[IC] Blighted Etherea: The Champions of Hope

[Liotrent]

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SAILING AGAINST HOPELESSNESS

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Aurelion II and his Chosen sailed across the sea towards the mainland. He watched these crashing waves before.

"Fifty years ago I sailed to put the mainlanders in their place... Fifty years later, I would sail among them to help them take it back."

He watched from the bow as other ships sailed alongside them. Foreigners and savages alike. He scoffed at the idea of a unified Etherea. However, he could not deny that the enemy ahead of them was a force to be reckoned with. He turned to his Chosen and yelled at the top of his lungs.

"Carrusians! Prove your mettle once again and show these mainlanders how we across the sea fight like men!"

His chosen roared with cheer, their spears banging against the deck of their ship, their swords bashing shields, their feet stomping to the rhythm of the waves as they shouted.

"CARRUS! CARRUS! CARRUS! CARRUS!"

In that moment, all that was on Aurelion's mind turned to the mainland. He channeled his hatred towards the darkness as if hate alone could burn them all away. Solis Aurelion II, the warrior king, would march against this darkness and break it against his back. The will of his men could not only be heard by the ships beside them, but be felt. Carrus' chosen had released their primal savagery. Anything that gets in their way would feel their spears, their swords, their fists. For Aurelion, and Carrus' Chosen, there was no retreat and no surrender. There was only Victory or Death.

[Wildman13]

While the grand fleet of the chosen continued its cheers and rallied on desk. A fleet was rapidly making its way towards the darkness ridden beach. As several ropes were attached on the body of a massive creature that was hauling several ships containing two hundred of his kin. A monster that was pulling forth the ships that his kin were. As his movement continued to make waves that rocked the ships of his own and the comrades near them.

"Fellow Rarians!" A minotaur wearing a robe yelled out as his kin made ready. Some sharpening what weapons that they could wield and muster from the alliance arsenals. While several others prepared the boulders that they would throw into the ranks of the waiting darkness.

"We have abandoned our home, people, weapons, culture, and most of our identity!" He yelled out once more as he continued as they finally saw the darkness that waited before them.

"For long we have escaped death. Our glorious entrances to the eternal war. Where our forefathers fight and gather endless glory. Guided by the false beliefs of our chieftain that led us here. We have lost our right to call ourselves as Rarians yet, today we repent, show ourselves worthy of the eternal war by returning home to our harsh homeland. Leave these wretched lands that breeds only weaklings for we are Rarian the people of the strong!" He yelled as he slammed his staff into surface of the ship.

An act soon enough started the fragmentation of his vessel but, as he casted his spell which most of the minotaurs started to feel their bodies strengthen as a result making them all enough ready for what was to come as the alliance saw their ships break from the pressure of their feet which slammed themselves as hard as they can in order to launch the stones that they carried which quickly made quick work of those that found themselves in the direction of such projectiles while some placed them within small pouches that acted as slings which made their attacks all the more devastating as one boulder soon enough landed before flattening several of the darkness that found itself infront of such rocks.

Though as the boats started to break now that they were close to the shoreline some of them soon enough jump to the sides in order to swim and join their chieftain within the salty waters below as they saw him slowly get up now that his feet were able to feel the soft sand below his feet. Though at it was the Rarians saw creatures infront of them. The first ones that would help them go to land and help them make ready for the bloody battle before them. As stones rocked the enemy positions near the besieged cities while they saw the defenders fighting for their lives on top of the massive stone walls that lined all across the adorning walls.

In a way it was quite a sight that further made them all the more happier. For once since their retreat would they have a great battle and claim their entrance towards the endless war. As such most rushed to their war chiefs side as the massive shelled people of the city stood in deviants against the darkness. As with time the ships that they rode on started to decrease in size and number showing the defenders the first sings of there reinforcements as a massive Minotaur rose from the horizon only to roar while his warriors soon enough appearing infront of him as they too found their footing before rushing towards the port climbing the stone dockyards and doing their best to join the fighting.

