Chapter 27.4: The Two Weeks Journey Home - Reinforcements
Personal System Calendar: Year 0009, Days 1-14 Month IX: The Imperium
Imperial Calendar: Year 6854, 9th month, 1st to 14th Day
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Charging Through the Fire
Messages flooded the imperial magical communication wavelengths. Traffic was fully diverted to address the current crisis at the Garrison Fort of Aulexus. Those who heard of its plight were enraged by this brazen attack on one of the empire's gateway wayportals that connected the divide between the three subcontinent.
The nearest troops that could reinforce them were stationed at a sub-garrison approximately 100 kilometers away from Aulexus. It would take time to fully mobilize the reinforcing party. As a sub-garrison, it held only around 2,500 active combat troops at any given time. These installations were stationed in areas where imperial influence was most needed, acting as defense forces for particular regions or as additional buffers for main forces already deployed in the area.
This particular sub-garrison was positioned near the capital of Perlah, a strategic ally and integral part of the Imperium. The sub-station was technically outside the capital itself, as the garrison within Perlah needed no additional manpower. The city also had its own standing army protecting it, and the portal inside was guarded by a combination of imperial troops and Perlahian soldiers. This particular sub-station was located in the rural areas near the river, positioned to respond to threats from multiple directions.
The commander of this detachment was a proud branch member of the Ducal House of Croco, whose signature mounts were the fearsome river-tyrants. Though she belonged to a branch family that used the smaller, more agile Kaiman beasts instead of their larger, more powerful and extremely aggressive cousins, she carried the family's martial pride. The Kaiman were better suited for shallow waters, making them ideal for rapid response through the region's extensive waterways.
The heads of both the main Croco family and their military units followed a matriarchal tradition, which was why the commander was female. However, the rank and file could be either men or women who proved their worth in service.
Commander Ira Kayman of the Croco Branch was a young, talented officer in her thirties. When she heard the news from the soldier manning the communication crystal that connected the Empire's communications, her blood boiled at the audacity of the attack. She barked orders to assemble quickly so they could march with haste and aid their fellow soldiers.
"We're not marching," she corrected herself, her tactical mind already calculating. "Mount up! We'll use the waterways. Two hours of hard marching will leave us exhausted when we arrive, but the Kaiman can cut that time by more than half."
Within the next hour, they had assembled 2,000 of their finest warriors stationed at Sub-Garrison Kay-Wan. The remaining 500 would stay to defend their position, as they were currently on full lockdown and high alert against any additional attacks on their stations. These troops would also serve as a second wave if additional reinforcements were needed.
"Brave riders of Kay-Wan!" Commander Kayman's voice carried across the assembled troops. "Our brothers and sisters at Fort Aulexus are under siege. They face an overwhelming number of rebel scum! But they hold the line for all of us. We ride now in haste to join them in their battle, not just to reinforce a garrison, but to show these rebels that attacking the Imperium brings swift retribution!"
The warriors roared their approval, mounting their personal Kaiman bonds with practiced efficiency. The beasts sensed their riders' urgency and responded with eager hisses of their own, their powerful tails already beginning to propel them toward the water.
"Move out!"
The column of mounted warriors entered the river in formation, the Kaiman moving through the water with surprising speed. Commander Kayman led from the front, her own mount, a veteran beast named Ripfang who had served her for nearly a decade after she was inducted into the service of the Empire and their house.
She was certain this was how everyone who received the distress message would react. The Imperium took care of its own, and an attack on one garrison was an attack on all.
Meanwhile, in the Imperial Capital, everything had already been relayed to Emperor Janus within five minutes of the initial attack. He had immediately drafted a resolution for the Imperial Chamber of War to mobilize troops and crush these rebels who had bitten off far more than they could chew. He also drafted a timely message to the imperial court to expedite those death warrants.
Although the Emperor was the central figure who managed most affairs of state, he still relied on many administrators who worked on the more intricate operations to run the Empire and to enact his wishes, reforms, and policies. They held some power, but never enough to override the Emperor's commands. Their role was to aid him in the business of running the Empire, and this system was how the Imperium had grown to its current prominence and continental hegemony of absolute power.
"Solomon," the Emperor said, his voice calm but edged with steel. "Determine if those children were caught in this mess."
"As you wish, Your Majesty. We will have more detailed reports soon."
The Emperor set aside his mountains of Imperial documents and paperwork, giving his full, undivided attention to the current crisis. When the Imperium was threatened, all other matters could wait.
"One more thing. Ready the 20th Cohort and send an appropriate number of them to Perlah. I want them there within the hour."
Grand Advisor Solomon bowed. "It will be done."
