19 Over The Other Side

At the Capital of the Sicilian Empire, a city named Lucienio. Their King sat upon the Iron throne, furrowing his eyebrows as he listens intently to the words of his messenger. As he listens to the ever so total defeat of his army and the ever-increasing might of the Arcadians. He slammed his fists at the arm-rest of his throne. Stood up and yelled out, "SYLVIA!" Calling for his advisor, Sylvia.

Thus came Sylvia, or at least, one of the twenty Sylvias. The Sylvias are the masked advisors of Sicilio. After having discovered magic at least 100 years before the Arcadians landed, Sicilio utilized it to great effect. Turning his retinues and advisors into the Loyal Sylvias. All of whom are the strongest magic users in the empire. It is to be noted that they were the ones who ambushed and mortally wound Lui-eya. As for the idea of time. It had not crossed them yet.

As one Sylvia came, the others followed. Their mask and clothing, except for one all looked the same, and their heights varied. it was a solid white mask, mouthless, noseless, the only human quality is the eyeholes, but even then you cannot peer into their eyes.

One of them stepped forward, her mask was different. Rather than maintaining a solid white color, it was red, and instead of resembling a human, it was resembling a monster. With four fangs, two horns, maddening eyes, and deranged facial features. She was the leader. Sylvia Monstra.

"What... is it."Her voice bellowed in a deep, hushed tone. The white-masked Sylvias never moved unless ordered by Monstra. And so they just stood there inattentively.

"They attacked the Forians." He said.

"They attacked the Forians." She repeated.

"So I want you to deal with them over there and fast. We still need the other ships to come in for more support." He leans back upon his comforting throne.

In a simple flick, he summoned a cigarette in his hands. A simple motion, putting it in his mouth and touching the end with his index finger as it begins to light up. He huffs, "I want them gone quickly. And if you can, get their Emperor too."

Monstra nodded, a simple gesture which means 'understood'. A hand gesture, pointing towards the door, as she left, followed by the other Sylvias.

As they left, Sicilio huffed his cigarette again. He then stood up from his throne and went into his bedroom. It is a dimly lit room with a small, yet comfortable bed, on the other end, opposite of the door is a balcony. And from that balcony, he can see Forian Island.

He took a telescope beside the balcony to further investigate it.

As he peers into the glass, he sees the faint orange glow of burning buildings. He knows those would be snuffed out soon, and he hopes that is when the Sylvias attack. But even then what would be the point. The Sylvian unit may be a group of the most powerful mages in Sicilia. But would that matter if the rest of his army is nothing more than people who know a few tricks. Which also doubles as a disorganized mess.

He sighs as he puffs out the smoke. Throwing the cigarette down the dozens of roofs below his room. The least he could do is hope that the Sylvias would be able to repel the Arcadians from the island. And with that, he went back to bed.

------------------

The last embers of the raging fire in Forian Island finally settled as the exhausted soldiers set up their camp. It appears that the sun has still not risen up, they guess it is because of the position of the planet. As Astrian had thought them. But even then, it would be much too late.

Even so, they setup their camp.

A soldier walked towards a forested area, hoping to get some wood for the fire. As he reached for the branches and shrubbery he hears the soft, subtle movement of leaves. It was almost manmade. "W-who's there!" He yelled, but there was no answer. The leaves calmed, and he thought it was the wind. For he felt a chill despite it.

Another soldier, foraging for food, went deeper into the dark forest. As he foraged, he felt a sudden chill, followed by an intense rustling of leaves, as he peers deeper into the forest, looking around, he sees a subtle bright white figure floating through the forests, rustling the leaves.

He tries to speak but he can't. As if paralyzed, the floating figure disappeared into the dark as he feels a deeper chill down his spine. He stepped back, attempting to get back to camp. As he grows wary of his surroundings, walking backwards, he tripped on a branch. He spread himself out, trying to get support, but there was no support. He was alone.

Trying to crawl from the back, despite knowing of his futile resistance, he still tries, convincing himself that whatever he fears would just be the local fauna. But there was no local fauna. There were only monsters.

And from the darkness, slowly getting shone by the light of the camp. Was a monster with a red face. Slowly from behind it followed men in a horrifying white mask. Inhuman, yet resembling a human. They peered down at him as his heartbeat echoes across the silent forest.

A heartbeat, eventually silenced.

And Forian Island. A light of Arcadia, snuffed.