Chapter 34: Book 2 Embers of War – Chapter 32

Half of the sun had already set across the cloudy Althean sky. It was quite a beautiful sight despite the inevitable battle that was to take place at Fort Sugan. The Sworan Garrison that had left Fort Sugan was returning from their search, fatigued and weary. They had been marching all day to look for the supply convoy only to find remnants of the wagons burned and looted. Their morale had been drastically low ever since they discovered that Fort Sugan was captured. It was getting dark and their only option was to try and retake their home.

The commander of the Sworan Garrison was Baron Tannis Lorn, a noble from the respected Lorn family. Despite his talents, he had been furious at his own plunder and had been ordered to retake Fort Sugan by the General of the Sworan Army. In order to insure Tannis could retake Fort Sugan, he was given three-hundred additional light infantry. Together, they numbered six-hundred strong and were nearly at their point of attack. Now with the fort in perfect view, Tannis saw the House Reeve's flags over his fort. This infuriated him even more but he was able to maintain his composure.

The Sworan Baron had heard about the Banner of the Claw's incursions deep into their lines. They would mysteriously attack and disappear throughout the area which crippled their supply lines. This collapsed the entire Sworan advance. Had it not been for the emergency supplies they prepared months before the war started, the Sworan Army would've had to retreat or starve to death. This concerned Tannis because the original plan stated that they would've captured Galdo City by now. Instead, the Swora have lost Tudora after initially taking it and were at a stalemate against Midland's Northern Army.

Tannis cursed under his breath then called for his two Adjutants behind him, "Cecil. Hogan."

Two voices replied, "Your orders?"

"Have your troops take battle formations," ordered Tannis, "And prepare to lay siege. We outnumber them."

Cecil was a massive six-foot armored knight who could easily be mistaken for a man. On her back was an Aegis Armum, which meant she was a Sentinel. She led two-hundred veteran heavy infantrymen who were all second-tier white-cores.

Next to the towering Sentinel was Hogan, a mage from the Vanitha Circle. A Sworan mage organization known for kidnapping and indoctrinating Sworan children who were born with mana-manipulation.

Accompanying Hogan was a hundred of his own personal shock-troopers wielding steel claymores. They were the most dangerous troops among the ranks with third-tier red cores and active mana lanes. The additional three-hundred light infantrymen were led by Tannis who was a fourth-tier red core. This formidable contingent stood right at Fort Sugan, bearing their fangs upon the Banner of the Claw.

While Tannis and his banner shifted into formations, Arlan and JD observed from the southern wall's battlements. Yanie and her Silvan Rangers were also on the battlements evenly. The young lion's [Battle Trance] had just barely covered the entire enemy force before him and gave him intel on the number of soldiers and their cores. Scanning through the enemy ranks was as expected until he got to the left-wing.

JD noticed the change in his Captain's face and asked, "Arlan, is there something wrong?"

"Leading the enemy left-wing of heavy infantrymen... is a fifth-tier red-core Sentinel."

"Shit," uttered JD as he understood the threat of such an enemy, "Shall we make a change to our tactics?"

"Yes," stated Arlan, "You and Chrysta will target the enemy commander instead of Marie and I. Take caution JD, their commander is a fourth-tier red-cores. Do not take him lightly. Defeat the mage first and the rest will fall into place."

Arlan's Adjutant Knight accepted his fate without question, "Understood. Are you planning to fight that Sentinel?"

"I have to."

Like a pre-battle tradition, JD and Arlan's fist connected. This reassured both of them and understood what they had to do. The young lion turned to face the courtyard where his Vanguard stood in formation.

While in his blacksteel armor, Arlan used wind-magic to address his men, "Hear me now, Banner of the Claw! Outside these walls, is a challenger looking to claim our defeat. But we shall not fall to this foe as we do not give quarter to our enemies. And our blades will carve them a deathly reminder of what it's like to underestimate us! Take that ferocity and prepare yourselves. We will meet them on my command!"

The Silvan Rangers on the ramparts and the Vanguard below both yelled out a battle-cry at the top of their lungs. Tannis' Banner wasn't intimidated. Cecil and her heavy infantry started advancing with shields raised on the left-wing. A hundred light infantry charged from the right-wing with a sergeant leading them but they lacked shields and heavy armor.

Yanie responded to the enemy movements by having her Silvan Rangers fire arrows equally at both sides. The arrows struck the heavy infantry shields and only slowed them down slightly. But over to the light infantry, the arrows started to cut down the light-infantry. All of whom were carrying long siege ladders.

