Beast Wave,

Impact,

With a deafening crash, the walls shook as frenzied Beasts charged headlong into the five-meter-thick bastion. Proud Sacred Artists fell to their knees shaken as the wall groaned pitifully against the synchronised strike of a thousand meter deep Wave. The crack of bone sounded with dying yelps, each snuffed out as the Wave pressed heavier against the wall, sending plumes of dust into the sky each time a crack formed.

Kappa and Toka were crushed to death even before they could scale up, their necks twisted grotesquely as they struggled to pull themselves up through the mass of bodies with the horde pilling on. Men cried out, raising shields against smaller Beasts that came hurtling over, snarling and snapping. A spotted dog here, a red wolf further down, the first few howling in fright as the force of the Wave cast them hindlegs first, tail tucked between.

The heavier Beasts that followed did not stop, pushing deeper into the growing pile of bodies. Giant boars larger than men ploughed through the Wave, empowered squeals bursting apart smaller Beasts at the merest graze of their glowing tusks. Their horrific squeals were silenced violently as they died ramming headfirst into spikes embedded on the walls.

With a ceaseless catastrophic crash, the Beast Wave heaved against the wall, climbing up two, three and four meters high as Beasts piled atop each other. Frenzied and snaping, bodies twisted and broke squirming to escape the press. Those that found purchase enough to climb were quickly rammed through as Spearmen frenziedly charged their Razor’d spears for sure death strikes.

Massive reptilian Beast cats sailed gracefully over the lip of the wave, claws, eyes, fangs and tails glowing dangerously as they aimed well above the six-meter wall. With a humming crack of lightning, each empowered Beast struck the air hard as defensive Runes flared to life, reaching two meters above the length of the wall. They fell clumsily and spitting angrily back atop the hoard, legs flailing as they in turn were swallowed up by the Wave.

Only with great devastation did they escape the mass of seething bodies.

The Beast Wave came to its cessation as both flanks met in the middle with an exploding smack, numberless Beasts sailed over in this final heave of collision. The gatehouse shook with a boom, its veterans roaring back in defiance, “EeeYaaAA!” as the thick barricaded doors rattled against the charge. The hastily emplaced caltrops shattered against the tide and gate, the structure groaning as the Wave's momentum finally came to a halt, cresting high along its walls.

First Wall,

The Watch,

“Spears UP and AT them!” A Preafect called out at one end of the wall.

“Don’t let them climb!” Another yelled at the opposite end.

“Taker Tits Tjien! Those Takers kissed cats aren’t going to wait for you to collect yourself, boy. Get up!” An Artillery Sergeant roared.

“Crossbows of the First! Target twenty meters out or ten meters above ONLY. Fire in pairs, I repeat. FIRE IN PAIRS.” A Captain marched up and down, firing and reloading razor bolts solely at the large overhead flying reptilians.

“GRENA…” the gatehouse Sargeant cursed foully, as he ripped the dud pin out.

Pocketing it, he plugged in a second pin, heaving back the skull-sized core-embedded fired-brick.

“GRENA… OH, YOU MOTHERLESS, Beast rutting, dung guzzling…!”

The Sergeant pulled out the second metal dud pin, pocketing that one too. With trembling fingers, he pulled out a third military-grade issued grenade pin and carefully inserted it into the prepped Beast core. With only five pins issued per Sergeant, he needed to hold onto the duds too, as proof of his rotten luck. The brick suddenly heated up and began to whine loudly.

“GRENADE!”

At five meters high the Beast Wave quickly threatened to spill over the gatehouse, dooming the spearmen that worked the gauntlets below. With a hazardly close ten-meter throw, the fireball casting Azuma’s turned and fled as the incoming projectile whined even louder. Too late, it detonated wreaking havoc and digging half a meter trench in the road.

Bodies were blasted, Beasts shredded by the force and skulls punctured by glazed shrapnel as Beast Cats in retreat had the glowing barbs of their tail ends explode in fiery gore. The gatehouse groaned under the shock of the devastating weapon, a gauntlet suffered damage as the fastened bamboo walls snapped under the pressure of Beasts meshed against it suddenly. Limbs sailed freely over blood-stained spearmen, as dangerous cracks spread throughout the thinner meter high extended wall.