"Once the death warrants are issued, trace those vermin leaders and have them pay the punishment of death for their insolence." The Emperor's eyes glowed faintly with divine power, a rare sight that indicated his true anger. "I also want to know why these ideologues have survived and crawled out of their graves. Didn't I already order that none of them should be left alive?"
Grand Advisor Solomon considered the question carefully before offering his insight. "Yes, Your Majesty. Although our forces indeed followed such commands to exterminate these future threats, it seems some of our allies may not have viewed it with the same severity. They may have left significant portions of the population alive and possibly sold captured prisoners from the last war with the Fresco League of Kingdoms. Though I would need to confirm this is indeed the case, my liege. How would we proceed if we learn this is true?"
Emperor Janus rose from his throne, considering the implications. His answer came swiftly. "We cannot expel a member from the Imperium's good graces for such matters without proof and proper procedure. However, we may need to provide a reminder why we are the most powerful empire, at least in these lands. A reminder with teeth."
"I will take note of your words, Your Majesty."
The conversation ended, but the wheels of imperial justice had begun to turn.
---
Fort Aulexus
Back at the battlefield, August and his counter-attack team had successfully executed their plan. They retreated after eliminating the massive Bagag-hwa, making their way back to the fort's walls under covering fire from the garrison's archers and ballistae.
The enemy rebels in the south had suffered a significant blow, losing at least 40% of their forces stationed in that sector. The wizard commanding that section had withdrawn to regroup his lines with the other commanders. The battle may have been lost here, but the war was just beginning. This siege would last much longer than anyone had anticipated.
August and his team reached Fort Aulexus without losing a single person. General Roger, who had watched the entire battle through his enhanced vision, was waiting for them at the gate.
"I congratulate you on your success in the south!" The old general's voice carried genuine admiration. "Truly splendid, especially for such young warriors. But the war isn't over yet. The enemy is now a hundred meters from our walls. It is best to prepare yourselves."
It was a curt praise that was well-deserved for volunteers who had created such a magnificent plan and executed it flawlessly. Commander General Roger now fully understood why the Emperor had asked for a nameless young front leader to be brought to his presence. He recognized that this young man, August, was special in his own right, not just in strength alone but in his character and how he deals with problems that may otherwise have already shaken others resolve. No, he was one of a kind, but what made him truly unique were those who surrounded him.
His companions moved with an understanding that elevated each other. They covered each other's backs, trusted each other's skills, and brought that trust to bear in achieving victory wherever they go and whatever it is they wish to achieve or do. If the empire handled them well, treating them with respect and guiding them properly, they would become tremendous assets in the future, whether as vassals, allies, or friends.
But this was not the time for such thoughts. The old veteran needed to give his all and focus on the battle ahead.
"Get some food and water and catch your breath," Roger commanded. "You have ten minutes. Then I want your team on the eastern wall. We're spread thin, and your experience fighting these drugged madmen will be invaluable."
August nodded, already moving toward the water barrels. His companions followed, each showing signs of light fatigue for their first official war outside the forest but maintaining their discipline.
"That was insane," Milo said, gulping water. "Did you see how many of them there were?"
"And we barely made a dent in their total numbers," Betty added grimly. "The south was just one section."
"But we took down one of those beasts," Adam countered, his optimism unshaken. "Four beasts, four directions. If we can repeat that on the other four sides..."
"We won't have the same surprise advantage this time," August interrupted, his tactical mind already working. "They know about us now. They'll be expecting aerial attacks and flanking maneuvers. We need to adapt to our environment and wait for opportunities to arise, learn their weaknesses and target those points."
Angeline finished healing a minor cut on Hiraya's arm that an enemy had shot with an arrow and grazed it; it had missed its intended target entirely because they were flying. "The real question is how long until reinforcements arrive. We can hold for a while, but not indefinitely against those numbers."
Master Ben approached, his robes still radiating heat from his magma constructs. "The Emperor will have received word by now. Reinforcements are coming. We just need to hold long enough for them to arrive."
Grand Captain Commander Alexander joined them, his armor scorched but his bearing still proud. "My Dragonguards will hold the northern section. General Roger has the west. If your team can support the east, we can create a strong defensive triangle and make them pay dearly for every inch."
"Agreed," August said. "Erik, how's Rexy?"
"A bit tired from all the running back and forth but eager and ready," Erik replied. "We can do another flanking run if needed, but we'll need time to rest between sorties."
"Save it for when they commit fully to their assault," August decided. "Right now, they're still testing our reactions and defenses. When they make their real push, that's when we hit them from behind again."
The ten minute break given to them passed quickly. Too quickly.
---
The Enemy's Council
Meanwhile, at the rebel command post, the atmosphere was tense. They had just received news of their shameful defeat in the south, and the commanders were arguing over their next move.
