The Quenlari Kingdom is perhaps one of the most disadvantaged Kingdoms in the Manrea continent. Having to protect most of its borders, the Kingdom has only survived through the combined interests and support of surrounding nations. As a Human nation, it relied on the Onleng Empire to its eastern border while relying on the Kingdom of Waloa to its north. Its border to the Northwest is mostly protected by rugged and barren terrain with a mountain range to top it all off. However, its southern border is heavily guarded. And the main reason is because of the Despur continent which lies past its borders.

Not much is known regarding the Despur continent. The only thing note worthy is it’s barren landscape which starts to form around the border of the Quenlari Kingdom. But despite being barren, the border is lively. And this is because of the potential riches the continent has to offer. The riches come in the form of Mana beasts which roam and enter through the southern border.

Normally, Mana beasts are very rare in the Manrea continent. Typically, Mana beasts only form when there is a large concentration of Mana and phenomena. The Malacan Empire has a very large concentration of Macana wood in its territory, so it has a fair amount of Mana beasts it must deal with on a regular basis. Other special regions also have odd Mana concentrations which allows for Mana beasts to form over a period of time. However, for the most part, Mana beasts are not found around the Borthern sea. These circumstances are good for these nations, as they don’t have to worry about dangerous monsters occasionally wiping out a village. Although, that doesn’t stop the random mercenary group from ransacking a village.

The point of the matter is that Mana beasts are relatively rare within the Manrea continent. So if someone wanted to hunt them, they predominantly must set up in the North or South areas in the continent . And this is exactly why the Quenlari Kingdom has a ton of towns and villages near the border, despite having terrible soil compared to the hinterlands of the Kingdom. Mana crystals which can be dug out of the Mana beast are usually very expensive, and can be sold for a high price. With this, various companies and guilds have formed around this industry along the southern borders in the Onleng Empire and Quenlari Kingdom. Whether it’s the body of the beast and its Mana crystal, they can make anyone rich quite quickly. However, there is a deep cost for getting into this trade, and that’s potential death of course.

Mana beasts are not remotely weak. Especially if the Mana crystal they have has a higher Mana potency to allow for greater strength, speed, and lethal attacks which also include Magic attacks as well. This means, the people going out and killing these things must know at least some sort of magic or Mana usage. However, educating and using such magic is very difficult, and often difficult to apply it practically to a combat situation in many cases. Furthermore, many would rather work for the military’s of various Kingdoms and Empires, since it would bring great wealth while being comparatively safer.

There are still many stories of Mana users that go into the Despur continent, but never coming back. Although, as of late, not many would dare venture into the Despur continent, and that’s because of the increased frequency and appearances of some really powerful Mana beasts along the Southern borders of the Quenlari Kingdom as well as the southern border of the Onleng Empire. Now, the Mana beasts from the Despur region have attacked even more as of now.

***

Quenlari Kingdom. Southern Border. Town of Ynnad.

A Mana user in a tall lookout tower within the town of Ynnad near the Southern border stood to look towards the horizon of the southern border. Typically, he would alert the town of attacks by ringing the bell four times. This town is just one of many which acts as an informal barrier to protect the Quenlari’s souther region from an influx of Mana beasts which tend to move North during certain times of the year. However, this year has been particularly worse in attacks for some reason.

As the Mana user looked towards the horizon, he stops suddenly he sees something moving. But he checks again, because he knew that it would have to be something big if he could see something so far out. He checks again, but could only shudder in his feet. He quickly picks up an expensive looking eye glass for a closer look. His eyes grow wide and he immediately rings the bell. However, it wasn’t just four rings, but five instead.

The towns people that were walking about looked up at the bell, only to stand there in disbelief. But they didn’t hear wrong. The bell indeed rung five times. The towns people knew what that meant.

Total Evacuation.

The bell would only be rung in the cases where the town had no chance of surviving the incoming Mana beasts from the Despur region. However, this town of Ynnad isn’t just an ordinary town. This town had a total population of nearly 10,000 people! Compared to others, this town is considered a mega city amongst the many along the southern border. Because not only is it large, it also has many guilds and companies based in the town. Of course, with large amounts of resources and materials stored in this town, there would be a subsequent large amount of Mana users or Magic users in the town. Among the best of the best in the industry. And yet, even with that consideration, there is a call for total evacuation?

