War Post: Tides of War
[Day 14, 22:00]
The humans have broken.
Four endless hours of one-sided battles and skirmishes. The Shin Mazoku troops, well-rested and well-informed, march relentlessly onwards. The humans are in disarray, the few magic users stupid enough to stand and fight are swept aside with contemptuous ease by the silent Shinou who makes his way across the battle-field with only the barest escort.
The men who ride beside him are silent, watching the battle unfold with wide eyes. They carry their swords in one hand, but they have not yet had cause to use them. Only the insane would face down a Shinou and most of the humans prefer to waste their lives against the normal troops.
There are rumours spreading through the humans and more and more often, they break as the black-clad figure emerges from the twilight. The men no longer offer their comments on the humans, afraid to break the intense silence; the Shinou has stopped 'speaking', giving orders in a clipped, emotionless flicker of thought. They shadow him, still watchful, as the lieutenants come thundering up on sweaty horses to announce the humans have nowhere left to run; they stand with their back to the sea.
The Shinou looks out over the regimented lines towards the sea. ::They are starting the withdrawal then?::
The nearest lieutenant, bloodied and smoke-stained, shakes his head sharply. "They aren't withdrawing, Heika. The ships are leaving port but the soldiers aren't on board."
::What?::
The lieutenant turns to point to the white squares of sails, barely visible through the smoke of burning supplies and buildings. "The ships sail empty, Heika. The men are being left to die."
The Shinou's eyes flash. ::Outrageous. Go to your captains and tell them that they have my permission to press as hard as is needful. One way or another, the war ends tonight.::
The lieutenants salute and spur their horses away as the soldiers of his escort move closer. The Shinou's head is tilted and the tremors running through the waves of Maryoku as he reaches out again. Blue-violet eyes open, looking straight at each of them.
::Hold fast and do not fear. Bloody work remains but we are close to the end of this.::
"Heika." They bow in their saddles as he leads them to the crest of the hill. A glowing nimbus of pure power curls around his arms as he raises them and sends fiery chaos blasting down into the remaining ranks. An answering roar comes from the Shin Mazoku troops and together, they charge into what remains of the human forces....
[22:30]
The battle for Khrennikov is over.
Tired and disgusted, Aki turns Nacht back towards the over-crowded healers' tents. The black stallion races through the bloody streets, leaving the troops to their celebrations.
His work is far from done.
The humans have broken.
Four endless hours of one-sided battles and skirmishes. The Shin Mazoku troops, well-rested and well-informed, march relentlessly onwards. The humans are in disarray, the few magic users stupid enough to stand and fight are swept aside with contemptuous ease by the silent Shinou who makes his way across the battle-field with only the barest escort.
The men who ride beside him are silent, watching the battle unfold with wide eyes. They carry their swords in one hand, but they have not yet had cause to use them. Only the insane would face down a Shinou and most of the humans prefer to waste their lives against the normal troops.
There are rumours spreading through the humans and more and more often, they break as the black-clad figure emerges from the twilight. The men no longer offer their comments on the humans, afraid to break the intense silence; the Shinou has stopped 'speaking', giving orders in a clipped, emotionless flicker of thought. They shadow him, still watchful, as the lieutenants come thundering up on sweaty horses to announce the humans have nowhere left to run; they stand with their back to the sea.
The Shinou looks out over the regimented lines towards the sea. ::They are starting the withdrawal then?::
The nearest lieutenant, bloodied and smoke-stained, shakes his head sharply. "They aren't withdrawing, Heika. The ships are leaving port but the soldiers aren't on board."
::What?::
The lieutenant turns to point to the white squares of sails, barely visible through the smoke of burning supplies and buildings. "The ships sail empty, Heika. The men are being left to die."
The Shinou's eyes flash. ::Outrageous. Go to your captains and tell them that they have my permission to press as hard as is needful. One way or another, the war ends tonight.::
The lieutenants salute and spur their horses away as the soldiers of his escort move closer. The Shinou's head is tilted and the tremors running through the waves of Maryoku as he reaches out again. Blue-violet eyes open, looking straight at each of them.
::Hold fast and do not fear. Bloody work remains but we are close to the end of this.::
"Heika." They bow in their saddles as he leads them to the crest of the hill. A glowing nimbus of pure power curls around his arms as he raises them and sends fiery chaos blasting down into the remaining ranks. An answering roar comes from the Shin Mazoku troops and together, they charge into what remains of the human forces....
[22:30]
The battle for Khrennikov is over.
Tired and disgusted, Aki turns Nacht back towards the over-crowded healers' tents. The black stallion races through the bloody streets, leaving the troops to their celebrations.
His work is far from done.