"This... we haven't planned for any of this," one commander addressed, his voice tinged with fear. "It seems the rumors about these elite warriors of the Emperor are true. They are armies unto themselves. But what surprised me is that there were others there beside them who led the bold charge. Children with no house colors, bearing an unfamiliar insignia. Who are these outsiders? One of them was strong enough to resist even Master Dentoy's illusion magic. The Dragonguards are already troublesome enough, but an unknown third party with such caliber is unprecedented. I fear this battle will be lost if we continue without some counter to these new enemies."
Another commander laughed mockingly. "Ha! You think a few variables would stop our glorious march to retake what is rightfully ours? You coward! You shouldn't speak if you're so afraid of these 'legendary warriors'! We are legendary ourselves. We are more renowned than those elites."
That may have been true in terms of infamy. Before the Fresco League of Kingdoms fell, these commanders had struck fear into the hearts of many innocents. They had killed hundreds of thousands, close to a million souls in their heyday. At least, that was what they were proud of. But it was psychotic bravado speaking. In truth, they were worse in combat than average imperial soldiers. What they had been killing before were soldiers and civilians from regional allies of the empire, not the bloodthirsty war machines of the Imperium itself.
The leader of this ragtag force, a scarred veteran named Karvus, halted the bickering with a raised hand. "Enough! We will continue with our assault. I'm sure they've already issued death warrants for us by now. We've poked the beehive. But this isn't just a normal war for us. This is a signal to light the beacon for our brethren across the land to rise up and retake what is ours!"
He slammed his fist on the map table. "So until then, I will hear no other objections. We proceed as planned. The remaining forces will press toward the walls from all sides. Encircle the fort. Protect those beasts at all costs. Use every drop of mana in your bodies if you have to, and divert those projectiles as best you can. You already know what happens to us if we fail, don't you?"
The commanders fell silent. Yes, they knew. They had signed their own death sentences the moment they participated in this siege. There was no going back now. Victory or death. Probably death.
"The empire's reinforcements will arrive eventually," Karvus continued. "But if we can take this fort before then, we'll have a fortified position and a portal to bargain with. That's our only chance at survival. Now move! Order the full assault!"
The commanders dispersed to rally their troops. Fear and fanaticism warred in their eyes, but discipline held. For now.
---
The Walls Trembled
The battle continued with renewed intensity. The defenders poured every arrow they could toward the approaching enemies, each shot enhanced with elemental magic. The attackers, maddened by their enhancement drugs, pushed forward with frightening intensity. The Bagag-hwa coordinated their steps with the ground troops, creating mini-tremors with each footfall that made accurate archery more difficult.
They reached the bottom of the walls. Now the bloody close-quarters battle was about to begin.
Ladders slammed against the stone. Grappling hooks and ladders flew through the air. The drugged rebels climbed with unnatural speed and strength, foam at their mouths, eyes wide with chemically-induced fearlessness.
"Hold the walls!" General Roger's voice boomed. "Don't let a single one reach the top!"
August and Talon One took their positions on the eastern wall. The first rebel head appeared over the rampart, and Milo's axe separated it from its body in one clean strike. Another climbed over, and Adam's shield bash sent him tumbling back into the crowd below.
"They just keep coming!" Betty shouted, her spear punching through the throat of another climber.
"That's what sieges are!" August replied, his own spear finding targets with mechanical precision. "We hold the line! That's all we have to do! We hold until there is none left!"
The imperial troops fighting alongside them took heart from Talon One's example. These young warriors fought without fear, without hesitation, and their skill was evident in every movement. If such young fighters could stand firm, then so could they who were experts in war.
The Bagag-hwa reached the walls. One of them reared up, and its massive claw smashed against the eastern section where August fought. The entire wall shook. The stone cracked from the continuous battering impact.
"Brace for impact!" August shouted.
The beast struck again. More cracks appeared. If it continued, it would breach the wall.
"We need to blind it!" Erik called out, already nocking an arrow. "Everyone, aim for the eyes!"
A concentrated volley of arrows, spells, and crossbow bolts targeted the Bagag-hwa's face. Most bounced off its thick hide or armor plating, but a few found their mark. The beast roared in pain and rage, pulling back momentarily.
"That won't stop it for long!" Angeline warned, her healing magic already working on injured soldiers nearby.
She was right. The beast's masters were already healing its eyes, the wizards pouring their magic into regeneration spells.
This was going to be a long battle.
In the distance, unknown to both attackers and defenders, Commander Ira Kayman and her 2,000 mounted warriors raced through the waterways, their Kaiman beasts cutting through the current with desperate speed.
Above, in the imperial capital, the 20th Cohort was mobilizing, preparing to deploy through the portal network.