“So you’ve seen no demons along the barrier?” Celene asked with a frown. 

Princess Anabelle of Hoia shook her head with a grim expression. “None. We’ve had regular patrols ever since the barrier first appeared, and have increased them further since we received the reports of disappearances. It’s like the demons came out of nowhere.”

As if. Celene gently stirred in her teacup as she looked out of the window. Even though the capital of Hoia was a long way from the barrier, it could still be seen stretching towards the sky in the distance. Could the demons have managed to get past the patrols to avoid detection?

Enough of them to infest what remains of the east coast?

“Besides…” Anabelle spoke hesitantly. 

Celene turned her eyes to the princess as she spoke in a reprimanding tone. “Besides what?”

Anabelle twisted her lips before she replied. “...I don’t want to point fingers, but from the reports it seems like the demons came from the north.”

Celene frowned. “From the north?”

“Yes.” Anabelle nodded, insisting on the matter while her gaze seemed to lack confidence. 

Celene rested her chin against her fingers as she watched the princess. When Anabelle cast her eyes down, Celene clicked her tongue. Leaning back, she raised the teacup towards her lips as she spoke. “If you’re certain of your conclusion, you shouldn’t be lacking confidence in what you’re saying.”

While she sipped on her tea, Anabelle met her gaze. Within a few moments, the princess’ gaze became determined. “The demons came from the north. I’m certain of it.”

Celene smiled faintly. “That’s better.”

As the princess smiled in response and shyly turned her attention to her tea, Celene watched her thoughtfully. I was once like that as well. Before I realized that my father wasn’t actually wise.

Perhaps now she’ll learn that her responsibility goes beyond what her parents tell her.

“So…what do we do?” Anabelle asked hesitantly as she picked the conversation again.

Celene tilted her head with a smile as she met her gaze. “What do you think we should do?”

“...I was told that when the demons invaded and the kingdoms in the south started making inspections, the demons gathered in force.” Anabelle spoke thoughtfully. “Which means that they might do that again?”

“Very good.” Celene smiled as she turned her eyes towards the window again. “Which means?”

“...Which means that we should gather an army to destroy them.” (Anabelle)

“Exactly. Which is why I’m here.” Celene replied with faint amusement. But her smile soon faded as her expression grew serious before asking the question that was the reason she had come. “What forces can you provide?”

“...It depends on if we, as you say, should hold back a portion of our army to ensure no demons are crossing the barrier.” (Anabelle)

Celene turned her head to the princess with a bored expression on her face. “Of course it depends on that. I want a number, Anabelle.”

The princess seemed fidgety after Celene’s reprimand, and hesitantly replied. “We can only gather an army of fifty thousand or so. I think we should keep twenty of those to watch the barrier.”

“So you’re telling me that you can only give me thirty thousand.” Celene replied in a bored voice. 

“...Any fewer watching the barrier and we’ll be overrun without being able to hold out until help arrives. From what I heard about the war, twenty thousand isn’t enough either.” (Anabelle)

Celene let out a sigh as she supported her jaw with her fingers while watching the princess who cast her eyes down. I agree, twenty thousand wouldn’t be enough. Even a force of a thousand demons would butcher them in an open battle.

The problem is that you haven’t done anything to prepare more soldiers. It’s pathetic.

Celene let out another sigh before she spoke. “Then mobilize the nobles.”

Anabelle blinked her eyes in surprise. “The nobles?”

“They have been taught magic from an early age, haven’t they?” Celene spoke in a disdainful voice. “What did they train magic for? Party tricks and pointless contests to gain status?”

As the princess cast her eyes down, Celene clicked her tongue. She hadn’t phrased her retort that way by accident, since that was exactly what nobles who had never had to go to war did. 

Of course, learning magic is a way to ensure power remains in the hands of the nobles. But they aren’t even considering to what extent they could protect their people with those skills…

Pathetic.

With a last glance at the princess, Celene let out a sigh. “Fine. Thirty thousand is pathetic, but it’ll have to do. We march at dawn, so make sure they are ready.”

“Ah…Empress Celene!” Anabelle shot up from her chair.

Celene glanced back at the princess. “Yes?”

“I’ll…talk to my father about issuing an order to the nobles, but I don’t know if he’ll agree. But that aside…” Anabelle rubbed her hands anxiously as she glanced at her. “Are we…once the demons have been cleared out, will we still be at war? Can we not have peace?”

Celene smiled faintly and tilted her head. “What do you think?”

