“Agreed.” Ri’vashi replied, pointing a claw to some of the marks they had made on their map denoting planned troop positions. “This one thinks she knows how we can adjust our formations to accommodate them. We will have to give them space once we are through to fan out into the surroundings, but they can give us more time to establish a foothold…”

As disruptive as the sudden arrival of an army of disorganized beasts might have been, their military leaders were up to the task of adapting. Meesei still never got to see the full extent of the spirit army with her own eyes, but all types of lycans came pouring in from the forest, and the skies above. Meesei was glad that most of their warriors had already been in formation before the spirits started arriving, else it would have been far more difficult for them to simply move into their positions. 

Finally, Meesei’s pack gathered directly in front of the portal. The sigil stone was being kept a safe distance away, but the message was already being sent to activate it. It would just be a short wait now. Naturally, they were also joined by the warriors of Sabine’s fledgling pack, and though he was not a lycan, Do’rhajul’s loyal friend Yerig still stood by his side, still with his ancient sword and tattered robes. 

In addition to the equipment and supplies they would normally bring with them, Meesei also entrusted a few other items to some of her packmates. Fendros had been given a Dwemer control rod that could direct the actions of any of their automatons. Although her pack would not have any of the machines with them immediately as they went through, they would be bringing nearly every automaton they had built into this battle. The control rod could not give complex instructions, but it could direct them to follow, guard a position, or attack specific targets. Sabine, meanwhile, had been entrusted with two sigil stones. One was a “gift” from Molag Bal, and one among many that Hal-Neesa had distributed to Imperial, Dominion, and lycan forces alike. When used, it would create a location where Molag Bal could call down a dark anchor and send forth Daedra from Coldharbour to assist them. Understandably, few of their commanders were particularly enthused about the idea of actually using them, but they had agreed to take them as an option “if needed.” The other sigil stone was unique, and critical to their plans. It was specially enchanted to allow Hircine himself to break through and join in battle with Clavicus Vile once they were in a position to confront the Daedric Prince. 

Leading up to this day, Meesei imagined what she might say to their collected armies, if she could. Although, it did not seem like there was going to be much of an opportunity for speeches. The vast majority of their forces would not even be able to hear her voice if she tried, but she did not feel too worried. Indeed, now that they were standing before the portal, moments from activation, the atmosphere just felt…strangely calm. For all of the tension and worry that had led up to this day, Meesei was focused, and she felt the same from many of the faces she looked upon around her. They had prepared all they could, down to every last detail they could think of. Now was the time to act; to do what her pack had become such experts at over the course of the past decade of warfare. 

Even still, Meesei had some words of encouragement that, if no one else, her own pack could hear. “The Daedra do not fear death, and they think it is their strength. They will fight ferociously, without thought nor care to what damage or pain it might cause them, since they know they cannot truly be destroyed. But their careless aggression will no be enough for them. They are not fighting for the same stakes we are. They are not fighting for anything other than their own glory, or the words of a contract with Vile. They may not know death…” She began, a notable grin forming in her expression. “…but I think we will show them exactly how ferociously we can fight, how indomitable we can be, when we have something to [i]live[/i] for.”

Meesei could feel the power begin to swell up in the portal before them. The message must have reached the caretakers of the sigil stone, and the activation was beginning. However, the process was quickly overshadowed by another, [i]immensely[/i] powerful presence. The torrent of power around them completely flooded Meesei’s senses in a way that made the greatest displays of magical power she had witnessed in the past feel like a light drizzle in comparison. Above the horizon, [url=https://images.mein-mmo.de/magazin/medien/2018/07/ESO-Hircine-03.jpg]Hircine[/url] appeared. Towering above even the mountains, his mere presence commanded nearly every lycan to fall to their knees.