Yet as they arrived all of them could only see that the fighting was over making them sigh in defeat knowing that their glorious death would not be given while the iron bull fished out all that had trouble finding their way up the dockyards while he soon enough saw a turtle lying in wait while he took care of his kins men.

[Moon Man]

As the last of the civilian ships left the harbor and disappeared over the horizon, Iazok Qil heaved a sigh of relief. They’re safe. For now, at least. After giving a nod to the port lookout, he turned around and started to slowly head back into the main city. Along the way he started to reminisce about the past. How a weak young boy who couldn’t do anything except stand behind his mother had managed to become the last bastion of hope for the people.

He walked in silence, not that there was much noise anyway. The once bustling Susset Isle now sits in silence as if awaiting for the inevitable invasion. The popular port city has now become a ghost town. Save for his regiment, a handful of logistics personnel made the decision to stay back to help the war effort. A choice they made after seeing the Shields fight with their life on the line every month for the past few decades. The unsung heroes of their struggle.

He reached the city center and was reminded of how the events that transpired here in the past had led him to become the warrior he was today. Driven by the desire to protect his mother that had been injured in the crossfire, he managed to activate a dormant ability that was normally only seen in direct descendants of the great Aspidochelone, a giant turtle with an island on its back that usually employed this tactic to repel those who wish harm it.

Taking a deep breath he moved towards his old family home. A wide one story house made of stone and wood. The only thing I liked about this place was the fact that mother lived here. It holds no meaning to me now. He wandered around the vicinity before heading towards an isolated beach that was tucked away in an obscure corner of the isle. Upon reaching it he stopped just before a small memorial. A mound of stones deliberately placed in the shape of a shell.

“Mother.”

Iazok knelt down and touched a stone. This was the place where he ran away to hide when he was feeling down, well it apparently wasn’t a very good spot when his mother somehow kept finding him. Here was he cried and vented in his mother’s arms while rocked and comforted him. Here was she laid to rest, as a testimony to her steadfast nature in during his time of difficulty. He stood up and bowed. “Thank you for taking care of me all this time. I am eternally grateful and nothing I do or say can properly express the gratitude I have in my heart.” He stretched his arm to pick up the centerpiece stone, the one holding the entire structure together. As he did so, the entire mound crumbled and fell, a stone smaller than the size of his fist resting on his palm. He closed his hand and crushed it letting the dust fly off in the wind. “Now its time for you to go as well. Leave this place and reunite with our ancestors. I will protect our country just as you have protected me.”

He straightened his back and took out several letters. Its contents were all the same. Situation of the war, incoming reinforcements, and the formation of an alliance. The only difference being the matter in which they were presented, some where written with a beautiful handwriting ending with a stamp and others were crude, ending only with a name. Regardless of background, they have all shown intent in defeating this common enemy.

He turned and faced the setting sun. “The attacks are getting more and more frequent. It’s been a week since the last one, there should be an attempt happening any moment now.”

FUUUU-WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

As if on cue, a blaring horn signaling the sight of enemies reverberated throughout the city. Iazok Qil hastily made his way to the frontlines to join his men.

Three days later, the first group of ships were spotted on the horizon. Iazok Qil, his armor splashed with blood after having just repelled enemy forces stood at the port and personally waited for long awaited reinforcements.

[Whoami]

PROLOGUE

(Mood Music)
(Ambient Sound)

The sky was a dark grey. The clouds hung low over the mountains, obscuring the highest peaks of the tallest mountains. Thunder rumbled and rain fell. The dirt pathways through the lower districts of Cloudsreach quickly turned to mud. The mood was somber in the streets of Cloudsreach. Thousands of elders, women, and children lined the sides of the streets while others leaned out their windows or over the rooftop edges. There was no cheering. There didn't need to be. Every citizen of Cloudsreach- no, every citizen of Gryphonne was stoic and proud as they watched the remaining garrison of city march through the Holy Hieronymo Gate. The garrison was small, a poultry two-hundred and fifty. That was all that could be afforded now that the darkness was besieging the great border fortresses on all sides. They marched in perfect unison, the parade drill of the Gryphonnians always a spectacle to behold. Every footfall of one man was amplified by the footfalls of hundreds more. Even in the muddy road, their cadence was resounding enough to echo off of the sheer cliff faces surrounding the city. The rain could barely mute the effect. It was the wordless announcement that told the entire city that Epheria's second crusade had begun.

