The Heaven-cleaving Fortress, for the first time ever since its construction, had been overrun by a controlled bedlam. As officers yelled and soldiers gathered, a bell continued to chime in a slow, measured cadence, retaining a semblance of order amidst the chaos.

Aziz and Marie, who had taken to the skies moments after they understood what was going on at the Great Divide, were headed towards the First Aerial Division, which had already assembled in full battle order.

“Ladies, gentlemen.” Marie’s eyes flashed. “I’m afraid our exercise is over. As per directive Echo 12-Bravo, we are to take up guarding positions around Sites Delta, Echo and Foxtrot. Follow your battalion commanders and occupy these positions as soon as possible.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Be prepared for combat at any time.” Marie closed her eyes for a moment. “The greatest crisis the Five Lands will face is imminent. If you are to…die, make it count.”

She looked around at the silent division, her quiet words making Aziz’s heart tremble. “Go.”

The battalion commanders began to yell orders, and within moments, Thunderbolt, Stardust and Avalanche had dispersed, each headed towards their own destination. Aziz felt a touch of sorrow at their retreating backs — how many would be alive, even if they won this war?

He didn’t know, but he knew that Marie was thinking the exact same thing.

“Marshal.”

A voice came from her Display, and the marshal fumbled with it. “Minister Eventide. How may I serve?”

“Join us at FUP India Delta. The semi-divinities at the Heaven-cleaving fortress are already assembled there. Join us. But don’t leave with them; there’s a briefing for all commanding officers later.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t be late.”

Stowing away her Display, Marie glanced at Aziz. “Let’s move, then. Can’t keep them waiting.”

Aziz grunted, and the two headed towards the designated form-up point. Unlike conventional form-up points, which were typically under heavy forest cover, this aerial form-up point was actually a satellite fortress designed to enable local superiority. Its provisional name was something really odd, so everyone but its creator and the R&D department called it Fortress Alpha. The Republic was still unable to build Locomotives like the North or Ark City, but the R&D department had adopted their initial research results into building floating fortresses.

The latter was easier to build, considering that they were solely designed to protect a given area. Overall, five such satellite fortresses were stationed around the Heaven-cleaving Fortress, and the foremost fortress had been designated as a form-up point.

The howling wind was a lot more subdued under the Great Divide’s relentless shaking. Down south, the Great Divide’s black surface was markedly darker; it was now a colour that could absorb almost all light.

“It’s really beginning, isn’t it?” Aziz murmured.

“Yes.” Marie’s eyes were focused on the shaking wall that towered into the heavens. “But…it’s too early.”

Aziz nodded slowly. It was indeed too early. The bulk of the Heaven-cleaving Fortress’ manpower were still in their respective nations; the soldiers manning it right now was but a tenth of the projected numbers. In fact, if the Republic wasn’t conducting their exercises at the Great Divide, the Heaven-cleaving Fortress wouldn’t even have much in the way of air cover.

A tower appeared in their vision, and Aziz increased his speed. As he neared Fortress Alpha, the colonel noted the approach of other Knights and Lords, and dimly noted that the Hall of Guardians initiative did at least prove its worth.

Gathered around the only landing zone was a small crowd of people, each of them staring at the trembling Great Divide in an uneasy silence. Standing on an elevated platform were the familiar spirits of the late Lifespring, as well as Minister Eventide, whose eyes were set.

He nodded at the two of them as they approached, and after another minute of waiting, Eventide cleared his throat.

Eyeballs turned to him immediately.

“Guardians of Orb, the time has come.” Minister Eventide gestured at the Great Divide. “Thank you all for responding in this time of need. As we speak, the Great Divide is crumbling; the Demon God’s powers have grown far faster than we’ve expected, with his counterpart out of the picture.”

Murmurs followed. “However, fret not. The great gods of Orb are already assembled. We need not bother ourselves with their battle. Our focus will be here.”

“What are our objectives, Minister Eventide?” someone asked.

“For now, we are to buy time for the reinforcements from the Five Lands,” Minister Eventide replied. “Our work is cut out for us — right now, there is only a landbridge that connects the Five Lands to the Wildlands. We are to block it. Aerial troops have been dispatched to key areas around the landbridge, and preliminary defences have already been built there, but we are the main force for this operation.”

He cracked a smile. “This is our chance to become heroes. I hope everyone here cherishes it.”

The assembled crowd laughed.

“How much benefits are we going to get for holding the demons off at the landbridge?”

“Stop calling it a landbridge; get us something cooler!”

“Demon-sealing Pass?”

“Hey, that’s a good one!”

Minister Eventide watched on as the assembled crowd of Knights, Lords and Paragons decided on an impromptu name, before he clapped his hands twice. “Our goal in today’s operation is to stay alive. I know not when the demons will come pouring out, but we can be certain that for the time being, we will only need to defend the Demon-sealing Pass.”

He gestured to the familiar spirits behind him. “And we are not alone in this either. We too have Demigods on our side. This is our chance to make history — provided that we fend the initial assault off.”

He raised a fist, which lit up with a brilliant white light. “Alright. Enough talk. This will be the first battle for our right to exist. Make sure not to lose it.”

All manner of cheers and battle cries assaulted Aziz’s ears, and the assembled members of the Hall of Guardians took to the skies. Groups began to form immediately, under the guidance of what looked like the more experienced Lords and Paragons, and within moments, six distinct groups had been formed.

Aziz put them out of his mind, and turned his attention to Minister Eventide. Around him were the commanding officers from the East and the Assembly — Commodore Tenouji and General Ishtar.

“Why have you kept us here?” Tenouji asked.

“I have individual instructions from your rulers each, to be read by their representatives in the event that the Great Divide does crumble before schedule. They’re here.”

Eventide passed them two letters, before turning to Aziz and Marie.

“You two…well, I just wanted witnesses.”

Aziz raised an eyebrow, but said nothing else.

“Once these two settle their issues, you two should head to Site Foxtrot.”

The two nodded. Foxtrot was their outermost defence line; that was where the bulk of the Hall of Guardians were.

“Any other instructions?” Marie asked.

“Stay alive.” The minister forced out a smile, and then turned to Tenouji and General Ishtar. “Have you read the contents of the letter?”

The two nodded.

“Good. Marie de Francois, Aziz, you are to witness this takeover of command.” Minister Eventide glanced at them, and then turned back to Tenouji. “In compliance with Emergency Resolution Twelve-C of the War Council, I, Eventide de Francois, hereby assume command of the military troops sent by both the Eastern Territories and the Republic, until such time that a designated person by the War Council arrives to resume individual force command. Do I have it?”

Aziz didn’t quite know what was going on, but this wasn’t the time to bring that up.

“Commodore Tenouji cedes command.”

“General Ishtar cedes command.”

“I have command.” Minister Eventide took a deep breath. “Commodore Tenouji, the First Air Army is to provide general support for defence lines Delta to Foxtrot.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Be on your way. General Ishtar, your troops are to act as a reserve for defence lines Delta to Foxtrot, and then, if circumstances require it, provide general support for defence lines Alpha to Charlie. Make sure that Alpha and Charlie are ready to receive retreating troops.”

“Yes, sir.”

The two left with all due haste, and after a minute or so, Eventide let out a small sigh.

“Minister?” Aziz asked.

“Just very nervous. The two of you, head to Site Foxtrot. I will bring this fortress there as a backup.”

“By yourself?” Marie asked.

“Relax, it’s automated. Now go. I will follow soon.”

The two glanced at each other, and then took to the skies.