THE EVE OF THE BATTLE

Walls rose high, emboldened by various Magic Formations and Spells, as well as hundreds of guards stationed throughout dozens of high-rising towers. With the city’s gates still barred, the panicked atmosphere calmed somewhat as the life was slowly being restored to its usual course.

Parsia was currently standing atop the city wall, near the Northern Gate, observing both the ins and outs of the city, slowly mapping it all out mentally. His brows were slightly creased, but his expression overall was relaxed.

The land leading North, just outside the city gates, was unfit for the direct battle, but beyond the hill two miles or so away from the city, there was a wide, empty plain nearly perfect for it. The city itself wouldn’t be able to hold all-out engagement, especially if the battle took to air, as the general repeat of Holy Paradise would occur.

Parsia was slowly plotting out the main points of engagement whilst making sure none of the major battles would reach the city itself. In his mind, there would be four major battles that could threaten city walls in total; the first one was Lynne’s, but his would be ongoing two miles away, so it wasn’t as threatening.

The second was between the Celestial Mages of both sides. Parsia had already ordered the city’s Mages to circle Lynne’s battle position, and stay between mile and mile and a half away from the city gates. The third battle would most-likely take place inside the city itself, with Thalia being responsible for it. There wasn’t much planning to be done here except to separate people into groups and closely observe them, waiting for them to strike.

The last battle would be the one nearest to the city gates: between them, and the hill in the distance. However strong Lynne may be – or other Celestial Mages of the city for that matter – it will be impossible for them to hold back all of the enemy’s forces. Other gates would receive far weaker pressure, and each being guarded by a single high-ranked Mage should be enough, but Northern Gate would be in direct line of battle. He tasked himself with keeping the gates afloat, and had even fashioned most of the Magic Formations that reinforced the ordinary bricked walls.

The field between the city gates and the hill is also submerged in all sorts of traps, ranging from Magic Arrays to basic pitfalls. Basic infantry of both forces should most-likely clash at the midway point, while higher ranked Mages would be battling around them.

“You ready?” a voice called out to him as Parsia turned sideways. Space next to him tore open as Lynne walked through. A gentle gale blew by, causing his clean, white robes to flutter, his hair to bang backwards. “You look way too tense. Too bad your wife isn’t here, huh?” he immediately teased.

“And you seem far too relaxed,” Parsia said, smiling lightly. “After all, you’ll be the one taking the brunt of it all.”

“Me and five thousand others,” Lynne sighed. “Wouldn’t it be perfect if only those at the very top – who instigated the war itself – would battle it out? Whoever wins, wins. End of story.”

“Half a war becomes the contest of the colder heart,” Parsia said, looking forward across the hill. “Whichever general is more stoic in the face of countless deaths. You won’t break apart out there, will you?”

“No,” Lynne shook his head, speaking in a rather calm tone. “I’ve already met some of those following me to the frontlines,” he continued. “They aren’t ignorant bunch. More than half have been drinking like madmen ever since they were assigned to be vanguard unit.”

“However many do die, you can’t,” Parsia warned with a stern face. “And, the moment you spot the Ceremony taking place, communicate with us. By then, I hope some would at least be free enough to help you.” Lynne glanced sideways at the Prince’s worried expression, prompting him to chuckle lightly.

“How strange is this? I know less about you than I know about some random soldiers from this city. Yet, here we are, having a heart to heart. It almost makes me want to hug you and kiss you whole.”

“… let’s not do that,” the Prince said. “There isn’t much to know about me, really,” the Prince continued, smiling lightly. “Prince Parsia Lorth, heir to the throne of Lomaki of Iorn Realm. Twenty-two this year, wedded to beautiful Lamia Lorth, passing through my Kingly Trial of Flames. I enjoy exotic fruits, painting, and, above all, meeting new friends.”

“… that’s not an introduction you asshat, it’s bragging.” Lynne said.

“Ha ha, I suppose it is. Well, if it helps, I did graduate Military Academy with flying colors, and am official General of my father’s troops. When I was sixteen, I led an army of one hundred thousand to quench the rebellion of Q’ars. What I’m trying to say, I guess, is that you can trust me with this one.”

“I already do,” Lynne said, smiling. “And it goes both ways, you know? You ought to trust me with the task you gave me. I can’t shrink back with hundreds of thousands of people standing bold behind me.”

“I know you won’t,” Parsia said. “And, in the event you do, you can always rest knowing there’s someone to take your place.”

“By-the-fucking-way,” Lynne suddenly changed his tone. “Why am I being send at the front? I’m weaker than both Thalia and you.”

“… you volunteered.”

“I did?”

“Yes, you forgetful monkey-wait, that’s an insult to a monkey,” Thalia appeared next to the two, her long, black hair fluttering behind her, emerald-green eyes piercing through the reality itself. She wore her favorite black, battle-armor, with her Soul Weapon – the diamond-infused spear – strapped lightly at her back. “You forgetful turd.”