The order of march started with the rank and file arms men of the country, lead by a commander mounted on horseback and his standard bearer. Every hundred paces or so, a priest of the Sunlight Ecclesium walked slowly alongside the troops. He was waving a censor and chanting holy words quietly so that none would leave holy Gryphonne without the Sun God's blessing. "Our Luminous Father... Watch over these few souls who depart from the Fatherland this day... Great Icarius, in death or life, when it is done, cast your light upon our solemn soldiers and guide them to salvation."

Further down the road, a child cried and stepped out to reach for a soldier. A young mother stepped after her and scooped the child up into her arms. She looked up at one soldier, who held a hand out. The woman reached out as he passed, their fingers interlacing for a fleeting moment before he passed. The child cried louder and reached for the soldier as well, but the mother hugged onto the child tight. The child's sobbing pierced the silence, "Papa! Don't go, papa! No... Papa..!"

Somewhere else in the crowd, a grizzled old man sat in a wooden rocking chair. His leg was missing. A veteran from the Foreign War. He nodded up at the commander as he rode past. The commander nodded back. The old man spoke, "Nam Gryphonis, brother."

The commander placed two fingers between his brow and dipped his head to the veteran, "Sanctus vult."

The veteran dipped his head, "Sanctus vult..." The commander took a deep breath and turned his head forward as he rode on.

Passing through the Hieronymo Gate after the armsmen were the Knights of Gryphonne mounted atop their demigryphs. The regal creatures held their heads high as they let out restrained chirps and huffs. The rain rolled off of their down feathers, but it didn't stop a few of the demigryphs from ruffling their features and shaking their heads to try and dry themselves off futilely in the rain. The knights mounted on their backs wore their gleaming plate armor and tabardry. Every squadron had a bannerman leading at the front which displayed the heraldry of their respective squadrons. Some knights wore simple plate helmets with slits to see through, while others wore more ornate helmets adorned with feathers and wings and were trimmed with gold. They were a regal sight to see when mounted on their ferocious steeds. If only the country could commit more of their famous Knights of Gryphonne to the crusade.

A louder gryphon call above the marching knights drew attention away from the parade, some of the demigryphs tilting their heads to the side to track the sound above. A great gryphon flew overhead merely fifty feet above the rooftops. It's massive wingspan could connect a building on one side of the street to the one on the other side. Following behind and aside the first gryphon, in a flying-V formation, more great gryphons flew. Their riders with their brilliant red capes commanding their awe inspiring beasts with ease. Twenty great gryphons in total flew over the parade in their squadrons of five at varying altitudes. The sight of the great gryphons alone made everyone stand with straighter backs. The pride in the creature was infectious, and it was hard not to feel a profound sense of national pride whenever one could lay eyes upon such a magnificent beast.

Once again, the crowd's eyes were taken from the small marching army as a new grand figure appeared. The darkened, stormy sky was immediately illuminated as though the sun had pierced the gray veil. It had not. Standing atop Hieroynmo Gate, with her wings spread wide and her body emanating the most vibrant sunlight, the Holy Saint herself, Queen Epheria, alighted on the masonry and looked down at her forces. The troops never broke stride, even when they could feel the warmth of the light pouring over their backs. There was a small bit of distortion in the air above the cramped street as the heat of Epheria's light turned the tiny water droplets to steam. In one of Epheria's hand was a sword, the sword of the very hero that had held the gate, named in his honor, against a greater foe. The sword of the Saint's fallen husband. The Blade of Noblesser. In her other hand was the divine weapon, forged and once wielded by Icarius himself, the Sunspear. The long bladed tip writhed in solar energies while the entire weapon glowed brightly.

