Interlude - March

Interlude - March

Interlude - March

The camp was glorious. At least he thought so. So many warriors, soldiers, so many factions. It had to be the largest army assembled in the recent memory. Perhaps ever. The entire might of the Sects was gathered here. The petty wars of the last few decades were nothing compared to this. It filled him with joy. He couldnt wait for the march. He had even polished his horns and put in a new ring in his snout. It was a great occasion.

Focus, you dumb war-head, a voice from his side hissed at him.

Vesterius turned his head and gave Maleatus a big grin. Cmon, this is everything I ever wanted. A big war to play in. I cant wait.

Focus horny, we need to make sure we are in the right place, Mal said.Thi/s chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.co/m

Vesterius summoned his great axe, leaned on his shoulder and glared at the ravzor. What did I tell you about calling me that.

Fine, fine, just remember and make sure that we are assigned with the

I know, I know, Vesterius said. You dont need to remind me all the fucking time.

I need to remind you, otherwise your worthless Mind Essence will just forget.

Ha, ha, Vesterius said deadpan. They really should try and find Selia and Erdania, he was certain that they were around here somewhere. At least that was what Maleatus said their plan had been when they returned from the Empire. Vesterius was still pissed that they didnt invite him, seeing a war fought across an entire Empire

The camps were filled with people, and it was all so different than what he was used to. There was no real organization, no neat rows. Tents were just placed in groupings, surrounded by rows of low planks to designate different sects. And the people, so many different shapes, different true bodies, color was everywhere and it was clean. It was beautiful. Tents had designs sewed into them, banners were works of art, even the people walking around were clean and touched up as if they were going to some high functions. Compared to the muddy and dirty camps that he had walked through before he shook his head. He looked forward to experiencing how the Sects fought in wars.

Tell me again where we need to be, Mal said.

You are not going to drop this, are you, Vesterius said, annoyed.

Not until you say it and I am certain that you wont forget. The moment they tell you anything about the war, that is all that you will be thinking about.

Vesterius opened his mouth to rebuke him, but then closed it. There was some truth to that.

I need to get us attached to the armies heading to the Citadel, there, I remember, Vesterius told him.

Good, Mal said.

He waved at Naha, and she reached up, whispered a word and took the collar off. He shook himself, banishing the terrible feeling all over his body and soul.

That was terrible, Zach said. It squeezed the soul.

Did you learn anything?

I believe that I have.

Their airship was lifting slowly. The armies would soon go on the march, and Zach and his people were heading for the city of Helse. He didnt have many. Naha, Bera, Okim, and a couple of the remaining more powerful wardens. And surprisingly Vitor Far Storrah, had decided to come along once Zach made his intentions known to the War Council. When Zach asked him why the man had given a simple answer.

Ive already supplied the army with all that I can make. And I am not a great fighter in such a big group. Besides, you will need a way to incapacitate everyone in the city without killing them, and that I can do.

A small group, but they knew that they couldnt fight an all-out battle in the city. Hiro they had left with the wardens, the boy wanted to help, but he was far too weak for what they would attempt. And he could help the crafters, perhaps even learn something.

Zach spent his time beneath the deck, practicing his skills. Using telekinesis, he tried to do as manipulations that were complicated and fine, that required delicate touch. He knew that he could force an evolution, but he needed a bit more practice for what he needed. At night, he practiced his nullifying slash with Naha, trying to narrow the areas of power that he took with nullify. He had already improved it to the next tier|Perfect Nullifying Slash: My Slash, Precise Nullification|. He had a lot of willpower, but his mind was straining to use them. He had too many skills which took up his mind. Constantly seeing all flaws was the largest drain, but other skills were too. He had to focus on skills which he could scale to what was needed, not always overextend himself.

If his idea was going to work, he would need to be very precise. The idea was to join nullifying slash with his telekinesis. Make it so that he could reach out to a specific power and smother it. The collar was a power, if he could cut it off, then just destroying the collar should work. Things of a similar nature had been tried; he knew. But Zach still believed that this should work, it was only the question of the amount of power. Perhaps only a high tier power could do something like this, which was why it was rare. Zach did have power, what he needed for this to work was understanding. They would see soon enough. They had some time before they reached the city, and their plan was to wait for the war to start in full, for the city to empty and the enemy to send reinforcements south. The slaves were used for gathering and as labor, so they doubted they would send them, at least not initially. Once they had their chance, Zach and his people would start their plan.

So, what was the decision? Ryun asked as Tali entered their command tent. Everyone important to the war effort was already inside.

Karya stood to the side with Narya and her sister Vanessa. Ryun and Tali had sent Daria out to scout the enemy. He trusted the other Sect Heads, but he wanted to have his own source of information. Selia, Erdania and Vryull were to the side. The cthul hadnt exactly joined the Sect, but Ryun believed that he would eventually. He was just hesitating for some reason. Kri and Lesamitrius were in a corner, trying to stay out of view.

We continue as one army, for now, Anatalien said slowly.

Ryun tilted his head. Didnt you say that they will split us?

It is still the plan, Tali answered. But moving one army is easier than moving several. The mercenaries will need to layer their perks for it to work. We will continue as one until we are noticed, and the swarms move on us, then we will split the army and have two fronts.

Ryun nodded. When are we heading out?

The march begins tomorrow.

Ryun looked around at the people in the room. If he was a better kind of leader, he mightve said some inspiring words, but he was who he was. He said only one word instead.

Good.