“Takers Pit man! Why don’t you just shove it up our arses next time? Tjien who said you could sto…”

The Sergeant ceased his yelling, immediately ripping off a thumb-sized vial and pouring the viscous gray liquid down the junior's throat. He gave little resistance as the Sergeant lifted his head. Wide-eyed, the Seedling recruits glazed over face quickly became less pale as he swallowed two sips.

“Steady now. You okay, boy?”

Tjien blinked rapidly as pins and needles swarmed from his throat and belly outwards along his limbs.

He nodded, suddenly hearing again as a startling warmth flooded his system, tingling all over.

“Good boy,” the Sergeant smiled checking the junior once over as he wiped the blood from his ears.

“Then get back to it you Beast rutting layabout! We got a war going on you big baby!”

Tjien leapt back up to the Ballista, steadying himself with a shake of his head as his Sergeant shifted the remaining Emperors bolts aside.

“Make sure his aim is steady before returning these to him, hey lads. You boys okay?”

The heavy shielded veterans nodded in turn, wiping blood and grime away.

“Good job!” He patted each of them on their backs before walking off, “keep him safe! YOU there! Why are you charging your spear for fresh rutting air? Channel and Strike damn it! Channel and strike. You’re in the Watch now junior, remember your training before my boot remembers it for you.”

First Thorn,

Emperors Wagons,

The battered wagon slowed to a halt with Lord Ushii drawing on the reigns with the ponies nickering before the gates of the Muddied Boot Inn.

“My Lord, why are we stopping here?” A Palace Gaurd ran up “We should press on to the Palace immediately.”

A much calmer Ushii, raised his hand silencing the man and looked back at Kido as the Preafect jumped off.

“I don’t suppose you would come of your own volition to the palace so that I might properly reward you?”

Not an ounce of emotion or sound came from Kido as he stood waiting for Ushii to disembark. There were no daggers in his eyes as he waited in unblinking silence, just pure expectance.

“I thought not,” Ushii muttered. Finally acknowledging the Royal Guardsman, he waved the man away. “Go clear the stables, I will have private words with the Shoguns man.”

Both men remained perfectly silent, staring at each other whilst the Guards ran on ahead to clear out the stables, the din of battle a distant echo. Kido listened to it with half an ear as the rest of the Royal Gaurd formed a perimeter when they entered the stable yard. All stable hands and enquiring folks gently persuaded with the butt of their polearms.

The sulky Guardsman returned to confirm the stables were cleared, giving Kido a nasty stare. Having already felt for signs of life Kido agreed with the man's assessment. Besides the cats in the loft and the rat nests out back, they were indeed alone. Only when he noted the Guardsman still scowling at him did he remember the man.

“You’re probably wondering where your polearm is right now?” Kido chuckled.

An indignant and yet questioning raised eyebrow seemed to concur with his statement.

“Well take it up with you Master then” Kido shoved a thumb in the Alchemist's direction. “He’s the one who broke it after all. But you wouldn’t know anything about that right?”

The man scowled before turning to regard Ushii as he cleared his throat.

“Thankyou Guardsman,” he handed over a small purse. “Please see to it that the ponies are watered quickly and the Inn Keeper paid for his hospitality and understanding.”

Kido watched the man walk off. “Do you think he believed me?” He asked turning to Lord Ushii.

“I think that’s a question you’re going to be asking of yourself a lot, Preafect.”

Kido snorted

“I didn’t get to where I am today by doubting myself. I know what I saw.”

Ushii smiled unpleasantly, “Do you?”

“Two blades of metal and razor, core charged and brimming with Ki. I saw them strike and here you stand. Unharmed.

“Oh, that.” Ushii giggled. Then he chuckled some more and Kido worried the man might have another relapse of madness.

“So you did attack me on purpose?” He burst out laughing, waving Kido’s protest aside. “Oh no, don’t get me wrong Preafect. You just make me like you more.”