Epheria was wearing her battle armor, a suit of plate mail ornately decorated and etched with both cultural and religious iconography. She was wearing her full helm, gryphon feathers streaming out from either side of the helmet. Epheria's glowing eyes could be seen through the darkness of her helmet's visor. As she stood there, a great gryphon landed at her side. Knight-Commander Godwyn of the Knights of Gryphonne adjusted himself in his saddle as he looked down his mount at Saint Epheria. "The dwarves of the Dun Aquileon have completed their work on schedule, your Holiness. The Underway is complete, and they have secured a safe exit beyond the reach of the darkness. By this time next week, we will have reached the coast."

Epheria nodded once to Godwyn, "Very good. Join your squadron, Commander Godwyn and proceed through the gates of Dun Aquileon. I must give blessings to the people we are leaving behind."

Godwyn nodded his head, "At once, my queen!" Godwyn whipped his reins and the gryphon let out a screeching roar as it spread its wings and threw itself from the Hieronymo Gate.

Epheria looked down at all of the civilians that had gathered to watch the procession of Epheria's tiny army. They had all turned their gazes upward to her. She took a breath, and let it out with a thundering voice, "People of Gryphonne! We stand on a knife's edge! As you all know, our country is beset on all sides. Once great nations that surrounded us have been all but consumed in the path of these ungodly locusts. There are no more friends or allies sharing our borders. There is only death and despair. Yet by the grace of Icarius and the bounty of the Fatherland, WE, the people of Gryphonne, still stand! We are unconcquered! Undevoured! We are pure and free! And we never will be anything but that!"

The somber streets quickly shifted to a ruckus of cheers, claps, and whistles. The mountains echoed the defiant cry of a besieged nation. All around, people smiled confidently and raised their fists. Epheria continued, "I must leave our Fatherland for a time... And I must take the last of our unallocated troops with me... It was not an easy decision to make. While Gryphonne may never fall to the darkness, the longer we sit and wait behind our stone walls, the worse it gets for the world. Know this! I am not leaving to abandon you! I am not leaving to fight for another country when the fight is right here! I am leaving to crusade! To crusade at the sides of any remaining kingdom that will risk everything for the greater good of our world! This is greater than Gryphonne's survival! This is for the survival of Icarius' creations! For us, his children! For Etheria, his paradise! This is the Final Crusade! Sanctus Vult! Deus Vult!"

The people all cheered in unison, repeating Epheria's fianl words as she moved her massive wings and took flight. In that moment, an entire city roared loud enough to unsettle even the earth beneath the city's foundation. "DEUS VULT! DEUS VULT! DEUS VULT!"

The cheering boomed on and on while Epheria flew over the stone rooftops and made for the great granite gates of the dwarven undercity, Dun Aquileon. The light of Epheria continued to illuminate the mountainside as she flew through the gates, until the all consuming darkness of the underworld was too thick to be pierced even by the saint's light. The granite gates rumbled and shook the earth as they started to close. The lumbering motion of the great iron cogs and massive chains shook the loose stones on the ground and caused birds to lift from their perches in fear of the great noise. As Epheria flew deeper into the undercity, she could still hear the echoes of the city reverbing off of the cavern walls.

"DEUS VULT! DEUS VULT! DEUS VULT! DEUS VULT! DEUS VULT!"

[Liotrent]

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The Champions Gather

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Aurelion and his men disembark and meet with the chieftain of these proud people beast-kin. His men did not blink at the sight of blood. This was their charge, their duty. Many of his company were veterans from the age of his father, Solis Aurelion I. Alongside his ships were the last of the Rarian Minotaurs. They disembarked as quickly as their chieftain did.

Aurelion looked to this motley company. He knew of course more would be coming soon. He gathered his men and told them to be ready to march within the hour. He then turned to face Iazok and the Minatour Chief, Karduke the Iron Bull.

"Two mighty chieftains and a warrior king alongside their chosen men... No oracle could write this prophecy..."

He then looked to Iazok, "I see you've already met the enemy and crushed them beneath your boot... Let's not waste time with pretty words. Where are the rest of the enemy? Where can we find them and crush them? My men stand ready to beat these monsters with blood and steel."