The princess’ despaired eyes were filled with tears before they were cast towards the floor. “...I see.”

“By my hand or the demons’, Hoia’s time has come to an end.” Celene replied as she continued towards the door. “But it doesn’t mean your end, nor the end for your people. Whether you go down with the kingdom or not depends on your willingness to adapt.”

As she left, she could faintly hear how the princess started sobbing back in the chamber. Once Celene had gotten far enough that Anabelle’s weeping couldn’t be heard, she let out a sigh.

…Pathetic. But I was also once like that.

I hope she finds the courage to stand up for herself. If she does…then I suppose Anabelle would be a reasonable option as well. Perhaps even better than Louisianne.

At least, she’d be more trustworthy.

As she walked past a window, Celene stopped and took a look over Hoia’s capital. Even though it was a large city, it was also different from other cities of comparable size on Teyrin. The entire east coast that was left outside the barrier had a culture of its own. 

Celene was well aware that most of that was a result of the mountain range that split the northern part of the continent in two. Crossing the continent from coast to coast took as long as sailing around it, which meant that most travel and trade was done by sea. But that had left the northeast of the continent secluded, and able to develop its own traditions and its kingdoms there were often stuck in love-hate relationships. 

Looking beyond the city’s walls, Celene could see the red banners flapping in the breeze from the sea. 

Her banners. Banners that had been welcomed by the people of Hoia, as they were already frustrated with Hoia’s current rulers’ actions to deal with the sudden wave of disappearances. 

Celene suspected that even if the current king of Hoia wasn’t willing to surrender, its people might simply open the gates for her when she returns to conquer them.

With thirty thousand, our combined strength will be just over two hundred thousand. 

Celene took a deep breath as she took in the sight a little longer before turning from the window to continue. This time we’re better prepared. And with our army already on the continent, we were able to respond a lot quicker.

But the question remains…whether it will be enough. And if it’s enough, how many we’ll lose.

 

_______________

Celene gasped for air and shot up on her bed. What met her was the sight of the familiar dark tent. Realizing what woke her, she looked down at the necklace around her neck. In contrast to the heat it gave off, that bordered on scorching her skin as the enchantment inside drew mana from her, she felt cold inside. 

Mental magic. 

“My lady?” (?)

Celene turned her eyes to the female squire that was keeping watch. As she felt the heat from her necklace gradually began to dissipate, she made up her mind as she got out of bed. “Sound the alarm. And help me with my armour.”

“Yes!” The squire rushed to the opening in the tent. 

Within a minute, the camp was just as noisy as it had been when they stopped for the night several hours earlier. 

While she was helped into her armour, a man with dark hair - just like Amin’s - entered the tent. 

“Celene?” Reiven asked with a serious expression.

Celene glanced at him. “My necklace activated.”

Reiven looked at her grimly before nodding. “I’ll make sure we’re ready.” 

 

_______________

When Celene walked along the formation that had gathered at the edge of the camp, she saw her uncle and Reiven talking mutedly with each other. As they noticed her arrival, they looked at her with grim expressions. 

“News from our scouts?” Celene asked to get straight to the point.

Teacher shook his head. “None. They haven’t reported back yet.”

“I see.” Celene let out a sigh as she looked towards the north, where everything beyond the camp’s lights was clouded in darkness. If none of them made it back…then the demons have a sizable force. At the very least…five thousand.

But they wouldn’t even try to fight us with such a small force.

Celene crossed her arms as she continued to stare into the dark. “We need more information.”

Teacher followed her gaze before he replied. “...I’ll go myself.”

Celene glanced at him before nodding. “Be careful.”

As she watched her uncle blend into the shadows as he left the camp, Celene spoke to Reiven. “We can’t keep our soldiers ready for the whole night. Leave a few on guard, while the others are kept on standby. Cycle them every hour.”

Reiven nodded before leaving to pass on her orders. As she was left alone, Celene looked into the dark where she had long lost track of her uncle before letting out a sigh and turning back towards her tent. The demons have been avoiding a confrontation with us until now.

So what changed? 

 

_______________

 

When the trumpets in the camp sounded only half an hour later, Celene shot up from her chair and immediately headed for the edge of the camp. On her way, she saw how her uncle was running at her - out of breath and with fresh scratches on his face. 

“Celene!” Teacher called out to her. He stopped some ways away to catch his breath while Celene caught up to him.

“That close, is it?” Celene asked.