Kido just stared as Lord Ushii smiled unrelentingly. Finally, Ushii spoke, “come and work for me Master Blade wielder. The wonders I will show you.”

Kido stepped back as if slapped, his disgust plainly evident and souring Lord Ushii’s face.

“I could make you,” he scowled.

Kido laughed openly, comfortable with dawning realisation of a truth. He would rather die than serve this creature.

“No. I seriously don’t think you could do much right now Wagon man.” He gripped his sword tightly as he heard the soft clack of a bolt being loaded behind him.

“Oh?” Ushii smiled threateningly.

“After the Shoguns Technique, I think you’re pretty much spent and barely holding it together. You failed just as much as those lanterns did. That’s what this was always about right?”

“The lanterns, the dagger, being sent to the back of the wagon. It was all about hiding the ponies.” Kido shook his head, pointing to the eggs. “The Maho-tsukia bringing monsters forth for the final cataclysm.”

“It astounds me that one can hit the nail on the hammer so perfectly, and yet have both go horribly askew at impact for lack of understanding,” Ushii muttered in dismay, but instead of shaking his head, raised his chin defiantly to stare fully at Kido.

Kido reacted instantly, dropping to one knee and ducking as the crossbow bolt fired. Two more twangs sounded and with a single swipe of his white blade, one burst apart, the other clanging off his sword and flying straight into the face of Lord Ushii.

With a hiss the man slapped a hand to his face, pulling it away to reveal blood flowing from a nasty cut along his cheek. Kido whipped around pulling his Doa blade free in a single motion and releasing it as soon as he finished his turn. With a sickening wet crack, it slammed into the head of the scowling Guardsman who Kido had spoken to earlier.

The second of silence from the ring of Royal Guardsman was all Kido needed to pull out a small bamboo tube and aim it at the sky, smiling at the horrified Lord Ushii.

“Yaaaa!” The men charged screaming.

“Wait!” Lord Ushii screamed, stepping forward with both hands raised and a feral look in his eyes.

The men slammed to a halt, looking at their lord in confusion.

“There’s no need for that Preafect. Think of the scandal. It would shake the Empire!”

Kido chuckled mockingly as he waved the flare in his hand.

"You‘re bleeding wagon man.”

Lord Ushii instantly wiped at his face again, but the trickle would not stop. Kido smiled widely.

“You think too highly of yourself, wagon man. Not even the Houses will have anything to do with your broken court anymore. Why should the Watch care when none else do?”

“No? Your precious Shogun will when you disturb the balance! Do you honestly think the Houses will leave you alone when you throw the lives of nine million workers into chaos?

Kido looked over purposely to the faces peeking around the edges of the Inn.

“A bit late of you to be concerned with the peasantry and it's seven actually. You think they didn’t see you running them down? They have no love for you or your child Emperor.”

“And who would ever want the love of a disgusting peasant!? They need only fear us.” Ushii spat to the side, signalling his men to go clear the spectators.

“Uh, uh uh!” Kido aimed the flare high again, causing everyone to halt suddenly.

“Fool, you think I’ll allow you to try a second time?”

“We can talk when they are gone.” Ushii fumed as the spectators ducked back out of view.

“No. Not until I get what I'm owed.”

“Fine!” He snapped

“And when we’re done here, I’ll have my guards kill every last one you peeping Toms!” He yelled over his shoulder.

Kido chuckled as he heard people break off and scuttle away, feeling even the Inn empty of life forces.

“I’ll take an egg, thanks.”

Lord Ushii’s face soured, even more, appearing almost beastial in nature.

“Fine, you can have the cracked one!”

“Oh, and I’m taking his head,” Kido said staring straight at lord Ushii.

“Whose?” He snapped.

“The one with my blade still in his head.”

The men growled and advanced again threateningly, it was too much for them to accept.

“Fine! The fool failed me one too many times.” Lord Ushii waved them back.

Kido stared smiling at the fuming Royal Alchemist. “Well get to it then. They not going to collect themselves."