---

Unbeknownst to them, the darkness moves once again. Hordes of monstrous creatures the size of elephants, a formation of puppet soldiers consumed by the very malice of the dark, and creatures that hound and bite like rabid dogs march to meet them again. A force raised to beat the coast into submission.

A figure among them raises one hand and a shrill voice echoes out amongst the darkness and is heard by all, even by those at the coast, "Go, march against them, and break them. Conquer and consume all in your path. Do not stop until this world's flame is extinguished. This is the command of the great one."

The air was filled with the ominous war cry of a thousand broken souls and monstrous wails from the behemoths among their ranks. Their march quickened until it was a mob of charging men and monsters moving against the frontlines. It would only be a few moments before the war horns of Susset blared once again.

[Theyra]

So we are finally here, Talvdus thought as he disembarked his ship alongside his men. It had been a long trip from Uzarin, and he was eager to be on dry land again. Taking a look around as he walked, Talvdus spotted the other parties that had already made landfall. The one that stood out the most to him was the Minotaur, the Iron Bull. He would hardly believe that a mortal could grow to such size, and his reputation certainly precedes him. He will undoubtedly be an important addition to the coalition's forces, given his size and skill alone.

Talvdus took the time to wait for the rest of his company to disembark. It was quite the change to have more men at his command, from a size of 250 to 500. But, both Talvdus and his father waited for more men for the shields to be sent to the coalition forces. Most of the new recruits were battle-tested and veterans from the war with Qeazar. Not wanting to send rookies into the fray with an enemy that threatens the entire continent.

Still, he was confident that would od fine, and he spotted his second in command. Raylia Adaaro disembarking and talking with some of the men. Talvdus could not help but smile when seeing her. She comes from a minor noble family and, like him, saw the military as a way to succeed in life. Something that he respects and has been with him since he was first assigned to his shields, along with being one of the few warriors in the shields that wield an axe, unlike a sword or mace like the rest of them. Still, you would not have anyone else at his side during this time. You need people you can trust and can work with when the enemy is at the gates, and she is perfect for this.

It did not take long before Raylia would join up with Talvdus and continued on to meet with the other leaders. Issuing an order to his men to make themselves for combat before walking up to them. "Hello, fellow warriors," addressing them before speaking to Iazok. "Now, where do you want my men at?" They are ready for battle as I am."

[Dead Cruiser]

The chest-pounding thrum of war drums and dark plumes of smoke over the horizon heralded the coming of the Red Knights long before their ships were visible to the eye. As their fleet crested the horizon, the drums grew louder, the smell of smoke drifted over the settlement they approached, and the men there grew restless. It was not fear of the Red Knights that stirred in their chests, but the inspiration of bloodlust, incensing them to battle. The ships grew closer, and it became clear that this was not a unified fleet of matching ships, but a rag-tag flotilla of stolen ships, ramshackle rafts, and even those that rode on the backs of huge maritime beasts.

Finally, the Red Knights came ashore, their chaotic fleet crashing into the shore at full speed with small explosions of sand and splintered wood. Others straggled ashore from where their mounts had left them in the shallows. At once the disjointed ships disgorged their myriad passengers, all manner of strange beasts and monstrous folk, who immediately set about tearing down the ships themselves. They pulled apart the ships' planks, ripped down the sails, and looted every oar and ration from their appropriated vessels. Ignoring this rabble, a band of warrior-beasts strode toward the gathering of leaders. They had been the last to arrive, and their coming signified beginning of the true struggle.

At the fore of this band was Jagannath, the semi-divine monstrosity known to friend and foe alike as the God-Eater. Arrayed in his full panoply of war, his brass armor seemed to boil and steam in the sunlight as he radiated heat from his red flesh, as though he were a living forge. He carried a hammer large enough to smash a carriage into splinters in a single fall, a massive blade of malevolent, violent power, and a huge bow-like apparatus strapped across his back. His accoutrements were spare besides that; a huge cloak of the stitched-together hides of hellbears, long, draping necklaces of skulls strung together like beads, and his iron elephant-helm. He was flanked by many other savage warriors, the Red Knights, who were each terrifying in their own right, but none commander the divine terror of the God-Eater in the flesh.

