluster as sweat drips down his face. General Cluster gasps tiredly after the exchange, unable to breathe. He really was much too old for this.

General Cluster fingers fumble to remove the blood-stained helmet as he tosses it to the side. Breathing in as the familiar bloody scent of metal fills General Clusters nose and tongue. With sadness, General Cluster gazes at his surroundings as the men falter and begin to break under the continued attacks.

General Cluster grimly raises blade as he desperately searches for the second prince. It still was not too late. As long as they retreated, they would live to fight another day.

Before General Cluster can move forward, a feeling of impending doom and danger fills his very bones. His mind goes blank as his hands shake at the terror brimming to the very core. General Cluster gulps as he turns to face the being emitting the scent of death.

General Cluster blinks with disbelief at seeing the figure of a beautiful woman with fiery red hair in a braid. Her startling sapphire eyes seem to peer through the very soul. The woman smiles lightly in response and says, “I believe you’re General Custer, am I correct?”

General Cluster suspiciously studies the beauty. He simply could not understand, how this woman could possibly be the source of imminent death. Just what is she?

“Where are my manners, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Captain Bartholomew of Fort Terra,” the woman brightly said.

Captain? Wasn’t Bartholomew the Captain? General Cluster eyes widen in understanding as he takes a step back.

“It seems a pity that I have to kill you, but needs must be met,” Captain Bartholomew firmly said as she raised the two blades in her hands.

With horror, General Cluster finally notices the blood-stained swords in her hands. Unable to move, time seems to stop for General Cluster as an absolute certainty fill him. The woman was going to kill him. His life flashes slowly before his eyes as sees the blade dart towards him.

Suddenly feeling very light, General Cluster floats through the air and seem to land some feet away. His vision dims as he sees her walk towards him and reach for him. She holds General Cluster up to her face and says, “Hmm, too bad, you seemed like a nice guy.”

Unexpectedly General Cluster is placed in a dark stuffy bag. How he wished it could been different as everything goes dark.