“… did you just say ‘turd’?” Lynne asked, slanting his eyes slightly.

“… yeah, let’s pretend that never happened,” Thalia said, coughing lightly. “So, what are you two talking about?”

“I was just asking dad whether I’ll be getting a bro or a sis any time soon,” Lynne chuckled as he teased. “So, with hopes that will happen, I’ll leave you two to do the… khm, stuff.”

“…”

“…”

Space behind Lynne tore apart as he walked into it, disappearing from the sight of the two, leaving behind only silence that remained for a few moments. Parsia looked at Thalia, his expression somewhat strange as he sighed.

“You know,” he spoke. “I don’t mind playing along,” he added. “But for how long?”

“… who knows.” Thalia said, sitting down atop the wall, her legs hanging off the edge as her eyes peered into the horizon. “For a month… a year… or perhaps forever.”

“… how many Selenas do you need to go through, Thalia?” he asked her softly. “Both of you wear so many masks, you’ll soon enough forget what’s beneath them.”

“Ugh, you don’t think I know that?” Thalia grunted, lowering her head. “What do you want me to do, though? You know him. He’s a cripple when it comes to relationships. I bet that, even if I told him, he’d burst out in laughter and say something stupid like ‘Ha ha, I got you! Ha ha, I win, you damned kid! Ha ha!’.”

“… ugh, why does that sound so like him?” Parsia sat next to her, sighing lightly. “Still, this state the two of you are at… it’s between nothing and nowhere. He’s slowly beginning to change, Thalia and, soon enough, he’ll need an anchor to hold him down.”

“I doubt it,” Thalia said, looking up at the sky. “He’s never needed one, ever since the day he was born. He’s scary like that, you know?”

“… you suffering in silence isn’t the answer, regardless.” the Prince said sternly. “What’s your plan? To wait until you are thirty and say ‘Hey, look bastard, am I old enough for you now?’.”

“Yup, pretty much.”

“…”

“… what? It’s as good a plan as any.” she chuckled lightly as she spoke, her cheeks slightly red. “Besides, now’s not the time. His head is full with problems… adding me onto the bunch won’t help the cause. For now, I’ll just stay behind his back,” she said, her voice soft, lips curled in a gentle smile. “Fight the battles he won’t, say the words he can’t, and watch him slowly fly.” short silence emerged between the two, which Parsia broke as he looked at her.

“You know, it took me five years to convince Lamia to marry me,” he said, smiling bitterly. “And then another three to win her heart over. I want to say it’s worth it, but those eight years have been quite a… journey. One I wouldn’t recommend to anyone.” he suddenly stood up and turned away. “Tell him how you feel, Thalia,” he said as he slowly began disappearing. “Whatever the outcome, it’s better than silence.”

“…” she sighed lowly as she looked back, her eyes focusing on the high tower she knew Lynne was in. “If only that bastard doesn’t make it so difficult…”

**

A middle aged man stood atop a small hill, his eyes overlooking the massive army beneath, spread about in groups of ten thousand, camping underneath a half-moon. His eyes seemed ablaze with desire, veneration and, above all, hope. After a quick inspection, he turned around and walked into a makeshift tent which held only a large table with a map atop of it. Three hooded figures surrounded it, discussing something in low voices.

“High Lord,” one of the spoke out. “Have you decided?”

“Hm,” the middle-aged man nodded. “We’ll strike directly at the Northern Gate. Send Squads 8 and 10 to Western and Eastern, but have them only probe without attacking until we have full understanding of the situation. The city shouldn’t have any true General at the moment according to the latest scout report, and it should be easy enough to simply overwhelm them.”

“Indeed,” another agreed. “The city walls are quite ordinary and should be easy to breach. If all things go according to plan, we won’t even have to activate the sleepers.”

“Any news from the Lady?”

“No,” the hooded figure replied, shaking his head lightly. “All communication was cut the day the city barred its gates.”

“It doesn’t matter,” the middle-aged man said. “If it’s her, very few things can threaten. What about Fen’er?”

“No news from her since the day she departed, High Lord,” a figure replied. “She said she’ll investigate the North and return before the ceremony. Should we send someone to look for her?”

“Hm,” the middle-aged man nodded. “Send a few from the Shadow Unit. She shouldn’t have encountered any trouble, as most of the tribes that broke off from us are quite weak. Just to be sure, though, inform the Unit to be on alert.”

“Yes, High Lord.”

The night slowly grew deeper as the dawn approached; men and women alike, on both sides, stared off into the horizon, anticipating the battle. Some with fear and dread, and some with deep desire. Only ten miles separated them, yet it seemed as if the distance could be crossed with a single leap. The world was silent, as even the wildlife had seemingly disappeared in the wake of the storm. The stage was set, and players would soon take their place, while the existence beyond comprehension still lied chained deep beneath the earth, its eyes peering through the darkness into the living world, stained with greed and bloodlust.