Dawn of War

Wilhelm groggily awoke, his body feeling like it was on fire. He dreamed of his goddess clashing with another goddess in a dance of flying metal contraptions. Was this a vision of the future? Or the past?

He has had enough strange dreams for now. He stood up and found he was completely fine. The body Morgan provided him was truly impressive.

“You’re finally awake.”

Wilhelm immediately fumbled out of bed so quickly that he already had his head on the floor before Synthara could finish her sentence telling him to stop.

“Please forgive me for keeping you awake.”

“I-its fine, there is no need to stand on ceremony, not in your current state. Sit.”

Wilhelm sat on his bed and contemplated telling the goddess of his dream but decided there were more urgent matters he needed to ask about. “How long was I unconscious?”

“Its only been a day, you recover quickly, a testament to Morgan’s artistry.”

Wilhelm blinked. He was only mildly surprised, Morgan did make his body after all but being able to recover from lightning within a day was astonishingly fast.

“What do you remember about what happened?”

“I remember the Sorcerous Trials, then I fought the assassin, then a bright light consumed everything- Wait, what happened to the city!?”

Synthara looked down reluctantly. “I am afraid the city is gone.”

Wilhelm choked on his breath. Silence pervaded the small chamber.

“How many survived?”

“Around 30,000 people are in the shelters, according to your bodyguards, your father led as many people in here as he could during our fight. Seems he came to his senses in the hour of need.”

Wilhelm closed his eyes. He had no love left for his father, a single heroic act will not erase the fact that he caused the problem in the first place. However, he did save some of his people’s lives, for that he is thankful, even if it is not deserved as he only did as expected of a king.

Wilhelm opened his eyes, he did not wish to dwell on his father when his goddess was right in front of him. “I am glad that some people are safe. However,” Wilhelm turned towards Synthara with almost pleading eyes. “I fear that I must ask that you take the crown from me.”

Synthara frowned. “Why?”

“My ineptitude has proven that I am incapable of leading what's left of our people through the dark times ahead. You are here now, you could become this kingdom’s eternal queen and lead us to a bright new age. Compared to a god, I am just a mere boy, barely a man.” Wilhelm looked down despondently.

“I was not aware that my bodara had a habit of abandoning duty at the first sign of danger.”

“Milady, I-”

“Do you think it appropriate to leave worldly matters to a god? I have more important things to do than manage a kingdom. I made you my Bodara because I believe that you are capable of bearing the weight of my name. Morgan has spoken highly of your abilities, you being able to fight off one who wields a Soul Armament without one of your own makes you stronger than most mortals. I will always welcome the strong and resourceful into my ranks, for we fight against the very gods themselves. I have deemed you worthy of a title I have given to no other, is that not enough for you to believe in yourself? ”

“Bu-”

“If I truly believed you were unfit to rule, you would not be breathing right now. There is nothing more advantageous to your enemy than to stab yourself with wounds that you do not need to bear. Fight, flee, or die, but make a decision, otherwise your enemies will make it for you.” Synthara remembered when she was beset with self-doubt whenever she failed in the eyes of her parents or their god. The beatings and tongue-lashings she could endure, but the damage she would inflict on herself by thinking it was her fault was the most crippling. It took her parents dying from a bomb run for her to finally build the confidence to make decisions by herself. She learned that sometimes, life tries to shoot you. You can shoot back or run, but hesitation and self-doubt kill just as quickly as bullets.

Wilhelm went silent for a moment before bowing his head. “Forgive me for questioning your wisdom, I will make the Ougonians pay for their crimes.” Wilhelm’s empty gray eyes turned into steely silver as he was filled with resolve. He did not see what his goddess saw in him, but it was still her that was asking him for help.

Synthara smiled. She never considered herself great at giving a pep talk, in fact she probably never gave one her whole life until now. “Now that you’re awake, we have no time to waste, let us discuss our battle plans with Morgan. There’s also your coronation as the new King of Ragna but given the circumstances that will have to wait.”

