“The refugees are refusing to move?”

  “Get them out of the way! We can’t retreat if that passage is blocked!”

  Nariseer listened to her officers shout at eachother in the provisional command post, set up in a building in Na’baath.

  Nariseer clenched their fists, his teeth grinding.

  This had to be planned. Alisson had to have set this up from the start. The panic his army’s ruthless advance had created had festered down to every civilian in the country – An orderly retreat was no longer possible. Carriages had been tipped over and stuck in the passage, and people were refusing to back out to unclog traffic – No one wanted to get any nearer to the advancing Sidonians, regardless of how defensible this city was. They all thought it was only a matter of time before Alisson broke through – The aura of terror and fear he had cultivated had done its job.

  Alisson was now set up outside the city. He would probably wait for the other portion of his army to regroup and reform with him, and with that, he’d on equal footing with the 87th here. He probably coordinated in advance with that half of the army…Her subcommanders were skilled, but they wouldn’t be able to realize what was going on, halt their pursuit of the other Sidonians, and come to her aid in time.

  Nariseer’s only option now was to hold on, and clear that passage. Nariseer had to buy time. The Sidonians couldn’t cross the mountains at any other place either. The fight would need to be taken to the heart of Irine. There, Nariseer could ask for help from the home guard. With an overwhelming numbers advantage, Nariseer just needed to drag him out into a decisive battle, just like last time.

  Finally, Nariseer spoke to the officers, “…Clear the passage by any means.”

  The room went silent.

  …

  Alisson watched the front of Na’baath’s walls from the top of a hill. From this position, he could attain an overview of the battlefield. Thanks to the Angels, communication with multiple distant units was possible.

  It had been a day since their arrival, and still, they had to yet to have spotted any activity from the 87th. In that time, the 7th had dug in, and formed a wall of defenses around Na’baath. Angels were embedded with frontline subcommanders, to relay requests for close-air-support. Instead of mass bombardment, precise strikes to help the infantry were what was needed; especially in an urban setting.

  The Angels had scouted out the scarce amount of siege equipment the 87th had set up in the city. It seems they had very little of it – Not foreseeing the need to defend this position. They had been expecting decisive engagements on open battlefields, not sieges. These siege emplacements and other various hardpoints were scouted and marked down. Given the signal, the Angels were ready to launch an opening strike to obliterate their defenses.

  The professionalism and doctrine of the Angels was truly something to behold. It was an entirely different way of fighting; they fought with information and airstrikes, not with the mettle of men.

  As much of a good position Alisson told himself he was in, he was still nervous. The other half of the 87th could sweep in unexpectedly from behind, and combined with a frontal charge from Nariseer, the 7th could be obliterated. Although it was unlikely if they were still chasing down Augen’s forces. The Angels couldn’t exactly pinpoint either of those forces as of this moment, so Alisson was in the dark as to what was happening out there, in the rest of Irine.

  So much of Alisson’s plans were impossible without the help of the Angels. Him and Constantius had spoken more about battle strategy in the last week then Alisson had with any other subcommander.

  “Sir, the 51st are waiting for their briefing.”

  Alisson nodded, and stepped down the hill, to find the 51st all standing at attention before him.

  For the first time in their history, the 51st had a field mission that would not be led personally by Alisson. He couldn’t go with them, even though he desperately wanted to. He needed to command from the rear. They needed to win everywhere, not just in one engagement.

  This made Alisson nervous, because the 51st’s mission was unorthodox to say the least…

  …

  “This is crazy…”

  A 51st muttered after the briefing. Alisson briefed them and had departed. Given the order, they would initiate their operation.

  “We’ve done plenty of crazy things before. Let’s not fret over one more to add to the list.” Daventdale, the captain, replied. “Have some faith in our allied Angels. Alisson has a great deal of trust in them, don’t forget that.”

  “Alisson has certainly been different over the last couple months though…” The 51st’s chief healer, Claus, voiced her concerns to Daventdale.

  She was a large, motherly woman, the closest thing the 51st had to an angel to look after them.

  “It’s true…” Daventdale muttered beneath his breath. “Something happened between him and Celis. Have you noticed? She doesn’t smile anymore…”

  Claus nodded. “I heard from Ardinand that they had a fight or something over what happened in the Queendom…About those allegations.”