“A behemoth?” A Mana user stood there with a blank face. He said that very tentatively and quietly to himself in fear of invoking a en mass panic in where he is standing. This is because although there is no formal ranking system amongst the guilds and companies, the word Behemoth would make any seasoned Mana user and warrior lose color in their face. And this is because of their size and destructive power.

A Mana beast which falls within the Behemoth category will mean its as large as a hill or mountain, can kill any living being within its vicinity, and is quite difficult to kill. However, what the Mana user is truly afraid of is the fact that the town must evacuate. If this were another town, maybe it might have been impossible to deal with a Behemoth class Mana Beast. However, this town has well over 100 Mana users that have years of experience. If 100 isn’t enough, then its the worst possible scenario.

“There is more than one.” The Mana user again quietly talked to himself again. However, before he could think about the situation more, the ground began to shake. It is a slight tremor, nothing destructive. However, what troubled the user much more is the fact that the beast is either really quickly, or absolutely massive to garner a ground tremor. After the tremors began, the towns people began to walk briskly.

Everyone knew without talking that the end is near.

***

Quenlari Kingdom. The Dukedom province of Borofque.

The Duke of Borofque is sitting in his study as he peruses through some documents on his desk. Some are in regards to taxes, crop harvests, and some income to his estate through various merchant companies to buy and sell monster parts, meat, and of course, Mana crystals. As he gets to his reports regarding the border, he could only tentatively look at it today as he sees more troubling news again.

“This is the third sighting already! How is this even possible?!”

The Duke’s trouble stems from the report written on a light brown hide. The report comes from the town of Ynnad which spotted another herd of Behemoth class Mana beasts. This would make the third report from the southern border. The other two reports came from smaller towns down south, but they all spell bad news for the Dukedom.

The large herd of Behemoth Mana beasts spotted by the town of Ynnad described the beast as a huge tortoise which moved slowly, but was described to be as large as a hill. The other two reports that he wrote down are the descriptions of towering giants and huge wolves. The only thing the Duke could do is gasp in disbelief that another report came in so quickly. As Behemoths are usually alone, its unheard of groups forming amongst themselves. Furthermore, only one or two Behemoths are spotted within a year. But now, the Duke has to deal with over twenty which are traveling up North into the Kingdom, more specifically his dukedom.

He sent a messenger to the neighboring dukedom of Dorflarig in hopes that he could send support, however, it seems that even he is strapped for dealing with an oncoming herd of Behemoths in his own Dukedom. If the Duke added it up correctly, over 10 towns and over a dozen villages have already been abandoned because of the oncoming Behemoths.

“I must petition the King for support immediately.”

The Duke wrote quickly and called for a messenger.

***

Its been a week since messengers from the two southern dukes arrived at the Northern Royal capital of the Quenlari Kingdom. Since then, armies and Mana users have been sent to the southern borders to try and stop the behemoths. However, one encounter is all that takes to show just how dire the situation is.

One military detachment sent from the capital consisted of around 200 Mana users along with experienced warriors and soldiers that have fought Mana beasts before. The Mana users were a mix of aged and middle aged men, along with the occasional woman. The warriors and soldiers were all men who have features similar to that of East Asian descent back on Earth. In total, the military detachment to face a group of Behemoth class giants is numbered around 1000 individuals.

Typically, it would take maybe less than half to deal with one. However, when they are grouped together like this, the King decided to send everything they had, in fear of losing many valuable Mana users.

The group would not try to intercept, but would use an existing town as a place to fight the Behemoth Giants.

As the soldiers and Mana users prepared, they felt the ground shaking.

A wooden tower was erected to spot them, and the guardsmen started screaming “They are coming! They are Coming!”

The warriors prepared their blades filled with Mana, the regular soldiers began filling their crossbows, and the Mana users began preparing to cast their spells.

There was not much one could do to stop the giants in one spot. The only feasible method is to bind them using Mana while distracting them with a barrage of arrows. The warriors in the mean time would advance towards their legs. And if there is Mana to spare, they would attack the giants with higher class spells which would surely leave a mighty hole in their torso.