-

Synthara, Wilhelm, and Morgan were gathered in a small room hidden away from public shelters and guarded by Wilhelm’s remaining bodyguards. Before them was a large table of a map of the Ragna Kingdom, consisting of Mountainous Forests with patches of grassy valleys for farmland in the north, mountain range separating them from the Qin in the east, flatlands with beaches on the Bolotnyy-Ragnan Sea, and ashlands that grow more narrow with mountains and hills in the south containing Ort, ending in the Black Gates which acts as the only safe passage into the Kingdom.

Beyond the black gates was the Cradle, a low valley surrounded by mountains that act as the waypoint between the four realms. The valley was the most diverse in terms of biosphere as it was a 4-way split between ashlands, grassy fields, dry desert, and swamplands. At the center of it all stood Fort Lynch, commanding dominance over the entire area and is the most fortified castle of the Ragna Kingdom. At the Eastern and Southern Borders of the Cradle were Fort Wustenstein and Fort Rubicon, acting as gateways into the Qin Empire and the Ougon Empire respectively.

Synthara spoke first. “Give us a rundown of our current forces.”

Wilhelm spoke first. “The kingdom’s armies are spread throughout the neighboring provinces. We have about 10,000 men near the Qin Border, 25,000 patrolling the western coastline with our navy in Reido port. And 35,000 in Mann, our border city leading into the Orclands. Do you have a count of what we have here in Rok?

“Not much, including your bodyguards, we’re only able to muster a thousand men.”

Wilhelm winced, Rok was once a stronghold of 80,000 men, to have all of that military strength gone in an instant is crippling, not only in his forces but to the crown’s authority. Without the goddess at his side, he would have no way of forcing the remaining lords to obey his authority.

“What about the Einjerjar? Ragnarok has come as you've said, surely is the time to unleash the forces of Valhalla upon the invaders right?

Morgan and Synthara shared a look, they figured now was not the time to have the prince’s zealous faith waver at such a crucial moment. So they formulated a response beforehand. Morgan spoke. “The Einjerjar requires vessels in order to manifest in this world. I and my peers will need time to summon the souls from Valhalla and attach them to the vessels.”

“Vessels? I've never heard of the Einjerjar requiring vessels to descend? Is that the true nature of necromancy?”

“My pri-your majesty, as the high priest of the Syntharan faith, it is only natural that I am privy to certain truths of our goddess that others are not. We did not want to risk the kingdom’s enemies discovering our trump card and forming countermeasures against it. Yet despite only ever revealing our secret art once, the Ougonites have already developed holy fire as I'm sure you’re well acquainted with.”

Wilhelm frowned as he remembered the anti-necromancy effects of holy fire that almost killed him. He did not like having secrets kept from him but he could not deny the facts before him.

Morgan continued. “With that in mind, me and my fellow necromancers have been gathering corpses underground for 500 years, ensuring that they’re properly armed. Unfortunately they had to be spread out across the country and they can only be reanimated with someone who both knows the spell to do so and has the necessary mana stores to reanimate them all at once. That is only me and our goddess here, though I can transfer knowledge of the spell to his majesty, I do not know if his body has the mana stores to cast it. I also must stay here in order to revive all of the corpses.”

Synthara spoke “So the plan is for me and the king to go to each of these undead caches, revive them and gather them all together?”

“Correct.”

“All while trying to make the local lords submit to the authority of the crown and fend off the enemy?”

“Yes, with you, the king, and whatever men you can muster from the survivors here, it is certain you will achieve victory.” Morgan smiled.

“Indeed, it would be an honor to fight with my lady watching.” Wilhelm turned to Synthara with bright eyes. “As Bodara, I will not bring shame to your name!” Wilhelm had studied military tactics and was touted as the Kingdom’s finest military officer, but he does not have much experience leading armies outside of wargames. ‘Finally, I get to lead an army of my own! And with the goddess herself at my side!? This is my chance to prove that I have what it takes to rule!” Wilhelm’s glee began to leak through his stoic temperament. He felt foolish for having almost relinquished the chance at glory he had been praying for his whole life. With the power of a goddess behind him, he will make good all of the losses his kingdom suffered and more.