  Daventdale sighed. “I hope they settle things. The happiest I’ve ever seen Alisson is when he was with Celis. But now…”

  “He’s different. He’s vengeful.” Claus finished Daventdale’s thought with a solemn tone.

  Despite the dangerous and insane mission they had on their plate, the two still worried for their captain.

  …

  It was growing late in the day. Alisson didn’t believe that Nariseer would try anything for the day, and was just about to head back to his tent from his vigilant watch, when he saw for himself;

  “They are sallying out to attack us!”

  Horns and alarms sounded throughout the 7th’s lines. Men grabbed their gear and rushed to the front, Angels spurred their wings before shooting high into the sky, and officers surrounded Alisson. They watched from the hill as a stream of Irinian infantry poured out of the gates of the Na’baath.

  “It looks like Nariseer is trying to orchestrate a break out.” An officer commented.

  Alisson thought for a long moment, before shaking his head. “No. This is just a distraction. Nariseer is probably just buying time for the passage to unclog. They want to put pressure on us.”

  The commanders watched in silence as Alisson thought, overlooking the battlefield. It was premature to launch Alisson’s plan now but…If Nariseer was sallying out, in such numbers, then the passage was likely close to being unblocked.

  Nariseer probably didn’t expect Alisson to do very much in response to this attack, either break ranks to attack the 87th, or hold position to defend. Of course, attacking put the men at risk of Na’baath’s defenses, so staying put would’ve been the ideal choice in a normal world.

  However, Alisson had created an abnormal world, with the help of the Angels.

  Alisson let out a long sigh, before opening his eyes, and setting his sights on Na’baath.

  “Put all plans into motion. Whether they’re ready or not. Nariseer will learn what Sidonian shock power looks like.”

  The next half-hour was surreal, a blur of many moving parts.

  The Irinians that had sallied out of the walls of Na’baath had ample time to form up into proper battle lines, and were no doubt confused at the lack of a Sidonian response. It became apparent from Alisson’s commanding view, that this was not the entire 87th, only a portion, reinforcing Alisson’s idea that it was not a committed effort.

  Angels hovered up at the ready, high above in the clouds, unseen by the naked eye. Transports were loaded, and Sidonian infantry readied themselves whilst overlooking the enemy from their trenches.

  All at once, the Irinians were attacked in one explosive moment. Angels screamed in from high above, and dozens of airstrikes were conducted within seconds of each other, explosions rolling across Na’baath.

  “Fire! All guns fire!”

  The Sidonian siege equipment began firing bolts and rocks into the city.

  The Irinians responded by deploying their own shields and firing back with their own artillery magic wildly. The area infront of Na’baath was quickly filled with a crisscrossing cocktail of effulgent spells flying in every direction.

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  The signal was given, and with a roar, the Sidonian infantry vaulted their encampments, and charged the Irinians before the walls of Na’baath, directly into the flurry of spells and siege weapon fire. The 87th could sparsely move or shoot at them, pinned down by a constant slurry of airstrikes and siege weapon fire. They were forced to hold position behind their magic shields, finding no support from Na’baath’s garrison.

  Alisson had contemplated adding his Moonlight Cannon to the ongoing firepower, to knockdown the walls for his infantry. He ultimately decided it wasn’t necessary.

  His assumption proved true, as when the Sidonian infantry, spearheaded by the 58th and veterans of the 5th army, collided with the 87th, the result was instantaneous.

  The Irinians broke, and lost all cohesion. The ensuing chaos was a medley of butchery and rout; what Irinians could escape, did, running back toward the walls of Na’baath, but most didn’t survive the initial Sidonian charge.

  The Sidonians, finished with the sallied forces, broke through into walls of Na’baath with the help of Angels landing on the walls, causing chaos and distracting the Irinians, before quickly withdrawing into the skies.

  Alisson stole brief glances at the battlefield from his hill as messengers came and went from the command post. Angels relayed information, Alisson gave orders to officers, and maps were updated with the latest developments.

  Everything was going smoothly so far, but Alisson knew that the battle would only get harder for the Sidonians. He looked to the sky above Na’baath. Although no one could make it out with their naked eyes, the 51st would be starting their operation right about now.

