Pressing Forward

"Rahh!" Elias shouted out an ecstatic cheer, his voice shattering through the heavy silence that had befallen the battlefield. Beyond his shout, the only thing audible was the screeching roar of the centipede as it twisted and rolled in place, all the while chunks of heavy black metal came collapsing off it's previously believed impervious hide.

A weapon to shatter the practically invulnerable midnight centipedes. That wasn't something to mock. These beasts had been renowned throughout all of Midnight as the dominate aggressors, the ones who held the power to demolish all in their wake. They carried with them an air of terror, the true representatives of the Grandmaster's believed infinite power.

The Grandmaster, a man who held the command of dozens of Territorial Lords within his grasp, one could imagine how terrifying such a being was. For a servant forged by such a being to be destroyed, that would definitely catch the ire of many.

What Elias, and in truth Roland had accomplished with this single action had altered the fate of Midnight, more so than they could ever know at the time.

This was all the evidence many would need to believe they could rise up against the forces of the Grandmaster, a once omnipotent ruler of all under the crimson sky. In truth, the peace was fragile, and time itself was all it would take to eventually shatter that peace.

"Elias, we need to move up to the top!" Deus loudly proclaimed as he pulled himself together.

The two paused for a moment to take in everything around them. The bleeding screech of the midnight centipede, the silent awe of everyone present watching, even the heavy shudder of the black sand as it kicked out around them.

"Hmph," Elias coughed out with a nod, clambering down from the heavy ballista weapon. As he stepped, his feet wobbled, most likely from the tense pressure that filled the air as he released the final round.

"Come along Deus, we've got a charge to lead."

The two collected themselves as they quickly abandoned the room, rushing back toward the deck of the ship. As they ran through the inner corridors they could hear the heavy blasts of enemy fire as it rocked against the thick metal hull of the Nijaden and the seemingly ever-expanding desert.

Elias led the way as the two of them stepped out onto the deck of the ship.

The moment they arrived all eyes fell onto them. Silence reigned as shock and awe were the most dominant emotions that seemed to soak through the air.

Noticing this, Elias glanced around at everyone present, his clan's crew included, and bellowed out instructions for all to hear. He didn't have time to take the moment in, not really.

He knew better than anyone present that the moment that shot was fired he had begun a timer. His actions, and more importantly his clan's actions weren't known to many now, but soon everyone would know of the weaponry and power that Roland held.

But that wasn't the only problem, either.

In truth, the main issue was the counting clock that had befallen him the moment he killed the centipede.

The Territorial Lord of Direfell will come for him and Roland. Don't be mistaken, this action was a declaration of war.

Even if it wasn't supposed to be, or intended to be, that didn't matter anymore. Roland now held true power, and the Lords cannot permit such an untapped power to go unchallenged.

There were many secrets that the Lords of Midnight held, but it was an unquestionable truth that the midnight centipedes acted as their agents. Their representatives. To destroy one was to destroy the balance of power.

So now Elias knew what would come for him.

Roch Cresswell, the military captain of Direfell and the man who once held true dominion over countless lives. His word was the word of his Lord, and now he would come for Elias.

Perhaps Roland wouldn't have to fear too greatly, but Elias wasn't in a place where he could go without worry, not only that but Elias was the one who fired the bolt in the first place, which made him a prime target for the hunt that was to come.

Atop the deck of the Nijaden, Deus stood alone as he watched Elias shout out orders to the rest of the crew. The ship was redirected and now on a direct charge for the enemy location.

"Hey you, bring me my supplies!" Deus ordered out to one of the clansmen.

It didn't take long for the man to shuffle over toward Deus with a heavy pack. Deus crotched down next to it as he checked through the contents, only nodding his head after confirming everything was intact.

"I've still got the Archive…" Deus mumbled quietly to himself as he practically rubbed the mechanical Archive against his palm, hiding it behind his pack so that no one would notice it. "This has been one hell of a day already."

The Nijaden approached the enemy camp as it undertook a barrage of fire. Deus didn't have long to prepare his things once everything had begun.

He lifted up his heavy pack and strapped it onto his back, securing the tied rope across the front of his chest so as to not lose it. He gave one more glance through his belongings and weapons before he stood up again and headed toward the other vanguard members.

His hand-cannon styled pistol was strapped to his waist, while his primary weapon of choice, the Quickblade, was secured in its scabbard below his pack, against his lower back. The blade was strapped horizontally so as to provide easy use of it without the concern of cutting through his supplies.

He was as ready as he would ever be, and he knew by now that there was nothing else he could do to prepare in the time he had.

As he approached the other vanguard members his eyes immediately fell upon the mysterious Thaddeus, who held the large Jaeger spear like a trident as several thinly crafted grenades sat comfortably in his satchel. His only armor was a fully-draped black cloak with metallic arm-straps, most likely in use for blocking strikes in physical combat.

'Just what is he planning?' Deus thought as he watched Thaddeus with caution. 'I still can't read him, is he friend or foe? Shit… I hate this.'

"You ready over there mister Deus?" A voice called out to him, which seemed to stir him awake again as his head jolted upward. What he saw was a familiar Krexite warrior. The very clansman who had greeted him and showed him around the clan's weapon-supply.

"Oh, right." Deus nodded, "Hold on, you were a part of the vanguard?"

"Not originally," The Krex said with a sigh, "It seems Master Elias wishes to surround himself with familiar faces, as to prevent being in the fold of combat with no friends around."

"Heh, is that how it is?" Deus laughed out in a snide tone, fully aware of the true meaning of those words. 'So, Elias definitely doesn't trust us… not enough to not surround himself with his own warriors. The main question was why… did he just not trust easily, or has he received some sort of intel?'

"Hey, since we're going to be fighting alongside each other… I know this is most likely rude to ask now after so long, but what should I call you?"

The Krex paused for a moment as he thought. "Hmm, I suppose it never dawned on me. My name is Ekhez Atra Nekaia, but please, you may refer to this one as simply being Atra."

"Atra? Very well, Atra."

The Krex, Ekhez Atra Nekaia, gave out a chuckled clicking as his bugged mandibles clacked around as if to express a pleasured emotion.

"Yes, yes, that will work fine."

"Very well Atra, I'll be relying on you."