Lightning

On a grassy plain lied a black metallic fortress. A storm brewed overhead, and lightning soared across the dark and ominous clouds in the sky.

Flashes of blue blight flickered across the dark walls of the fortresses as the oncoming storm grew closer and closer.

Soldiers scurried on the walls, checking metal throwing lances and carrying supplies deeper into the fortress while being commanded by a giant man standing over seven feet tall. He was dressed in white leather armor. In a gruff voice, he yelled, Check the metal lances! All of them must be in pristine shape; we can't have any mishaps here!

The soldiers took heed of their colonels words, even if they already checked a lance. They checked a second and even a third time. They followed the lines that connected to the butt end of the lance and followed them all the way to a row of many large tanks used to store energy.

The Colonel looked around at the scurrying soldiers trying to find someone, then he yelled towards a man with brown hair, Lieutenant! Find the general; she is going to be needed for the battle against the horseman!

The lieutenant hearing to get the general dropped the supplies he was carrying to the side and jogged towards the stairs leading down the walls and deeper into the fortress.

Right after the Colonel sent for the General, a massive flicker of light lit up the fortress, then a neigh of a horse was heard all throughout the fortress, and the walls began to tremble.

—

Inside a room in the metallic fortress, a lady donned in white leather armor had a stave in one hand and a large book in another.

The room held five different metal shooting dummies.

So immolate is at a higher level than firebolt? The lady dressed in white leather was learning new techniques to use.

Ok, so let's try immolating then. She moved her stave up and pointed it towards the farthest dummy to the right, and she yelled immolate!

The dummy lit up in a puff of flames, and in two seconds, the fire went out.

It seems I really can learn from those mages, even if I don't know magic, she said happily.

Once again, she looked into her very large book and began turning pages. I can try to create spheres of flame, a fire dome, and maybe a fire wall. I'll need to increase my manipulation technique, though. He sighed and remembered what the Colonel recommended for her; at his great height, he could only look down towards her. You must inspire the soldiers! You are our leader and our symbol, and now your flames must inspire the people to learn how to manipulate your flames to create attacks that embody your heart!

She didn't exactly know what he wanted her knock-off spells to look like, but she would try to show off. While pushing towards the very back of the book, she wondered, How far can I even go down this? Some of this stuff definitely requires mana. How could I create an animate beast made of regular flames?

While reading the book, the door opened, and the lieutenant hurriedly walked in.

I'm sorry to disturb you in general! The lieutenant saluted the general.

Looking up from her book, the general smile towards the Lieutenant, Jack, I told you that this isn't a real military; we're only a ragtag group of people helping those in need.

Dropping his salute Jack responded, I'm sorry, Alice; it just reminds me of the past. Anyway, the Colonel told me to get you; the Horseman is getting closer; it's only a matter of time before it's here.

General Alice placed her book on the ground and strapped the stave onto her back. Looking back at the Colonel, she walked forward. I'm ready to take me to the wall.

—

The Colonel looked down from the walls into the fortress and yelled, Leathermen! raise the lightning rods and ring the bells. The horseman is coming.

Men with loose skin that moved when the air was blowing started to run towards a large capstan; they wore nothing on their upper bodies and leather pants attached to rubber boots.

The leathermen took their positions at the capstan and began pushing slowly. Slowly, a giant metal rod began to emerge from the ground, going higher and higher into the sky.

The Colonel reached down to his waist and grabbed his long mace. The long mace was nearly as big as him and was made of white crystal.

Grabbing his crystal-long mace with both hands, he whispered to himself, May the Light Lord guide us to victory; let our strikes land true and our deaths be grand; and may we serve you for all eternity in your Palace of Light. The general's long mace slowly started glowing yellow.