  That meant of course, jumping out of Angel transports at high altitudes, to land right on top of Nariseer’s command post.

  …

  “The outer wall has been breached!”

  “We’ve lost all contact with 2nd Corps, they’ve been obliterated in front of the gates!”

  Nariseer clenched his fists.

  Alisson had never intended to conduct a long siege. His intent all along was to wipe out the 87th in a lightening fast maneuver…That armistice had only worked in his favor, letting him plan this operation. Nariseer had tried prodding and poking at him with a small force…But all that had done was to embolden him into launching his all-out attack.

  Nariseer hadn’t expected the Angels to work so closely with Alisson, to give him so much support. The town had quaked earlier at the battle’s onset, the sounds of dozens of Angel strikes rolling across command posts and hardened positions. Nariseer lacked any substantial anti-air firepower – The 87th’s aerial mages would simply be butchered if they were sent up to challenge the Angel’s air supremacy.

  “Majesty! An urgent report: The passage is clear!”

  Nariseer frowned. That was it then. He would have to run, and get as many of his men out of this coffin of a city as possible.

  As he was thinking, he heard several screams of battle right outside the command building, and instantly feared that Alisson was already upon him.

  “There are Sidonians in the heart of the city!” An officer shouted in panic.

  “Where did they come from!?”

  Nariseer looked down into the maps before him, trembling. “…This battle is lost.” He muttered to himself.

  “Pardon, your majesty.” The captain of Nariseer’s Iquatine guard scooped him up like a princess. “We must vacate this position for your safety.”

  Nariseer looked up at the captain. “Why…? They’re already here, it’s over…”

  “Apologies to impose on you, majesty, but we will not give up so easily! Not on you! Not on this battle!”

  Nariseer could see for himself as the command staff drew their weapons, and prepared to clear a path for their commander. Of course…This was no normal force she had with her. It was her own personal army, that had been through so much with her. They wouldn’t concede so easily. Nariseer owed them the same.

  Just then, the walls of the command post detonated, and several vectors shot into the room, clashing with soldiers all around. Nariseer caught a glimpse of them as she was rushed away by her guards – These white cloaked, elite soldiers…They were Alisson’s 51st.

  The soldiers in the middle of the city were not evident of a complete rout – This was a ploy by a small elite unit! They had come for Nariseer!

  “We won’t let them near you, majesty! Rest assured!”

  Her soldiers ran by her as she was carried through the streets. No doubt, they wouldn’t be able to stand toe-to-toe with Sidonia’s best, they were giving their lives for her. The only ones capable of that were the Iquatine Guard, who ran with her through the city, to the passage.

  Snapping out of the shock, Nariseer quickly barked orders at any officer around her that she could find, telling them to grab all the men they could and hold of the main Sidonian advance in the city, to fight building by building, street by street. This was a death sentence in this situation, but to save the whole of the army, some would need to act as the rearguard. She also ordered all aerial mages to take to the skies, to secure at least a brief moment of respite from the Angel airstrikes.

  People watched in awe as they saw the little Nariseer, yapping orders angrily and pointing while being carried like a princess. All the while, the looming premonition of the 51st striking from anywhere ate at everyone’s minds.

  …

  “The aerial insertion units have deployed successfully. No fatalities on landing – All units hit their designated slow-fall spells.”

  An Angel responded in a monotone voice. Alisson nodded sternly. He couldn’t communicate directly with the 51st, so it was up to Daventdale’s command now to accomplish his given objectives.

  The Irinians were slowly but surely crumbling. Progress had slowed as they entered the city, as the 87th dug in and fought for every inch of ground. Their aerial mages had deployed in some vain attempt to fight back, but it only delayed the inevitable when the elite Angels descended to fight with them.

  “What of the long-range transport operation?”

  Alisson asked. There was one last trick up his sleeve. If Nariseer hadn’t foreseen the 51st’s aerial insertion, then she wouldn’t be able to foresee this either.

  “Only half of the Kitsune lancers have been delivered as of this moment.”

  He didn’t know if such a small number would be able to do anything, but he left it in the hands of the captain of the Kitsune lancers to decide what to do based on what they saw.