Arlan knew that with only sixty Silvan Rangers, it would not be possible to stop the enemy from scaling the walls. At best, it would reduce their numbers. As the advancing enemy grew closer, Arlan and JD walked down the stairs to the inner courtyard and left Yanie to fire from the ramparts. Meeting the two below was Eren, Dimitri and Lem with the Vanguard. Only two squads were left on the ramparts to assist the Silvan-Rangers if any attackers made up the walls. Mahari was up there as well.

Eren saluted and said, "Captain, we're ready."

Arlan answered back, "Change of plans. I'll be leading Dimitri and Lem on the left-wing against the heavy infantry. Eren, JD and Chrysta will be with you on the right-wing."

"By your command!" acknowledged the three officers. Marie and Chrysta had now joined the rest of the Vanguard at the front of the gate.

"We're ready as well," added Marie, "We were informed about the change in plans."

The young lion turned toward the gate and stabbed his blacksteel claymore into the ground and put on his helmet. Everyone else followed suit with their own preparation. Some did the Rite of Numen while others drew their weapons. Marie and Chrysta channeled a bit of mana into their staves. Arlan pulled his blacksteel claymore back out from the ground and walked up to the southern gate. He was followed by the rest of the retinue. Their plan was to sally out from the gate and force the enemy into melee so the Silvan-Rangers could focus entirely on firing volleys without fear of being boarded by ladders.

From the outside, Baron Tannis Lorn was overlooking the battle from the rear and was a little surprised how effective the sixty archers were on the walls. But nonetheless, he knew Cecil would deal with them soon. Then the Sworan Baron's eyes shifted to the front-gate. What Tannis saw baffled him. He couldn't tell if the enemy was incredible stupid or brave. The defenders had opened the gate.

Coming out of the gate was that black armored knight he had seen earlier on top of the walls. Tannis assumed the knight before him was the captain of the enemy unit. It appeared Arlan's retinue and troops followed suit. "Interesting," uttered Tannis under his breath, "Send word to all units, have them push the enemy through the gates before they can close it!"

Back at the front gate, the Banner of the Claw's Captain and Vanguard had already nearly finished filing out of the gate. As planned, JD and Chrysta led B Company out the right-wing. Arlan, Marie and A Company formed up to the left-wing and positioned themselves before the approaching heavy infantry. Cecil noticed this and was just as confused. She had never seen the enemy sally out to meet the attackers when outnumbered.

A thunderous beat echoed across the fields, it was the Sworan right-wing charging into the Banner of the Claw's left-wing. Marie began to pre-channel her fourth-tier fire spells while Arlan activated his Warlord's Regalia. Everyone from the Banner of the Claw was now empowered. The young lion held his ground with Eren right next to him. Cecil was naturally at the front of her unit charging toward Arlan. She knew she could swiftly end this battle by defeating the black armored knight before her.

Cecil and Arlan were the first to engage in combat. Cecil raised her Aegis Armun and channeled essence into it while Arlan burst forth to meet his opponent. The young lion leapt up a few meters with his claymore overhead. The massive blacksteel claymore was brought down with such violent force that an explosion of air was created when it met Cecil's gargantuan shield. The shockwave caused a small crater in the earth under the two.

The Sentinel was taken by complete surprise. She had never received such a fierce attack before. The young lion followed up with [Trifecta] and this pushed Cecil back even further. She was stunned and couldn't respond. Cecil's heavy infantry slowed down to a near complete stop with their shields raised. They too didn't know how to react. To them, they had never seen Cecil forced back in such a manner after two mere attacks. Arlan had now gotten the measure of his opponent. His speed held the advantage.

From behind Arlan, a fiery meteor arced itself toward a contingent of Sworan heavy infantry. They were either incinerated or thrown from the impact. Marie had started her bombardment. She could easily deal massive damage while protected by Arlan and A Company. Cecil turned to her troops and yelled, "Idiots! Charge at them like I ordered you to! I'll take down this buffoon while you all kill that mage!"

As if on cue, the Sworan heavy infantry charged forth. They were met by Eren and his A Company. The initial charge dealt a few non-fatal casualties on both sides but the Banner of the Claw soldiers held an impervious formation. This limited casualties and halted the Sworan advance. This would've been a deadlock had it not been for Marie firing her spells into clumps of heavy infantry. Arlan's killing intent flourished so none dared come between him and Cecil.

