30 The Battle of the Melting Mist Plains 4

"HAMILCAAAARRR!" Upon hearing Georgios's enraged roar, the Luminous soldiers loudly cheered as they finally saw a glimmer of hope to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat against the Eclipse Empire's revolutionary tactics, as well as a way to take revenge for their fallen brothers, who died so pitifully, without even leaving a corpse behind.

While Hamilcar and I simply showed amused expressions as I calmly say "Took him long enough."

Hamilcar sadistically chuckled as he calmly wore his black helmet that was adorned with a crown of blades, he then attached his demon mask, and lifted his monstrous war axe, as his blood lust flared uncontrollably, giving all those who gazed upon him the impression of a hellish demon king on the verge of going berserk, and ushering in an age of untold chaos and mayhem.

Seeing this I seriously say "Remember Grand Marshal, you only have to hold him up. Under no circumstance is your duel allowed to become a battle to the death, even if you get the opportunity to strike him down, am I clear?"

Hamilcar's previous air of savagery was immediately replaced with a scheming one, as a calculating look settled in his eyes, and he said with a knowing smile "Of course, sire."

Hamilcar then leapt off the palisade, and casually sauntered through the infernal landscape of the battlefield, as calmly as one would stroll through a meadow of blooming flowers that gently swayed in the spring breeze that still clung to winter's chill, as the golden sun lit up the cerulean sky. But sadly Hamilcar's walk was cut short, as he was quickly confronted with the battle eager Georgios.

Hamilcar said nothing as he faced Georgios, and simply unleashed the full might of his power, as his aura took the form of a blood red pillar of flame, that arrogantly ascended into the high heavens!

The Eclipse soldiers roared like crazed fiends as they stared at this display of near myth like power, and felt his oppressive and seemingly infinite amount of blood lust he unleashed, while the Luminous soldiers felt nothing but unabashed dread, as manic terror began to twist and corrupt their fragile minds.

Seeing this, Georgios quickly unleashed his own silverish-white aura, that reflected glamorously over his armor, greatly alleviating his horrified men, and giving him the appearance of a glorious holy knight.

Both Hamilcar, who looked like a demon god of war and slaughter, and Georgios, who looked like a warrior saint that was impervious to all sin, faced each other, as the tension became palpable, yet contrary to everyone's expectations the two men stood motionless, before suddenly darting at lightning speed out of the battlefield, because they both knew that their clash would cause unimaginable collateral damage to both armies.

And the only clue to the magnitude of their conflict was the erratic rumbling of the earth, and the deafening sounds of explosions that echoed thunderously across the chaotic battlefield from time to time!

***Scene Change***

Abraham was standing victoriously atop a small hill of gore and viscera, overlooking a field of crimson carnage all around him, as he coldly, yet respectfully gazed at the struggling body of Luther, who was still stubbornly gritting his teeth and forcing his battered body up, seemingly unconcerned about the loss of his left eye, or the dozens of deep gashes that marred his once iron-like flesh.

Seeing this Abraham calmly said "It's pointless. You can no longer fight, and your army's flank is on the brink of annihilation, and soon we will plunge our blades into the undefended side of your center, wreaking untold havoc. Surrender and I shall give you a merciful death."

Luther glared wrathfully at Abraham, but said nothing as he himself knew that it was indeed pointless, and even began to be consumed in the endless abyss of despair. But then Georgios's thunderous roar reverberated across the plains, and his hollow eye suddenly gleamed with innumerable emotions as he thought in self deprecation 'His lordship is still fighting, and yet I wish to surrender?! Oh Luther, how low have you fallen!'

He immediately gathered all his strength and bellowed at the top of his lungs "FOR THE EMPIRE!!!" and bravely charged toward Abraham with his morning star in hand!

Seeing this Abraham merely sighed as he shook his head slowly, before almost instantly appearing in front of Luther with his glaive ready to strike the killing blow. Luther was once again shocked at the disparity of power between him and his foe, but he refused to falter before his own sense of hopelessness and boldly lifted his massive morning star above his head, as determination and unshakable will filled his eye.

Alas, determination and foolish defiance did little before overwhelming might.

Abraham expertly swung his glaive, and just like that Luther lost both his outstretched arms, as his morning star was bathed in it's owners blood, and tragically fell to the ground. Yet Luther didn't even react as he seemed to have gone rabid with the thought of at least wounding Abraham!

Luther gathered all his remaining strength, and ignored the maddening pain that assaulted him, and fearlessly leaped at Abraham in a last ditch effort to bite him, and finally inflict a wound to his opponent! But even this last desperate and reckless hope, was mercilessly crushed, as Abraham effortlessly dodged him and slammed his fist on the side of his face, sending him flying away.

Abraham calmly approached Luther who was limply lying on the ground, no longer having the strength to fight, and calmly asked "Any last words?"

"It's a man's duty to defend his nation, and a warrior's honor to fall in battle, especially to a fellow warrior of your caliber lord Abraham. It was an honor!" Luther said with a small, satisfied, and carefree smile upon his dry, blood stained lips.

Abraham slammed his right hand over his chest in salute to Luther as he seriously replied "The honor was mine General Luther Vanar." And with that the life of Luther finally ended with a stroke of Abraham's glaive against his neck.

At that moment the officers who were under Abraham rushed to his side as they excitedly reported "My lord, we have completely defeated the enemy, but some of them managed to escape."

Hearing this Abraham confidently says "It matters not, this battle is as good as over. Our liege shall pave the way into everlasting glory, and this battle is merely the first brick he places down, of that you can be certain."

