Soldiers marched as they changed one prayer after another. And why wouldn't they?
The Holy City, Aurelion, was in front of them. Its massive expanse of white walls now stood ruined, allowing them to witness the once-great bastion of Orianna's most earnest followers. High towers stood tall still, while others were ruined, just like every other building there. The City seemed to be alive, yet dead at the same time. Blue and Silver flowers grew between the cracks; however, there was no water there.
It was said that the Goddess controlled the Mountain of Aure, and it was only when she wished that it would flow. There were far too many holy artefacts in the city, yet out of reach for the Dark Elves, as they would be evaporated the moment they laid their hands on them; thus, all they could do was guard the whole city and stop anyone who came close to it.
The soldiers could see the small terraces carved into the mountain. That was the palace of the City lord, a champion chosen by the Goddess - mostly. It is why every city lord is called Aurelion, but not every Aurelion is blessed. The previous one could not keep it, even if he slew two dragons in the process of trying. The city - it was an artefact itself.
The army was led by Valtherion at the front, and soon they neared the mountain and its forest. A loud horn resounded, causing the whole forest to shake behind them. The enemy was coming out. The army positioned itself according to Valtherion's arrangements. At the moment, his eyes were strangely peaceful.
I am not religious, yet...Why do I feel at home? Why do I feel so calm, despite everything? Orianna, I know you can hear me. Is this why you brought me? To win you back a city? A city that means nothing to me, yet everything to you...If my soul is now at peace, then how must yours feel, my Goddess? Thank you; had it not been for you, I may have never met the people I did; I may have never learned what parental love is. Now, watch as the scales will turn in my favour.
"When we marched from Blackstone, I swore one battle would buy you glory. Today, you stand upon the bones of an army five times your number. Now answer me - did I lie?"
Valtherion spoke in front of his army, as he had taken off his helmet. His head was neatly done, as he had taken a shower in the morning, assisted by Luther himself when it came to combing his hair.
"NO! YOU! DID! NOT! YOU! KEPT! YOUR! WORD!" The soldiers slammed their legs, spears and shields in the ground as they shouted. Their shouts resounded across kilometres as they shouted in synchronicity. It was so loud that the army that was gathering behind Valtherion had issues getting into formation.
"When we left, you were all doubtful; you were all green or had given up. Yet who are the soldiers now here, the ones that cut deep into enemy territory and left only destruction in their wake? Who are the butchers that slaughtered their path all the way to Aurelion, the Holy City? Who is this Army that is now feared by Enemies, Respected by their allies?" Valtherion proceeded to speak, deciding to give it his all today, as if he could feel his soldiers' hearts and pulse.
"IT! IS! US! MOGRAINE! ARMY! HURRA!"
"Then, if it is like that, fight for me today as well. It will be a battle unlike any you have had until now, but you will win. Even if I am to fall, I want you all to toast in my name tonight, in the Holy City itself. Am I understood, SOLDIEERS?!?" He screamed at the top of his lungs, his horse raising its feet in the air.
"UNDERSTOOD! TILL! THE! VERY! END! HURAA!"
Putting on his helmet, he turned towards the enemy army before giving a last shout. "Mark my words, Blackstone was the beginning. Aurelion will be the crown!"
"HURRAY!"
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"Morgana, are you sure that you wish to watch?" Ahri asked with tears in her eyes, alongside Juliet, who was now on Morgana's other side, holding her gently. They all seemed to be on the verge of breaking down, yet they proceeded to watch.
Louis and Thomas had already left, but Ahri knew they were most likely watching from somewhere else as well.
"Look, the enemy's leader wishes to talk with Valtherion!" Juliet pointed out.
"This is the Immortal Soul, Seviras!" Morgana said as she kept her eyes on him.
Meanwhile, far away in the capital, Targoth, the throne room was empty, as was the Imperial War Office. Nobody asked or questioned where the Emperor had gone; it was a normal palace day.
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Valtherion saw that the enemy's commander had stepped out of line and gotten dangerously close. This was an invitation for a conversation. He doubted that they would surrender. Still, he gave his men a sign; everything was arranged by now, so he strode forward.
The two armies stood at a distance as the two leaders closed in towards each other, right in front of their eyes.
They both dismounted and took their helmets off at the same time.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this conversation, Immortal Soul, half-dragon Seviras?" Valtherion spoke as he gazed at the being in front of him. He stood tall, around 1.87 meters tall and instead of elf ears, he had horns in their place. There was no armour on him; he wore a robe, and beneath it there were shiny-black dragon scales covering almost every part of his body. His eyes were green in colour, and his expression, it was one that Valtherion could not describe. He expected the abomination to look worse, to behave worse, but no, he radiated a different kind of energy.
"You are young." He said before proceeding, "You killed both of my sons. I should have raised them better; they were too spoiled. For your age, you are very strong. I wanted to see the man who had carved his way all the way here; you do not disappoint. I shall allow a part of my men to return your body to your parents."
"Seviras, you are very confident that you will kill me. As you should, honestly. I must say, I am quite surprised; you are nothing as I heard." Valtherion said as he got closer. There was no animosity, but there was respect.
"I am an abomination after all. It is what has doomed me to be the strongest in my realm, but unable to take a step further. Don't you think it's funny, Valtherion? You and I, here, about to fight to the death. Our leaders are probably watching and preparing for the best and worst, while the gods watch them in turn." Seviras closed in as well.
"I understand now, Seviras. You truly have opened my eyes. It was truly the arrogance of my ancestors that cost them the Great Wall; with elves like you existing, nothing should be taken lightly. Do tell, Seviras, can you feel it as I do? The gaze of the gods?" Valtherion asked as he smiled. Both of their hair was now white, floating gently in the wind.
Chuckling and then laughing, Seviras began to speak. "You are interesting yourself. Maybe, just maybe, Valtherion Mograine, in another world, we would have been friends. I will feel bad killing you. If by any chance you win, I have the feeling that you would feel the same...So, young friend, whatever happens, do not feel bad. I have lived for 600 years already." Seviras's words were shocking to Valtherion, not because of his age, but because he actually understood how Valtherion was feeling. They were both puppets, and in the end, they actually had a kind of chemistry for friendship. Yet, here they were, so he simply smiled and nodded.
To those who had their eyes on this conversation, it was actually far scarier. Seviras was apparently an extremely intelligent being, unlike any elf witnessed, and he and Valtherion recognised each other and their abilities. The humans were terrified of the elf's calmness and demeanour; he was not a warmonger; he was a scholar, and there was nothing more scary than a killing machine with intellect. Meanwhile, the elves were terrified because Seviras had recognised a human and the risk of dying to him. Someone capable among humanity had been born to threaten the most powerful Expert in this world.
Valtherion turned around towards his horse. Enough was said...yet Seviras suddenly spoke.
"Valtherion. What is Aurelion worth?"
Valtherion did not turn around fully as he proceeded to walk away, simply saying, "Nothing." However, after a few steps, he slowly turned around, smiled and raised his fists, pointing towards his eyes.
"Everything!"
"HAHAHAHA! I understand now, my friend! May the darkness warm your soul" Seviras's laugh resounded as he blessed Valtherion per his religion's words.
"And may the scale of justice tip in your favour, Seviras. I will see you in battle!" Valtherion strode as he injected Qi into his voice, letting it be heard loud and clear.