As the young lion kept his gaze on the enemy Sentinel, his [Battle Trance] gave him situational awareness of the entire battlefield around him. On the Banner of the Claw's right-wing, he could see that JD, Chrysta, Lem and Dimitri were already spearheading a charge into the enemy's light infantry who were much weaker and unorganized from the arrow volleys. Everything was going to plan. On that final thought, the young lion's senses warned him of imminent danger. He activated [Automatic Parry] which allowed him to immediately deflect a large metal object from striking him.

It was Cecil's Aegis Armun, she had somehow thrown it at him and it boomeranged back into her left arm. The young lion was now the one who was surprised.

So this is the power of a Sentinel. I've never seen someone manipulate such a large object with such kinetic power behind it. It's similar to my retrieval rune. She also seems nearly fine from my attacks. That shield soaked the entire impact of my attack. Amazing.

The young lion burst forth and struck Cecil. The enemy Sentinel responded by raising her shield and channeling more essence. The blacksteel claymore was brought down once again with the same force. This time, the attack was absorbed and Cecil stood her ground, she immediately countered with an explosion from her shield. The force threw Arlan back a few meters and his hands could feel the reverb through his gauntlets.

This must be some kind of reflective counter attack.

Cecil was now on the offensive with her mithril mace but Arlan's [Automatic Parry] didn't allow any attacks through.

These attacks aren't enough but they're strategically placed so I have to attack her shield. I'll need to figure something out quickly.

As the clash between Arlan and Cecil continued, the Banner of the Claw's right-wing had already reached the enemy's reserves and killed over seventy-five light infantry. JD and Chrysta were at the forefront of this assault.

The Coldheart casted [Nixstorm] into a squad of Sworan light infantry as they attempted to push toward her. Another trio of Sworan soldiers behind Chrysta tried attacking her blindside but were immediately cut down by JD. From behind the Sworan lines, a mana bolt was sent forth and nearly struck JD but Chrysta raised an icewall just in time.

"That was close," said Chrysta as she lowered the icewall, "That annoying mage is getting on my nerves."

"Yeah," replied JD as he swung the blood off his swords, "He's more responsive than I figured."

A bloody Lem appeared which worried Chrysta but Lem put her worry to rest and said, "Don't worry, it's not mine."

"I'm glad," stated Chrysta, "We need to reach that mage. I can take him out but his guard unit is in the way."

Dimitri arrived as well and answered, "I'm sure we can take care of that."

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JD nodded, "Right. Lem, Dimitri, and I will engage the guard unit."

Lem and Dimitri looked at each other and then nodded. Dimitri turned his head back and behind him was B Company who had just finished demolishing the first wave of light infantry. Some were already formed into their units while others were pulling their blades from a Sworan corpse. "B Company, form up!" barked Dimitri at his men.

"You heard him! Prepare yourselves!" added Lem as he prepared himself.

The three platoons quickly reformed into their original formation and began to charge. The enemy's guard unit was before them. The inevitable clash was promised to everyone there. JD was naturally at the front with Lem and Dimitri at his sides. Arlan taught the Banner of the Claw that strong leaders lead from the front. This was true on all levels of their leadership echelon, down to even the smaller units within.

As JD reached the enemy lines, a massive and wide ice ramp manifested in front of him which stabbed or killed many Sworan shock-troopers in the first row. Chrysta had unleashed the wide spell to support her frontline. JD was the first over the ramp and created an opening with [Trifecta]. He was able to cut down three different Sworan shock-troopers with his dual blades. He started to spin over and over again like a tornado of blades. Behind him, Lem and Dimitri landed and slew a few shock-troopers who were now the ones in complete shock. The two were followed by the rest of their men.

Hogan was only thirty meters behind the first row of shock-troopers when he saw what was happening. He underestimated his enemy's strength and cursed himself while debating retreat. The Sworan mage decided it was time for him to try and push forth into the enemy.

So he channeled a spell in his left hand and drew his sword in his right hand. "For Numen's sake, I am a Mage of the Vanitha Circle," stated Hogan to build his confidence once more, "That bitch of a mage looks like she's still a kid! I will not be made a mockery!"

Hogan locked his gaze on his enemy before him as they shred through his shock-troopers who struggled to fight back. An all out melee ensued as it was harder and harder for Hogan to aim another mana bolt at JD whom he knew was the main variable of this offensive.