All the officers showed excited and proud expressions as they heard his words, and they couldn't stop their excitement as they raised their fists in the air and unanimously roared "FOR HIS MAJESTY!"

"Order the men to reform their ranks, and prepare to attack the enemy center, it's time to end this battle." Abraham decisively ordered.

***Scene Change***

Hasdrubal's serrated sabers met the keen edge of Heinrich's great sword a hundred times a second, causing the very air around them to tremble at their might. Even Georgios's and Hamilcar's titanic auras did nothing to distract the two warriors from their mortal dance of blades!

Heinrich vertically swung his great sword at Hasdrubal's head, but Hasdrubal quickly dodged, and counter attacked, aiming his menacing blades at his abdomen, wishing to eviscerate him, but Heinrich quickly parried, and took hold of the opportunity to horizontally swing his blade to cleave Hasdrubal in two, but Hasdrubal once again dodged and slashed at his neck, which Heinrich barely avoided! And on and on it went, without an end in sight, as if they were cursed to live a in a perpetual stalemate, never able to cut down their hated foe!

But there was no such curse, and a victor had to be crowned which didn't take that long, since after hundreds of clashes and techniques Heinrich finally made an error, when Hasdrubal baited him into attacking his supposed opening only to have his left arm severed by Hasdrubal.

Heinrich howled like an injured dog, and began to whimper in fear as Hasdrubal prepared to deliver the finishing blow. Even though Heinrich's eyes were overflowing with terror, and unwillingness, as he stared at Hasdrubal's cold eyes, and the merciless gleam of his swords, the spark of life and defiance in his eyes wasn't extinguished!

Heinrich grabbed his great sword and threw it with all his strength at Hasdrubal, surprising him, and forcing him to quickly dodge, but before he could do anything else, Heinrich gathered his aura at the base of his right foot, and powerfully stomped down on the ground, causing the dirt to rupture violently in a large dust cloud.

Hasdrubal bolted out of the dust cloud, fearing that Heinrich will use it as cover to attack him, but he had overestimated Heinrich's character, because by the time the dust settled, Heinrich had already escaped, abandoning not only his duty and honor, but also all the men who put their trust in him.

"DAMN IIIITTTTTT!!! WHERE THE HELL DID YOU GO, YOU COWARD?" Hasdrubal roared furiously like a beast who lost his hard earned prey.

He only calmed down when one of his officers came to him and timidly said "My lord, we are victorious. Although the men are slightly tired, their morale is incredibly high. Moreover, we have more than enough men for his majesty's plan, should we send men after general Heinrich?"

Hasdrubal sighed heavily to release all his left over frustrations and anger as he coldly said "That will be unnecessary. Heinrich is gravely wounded, and can no longer achieve anything on his own anymore. Order the men to prepare immediately, if we take any longer, not only will his majesty's plan fail, but we will become a hindrance to the entire army, which is unacceptable!"

"Of course, my lord. We will immediately prepare the men." The officers enthusiastically said.

***Scene Change***

I stood calmly on the camp palisade with a large satisfied smile on my face, as I listened to the continuous stream of good reports, as I thought 'Perfect! Everything's going according to plan. All that's left is the finishing strike and this war is as good as over, and I can finally return home.' Reaching this point in my thoughts I had a bitter-sweet feeling in my heart, imagining the faces of my precious brothers, and adorable sister, and wondering if my newborn sibling is a boy or a girl, but then I also abruptly remember the tear stained face of my beloved mother when I left, as she begged me not to leave, out of fear for my well being and safety.

'I hope she won't be too angry with me when I get back. Maybe I should...' I was pulled away from my thoughts, as I heard a messenger loudly call me in a panicked voice "You majesty! Your majesty! Urgent report!"

"What is it?" I calmly ask.

"All the enemy forces are withdrawing back to their camp!" The messenger said hurriedly.

"WHAT?! Are you certain?" I asked in a shocked voice.

"I'm completely certain, sire." The messenger replied.

'No, no, no, no, no. This can't happen! If their main force safely withdraws right now, they'll have enough strength to continue to resist us, and if they receive reinforcements, then this will become an extended campaign, and that could take months if not years! Although we managed to deceive them of the number of our supplies, and we still have enough supplies to last us a few more weeks, that's no where near enough for such a long campaign! I need to end this now, they can't escape no matter what!' I thought quickly

"Are they still in range of the Basilisk Cannons?" I quickly ask.

"I'm afraid they're already out of range." The messenger said.

'They're already that far away?!' I think in utter disbelief.

"Tell Abraham and Hasdrubal to speed up their assault on the flanks, and instruct the battle mages to advance once again and begin their attack this instant, in addition order Horus to charge with his ten thousand men immediately. We must disrupt the enemy retreat as much as possible! THEY CAN'T ESCAPE!" I command authoritatively.

"Yes, your majesty!" The messengers all salute as they quickly ran to deliver my orders, when I suddenly unsheathe my saber, and activate my divine blood, much to the confusion of those around me.

"What are you doing, my liege?" One of my officers asks.

I turn around and boldly reply "I'm going to lead the Palace Guard to battle."

"What?!" The officers yell out in shock.

"But, my liege, that's way too risky! What if..."

The same officer attempted to persuade me, but I interrupted him saying "This is the critical moment of not only this battle, but also of this entire war! It's either now or never!" I stop paying attention to them after that, as I immediately rush into battle with the fanatically loyal Palace Guard close behind me.