A message from the East

There was an explosion. After that, everything went blank...

~ Three hours earlier~

Everything in Dalmacia seemed to be covered with layer upon layer of tension. There weren't any birds singing. The wind wasn't blowing. Even sunlight seemed dim. It was as if everyone knew, but no one dared to come out and say it. 

Over at a local tavern, Cid was having a couple of cold ones (Richard's sword tech teacher who also taught Legend), and a couple of regulars were there. Other than them, things were pretty much dead. Walking by the usually busy markets of the city, we still found some activity; herbs being sold; armor being made; weapons being upgraded; food being prepared, and some of it eaten.

If you looked into the people's eyes, you'd find they all had one thing in common: an unsettling expectation of fear. The king had made it common knowledge: the imminent threat of invasion by the East. It was no longer a rumor spoken in the taverns. Everyone knew.

King Uther was regarded as an exemplary leader. In earlier days, there was a time when the kingdom of Moriah attempted to extend its territory by invading its neighboring lands, all due to the ambition of a child who became king. Those days weren't nearly as grim as the days of the Demon Wars over a century ago, but in war, regardless of who ends up being the victor, everyone loses. People on both sides die. Those who survive may be left wondering what's the point of all the fighting. The Kingdom of Moriah had great military capability. Their Dark knights specialized in the dark sword, and they had the best martial artists in the West. Despite all that, they were defeated by a coalition between Dalmacia and Sylar's forces. Since then, there's been peace among men on the continent. And yet, to this day, the thought of war was ever so terrifying for everyone.

While the entire Kingdom was burdened with such preoccupation, it was time for another War council briefing. Among those whose presence was required was Chancellor Ban; Archibald, Captain of the Dark Knights; Gregg Raines, Commander of the Dragoon regiment; General Cedric Pendragon, Commander of all the armies in the kingdom; Captain Frederick the Bold, who was an essential member of the King's Guard, was present as well with other King's Guard knights. Legend was a guest of honor because the king had learned about his quest and what Richard and the others were searching for. The meeting had already begun.

Chancellor: ... I thank you all for your precious time. Your Majesty.

King Uther: Thank you, Chancellor. Sir Archibald. Situation report.

Archibald: Your Majesty. In coordination with the General, the Dark Knights and Holy Knights of the kingdom have all been deployed in key positions in both the palace and the city. We await your orders to send regiments to allied cities to aid their locals with possible attacks. Our forces all stand ready for battle.

King Uther: Excellent work, Sir Archibald. For now, we hold positions. The General will inform you of any other tactical operations that may be carried out. Let us wait and see what new developments- - - one of the members of the King's Guard came up to let the king know of a recently new development.

King's Guard Knight: There's a man outside claiming to have an urgent message from The Reach's Emperor Aurelius for you, Your Majesty.

The king told him to let him through.

King Uther: A message from the East. Let us all hear what they have to say.

The doors of the War council room were opened, and a decrepit-looking man entered, walking really slowly and hunched. When Gregg Raines saw him, he recognized him immediately.

Gregg Raines: Your Majesty! He is one of my men! One of the soldiers that the enemy captured!

"Are you alright, lad?"

"What happened to the others?"

"My goodness… did they even feed you over there?"

"It doesn't look like he was fed at all!"

"You look like you've been through hell…"

Everyone was unsettled. But overall, everyone wanted to hear what he had to say. After a slow and tortuous walk from the door to a few steps from the king, where he stopped walking (the King's Guard didn't allow him to get any closer to the king), he stood still without uttering a single word. His eyes were scattered, going all over the place and not focusing on anyone. The people in the room started to grow anxiously impatient.

King Uther: Is everything alright? We are all waiting to hear that message.

Legend was sitting next to the king, who was at the northern head of the table. On the southern end was Chancellor Ban. Gregg Raines was next to Legend, and next to him was Archibald, Captain of the Dark Knights. 

After what seemed like an eternity of this man just standing there in silence, he suddenly began speaking loudly in an unknown language.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Look at him... He looks like a zombie."

"Did he say he was from Dalmacia?"

"I don't know that language."

Black Wizard: Your Majesty, I believe he's uttering an incantation!

Archibald: The poor bastard's lost his mind!

King Uther: That is enough! Guards! Get this man out of here. And have the barrack's doctors examine him. There is clearly something very wrong with him...

The King's Guard grabbed him, and sparks started blistering from his arms (which felt morbidly hot). As the two knights from the King's Guard had held him, he said in a very different voice, "Submit to me or die like dogs!"

~ Now~

Once he said those words, there was an explosion. Everything went blank (the messenger exploded after uttering a Dark magic incantation). Half of the people in that room died in the blast. However, Legend... The king, Gregg Raines, the Chancellor, and a few others survived. Some did because they weren't that close to the blast's core. But the King and Gregg only survived because Legend was able to make a light shield with the Sword of Light (Legend learned quite a few neat tricks in his training with the sword. His abilities in manipulating the Sword of Light were now above average).

Gregg: Your Majesty! Are you hurt? - Gregg was coughing and a bit disoriented, but his first conscious thought was the king's safety.

King Uther: I- I am alright... Thanks to Legend! Bless you, child! I am alive now only because of you!

Legend: Glad to be of service, Your Majesty!

King Uther: To think the East would stoop to such despicable tactics!

Gregg: Your Majesty... Sir Archibald... He's… he's dead...

Captain Frederick: The commander of the King's Guard was also caught in the blast, Your Majesty... Curse those Eastern bastards! 

Chancellor: Those savages! How can they not respect the rules of war?! Half our council is gone!

King Uther: Sound the alarms! As of now, we are in a state of emergency! Send word to all the cities and kingdoms on the continent! The war against the East has begun...

Messengers were sent to all the cities and towns. Defenses were doubled at Dalmacia. All citizens were instructed to stay in their homes, and a curfew was implemented and enforced throughout the Kingdom. If there was uneasiness before, now there was flat-out panic.

High up in the distance, a fleet of airships could be seen. It was commanded by General Vortigen, an insane man that was a complete fanatic. He believed Aurelius to be a god in the most literal sense. 

The fleet was filled with eastern soldiers, Dark knights, and Black mages. Somewhat farther behind was a navy fleet commanded by the mage Andreza. This fleet was carrying monsters from the Soldier-to-monster program. Aurelius' Inner circle was following the events as they unfolded from afar. They could see where their troops were on a crystal ball, thanks to a tracking spell from a Dimensional mage.

Aurelius: A pity the king of Dalmacia survived the blast. We will not have a chance like that one again... 

Dante: I saw a flash of white light spark when the messenger exploded... perhaps the Dalmacian king was prepared.

Dr. HP: He was fortunate. That is all. Still, there is no way for the Westerners to have the might to withstand our forces, Emperor. I have no doubt that victory will be ours.

Aurelius: I am quite confident as well. Go fetch me a couple of those captured spies, doctor. It is almost time for the next step.

Dr. HP: I shall have them brought here at once, Your Eminence.

Meanwhile, Demona was still on the Eastern Continent. She was flying on a three-headed dragon called Hydra on her way to the Reach's fortress.