“Yeah. They’ll be here before long.” Teacher replied. “And the demons aren’t alone. There are rul’maga with them.”

Celene stopped dead in her tracks and stared at him. The rul’maga?

The rul’maga was what the race of lizard people on Teyrin called themselves. For a moment Celene doubted Teacher’s report for a moment - only to change her mind when she recalled Princess Anabelle’s words. There was a large swamp to the north that the rul’maga lived in, so if they were allied with the demons it made sense why and how the demons seemed to originate from that direction. 

But why would they… Celene furrowed her brow anxiously before shaking her head and leting out a sigh. Now’s not the time. 

“How many?”  Celene asked.

“No idea.” Teacher replied.

Celene wasn’t too surprised by the response. Her uncle would have prioritized bringing back the news that the enemy was close - how many there were didn’t matter at this point. But Celene had still hoped that she could have been given a rough estimate.

While the soldiers were gathering at the edge of the camp once again, Celene watched how the shadows seemed to be moving as the enemy approached. The rul’maga aren't people prone to war. Even if they gathered an army…they’d at most get a force in the range of twenty and forty thousand. But they aren’t the real threat. It all depends on how many demons-

Celene’s thoughts were interrupted as someone wrapped his arms around her from behind. A faint smile spread on her face and her racing heart calmed as Reiven’s familiar scent entered her nostrils. 

“Don’t die.” Reiven said quietly in a hoarse voice. 

Celene looked up at the man behind her, meeting his dark eyes. After raising her hand and pulling his face to her, she felt how Rieven let out a sigh that released the tension in his posture when their lips met.

When they parted, Celene whispered. “Same to you.”

Reiven looked into her eyes - a gaze she had seen many times before. Despite their words, it contained a silent acceptance that one or both of them might not see the dawn. 

After Reiven took a deep breath, he released his hold on Celene. “You better make a speech. The soldiers are anxious.”

Celene nodded as Reiven left to take his place as commander over their right flank. With one last look at him, Celene steeled herself as she stepped in front of the lines of soldiers. Turning back to look at them, she heard how their quiet, anxious murmurs quieted down as more and more of them turned their eyes to her. 

During the weeks they had marched north, the kingdoms they passed had added their forces to hers. Now their combined army was nearly two hundred and fifty thousand. But over two thirds were still soldiers of the empire.

Her empire. 

Celene took a deep breath as she gradually imbued her voice with mana. “People of Teyrin!”

The last murmurs among the soldiers died down before Celene continued. “Most of you have never seen a demon in your lives. Now, you’re about to see enough to plague you with nightmares for the rest of it.”

Celene knew that her words could be disheartening to some, but it was with intention. They needed to enter battle with a good expectation of what they were about to face.

And a reason to face it.

“But we accept to live in such suffering because we have to. The fear we’ll have to live with if we don’t will be greater. Only by making our stand can we break free from the crippling clutches of terror! Only by defeating the most abhorrent enemy we’ve ever known, will we know that the lives of those we love are safe!” (Celene)

Celene drew her sword and thrust it towards the black night sky to emphasize the force of the words in the final part of the speech. “Resist the future where demons run rampant and unchallenged! Resist them with everything you have, for everything you hold dear! Resist!” 

“““Resist!”””

As the soldiers echoed her words, Celene returned to the formation and stared into the dark with everyone else. Within a few minutes, the shadows that had been approaching them could be seen to gather into a formation. 

Celene frowned as she squinted her eyes while watching them. Maybe…forty thousand? Fifty? 

Even if the lionshare are rul’maga, there’s no way to know how many of them are demons. But they could be anywhere between five and twenty thousand. If there’s more than that…

As the light from magic circles faintly illuminated parts of the enemy’s front line, and a few were launched at them without warning, Celene spoke sternly. “Barriers.”

“Barriers!” The crier next to her shouted, issuing the command moments before the spells cast without magic circles landed in their formation. 

A wave of screams and agonized wails resounded as the spells were hitting their mark behind and far to either side of her. Celene saw how the translucent barriers formed one by one in front of her army as the enemy magicians who had cast magic circles launched their spells. A few managed to get through before the last barriers were up, resulting in another wave of screams.

As she heard how there were calls for priests and physicians to treat the first injured of the battle, Celene spoke with a clenched jaw. “Prepare attack spells.”

“Prepare attack spells!” (?)

As the enemy’s spells exploded against the barriers, Celene took a deep breath. After holding it, she breathed out slowly to lessen her tension. As she did, she couldn’t help but admire the beautiful sight of the spells impacting the barrier.

