Chapter 19: War!
The crew was prepared for one of their hardest mission. To stop a country’s whole civil war seemed nearly impossible. Terrias, on the other hand, sought it as easy and was eager to get moving. The air near the outskirt skies of Irtra was hot. The smell of brimstone could be detected miles away. The sky was blood red with an angry manifestation. Battles could even be heard from where they were flying. Terrias watched the fires of the two Volcanoes erupt on both the East and the West. Saharah and Nucilver were formulating plans to attack the opposite sides. Espilious was left in care of Aikon back at the capital. Valo and Hiita prepared the equipment and reinforced the used swords and armor. Terrias, Manna and Alessa watched outside and examined the land from above. Each pointed out that the mountain range was not as difficult to cross once the stronghold of the East could be secured. The Stronghold itself had to be divided among them to cover the whole area, North, South, and the Center. The three will rendezvous in the North wing and head out to help the others later. “Terrias, didn’t realize you could take a general’s job seriously”, said Alessa preparing her ice sword. Terrias shrugged and responded, “I do what needs to be done. I’m not cut out to lead anyone.” Manna laughed and said, “You’re too modest, you know perfectly well you could lead anyone into victory if you knew what you are doing.” Terrias laughed then caught his breath, “Half the time I don’t realize what I’m doing, it just naturally happens.” The ship had finally landed about an hour later. The heat could be felt even from within the ship. Both Manna and Saharah put their hair up to keep themselves cooled in battle and from it getting in the way. As they came out of the ships prepared for anything, a group of Eastern soldiers greeted them and led them to the stronghold where King Azure was sitting, awaiting the arrival of the Serine Knights.
Azure greeted them and treated them with kindness. He was a simple man about Terrias’ height with Valo’s build. His eyes were red, despite his ironic name. His hair was black like oil with strong reflection. This made his hair shine any blood red in the stronghold. “Young knights and king of Vivica, I thank you kindly for making your way over here. As promised, if we win than you have my trust and the treaty will be signed”, he said with great enthusiasm. Valo shook his hand and said, “It would be our honor to help you out in such a time of peril.” They later stationed were they have been assigned as planned. Terrias stared at the fighting and fire of the battlefield. It seemed like Hell raging near a mountain range. The heat was intense, the cries were loud, the smell was just as burning. Terrias drew his sword and saw the attack order. He cried and led his small group near the North. The Western army attack full out on the northern entrance. Terrias could only hear the sound of his heart pounding in his chest and the cries of death around him. He sliced through the front hoping to make a weakness in the troops right flank. Many filled the positions of the fallen soldiers, but Terrias continued. Never has he seen more bloodshed in his life. After a few minutes, which seemed like hours, gunshots could be heard. Terrias pulled out his blaster that was given to him by Ryo as a gift and began to fire back. He hated the use of a gun but this war could not be one by melee alone. Once he was within a distance of his own troops be attack with S. Ultima. A shine of purple from the blue of the spell and red of the fires cut through the troops quickly. Ultima was of fire attribute and was double in strength when fired. Many of the soldiers began to retreat. Many continued to attack back. Terrias knew that this battle was not going to be won over so easily.
On the high center of the stronghold Valo and Nucilver shot wave after wave of spells to keep the fortress from falling into the hands of the Western army. “There are thousands, no hundred thousands!” cried Valo looking at the vast numbers of the soldiers lined in position ready to give their lives for their side. Saharah had tried various Naval attacks that helped cut off many of the West’s backup and supplies. Manna had been slowly bringing the fire higher with her wind to keep a small defense for guerilla tactics. Alessa kept whatever troops that survived the above spells in check. This went on for a week and two days. Terrias continued and was positive that the North was secure. He rushed over to meet Manna in the South to help her secure it. The blasts became far more intense and the heat began to fatigue Terrias. He hasn’t eaten in three days and slept in four. All he could think about was securing his post. When he reached the South he met with Manna. “What in the hell are you doing here? I thought you were keeping the North secure”, she asked. “I have it secured and the others retreated over to the South, I thought I could help y—” Before he could finish, he was hit by what seemed like a graveyard rose attack. “A megaveil, how clever, Manna. That won’t save you”, and Crissy emerged from the fires. Manna looked over and saw Terrias badly wounded. “You’ll regret doing that to him”, said Manna reading herself for battle. “Oh dear me, did I hurt what you truly love? Oh wait, I heard that you don’t even have him as you lover anymore”, she snarled. “You b***h. SHUT UP!” Manna rushed over and began attack Crissy wildly, blinded by anger. Crissy laughed and continued to avoid the attacks with ease. Manna realized she was only tiring herself out and slowed herself down. “What’s the matter? Little Manna all tired from being mad that she lost her only thing she could call valuable?” laughed Crissy. “I don’t give a damn that you mock me. I could care less that you are trying to anger me, but a b***h like you needs cheap tricks to fight me, because you won’t win. So shut the ******** up and fight me with out you speaking and we’ll see”, said Manna charging up again. Crissy became serious and charged. The two attacked one another with almost perfect symmetry. Crissy was able to hit Manna in her left shoulder. She remembered, Terrias had done the very same. She looked back at him, who was trying his hardest to pull himself together. Manna then readied. “Reverse Rose!” she cried out and like that, Crissy had been blasted to tiny bits, which turned to a purple fume and left in the wind.
