Chapter 23.2: The Journey Towards the Capital City of Aethelgard - Reaching the Western Subcontinent of Arkanus
Personal System Calendar: Year 0009, Days 1-14 Month VIII: The Imperium
Imperial Calendar: Year 6854, 8th month, 1st to 14th Day
---
Warp Portal
After the brief incident with Baron Paddy of House Pemberton from the Kingdom of Merrill, a confrontation that had ended with the noble's humiliating retreat, the expedition moved forward to their primary objective: the imperial portal facility.
The structure was magnificent in scale and engineering, standing some fifty feet high and twenty feet wide. The portal frame was constructed from materials that seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it, creating an almost unsettling visual effect. Intricate runic patterns covered every surface, glowing with a soft blue luminescence that pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat.
The portal was powered by an unknown mana source, the specifics of which remained privy only to the Empire's highest authorities. The Empire maintained exclusive control over this ancient portal technology, one of several strategic advantages that ensured their continued dominance across the continent. Allied nations did not mind Imperial garrisons housing these facilities within their territories, as long as they retained some form of access to the portals themselves.
For royal families and high-ranking officials, such access was invaluable. The three subcontinents of Arkanus covered approximately 210 million square kilometers of territory. Crossing such vast distances using conventional transportation could take months or even years. Portal travel reduced journeys that would normally require half a year into mere days.
The convenience came with significant drawbacks, however. Grand Captain Commander Lex gathered August's group before they entered the portal, his expression serious.
"This will be your first time using portal travel," he said. "I must warn you that it will be rough on your senses. The dimensional transition affects the inner ear, the stomach, and sometimes even your perception of time. Nausea, dizziness, and disorientation are common for first-time travelers."
He paused, ensuring everyone was paying attention. "Additionally, it is not recommended to use portals in rapid succession. Your bodies need at least three days to fully recover between jumps. Ignoring this guideline will result in severe symptoms: loss of balance that can last for weeks, constant vomiting, migraines, and in extreme cases, temporary paralysis."
One of the other Dragonguard, a woman named Valeriana, added her own perspective. "Those of us who have reached Master Rank can endure up to four consecutive jumps before experiencing serious symptoms. But none of you are at that level yet, with the possible exception of August. Even so, we will be following the three-day rest protocol between portals."
August felt slightly reassured by the classification. He had achieved power levels comparable to Master Rank warriors, even if his official status did not reflect it. But the rest of his companions, Erik, Adam, Milo, Bren, Betty, Isabel, Angeline, and the four adults who had accompanied them, Master Ben, Andy Shoor, Marcus Fernando, and Sibus Dino, would need to endure the full effects.
"Well, guys," August said, forcing a confidence into his voice that he did not entirely feel as he was truly unsure of this mode of travel and this kind of thing was new to him. "I guess we will see each other on the other side."
With that, he stepped toward the portal. The humming sound intensified as the portal activated, responding to the authorization credentials provided by the Dragonguard. The surface of the portal, which had been displaying a swirling pattern of dark blue and black, suddenly erupted into brilliant light.
August stepped through and so did the others.
---
The Transition
The sensation was unlike anything August had experienced before, and he had faced Shadow Demon Dragons, wielded divine fire, and touched powers that should have destroyed him. But this? This was different. This was wrong in a fundamental way that both his body and his mind could not articulate it.
For a moment, perhaps several moments though time felt strange, he existed nowhere and everywhere simultaneously. His body was being pulled apart at the molecular level and reassembled somewhere else. He could feel every cell, organs, muscle, bones and skin screaming in protest at this violation of natural law.
Then suddenly, mercifully, it ended. August stumbled forward as he emerged on the other side, his sense of balance completely disrupted. He managed to stay upright through sheer force of will, though his stomach churned violently and his vision swam with afterimages.
Behind him, his companions emerged one by one, each experiencing their own reactions to the dimensional transition. Erik actually did vomit immediately upon arrival, dropping to his knees and emptying his stomach. Adam and Milo fared slightly better, remaining upright but clearly suffering. The women, perhaps more willing to admit discomfort, immediately sat down to let their bodies adjust.
Master Ben emerged looking merely annoyed rather than physically distressed, his centuries of magical practice apparently providing some resistance to the portal's effects. Andy, Marcus, and Sibus showed varying degrees of disorientation but managed to maintain their composure (not really).
The Dragonguard, naturally, appeared completely unaffected, as if they had simply walked through a doorway rather than being disassembled and reconstituted across thousands of miles.
---
Region 5's Imperial Garrison
The location they had arrived at was entirely different from the Town of Bob. Where that settlement had evolved into a hybrid garrison-town with commercial districts and civilian populations, this was a purely military installation. Not merely a garrison but a full-scale fortress designed to defend the portal against any conceivable threat.
The scale was staggering. Massive walls surrounded the portal facility, constructed from stone reinforced with metal and enchantments. Guard towers stood at regular intervals, each manned by soldiers maintaining constant vigilance. The space within the walls bustled with activity, thousands of personnel conducting the endless tasks required to maintain military readiness.