So it begins. 

Turning her eyes from the light show to the enemy beyond it, Celene raised her arm. 

Magic Circle.

 

_______________

“Empress, stay-” (?)

Shut it, fool! Celene retorted in her mind as she stepped forward, thrusting her flame-clad sword towards the demon that the royal guards had surrounded. 

The demon, that looked like a human, twisted her body and barely avoided getting impaled, but Celene’s sword still managed to inflict a cut and scorch her unarmored thigh. 

The demon didn’t even flinch at the injury, and immediately counterattacked, thrusting at Celene with a long dagger. 

Celene turned her body, letting the dagger pass above her as she brought her sword up to cut off the demon’s extended arm. But the demon was quick to realize the danger and abandoned the opening, making Celene’s sword slash the empty air. 

Continuing the turning of her body, Celene retreated and fixed her eyes on the demon as she started casting a spell. Magic Circle!

As the demon was occupied trading blows with her guards, Celene completed the magic circle. Holding it ready, she waited for the best moment to release the spell.

Flame Torrent!

Immediately, a forceful torrent of flames engulfed the demon and two of her guards. Her guards that were inflicted with friendly fire flinched in agony, and retreated to where they were still partially inside the flames, but close enough to the demon to stop it from escaping the inferno.

And her guards' choice was the correct one, as the demon immediately struggled harder to escape. Additional guards closed in to support the two guards, ignoring the danger of the flames to ensure the demon would be brought down. 

When the twitching demon finally collapsed, Celene cancelled the spell and her guards immediately stepped in and stabbed the demon's neck and chest to ensure it was dead. 

Celene gestured to the two guards that had been severely scorched by her spell as she eyed the battlefield. “Get those two to the healers.”

“Empress, you shouldn’t-” The royal guard that had spoken before began.

“Shut it. We’re all in danger here, and your needless remark alerted the demon to my attack.” Celene snarled. She knew that the demon likely would have discovered her attack regardless, but the damage she could have inflicted would probably have been greater if the guard had held her tongue.

“...Yes, Empress.” The royal guard relented.  

Ignoring the guard, Celene took in the state of the battlefield. We’re suffering heavy losses, but we’re winning. 

Now why would they attack if they knew-

Suddenly, a deafening roar was heard from above at the same time as she felt her necklace heat up against her skin under her armour, and noticed in the corner of her eyes how her soldiers flinched.

Turning her eyes to the sky, she could make out the shape of a large, winged lizard in the dark. But it was larger than the beasts that normally inhabited the mountains on Teyrin, and the deep roar was far different from the shrill, ear-piercing roar of a wyvern. Rather, she knew almost instinctively that it was a legendary monster that was only told of in myths.

Dragon.

Her suspicions were soon confirmed by one of the anxious mages in her royal guard. “Empress, it’s a dragon.”

“Show me.” Celene shot back. 

The mage stepped forward and showed the blue screen that had appeared after he had appraised the monster. Glancing over it, Celene couldn’t help but feel disheartened.

While the dragon’s level was concerning, as it was more than twice the level of any demon she had seen before, she wasn’t surprised that the mythical creature would be stronger than anything she had met. 

What really concerned her, was one of its classes.

Ruler of Death. Celene felt overwhelmed with despair as she turned her eyes to the night sky. It’s a necromancer.

…We’ll be slaughtered. I should have waited for the reinforcements and gathered a greater force-

“What do we do?” The mage asked, suppressing the fear in his voice. “Your orders?”

…Right. We can’t run. Our only hope of survival is victory now. 

Celene noticed how the dragon descended towards their right flank. As it approached the ground, it was illuminated by the lights in the camp, and Celene could see the dragon’s appearance. 

Covered with hard, black scales and a long tail, it’s body was no larger than a carriage. Smaller than the dragons told of in legends.

…Is it juvenile? Celene clenched her jaw as she convinced herself that there was still a chance that the dragon might be defeated with ease. Just because the might of dragons was legendary, this one could actually be weak. “The dragon must be killed no matter what. Our strongest mages and knights will take it on. The weakest mages and those with minor injuries collect and burn the dead, immediately, before the dragon makes them rise. The rest will continue fighting as we have.” 

As she saw how a torrent of fire emerged somewhere around the right flank where the dragon had landed, followed by another roar that made her necklace heat up, Celene drew a shaky breath. Reiven.