"And tell that fool” Kido pointed to the offender, “If he so much as raises that crossbow, I’m taking your head and damn the consequences.”

“You!” Ushii barked.

“Get the head or you’ll be joining the ladies.”

The man blanched but grudgingly moved to obey.

Kido frowned again at their mention.

“What ladies Councilor?”

“Haven’t I given you enough, Preafect!” Ushii yelled.

“No.” Kido shook his head. “No, not nearly. I don’t think someone like you could ever do a fair trade without some form of treachery, but I’m sure whoever happens upon your dagger out there in the moors will be a happy man.”

Their awkward silence of staring each other down was made even worse as the head was bagged.

“You’re making a grave mistake, Preafect.” Ushii snarled as a Guardsman returned handing over the bag.

“So what?” Kido popped the egg inside the sack, both objects the same size. “Mistakes are the surest sign of a full life lived. Now tell me how, Councillor. Or I swear on the Giver, I will fire this flare.”

“You’re a greedy bastard, Preafect. How, what?”

“How did you turn metal aside, fool! Don’t play me, Heretic!” Kido snapped back angrily.

If there was anything he wanted in the world right now, it was an answer.

“Enough! Do I not bleed like you? Do I not stand under the same sun as you? And where are my scars of rank? I’m an Alchemist! The Royal Alchemist! My Techniques are my own secrets. Do you even know the names of the different metals?

Kido blinked startled at such a bizarre question, metal was metal.

"I know razors are harvested from the rot fungus growing in the swamp and I know Nobel metal is harvested by the Houses, under whatever plants they keep secreted away."

Lord Ushii snorted in disbelief, even the Palace guards chuckled in amusement at the Preafects words.

“Ugh, you ignorant fool” Lord Ushii grimaced in shallow disgust. “You could have had so much more, you could have achieved greatness with me. Instead, you chose a life of ignorance.”

“The problem with greatness, wagon man.” Kido lifted the bloody bag, implicating the costs. “Is that people rarely share the same notion of it. Whose greatness? I’ll make my own thankyou.

His head spun.

Metals had names? How many were there? The lowly guards had laughed at him, if they knew more then so could he. And If there was one man who could, no…who would explain more. It was the Watch’s Master blade Artisan who had sold him his blade. Yes, there was a lot the two of them had to discuss.

“My lord are we just going to let him leave?” A guardsman asked him angrily.

“Watch your tongue wretch! Winning here isn’t worth it. You going to kill all of the Watch who come running? What then? You going to go hold the walls all day? Idiot!”

“Ready the ponies, we’re leaving immediately!”

The Lord Ushii, Royal Alchemist and Councillor turned to watch the Shogun’s man go, muttering under his breath

“I'll be seeing you soon dog. You and your Master have just made it to the very top of my shit list.”

Second Wall,

Shoguns Turret,

A Captain landed silently, rushing over to the Preafects guarding the Salamander's back. She was a trusted veteran if a little too opinionated at times, he recognised her by her sweat and knew she had been out running metal between chosen ballistae.

And?” The Salamander growled, watching as rows of Azuma stood back, spitting fire from their tails at the weakening rune shields.

Either their intelligence has grown in leaps and bounds or these cats have attacked before.

And he didn’t remember letting this many Azuma escape ever.

“Empty Seo-sang. There is no…” She did not say, merely glancing over at the young captains before continuing. …remaining at any of the Quarter Masters.”

Some of the massive Beast cats had leapt right over the first wall, managing to do so without empowering their cores and passing through the runic barrier easily.

Clever Beasts.

Or maybe not so clever as he watched another get put down easily by five cheering Duelists. He raised a gloved fist as the huge corpse was quickly dragged away through a side gate to be prepared and de-cored.

“Do not despair, Captain, I have my best man working on it. Soon our Metal worries will be a thing of the past, isn’t that right Arch-Tenant.”

The man winced and bowed swiftly. “It shall be as you say, Shogun.”

Concealed as she was in all her armour, the Arch-tenant felt her eyes on him before turning back to the Shogun.