Here, one could see the Empire at its true nature: a war machine training for all eventualities. Equipment was being moved constantly. Soldiers drilled in formation, their movements synchronized with mechanical precision. Humans, humanoids, and demi-humans trained side by side, the Empire's inclusive recruitment policies creating a diverse culture but it was both powerful and a truly unified force.
August noticed that the troops here moved with exceptional discipline. This was not a regional garrison staffed with adequate soldiers. This was an elite posting, warriors selected for skill and reliability to guard one of the Empire's most strategic assets.
Ahead, Grand Captain Commander Lex was speaking with the garrison commander, an imposing figure who stood waiting to greet them. August could see immediately that this was a man of considerable martial power and authority.
Commander General Roger belonged to a cadet branch of House Wolverine, one of the eight Ducal Houses that served as the outer pillars of the Empire. These houses, while technically they are called as "outer pillars" they are equal in footing with the other pillar houses. As they too possessed the supreme authority of the inner core noble families, wielded tremendous influence and commanded significant military assets.
General Roger was a man of great renown, having fought in many of the Emperor's wars during his long career. He was now semi-retired from active campaigning, having requested assignment to garrison duty. Specifically, he had asked to command one of the portal garrisons, viewing such positions as both strategically important and less demanding than leading armies in the field.
The Imperial military headquarters had granted his request, assigning him command of this facility with a legion of 25,000 combat personnel plus an additional 50,000 civilian support staff. His responsibility was absolute: hold the portal at all cost against threats from both within and without.
General Roger took his duty seriously. Every person passing through this portal underwent rigorous screening. Backgrounds were checked, documents verified, and any suspicious individuals were detained for questioning. When he had received word that a Dragonguard cohort, specifically the Twentieth, was using his portal, he had personally come to greet them.
He knew many of these warriors from past campaigns. They had fought together, bled together, survived impossible odds together. That shared history created bonds that transcended rank and formality.
The general was himself a giant of a man, standing well over seven feet tall with a frame built from decades of combat training and battlefield experience. But even he was dwarfed by Grand Captain Commander Lex, who stood nearly nine feet in height without armor.
When General Roger learned that this Dragonguard escort was accompanying the Emperor's personally invited guest, his curiosity was piqued. He walked toward the arriving party to see what manner of person had attracted Imperial attention at such high levels.
His surprise was evident when he realized the primary guests were young, some barely past childhood by military standards. But when Grand Captain Commander Lex indicated August specifically, something changed in the general's expression.
His eyes, trained by decades of evaluating warriors, conducted a swift assessment. Posture, the way August held himself, the unconscious readiness that marked someone accustomed to combat, the eyes that had seen death and delivered it. The general's expression shifted to one of approval, a slight nod that August recognized.
It was the same reaction Grand Captain Commander Lex had shown upon first meeting him. These veteran warriors could recognize strength in others, could sense potential and achievement in ways that transcended formal ranks or official classifications.
---
A Warning and Rest
General Roger's welcome was warm but professional. After the initial greetings, he provided important intelligence that could affect their continued journey.
"The roads ahead have become somewhat unstable," he explained, his voice carrying the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed. "We have been receiving reports of increased activity by remnants of the Fresco League of Kingdoms. More specifically, sympathizers and ideological supporters who survived the League's destruction."
The Fresco League had always been a coalition of kingdoms that had attempted to maintain the practice of slavery even after the Empire had destroyed their ideologies in the empire when they had escaped from its clutches. Emperor Janus' first mandate was to abolish it throughout their conquered territories. But the Fresco League had justified their position through economic arguments and cultural tradition, claiming that slavery was essential to their prosperity and way of life.
The Emperor had issued an ultimatum: abolish slavery or face the full might of Imperial intervention. The Fresco League had chosen defiance, believing in their delusions that their combined military strength would be sufficient to resist the rise of the Empire for another millenia.
They had been catastrophically wrong. The Empire had already and thoroughly crushed the League's armies before, deposed their rulers, and had restructured their societies by force. Hence when the final great war against their oppressors (after the old Empire of Arkanus fell some millennium ago.) The Emperor had specifically ordered that no loose ends be left, understanding from his long experience that leaving survivors created future problems.
But it seemed some had escaped. These remnants had formed a cult-like organization calling itself "Fresco's Revenge," dedicated to destabilizing the Empire and eventually restoring their vision of society.
They have conducted acts of sabotage, attempted assassinations of Imperial officials, undermining important achievements and breakthroughs to the improvement of their former subjects and slaves (freemen) quality of life. Whether they be released slaves, or whether it be Elmisians, Arkanians or some ethnic group of humanoids and demi-humans who fell under the end of their stick they had tried their best to find faults. And worst of all they committed terrorist attacks against civilian populations specially here in the outskirts far away from the imperial capitals over reaching grasp.
"The imperial capital region will be issuing death warrants soon," General Roger continued. "Once we properly identify these individuals, they will be hunted down and eliminated. There is no place in the Western Subcontinent where they can hide. We have eyes and ears across all 70 million square kilometers of territory. We only need the legal implications and the public's support for us to start our bloody work. But it is no question that we already have the public's support, they already have been through their clutches before I doubt they would want to be in its shadows once more."
