The Battle of the Gorge

“General Douglas, with all due respect, are you insane!?” As soon as Adam had heard that they were to go through the gorge, he immediately confronted Douglas.

He sighed, defeated. “The orders are from Ms. Aranea herself.”

“I understand, but if they ambush us in there, we’re finished!”

“Maybe.” The energy drained from him. “But it’s the fastest route and they probably didn’t bother stationing troops in there anyway.”

Adam winced as he looked over at the gorge. This really was not a good idea, but he couldn’t go against Lily. He looked back over at Douglas. “All right. I’ll lead the Doll Corps at the front. In case of an attack, we’ll be on high alert.”

“Very well.”

As Adam excused himself, Douglas looked at the gorge. He had served Lily’s father with loyalty and pride, but he was unable to have that same confidence in her.

Returning to the Doll Corps, Adam found Ava. “Looks like we’re heading through.”

She frowned. Even though she knew how bad of an idea this was, she still had to follow orders. “Then let’s get going.”

The entire Doll Corps was here today. In total, there were three-hundred dolls and three-hundred soldiers. While Adam had confidence in his troops, even he knew that the Doll Corps was outmatched and outnumbered by the Imperials. However, they had a trump card…

“Are we finally going!? I’m going to die from all this waiting!” Edea was sitting down right at the entrance of the gorge.

The entire march, Edea had been unruly. She would disappear for hours at a time, frequently mouth off, and her favorite hobby was throwing stones at the dolls because she found it amusing how their inhibitors prevented them from retaliating. However, she was very powerful and could be the difference between victory and defeat.

“We’re heading through the gorge now. Stay on high alert,” he ordered.

“Yeah, whatever,” she said as she turned around and smirked. She knew that the end was close at hand.

The army began their march through the gorge. They were fairly spread out which would help in an ambush, but if they were to be attacked, their only option was to flee and pray the casualties aren’t too bad.

As the march continued, Ava only became more and more nervous. This was just too risky. “Adam, do we really have to go through here?”

“It was ordered by President Aranea herself. We don’t have a choice.”

“But still! You know how stupid this is! If we went around and ensured a battle in more favorable terrain, victory would be guaranteed!” She pleaded desperately, “As long as we eliminate the Empire, it shouldn’t matter!”

“Orders are orders, Ava.” He sighed before giving her a sideways glance. “You should know that better than anyone.”

Clenching her fists and holding her breath, she tried to think of a retort, but she couldn’t. It was not their place to usurp the president. They were merely servants.

Meanwhile, off to the side by herself was Edea. While she was unruly and lacked patience, she was perceptive. She knew that the likelihood of an ambush here was very high. Of course, the Republican army getting wiped out was none of her concern, all that mattered was killing Velvet, and Velvet was almost certain to be here. Edea kept her eyes wide open, searching for any sign of the enemy, ready to pounce.

Two explosions thundered near the top of the gorge, blowing loose the rocks and debris sending them hurtling down towards the army. Every man and doll looked up in terror before desperately scrambling to escape, but not Edea. With a wide, evil smile, she knew that it was time.

Rocks fell all over, nailing several men and dolls, but the worst was two massive boulders which slammed into the middle of the path, crushing dozens of soldiers and splitting the army in two, but before the survivors could even process what had happened, the Imperials appeared and rained down a barrage of gunfire and magic projectiles.

“Take defensive maneuvers and retreat!” The order was given out immediately, but one deliberately disobeyed it.

Edea immediately summoned one of her black tentacles, using it to pierce and grab a nearby soldier. She then held him in front of her and jumped up, using him as a shield as she climbed up the wall of the gorge.

“Edea!” Ava called out, but she was ignored and too preoccupied fighting for her life to give chase.

Edea quickly climbed to the top, but expecting to be greeted with gunfire, she was pleasantly surprised to see her target already waiting for her.

“Edea!”

“Velvet! Finally! Let’s finish this!” With lightning speed, Edea lunged at Velvet, but she was easily blocked with Aegis. Without even wincing, she cried out, “We’re just getting started!” But before she could make another move, she was hit in the back of the head with what felt like a sledgehammer and was sent flying several feet. She hit the ground face first and quickly pushed herself up only to feel the end of a blade against the back of her head.

“Don’t move.” It was Akira.

Akira’s ability was known as Telos and it allowed her to teleport. Despite having an effective range of just a few yards as well as a cooldown of a few seconds, it was still very useful and difficult to counter.

“Nice work, Akira. You never disappoint.” Kaiser had walked near, congratulating her. “And you too, Velvet.”

Edea tightened her fists, scrunched up her face, and started shaking in rage. She was so close. So close! But she got duped by Akira of all people! She wanted to murder all of them. Smash both Velvet and Akira to pieces and rip out their medium’s throats, but she just couldn’t. She was completely at their mercy.

“Now let’s end this for good.” Kaiser’s order was clear, even if he left it unsaid.

But Akira didn’t respond. She had her sword placed right against her sister’s head, ready to pierce through and execute her. It would be the right thing. She was an enemy who could not be reasoned with. One who had murdered countless people and would not rest until she killed Velvet, but as she tried to steel herself, her mind raced with memories of them together. She remembered the day Edea was born, the time they spent together back home.

She had to, but she couldn’t, and as Akira’s grip on her blade faltered, somebody else entered Edea’s vision. It was him. Instinctually, realizing this was her only chance at survival, she jumped up, knocking away Akira’s blade and rushing towards him. She summoned Crinis in an instant and wrapped her tentacles around Felix. “Make another move and I’ll tear him apart!”

“You…!” Velvet growled, her face becoming murderous.

“What? Why so upset? Afraid I’ll break your little boy toy?” Grinning in cruel delight, she gleefully taunted her sister.

Velvet looked at Felix who was putting on a tough face, but she could tell he was scared. She cursed herself. There was nothing she could do.

Akira and Kaiser were upset as well. Each blamed themselves for this disaster.

Edea sadistically laughed before giving out her demand, “Gwehrtain Manor, Velvet. Come alone. I’ll be waiting for you there to settle this once and for all.” With a smirk and a wave, she fled the scene with Felix in tow.