“Seo-sang, those runes are going to hold possibly three minutes longer and we are still early in this double Wave. Without Emperor bolts, those Azuma will rain havoc on us unchallenged. There are also reports of a herd of Armoured Water Buffalo being held in reserve on the left flank and Acid Toads coming up the right.”

“I can sense you’ve already powered the wall, I expect the rest of my Captains will do so too. That should grant us another two minutes of the enemy expunging theirs.

“We could push for five Seo-sang.”

“No! Haven’t I made myself clear Captain, only EVER lend what you are already brimming over from today. You will not last long emptying yourselves against a barrier that is doomed to fall on every wave. I expect each and every one of you to be out there shedding blood.”

The Captain bowed her head in acquiescence, “Indeed Shogun, but what of those you do not expect to place in the thick of battle.”

She raised her head sensing his frown, pointedly staring at the new Captain recruits.

Ah. Well, perhaps. Things weren’t that bad yet and he was still waiting on his irritatingly late two companions.

Looking up at his Wind Dancers, they stood passively Cultivating Ki in the midst of the calm atop his turret and the carnage against the first wall. Constantly distracting the hungry Beasts with the constant pulses of Ki. They would soon be a lot more active when those barriers fell.

Finally!

He felt them approaching rapidly, even before they were halfway down the mountain. That both had been away at the same time irked him.

His remaining three Preafects turned, feeling their approach too, grips tightening on their swords. He smiled, they still had so far to go before they could tell friend from foe.

With a great sonic boom the first of his Diaymo’s made their presence known, Bo, followed swiftly by a second, Cai. The peasants below cried out in alarm and covering their heads in fear as the second thunder rolled out. Much to his chagrin, so too did a number of his new Captains.

Landing heavily atop the Shogun's platform, the banners beat madly and the tower groaned. Surviving largely due to it being built of the Rock rather than brick like the others. The two heavily armoured Diayamo’s approached shamelessly with their arms open wide, laughing and calling greetings.

“Big Brother! You have started the games before us?” Bo, The large spearman accused him in laughter.

“But not the revelry I see.” Chimed in Cai.

“Well, allow us. Where is the Soju? I would warm myself before I dance with Sheyang.” Bo laughed holding his massive tasseled spear fondly.

His Preafects calmed their posture and released their tightened grips, whereas his Captains did the opposite. To his dismay, he even heard a few of the blades clicking free of their hilts.

With a raised hand, his two little Brothers quietened quickly, anger showing openly on his face.

“Must you really? Just what favor do you hope to curry in so obvious a false pretense of defending your Lord? Can you not read the field before you? Do my Preafects not stand at ease?”

Both Diaymo’s turned and looked at the Captains behind them and source of Big Brother’s ire. Patiently they waited.

“To draw a blade without intent is unforgivable!”

“I do not give commands to men I know lack the strength to follow, so I do not forbid you your petty House tactics. But what I do demand of all Sacred Artists, is NEVER besmirch your weapon in your conniving ploys!”

He listened angrily as the recruits clicked their blades back in place.

Honestly, the fools would be decimated in a single swing of Bo’s spear, this false grandstanding cannot be tolerated. Well, now they going to serve.

“Captain, take two thirds of these recruits to power the wall on the right flank, do not let them engage, and pull them back to the second wall should the Toads start firing.”

“Arch-Tenant, take the rest and go left, powering where needed. After you are satisfied with their efforts, place them safely along the second wall and report to admin. I will want a full accounting of the days Beast cores.”

The Arch-Tenant almost rolled his eyes. There was so much more than Beast cores to take into account today, that it was nothing short of insulting. But he would do it, he was happy doing it.

Turning from the scenes of carnage before him, the Shogun addressed the young Captains directly.

“Take a look, my young lords, that’s what bravery looks like. Can you hear their screams?

“They don’t sound very courageous, do they? Yet still, they hold. First years same as you, but none of their folks could afford them fine armour, Kyu belts, potions or masks or helmets. Yet still, they hold. In fact, the only thing of value they possess is the spears we gave them. So you know they only have the most rudimentary of skill.”