Jagannath stood amongst his peers, the other leaders of this desperate coalition. Only the minotaur stood anywhere close to his statue, and the others were the size of children in comparison to him. "WELL MET, LITTLE KINGS." Said the God-Eater, his dark, thunderous voice reverberating in his iron helmet. "THE LOYAL SERVANTS OF THE RED GOD HAVE ANSWERED YOUR SUMMONS, AND WE STAND READY FOR BLOODSHED. I ONLY HOPE YOU WILL PROVE TO BE LESS DISAPPOINTING THAN I EXPECT."

[Wildman13]

With the arrival of the rest the Rarians under his command. He and his people would look on and see the iconic humans that populated the many parts of the world. Which made them happy knowing that food would not fall short before and after battles. While the tribe would soon enough get back to land which they quickly started to build an encampment for them to rest in while their war chief would look on to the walls seeing cracks within them and even holes which he soon enough send in his best builders to patch up with rubble or whatever they could muster from the city itself. As it was the minotaurs would set up shop near one of the agape sections as he would see the terrain afar only to see that the darkness was still there albeit far from the walls for the time being.

As such his tribe would find rest and time to prepare with the veterans soon enough starting to forge themselves whatever weapons that they could gather within the city making it a common sight for the other factions see them wander about to come in and take stuff from what was not obviously from the other tribes. From wood scraps, to discarded weapons, and even the lonely vagabonds that was not affiliated to any factions. As such the cage as most would call it would become a hideous sight within the camp of the Rarians which were full of bodies who were trying their best to get out of the cages. While there were humans and other races. The ones that took up the most space would be their own. Mostly from the smaller variants of their people like that of the dog kins and the cat kins who tried their best to get out but, most likely gave up knowing that they would serve a better purpose within the bellies of their mighty kins.

Of course the iron bull would stand out the most being a giant himself and with battered iron body would soon see the king that organized it all and the massive elephant that had the title of God-Eater. Making him lower himself to hear the remarks of the two. "We have heard your call and we are here to recover our pride within the fields of this world or to the endless battle to come." he told them before looking towards the one that would likely match his skill and size.

"I have heard alot of you Jagannath you will be a great ally and I hope that it does not change." He muttered before he rose and soon enough walked towards his camp to oversee and even make preparations for the battle to come. Still as the voice of the darkness soon enough echoed within the coast the Rarians would smile and with joyous glee answered their challenge with the echoes of their massive war drums. "My kin, the time for battle has come." One of the minotaurs yelled out before soon enough taking one of the caged one and soon enough set him on top of a stone slab. As the shaman would smile knowing full well that the time for battle has come. As the human struggling as he is would soon enough see his struggles end fast as the shaman would raise up his staff and pierce his abdomen in one fast strike. His screams of pain vanishing as the staff started to suck out all of his blood before the shaman would chant as he boosted the power of his people with this ritual followed by the morale boost from the drums which soon enough made all them alert, eager, and most of all ready for what was to come as they all readied for the marching horde.

With the iron bull himself seeing all of this and soon enough raised his worn out axe. While his kin would soon enough pull out bits and pieces from the carcass of the sacrificed man. Feeding upon his remains knowing that they would need the energy for the upcoming fight. As his people would take up position onto the walls with most of them picking out targets already before starting to spin their slings and fire. Giving a terrifying sight of massive boulders launching in speeds too fast for anyone to predict where it is landing. As soon the darkness would soon enough see large rock landing in front of them only to skip and crush plenty only to hit something big enough to make it stop.

While those with weapons would go towards the weaker sections. where they would started to dig. As per commanded by karduke where soon enough started digging within the weakest sections while his men would start to create barricades around the hole where they could easily kill off anyone that has come forth. Creating a kill zone that they could use to thin out the numbers and weaken anything powerful enough to get out of there.