Synthara felt envious of Morgan and Wilhelm’s optimism. Even fully healed of her injuries, she’s still not as strong as she was before. She would be no match for Jupiter if he returned right now. She experimented with the limits of her current strength while waiting for Wilhelm to recover, and while her abilities were still far above that of a normal mage, the gap between her and them was not as overwhelming as before. She had to be careful lest she fall to a stray arrow. She glared at Morgan whose smile deflected Synthara’s annoyance, she expected this kind of ignorant optimism from Wilhelm but Morgan should know better as she knows more about her condition. Not to mention she was already weakened before fighting Jupiter, she was far stronger before she expended her power into creating this world.

Synthara sighed internally. ‘Perhaps it’s better this way. Morale and all that.’

“Is there something wrong my lady?”

‘Shit! That sigh was not internal at all!’ Synthara quickly recomposed herself. “No, these plans will do fine. Now, do we have any intel on the enemy?”

Morgan pointed at various sections of the map. She started with the Cradle. “According to my spies, the Cradle has been lost. Lord Schneizel who was in charge of its defense was colluding with the Ougonites for some time now and has defected to them.

Wilhelm grimaced. “When we retake the Cradle, I'll make sure he’s publicly executed.”

“In time your majesty, for now we can take solace in that the Ougonite forces here are currently preoccupied trying to break into Fort Wustenstein. They’re also gathering men and resources to build a navy at the Cradle’s port city.”

Wilhelm frowned. “They must be trying to crush the Bolotnyy as well.

“They have been trying for centuries in the first war of the realms but perhaps now they think they bring the swamplands to heel if they attack from the sea as well.”

Morgan then pointed at Ort. “The Orcish capital is under siege by the main Ougonite invasion force, this is where most of their army is concentrated. They are led by Jupiter. So far, the Orcish capital is holding firm, the inclusion of the Kobolds and Nidhogg are providing tremendous assistance to the Orcs. They should hold for a while but they are under constant assault and the Ougonite invasion force is growing larger by the day from a constant stream of reinforcements.”

Synthara spoke up. “Do you know the current condition of Jupiter themselves?”

“My spies aren't able to get closer to him but he has not been participating in any battles since he returned from Rok, only relaying orders to his officers. Though there have been a large number of priests and healers near his tent.”

Synthara smiled. It seems they might not have to worry about the old man for a while.

Morgan moved to Reido. “Reido is under enemy control.”

Wilhelm’s eyes widened. “How? Reido is deep into our territory and has several thousand men guarding it along with the navy?”

“My reports have told me large flying contraptions were used to fly over the mountains and airdrop their troops in the city.”

“They have such technology?”

“Yes, they’ve been developing these ‘Ventorum’ as they called them for years now. They weren't able to make very many of them at least. I count only two. They used to have five but Nidhogg managed to destroy three of them.”

‘Good boy, I ought to give him some headpats when I see him again.’ Synthara smiled.

“That would mean they could be on their way here right now!”

“Not necessarily, Jupiter destroyed this city, remember? As far as my spy network is concerned, they are operating under the assumption that there's no living soul here. They are more concerned with commandeering our naval assets there and preparing for a naval assault on the Bolotnyy Tribes.”

“Even with the capital in ruins, there's still local lords that can offer resistance, why would they ignore them?”

“The Qin.” Morgan pointed at two-silver knight chess pieces on the eastern border. “They sent hordes of Centaurs ahead as raiding parties through the mountains, they’re probably assuming the hordes will take care of any remaining Ragnan resistance. There's also the possibility that this is only the vanguard of a much larger Qin force. Luckily for us, Lady Synthara has the foresight to build the land specifically to protect us. The eastern part of our land is filled with mountains and forests, leaving only a few paths a large cavalry force can travel through.”

Synthara just kept smiling. She put barely any conscious thought into creating the land but she was reluctant to correct them on that point.

Wilhelm frowned, having to take on two invaders at once is a daunting task, but he was committed to doing whatever it takes to repel the invaders. He pointed at the city just south of where they’re at. “What about Mann?”

“Mann is still loyal to us and has strong defenses, though reports of an Ougonite column and a Qin centaur horde are racing to take the city. We can expect a battle to happen there soon. Right now I have Rusalka and her assassins slowing down the Qin advance here. That should buy some time.”