As he had just found an opportunity to fire, something in his peripheral vision warned him of danger. Before he could react, a pair of sharp ice blades struck his neck and his forehead. Hogan was immediately killed by a spell from Chrysta.

Back on the left-wing, Arlan's hands were numb through his gauntlets. He had been trying to strike Cecil down only to be met by her shield. Arlan activated his [Undying Zeal]. Black markings spread itself over the young lion's face and his armor.

I hope I can take her down with this. The only way we can hold the advantage is with my Warlord's Regalia. And this will drain my essence and mana even further. If this goes on for too long, I won't be able to keep the Warlord's Regalia up.

Cecil sensed a change in Arlan and saw a change in his essence lanes. In response, she poured all of her essence into her shield. The young lion burst forth and used [Titanstrike]. Once the claymore connected with the shield, a loud thunderous clang roared through the battlefield. The ground around the two once again cratered. Cecil spit out blood as she felt the damage go through her shield but before Arlan could follow up with another attack, she reflected the force back into Arlan.

Almost as if a train had smashed into him, the young lion was sent back fifteen meters. Arlan landed on his feet but dropped to one knee and nearly let go of his claymore. He had lost control over his own hands. Cecil was also on one knee bleeding profusely from her eyes and mouth. She had decided that she could withstand more hits like that and now that Arlan was nearly out of the fight, she had a chance at winning this wing.

Cecil turned to see her unit. They were struggling to make any ground and had lost nearly sixty of her two-hundred heavy infantry though. Most were burned to death by the Embercaller. She knew she had to kill Marie now. A squad of ten heavy-infantry saw the opportunity to strike down Arlan and advanced on him as he didn't have his blacksteel claymore in his hands. Cecil noticed this and yelled out to them, "Stop! You Fools!"

Before they could retreat, a fiery tornado of flames incinerated them. As the flames dispersed, Cecil could see Marie now standing in front of Arlan with a fire spell floating above her palm. Arlan knew Marie would cover for him if his gamble wouldn't work.

Marie's eyes locked onto Arlan's through his helmet, "Are you alright? I've never seen you like this since we fought Hector."

"Her shield... it can reflect my attacks," replied Arlan as he struggled to breath.

Marie nodded and now understood why Arlan was hurt so bad. The Embercaller then fired her [Inferno Hand] at Cecil who raised her shield in response. The inferno blast wave flew forth while forming five fingers like a hand and grabbed itself onto the shield. Since the Sworan Sentinel was also weakened, she had barely deflected the spell. Arlan noticed something off about Cecil during Marie's spell.

"Marie, do that again when I'm next to her," ordered Arlan as he regained his strength to stand with his blacksteel claymore.

The Embercaller nodded and was about to question the order in fear of hurting Arlan but she knew better than to second guess in the heat of battle. Arlan prepared himself to strike again and Cecil noticed. The Sworan Sentinel greedily knew she could kill Arlan by reflecting one more attack like that. This was her moment, and the enemy mage was right behind Arlan for another easy kill. Cecil grinned under her helmet and prepared herself for the upcoming attack. Arlan dashed forth with his claymore raised. Cecil happily raised her shield in preparation for the inevitable collision.

But something confused the Sworan Sentinel. Nothing collided with the shield. She lowered her Aegis Armun just enough to see over her shield. She saw Arlan simply standing before her. He hadn't swung his weapon yet. Cecil's confusion transformed into fear when she saw Arlan sidestep an [Inferno Hand] from behind him.

As the [Inferno Hand] was about to strike her shield, Arlan had already swung overhead toward Cecil's head. The Sentinel's life flashed before her eyes. Her memories played back when she was a teenager hoping to make her father proud by becoming a knight like him and her brothers. Her trial of becoming a Sentinel, her war accolades and her attending her mother's funeral.

Cecil thought to herself, "Mommy... I'm coming to see you sooner than I thought."

As the last word finished, Arlan's claymore cleaved down into her helmet, crushing and splitting the helmet apart. Blood and brains gushed out from the mangled helmet visor. Cecil had finally been slain by Arlan and Marie. As the young lion pulled his claymore back up, Cecil's body slumped over and began to disintegrate along with the shield.

Some kind of failsafe rune? The shield is gone too. Sentinels are something else.

Arlan looked around and saw the heavy infantry in full retreat after seeing Cecil struck down. The young lion called out, "Marie! Eren! Push the advantage! Cut down as many as we can before they regroup!"