Manna came back and ordered her troops to keep the army back by all means. With that, she grabbed Terrias and helped him move to the center. “Manna, you don’t have to leave on my behalf, I can get over there”, said Terrias trying to get himself up without Manna helping. “You’ll be there dead if you go on your own. Just let me help you”, she said not looking at him. Terrias too the help for about a few more steps then fell. Manna quickly came down to help him. As soon as he clung on to her he whispered, “I love you.” Manna stopped and tears fell down her cheeks wiping away some of the soot on her face. “The megaveil was useless… and I traded you away for it… I’m so stupid.” Manna put him down as the flames began to burst through the inside. Terrias quickly brought her down, “Be careful.” “What are we going to do?” she asked. “I’m not sure… but we need to get out of this alive.” Manna kissed him and kept on making each kiss more passionate than the other. Alessa stood watching and then eavesdropped on what the two had been talking about before deciding whether she should leave them there and pretend to not exist or rescue them now. Valo and Nucilver had tired themselves out and Saharah had reached the stronghold successfully now keeping it secure. “Saharah, if we don’t get out of this alive, I love you. I won’t those to be the last words you hear from me. I love you”, said Valo struggling to get up. Saharah put him back down, “Don’t talk like that, and I’m not going to let you go suicidal on me. We have a secure hold on the fortress so now when Manna, Terrias and Alessa come up here they can advance.” Valo nodded his head and closed his eyes. Nucilver got up and looked over at Valo, “You’re okay, for a person who talks more than he acts.” Nucilver had looked out and readied a shield to keep the three covered. Azure rushed up and helped Nucilver. “I don’t want to go down doing nothing, I’ll at least help you to keep alive, and this is the closest we’ve come to putting an end to this war.
Alessa had made up her mind after hearing what Manna had told Terrias. She rescued the two who were shocked to see her come through the flames. “Terrias, Manna is yours and I can’t take her from you and the same with you, Manna. Let me help you, we need the two of you now”, said Alessa helping Terrias. “Alessa, thank you”, said Terrias faintly. “I’ll have to make you love me one day, but we’ll discuss that some other time”, said Alessa looking over to Manna who’s amber eyes began to glow with life once again. After a few steps of moving throughout the fortress, Terrias had fainted from the fatigue. Manna and Alessa helped support him and made it to the top center. Alessa and Manna put him down next to Valo. “I’m pretty skilled at healing so I can help the two but only for a little bit, they’re still very tired from the heat and energy they have wasted”, said Alessa. Manna helped both Azure and Nucilver keep the shield up. “Two’s a crowd, but three’s a party”, she said. The other too smirked and continued with the shield. It was only one hour later that Terrias had awaken. He got up and stretched a bit. “Don’t do any sudden movements. You’re still a little hurt and we need you”, said Saharah now helping Alessa stay cool. Valo woke up a few minutes later and got up himself. “Terrias, I know you may be a little worn out but I need both you and Manna to pass the range to begin the assault on the Western stronghold. We have found out that Seer Hawkeye is leading along with General La’ Mo’Ae.” “Seer Hawkeye?! You mean-” “Yes, Ryo’s younger brother…” Terrias began to remember Ryo and his death. Now he would have to fight Ryo’s brother to put an end to the whole war. Terrias grabbed his sword and prepared. Manna put down her spell, which Saharah and Alessa took over and prepared with him. “Whatever happens from this point on, let’s not forget why we fight”, they both said and walked out ready to enter the Western Territory.
