Hellscape

Shiro aimed the Thunderbird below him and pulled the trigger

The capacitors slammed down onto a set of rails, completing the circuit once again and Twelve darts rained down from the barrel in a single explosive volley,

Another Itano Circus as it rained down from the air ship as twelve more Helldrakes fell from the sky.

Shiro had more darts and wanted to keep firing, but couldn't take the thin air anymore.

alright alright I'll leave the rest to you guys.

Shiro made his way back inside the cabin. Multiple rings, each engraved with the spell 'Gust' were constantly pumping the thin air into the cabin.

It wasn't pleasant, but it worked well enough that the crew could function without passing out.

As he closed the door behind him, then the entire ship jerked hard to one side.

"What was that?!"

Captain Eiichrio answered his question as he helped Shiro back to his feet

"Sorry about that Boss, Took the liberty of having me crew ready the cannons. We were just waiting for ya to get back inside"

"Good call Captain... Waiting are you firing them all at one from one angle? You know they rotate independently and stagger your shots?"

"Aye but where's the fun in that?"

Drums thundered across the lower deck, building in anticipation. The pipes and trumpets joined in. The accordion bled everyone's ears until the brass horns blare and drowned out all other sounds.

WUUUUUUUUM!

The Airship jerked again as another volley was shot.

Laugh broke out as the crew reloaded the cannons cheering mixed in with the sound of clicking metal and turning gears.

Well at least morale is high.

"How's everything up here?"

"As right as still waters and windy skies."

"I don't think that saying works now that you're a Sky ship Captain rather than a sea ship Captain."

"Aye Boss, but tell me, what stopped you from making the this able to sail the Seas as well?"

"I guess it's possible, especially as i learn more about magic... Eh that's a Idea for later."

"Aye Boss, After the war then, let's have a talk."

"Alright, I'm to help out on the lower deck."

Shiro made his way down the ladder to the lower deck. Half the crew was playing music while the other half worked.

Yet they worked efficiently. Aiming, throwing around bolts and trumpets like it was second nature.

We're outside of the Helldrakes fly height and able to freely rain down artillery fire on their whole army. How will they respond?

Before they could, Geraltavin had his own answer.

Shiro and the crew watch as the multiple bolt soared through the air with streaks of brilliant purple light.

When the bolts came down, they landed in the center of the enemy's ranks. Well past the line of banners they have put to mark the limits of the heavy rail cannons range. Positioning knowledge gained from Nanami as the demon's exact coordinates from the airship.

At the initial impact of the kinetic bolt, the ground ripped and tore under the pure force like it did for all the ones before. But these bolts were Zircon tipped and contained the mid level spell 'Wall of lightning'

Guess we have the answer to which way the wall will go.

Walls of electricity shot up from the ground at random a angles from one another. Cutting through lines of enemies like the sky had unleashed violent slashes against the earth.

. . .

"Azura, do you have a moment?"

"What is it Gris? Where in the middle of battle."

Azura stood on the front wall just about the front gate. The but of her flagged spear pressed into the ground as Vermelionne flagged weaved in the air.

"Yes, but your not doing anything?"

"I'm not going to take command of the Airship or Heavy rail cannons when I barrel know how to use them. In the meantime, I stand guard for when they push into our archer walls or attack the gates.... Fine"

Azura began climbing down from the castle wall.

"Theirs no denying how good his weapons. At this rate I'll be doing nothing all day."

"I'm surprised you trust Shiro enough to let be in charge. Or I guess that night you visited his room changed that?"

Azura eyes glared at Gris

"You watching me?"

"Not you in particular. My job is to watch everyone, especially Shrio who you already knew is currently being watched secretly at all times."

Azura eyes wide for a moment before glaring again.

"So what? You brought me here just to ask about my personal life?"

"No. Just letting you know I'm happy for you. Though the report did mention how awkward the two of you were."

"ALRIGHT! You better tell me why you are here before I hang you from the ramparts!"

"Alamak is missing. Him, all this woman and all his staff are gone."

Azura calmed down as she took in the news.

"You think he's the traitor then?"

"Can't be certain, he could have fled out of fear but this late and without trace. Doesn't look too good."

The trumpets of war rang across the Red Plateau as the demon army rushed forward. Thousands upon thousands of demons ran across the Red Plateau. The ground shaking under their tremendous numbers. A living earthquake had joined the demons side and was on route for Vermelionne's walls.

"Guess they felt decided their only hopes was to rush. I'll leave the traitor to you. I need to clean to protect the wall."

"One more thing Azura. Even if Alamak is confirmed to be the traitor, Shiro will continue to be under close watch.... And him being Revorgress' Hero will follow him for life...."

Gris paused for a moment.

"...if the two of you do work out, as a half demon and hero of a dark dark god, you two will be under scrutiny for all your lives."

Azura began climbing back up the castle wall as she answered him.

"I've already been under scrutiny my entire life..."

Azura reached the top and returned to her post. Looking at the Hellscape around. The battle was far over, the demons still possessed more than enough numbers to take the city.

Yet the morale was very different.

"...but I've never possessed power like this."

Azura whisper the last part under her breath.