Morgan sighed. “That is the current state of our situation. Your majesty, I am a necromancer not a general, so I will say that my previous suggestion may not be the best course of action, but I will add that most of our undead and weapons are in Ort. You would know better. What is your opinion?”

Wilhelm looked at the map and the positions of their forces and the enemies for a long moment. “The Ougonites are spread thin, they’re recklessly advancing as if they want this war to be finished as soon as it can. The Qin are most likely just being opportunistic, wanting easy pillage and will prioritize attacking the Ougonite forces who have attacked them first. We can use these facts to our advantage. Time favors our foes, which is why we must move with haste. You are correct that Ort should be relieved as soon as possible, how much time will you need to revive the whole capital?”

Morgan brought her finger to her lips. “My junior necromancers should be arriving today, with that in mind, we’ll be ready to march in a week.”

“Where are the undead stored?”

“Beneath Mann, Reid, the Cathedral where we met, and Ort.”

Wilhelm deliberated for a long time until he came up with a plan and explained it to the two women.

Morgan frowned “Your majesty, you are putting our goddess at risk.”

Wilhelm turned towards Synthara. “Forgive me, my lady, but this is the best plan I can come up with that will fit in our timeframe. I fear that Jupiter will recover eventually and at full strength he and his army will tear through Ort, dragon or not. If this plan is not sufficient, I have a backup. ”

Morgan looked over at Synthara worryingly. Wilhelm’s plan involved her going over to Reido by herself and retaking it while also capturing their airships. Wilhelm had the safer but longer job of pacifying the eastern region with only a thousand men.

Despite the danger, Synthara could not help but smile in anticipation. It had not been long since her battle with Jupiter and she could use some exercise by destroying some weaklings.

“No, you have my blessing, King Wilhelm. May you find victory in your endeavor.” Synthara smiled.

“I shall not fail you my lady. I believe that marks the end of this meeting?”

Morgan and Synthara nodded. Morgan spoke next. “What about the coronation? We have the goddess and the crown with us, we can do it now.”

Wilhelm thought for a moment. “No, doing a coronation without the attendance of the remaining lords would be pointless. Besides, I am the crown prince, that should be reason enough to bow before me.” Wilhelm said coldly.

Synthara shivered slightly. ‘That fierce look in his eyes is so…mmm.’ “Very well, then I will head west.”

Morgan nodded as well. “I will get started on those corpses.”

Wilhelm nodded. “I will gather my men and head east.”

As the two women went off to their respective duties, Wilhelm went to the public area of the shelter where most of the people were. It was a massive crowd of broken people who, while fed and safe for now, were now uncertain of the future. Wilhelm had to give them hope.

Wilhelm’s bodyguards prepared a stage for him to stand and stood at his side. They blew a trumpet and beckoned the people to be silent.

“People of Ragna! I am sure you are shocked by the recent revelations. Wives, husbands, children, siblings, friends, lovers, all of them have been robbed from us by the cruel hand of the Ultimatum! They came to us with promises of peace, prosperity and a world without conflict in the form of becoming one with the Ultimatum. Now, we must contend with the fact that we have been deceived. One only needs to look at what lies above us to see what the Ultimatum has in store for all of us. And now, our land is beset by those who would seek to tear us down! Yet fear not, for our goddess, in spite of being led astray by honeyed words from our enemies, has granted us clemency, defending us from our enemies. Her presence means that Ragnarok has come! Our destiny as a people has arrived! The Einjerjar will finally descend from Valhalla to help us deliver justice upon those white-gold bastards! When all the four realms bow before us, those who fight by their side will be remembered as heroes who avenged their people and the hands who helped create a new world! I swear by the name of Starrk that I will remember the names of those who follow me this day when I report to Synthara for who shall receive the first share of rewards. By my goddess’ divine command, I will answer the call and meet destiny! Who will follow! WHO WILL JOIN OUR CRUSADE!?”

The crowd cheered as multiple fighting aged men and a handful of women answered the call. The guards led the volunteers into the armory filled with enough arms and armor to rearm the capital garrison three times over.

By nightfall, Prince Wilhelm left the ruined city with 2000 armed men at his back.