As the giants grew near, their ferocity only increased. Giants as tall as a 6 to 8 story building were walking towards the town. Soon, 5 of them could be spotted, walking in a loose formation towards the town. They had yellowish rough skill with one eye on its head. Complete with a mouth which had huge fangs protruding from it.

The giants then spotted the town, and moved towards it. Then, the combined casting of nearly 200 Mana users threw out white florescent bindings to the giants hands and feet. All while this occurred, arrows were showered towards their prominent eyes to distract them from whats happening below.

Warriors with light and breathable leather armor numbering around 300 charged quickly towards the giants legs and ankles. Swift work is made of the massive giants as their Mana embedded swords increase their strength and cutting power. They are especially needed for cutting into the legs of the giant which is thicker than even the oldest and largest of trees. Such techniques are similar to Mana users, except its easier, and takes less time to learn. However, the technique of embedding Mana into swords is monopolized by many of the southern territories such as the Quenlari Kingdom and the Onleng Empire, along with some other neighboring Kingdoms.

As the warriors continued to slash mercilessly into their legs, the giants start to waver in strength, with at least one falling due to the damage. However, as the situation seemed to be in their favor, a horn blares throughout the field. It came from the watch tower in town. The horn would be blown when more enemies have been spotted in the distance.

Some of the warriors stopped and looked into the distance, curious about what was coming. And what they see is a huge cloud of dust being kicked up. Some of the warriors realized what they were seeing.

A huge mass of goblins, orcs, and larger humanoid monsters are trekking towards them. Some held old rusted weapons while many carried huge wooden sticks and clubs. From their size, they numbered at least a few thousand. However, even with their antiquated weapons, however their strength makes up for it. And right now, the military deployment is heavily outmatched and out numbered.

And while the warriors fell into a sort of daze, one of the giants saw the opportunity and ripped apart his bindings. As he did, the giant swept at the dazed warriors and threw some 20 warriors into the air while all of them landed lifelessly. The warriors awoke from their daze as the giant began to go on a rampage, killing tens of warriors for every strike and kick he throws.

With the situation this dire, many of the warriors decide that retreating is the best option, and so a majority fled towards the town. Soon, the elaborate bindings on the giants fell apart as the giants exerted their strengths to break their restraints.

The Mana users soon became exhausted many couldn’t even move due to their exerted efforts to restrain the Behemoth giants.

Soon, it became a full route as the military detachment ran away from the oncoming Mana beasts and monsters. However, many would never be able to run away due to fatigue.

“Help me! Somebo-” Thud. The giants which led the way mercilessly crushed any person who could not run away in time. And anyone who survived would be mercilessly killed by the huge army behind them.

Only half of the military detachment would survive.

***

Quenlari Kingdom. The King’s Palace.

King Uenki is currently sitting on his throne as he listens to reports coming in from military detachments, writing that large armies now follow behind the Behemoths. The King has heard of the immense losses from the expedition. And now, it seems that there is very little he could do. He has sent word to the Onleng Empire, but it appears that they are also experiencing the same problems, so their reinforcements are delayed. The Waloa Kingdom to the North has agreed to send reinforcements, but not enough to deal with the current situation.

Not only are there dozens of Behemoth class Mana beasts, but a huge amount of monsters which have never been seen before. As King Uenki rubbed his forehead, one of his council members suggested something out loud.

“Your majesty, while we have contacted our traditional diplomatic partners, shall we attempt to ask for assistance from the Americans?”

Typically within the Manrea continent, its very rare to have more than five points of contact with other nations. This is because their interests haven’t really extended from their borders all that much. The United States back on Earth had over 100 embassies in Washington D.C, so relatively speaking, there are not many diplomatic missions in the Manrea continent.

So while the Quenlari Kingdom has exhausted their traditional options, the new American embassy in the Quenlari capital is a clear option now.

The King thinks for a long while before it even looked like he had come to a decision. The main reason why is that with requests like this, its possible that the Kingdom will be too heavily in debt to the United States if he wasn’t careful. However, he knew that there wasn’t much he could try at this point. So, he decided to try at least. He could negotiate more later he figured. “Send a delegation to their embassy. I want all options on the table.” Although, even the King knew that this is out of desperation rather than strategically looking at their options.

“Yes your majesty.”

And so, the Quenlari Kingdom sends a request for help.