“Yet. Still. They. Hold.”

“They are fighting for their lives and if you can’t match that sort of bravery, then the Watch really is no place for you. If I don’t see each of your blades wetted in blood before the day is done, then I’m doubling each of your commissions.”

“You’re all trained in Archery so once you’ve finished charging the Runes, you’ll be given razors atop the second wall. Do not waste them, someone will be counting, there’s always someone counting. Isn’t that right Arch-Tenant?

“It is my lord.”

“Azuma are a priority. Now, off with you. I will speak freely with my Brothers and I will be watching. If I catch wind of any of you arguing with the Captain or the Arch-tenant, I will send you to the first Wall under the guidance of the Sergeants. Do I make myself clear?”

The Shoguns turret emptied hastily, but also with concealed mutterings they thought he couldn’t hear. Children were allowed pettiness, that they might grow out of others quicker, so he ignored it and let them go.

“A bit harsh on the young and Noble, hey Tsea?” Ventured Bo cheekily.

The Salamander turned to acknowledge the only two men in the world who dared speak to him so. The only two left, beside him, who had risen from ten thousand, all those years back.

“ You’re late. Both of you are late.”

“Well I was in bed,” explained Cai. Heedless of the tone, or just plain uninterested.

“And I was eating,” added Bo, following suit.

Tsea-gong scowled at his dearest friends, angry but not feeling the heat of it.

“You’re covered in crumbs, Bo! How is it, that you can create an air explosion as the Tower Lords do, and STILL have crumbs on your face? And you Cai! It’s the middle of the day. Why are you still sleeping?

“I wasn't sleeping," protested Cai. "I was wide awake actually...”

Cai dropped the smile and wisely quietened as the Salamander stared daggers at him, it was only through his extensive years of discipline and focus that he was able to hold his face stoic when he laid eyes on Bo.

before turning to Bo as he hastily wiped his mouth and dusted his shoulders.

“And you?” Growled Tsea-gong.

The giant of a man and fearsome warrior towered over them both, sheepishly wiping at his mouth and beard. Holding his legendary spear, Sheyang in his arms, it was almost twice his length. The man seemed distraught.

“Well, see… It was really the air explosions fault. I was bringing you some cake and…”

Years of discipline shattered on the steps of Ascendancy. Cai burst out laughing.

“ENOUGH!”

Tsea-gong slammed his fist down, cracking the turret paving. “My two most trusted allies and powerful Cultivators, setting such shameful examples. How is it, that even in the midst of battle, I know first to dismiss the men less your outrageous tongues taint them?”

Cai smirked, “I wish you wouldn't, well at least the women...”

“Right. You, Acid Toads now.”

“Oh, no. Tsea, don’t be like…”

“Not another word Cai."

"Bo, you’re taking the Water Buffalo. Careful, I don't know their rank or number. That means no heroics Bo, like breaking their charge. Hyuno and Yeon will be waiting for both of you, and will join you when you go over.”

“I don’t need your Preafects babysitting me Big Brother, they will only get in the way of my Arts and Techniques.”

“And that’s enough from you, Bo."

The Shogun angrily gestured out at the carnage.

"If you two jokers would even look out there and realise how much trouble we’re in right now. That’s a dual Wave and we’re already out of Metal. This Kaiju has unleashed more Azuma than we have ever seen before, and that wall is coming down fast. Worse, I dare not commit myself to the fight until it shows its face.”

"With the two of you out there, it will most likely come for one of you, thinking you the human Kaiju. Whoever it charges, fall back until I engage it! Then, and ONLY then may you engage it. And BO... I'm warning you Little Brother."

Tsea-gong raised his hand against Bo's protests. "I will not forgive you, if you try to break its charge. Am I clear?"

Both men nodded sullenly, their good mood dashed by the Shogun's temperament.

"I want you both to show caution this day. Move fast and don't let them swamp you. This Horde is showing far more cunning and aggresion than any before."

“If I didn’t know better, I would say they’ve been trained.”