Fear, Hope and Absolute

As Atrocity returns to friendly lines, he takes a swing from his canteen, rinses out his mouth and spits out a mixture of blood and water. 

"I take it that bloodcurdling scream was your handy work?" Asked Polaris leaning against the stair railing. 

"You can bet on it. The Archbishop will not be issuing any new orders, nor will his command structure. Just leaves that angel..."

"Yes it does. He mainly provided support today, but Cap and I make sure nothing he did mattered. Our citizens have been informed of today's victory, but we are all remaining on guard. Several soldiers and heroes have been sent to safe guard the magi-gens."

"Where do you need me?"

"We're at the wall all night. Something tells me the Pope won't respond kindly to this outrage."

Meanwhile, the Pope was in a fit of rage. "THEY TOLD ME THESE WILDERNESS ASSHOLES WOULD BE AN EASY TARGET! An ARCHBISHOP DEAD, NO, MAULED! EVERYONE GET OUT!"

Once everyone was out of the room, the Pope used a spell to contact someone. 

"What is it?"

"You lied to me. You said Wilderness would be an easy target! WHO ARE YOU PLAYING?"

"Oh? That's no way to speak to me."

"I asked for intel! WHAT THE HELL IS WITH THIS GAME!?"

"You want intel? Kneel."

"I SAID INTEL!"

"Yes, yes, and I said...." The voice becomes pure fear inducing darkness. "KNEEL."

The Pope's willpower is overridden, and he slammed down onto his knees before the image. 

"That's far more better. Wouldn't you agree?"

"W-What... How did you.... What the hell are you?"

"Compulsion.... my, my, what an excellent skill to have at my disposal..... but don't fret, I am your ally. I will show my face to you, only when you throw everything you have at Wilderness. Don't you worry, I'll make sure to make it one hell of a show."

The image vanished into thin air as the Pope regained the ability to stand. He called in his war chief. "I want every available fighting man we have. Throw them at Wilderness. Bring that degenerate city to the ground. I don't are how many believers die, God will reward them for doing his work."

With a nod, the entire force of the Holy Kingdom begins their long march to Wilderness. Their devotion carrying them through. The Pope accompanied them, riding in his luxury coach. The ground seemingly shook as the Holy Legion made their way through the forests and mountains. 

"Gonzelle! Send word to King ArgaBald. The Holy Kingdom is throwing everything they have at Wilderness and the Dwarven Counsel wants him to send troops to Wilderness!"

"Understood!"

Gonzelle hopped on his horse and bolted away from the mountain lookout. He rushed as fast as his horse would run. It didn't take long news to reach the Dwarven King. Once the news had been fully relayed to King ArgaBald, he swiftly sent a raven to Fort Wilderness telling them he was coming to assist them. 

"Upon this day, the Dwarven Kingdom and the Wilderness Territorial Dominion shall become allies, and put an end to the Holy Legion. We will arrive at day break, and eagerly assist you. Your friend ~King ArgaBald" Said Polaris reading the letter. 

"Good to know the dwarves have our backs." Said Archimedes, handing the letter to Atrocity.

Meanwhile, deep in the frozen tundra, a man sat upon his solid ice throne. 

"Father, everything is set for us to appear on the world stage once again."

"Excellent my son. Daughter, what news do you bring me?

"The one called Atrocity has joined Wilderness. We have bone records showing Astotle Winters is dead. He died shortly after the you took power."

"Excellent! Excellent!" Said the man on the throne as he yanked a chain, leading his wife closer to him. "Blind witch, I want you in on this fight too. I want to rip this world apart. Son, make ready the army, see to it they are ready to join in a fight at a moments notice."

"As you command father."

"Daughter, send in that pitiful oracle I want her to watch as Antarctica brings down her prophacy. This will mark the end of a shit empire, and dawn a new era of Meta-Supremacy for Wintersbane!"

As the Oracle shuffled into the room, the King growled at her. "What do you make of your precious prophecy now?"

"Oh.... Oh no... King Absolute, you still shall lose!"

Absolute throws a sizable chunk of ice at her. "I do not...LOSE. Have the guards take her with my son and his men. I want her to bear witness... TO THE DEATH OF A STAR."

The guards drag the Oracle away as Absolute grins, confident he can't lose. "My dearest Tessa, we are this close to having our way of life back. Humanity will finally fall, aslaven to the Wintersbane Empire, just as I promised you."

"Oh Absolute, tell me, will I ever feel your warmth again?"

"You shall, once I win this, once I remove that unworthy shitstain from existence. We all shall be free of that accursed spawn."

"Yes... you mean our other son? 

Absolute's eyes were full of ferocity and seething hatred. He was ready to end this conflict, once and for all.