Arlan was now confident they had won with Cecil slain. He figured that the enemy mage was slain as well since he wasn't detecting him on his [Battle Trance]. As the Banner of the Claw pressed on from both fronts, Baron Tannis attempted to retreat when he saw Cecil was slain. He looked to his left and saw JD, Chrysta and B Company pressing the assault forth while Arlan, Marie and B Company were on his right.

As he turned around on his horse to retreat, a cold sweat dripped down his neck. His retreat was blocked by more Banner of the Claw soldiers. This time they all held twin axes. It was Roderic and his Hatchets. Arlan had ordered them to position themselves way further outside the battle and come in to block the retreat. They were already cutting down fleeing Sworan soldiers.

The senior sergeant cleaved an enemy light infantry's left arm off as he swept another opponent by his feet onto his back. Roderic finished him off by bringing down his hatchets onto his chest. Then he threw one of his hatchets into the back of the first soldier who was fleeing without his left arm. Roderic continued on by shoulder charging into another squad of Sworan light infantry while wildly swinging.

Upon noticing the ferocity of who was blocking their retreat path, the soldiers around Baron Tannis started to ask what they should do and there was no reply. Their commander had no answer, they underestimated the enemy, they weren't prepared well enough and now they were about to be killed. Mass chaos took over the Sworan ranks as their leadership fell apart.

Baron Tannis ordered his remaining fifty soldiers around him to charge toward the Hatchets. He figured that he could at least try to escape. Roderic knew that his Hatchets had the advantage because the enemy was in disarray. But if the enemy had all organized and pushed into Roderic's line, they could easily be overrun.

In response to this, Roderic organized only thirty of his hatchets to meet Baron Tannis. The Baron was a fourth-tier red core. Roderic wouldn't be able to win but he decided he was going to hold out until Arlan or JD arrived.

The initial clash sent Baron Tannis flying along with Roderic as the senior sergeant put himself right before the horse with his sturdy body. The steel chainmail Roderic wore barely did anything to stop the pain or damage. Roderic stood up before Tannis could and immediately swung into the Baron who was still on his back. The Baron used his mithril longsword to deflect any attacks that Roderic tried to send out. A moment to recover and stand on his feet came when two of Sworan light infantry tried to attack Roderic. They were simply met by a flurry of axes from Roderic as he chopped them down like grass.

Tannis could tell that Roderic was weaker than he was and started going on the offensive against the ax wielding Midland soldier. Roderic was forced into defensively blocking the attacks. The soldiers around them were in an all out melee but in favor of the Banner of the Claw.

The senior sergeant exchanged blow after blow only to notice that Tannis activated a rune on his longsword. The attacks from Tannis were gaining speed with every strike. Roderic figured he could only hold him there for just a bit longer. All of a sudden Roderic was knocked on his back, Tannis stood over Roderic preparing to finish his foe and escape.

The senior sergeant closed his eyes and accepted his fate. He knew this was the end but had hoped that he had stalled long enough for someone to kill Tannis in exchange for his life at least. When the inevitable sword never struck and something wet hit his face. He opened his eyes to his left and saw Baron Tannis on the ground without his head. Roderic turned back up to see Arlan and Marie standing over him.

The young lion reached down with one arm and Roderic accepted his gesture. Arlan pulled Roderic up with ease despite being much smaller in stature. "Get up, Roderic," ordered Arlan, "You still have duties to fulfill before you're allowed to die."

Roderic replied, "Thank you, Captain. I wouldn't dare to consider dying before I could finish my duties to the Banner."

Arlan deactivated his [Undying Zeal] and looked around to assess the situation before him. Of the six-hundred Sworans that came, they had already killed four-hundred and fifty. The remaining were in full retreat throughout the area.

JD and Chrysta appeared and JD gave his report, "Captain, Lem and Dimitri are now hunting the remaining Sworans in the area with B Company."

"Excellent," acknowledged Arlan, "Any casualties from the right-wing?"

"A few," answered JD, "But nothing fatal. Fiala should be seeing them now."

That's better than I had predicted.

After a moment, Arlan ordered, "Pull everyone back to Fort Sugan. We don't need to chase the remaining infantry. It's about to be night. I don't want small units out there lost in the darkness."

Everyone else answered with, "By your command!"

"We've won. This is the turning point in the war," stated Arlan as he turned back toward Fort Sugan with his retinue in tow. On the 5th Day of the 9th Month, 1243 Mundeas, the Banner of the Claw had successfully captured Fort Sugan.

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