Grand Captain Commander Lex nodded his appreciation for the warning. "We will maintain heightened vigilance. If we encounter any suspicious activity, we will deal with it appropriately."
"I have no doubt of that," General Roger said with a slight smile. "Still, I recommend you rest here for a few days before continuing. Your mounts need proper care, your people need to recover from the portal transition, and I would be honored to provide proper hospitality."
The offer was accepted gratefully. August and his companions were indeed suffering from the portal's effects. Even now, hours after the transition, several people were still experiencing nausea and disorientation. A few days of rest would allow them to recover before facing the next jump.
They were led to a large tent area designated for temporary visitors. The accommodations were Spartan but clean and adequate. Their carriage and draft animals were taken to stables where they would receive proper care. The large wagon Adrianne was delivered to a specialist from the Imperial ranks, someone with expertise in maintaining enchanted vehicles.
Meanwhile, a steady stream of other travelers who had arrived via the portal began the process of departing the garrison. Businessmen, wealthy travelers, officials on Imperial business, all underwent the same rigorous screening process.
Each person received papers signed by Commander General Roger himself, authenticating that they had passed through this portal legally and had been cleared by Imperial security. These documents served as identification papers, required for travel throughout the broader Imperial territories. In every city, town, or village within the Empire, these papers would be checked and verified before they are allowed passage.
August and his group were also issued such documents, though they did not yet realize it. The invitation letter August carried would have allowed them to bypass most of these bureaucratic requirements, but having proper credentials would be useful if they needed to move independently of the Dragonguard escort.
---
Training and Sparring
The expedition spent three days at the garrison, allowing bodies to recover from the portal transition's effects. During this time, they maintained their normal training routines, adapting them to the space and resources available.
The garrison soldiers, observing the young warriors going through their exercises, became curious. Some of the bolder soldiers approached and asked for sparring matches, eager to test their skills against these visitors who had attracted such high-level attention.
The quality of these soldiers was immediately apparent. They were not regional troops going through routine exercises but elite warriors who trained with serious intensity. Several of them managed to win their sparring matches against Talon One members, though these were friendly contests with pulled strikes and safety protocols.
Erik lost to a lieutenant who specialized in grappling techniques that neutralized Erik's reach advantage. Adam found himself outmaneuvered by a captain who had mastered defensive counter-fighting. Even Bren, one of their most technically skilled members, was defeated by a soldier who had clearly spent decades perfecting his craft.
But none could match August. Not the regular soldiers, not the lieutenants, not even the captains. Every opponent sent against him was systematically defeated, not brutally or humiliatingly, but with a clear demonstration of superior skill, execution of technique and raw power behind it.
One captain, a woman named Helena who had achieved Master Rank Category IV - Garrison Commander, lasted the longest. She managed to force August to actually focus on the fight rather than treating it as a casual exercise. But eventually, even she was defeated, disarmed through a combination technique that she openly admitted she had never seen before.
"You are going to be terrifying in a few more years," she said after the match, massaging a bruised shoulder where one of August's strikes had landed despite his efforts to pull it. "If you are already this strong now, what will you be like when you reach your potential?"
General Roger, who had observed several of these matches, reached his own conclusions. August would indeed reach heights unknown to most warriors. Perhaps he would rival the legendary heroes whose stories filled history books. Perhaps he would surpass them.
The general now understood more clearly why the Emperor had summoned August personally. This was not merely recognition of past achievements or a political courtesy extended to a useful ally. This was the Emperor identifying someone of genuine strategic importance and choosing to meet them before they became too powerful to easily approach.
General Roger kept these thoughts to himself, but he made detailed notes in his private journals. Future historians might find them valuable when studying how the Empire had identified and cultivated relationships with exceptional individuals.
---
Departure to Pearl
On the morning of the fourth day, the expedition prepared to depart. Bodies had recovered from the portal transition, mounts were rested and resupplied, and equipment had been checked and maintained.
Their next destination was the capital city of the Royal House of Perlah: the city of Pearl. There, they would access the third portal waypoint, which would finally transport them into the Imperial Capital Region itself.
General Roger saw them off personally, providing additional supplies and assigning a small contingent of scouts to accompany them for the first day's journey, just to ensure they did not encounter immediate problems.
"Safe travels," he said, clasping forearms with Grand Captain Commander Lex in the warrior's traditional farewell. "And young August," he turned to address him directly, "when you meet the Emperor, remember to be yourself. Janus did not reach his position through tolerating pretense or flattery. He values honesty, even when it is inconvenient."
August nodded, grateful for the advice from someone who clearly knew the Emperor personally. "Thank you, General. I will remember your advice."
The expedition departed the garrison, passing back through the massive gates and onto the roads that would lead them to Pearl. The journey was entering its final stages, and with each day, they drew closer to the Imperial Capital and the audience that awaited them.
Whatever the Emperor wanted, whatever awaited them in Aethelgard, they would face it together. For now, that certainty was enough.