  The fighting had largely ceased on the walls and outside the city, and as such, there was little Alisson could ascertain with his own eyes from his hill. He believed it was time to fully commit. The time for sneaky tactics was over – It was time for the final push into the city. For this, he would lead the 7th’s reserves in person.

  He mounted his horse, the men around him gazing upon him with open confidence and admiration.

  “Now, we charge, into the heart of Na’baath!”

  Alisson swung his sword forward and spurred his horse. Following him were the rest of the 7th’s forces. He was now throwing everything he had at Nariseer, including himself. He would leave command in the hand of local subcommanders as the battle had become too messy to manage centrally. They rode across the field, and into Na’baath’s urban sprawl, past its walls.

  “General Alisson rides to our aid! We can’t lose this now!”

  Alisson heard his men rallying at the sight of him, to make a renewed push as reinforcements flooded into the city. The Irinians still miraculously held their ground, no doubt their loyalty and hope in their commander was strong. Nariseer had wisely opted for a defense in depth strategy, not placing all her forces at the walls, but making several defensives lines across the city, which bought her more time.

  Every second they spent here in the city, was another moment that Nariseer and her elite forces could potentially escape through the passage.

  …

  By the sacrifices of her men, Nariseer had made it to the passage, and was momentarily stunned at the sight she saw. Blood covered the walls, and corpses had been shifted aside from the large tunnel into the mountain. As they entered the dark, scarcely lit passage way, she saw no shortage of blood and gore across the sides of the passage. She swallowed heavily.

  It was for the greater good. Alisson would kill more if he was allowed northward. It was their fault for being too stubborn to move.

  It took hours to move through the passage, and Nariseer all the while had no contact with her forces in Na’baath, she could only hope that they had heard the call to retreat through the passage with her. When they came to the other side, as expected, some of her men were waiting for her, who had gone ahead to secure this side.

  “Shall we wait for more stragglers, majesty?”

  Nariseer was out of immediate danger, and as such her guards let her make decisions again.

  “They can catch up at a later time. We should leave now, and slip out while we can.”

  “Yes, your majesty.”

  As they prepared to set out, Nariseer couldn’t shake the feeling of something ominous about. It had been too quiet in the tunnel, she hadn’t heard or seen any more of her men follow her out. They were sure to be close behind but, it was odd…

  Just then, out of the corner of her vision, Nariseer saw bright orange and red colors. Wondering what it was, she looked closer, and saw, moving out of the forest, a formation of cavalry. They bore the insignias and standards of the Kitsune Queendom.

  Nariseer’s heart sunk in terror. That was the missing piece! The Queendom had been supporting Alisson all this time! They must’ve snuck their forces through or around the mountains well in advance!

  “Majesty, run!”

  Nariseer’s horse was spurred away as the Iquatine Guard prepared to make a stand against the Kitsune cavalry.

  “Not so fast, Count Iquaintseer.”

  She froze when she heard a Sidonian-accented voice call out to her from the tunnel. She looked to see a white cloaked man pacing toward her, covered in blood. He was a member of the 51st, probably their captain. He was flanked by only a handful of his comrades. They had probably chased Nariseer all the way through the passage…That’s why no men had come to bring up their rear.

  Nariseer knew then that they were beat. The Iquatine Guard were great fighters…but against both the 51st, and potentially an entire Kitsune army?

  Alisson had hid the Kitsune until this very moment, just for this. Sidonians hated cavalry…But these Kitsune, they could chase down Nariseer if she tried to run. There was no point in resisting.

  Nariseer looked to one of her guards. She was going to ask them to take her life, to avoid being captured, but the fight had already begun. The 51st became entangled with the few Irinians on this side of the passage, and with Kitsune lancers charging in, the outcome of the battle was already decided.

  …

  The battle was won. Alisson had fell back to the 7th’s camp outside Na’baath to process the results.

  In the middle of the city, late into the night, the fighting still raged, house to house, block to block, street to street. Alisson saw combat of his own, but despite his abilities, it’s not like he could very well kill thousands of men on his own within hours, especially in an urban environment.

  It was in the night, that he spotted his 51st coming back toward Sidonian lines, from the heart of Na’baath. No Irinians challenged them, because they had a hostage. Alisson saw how Daventdale, covered in blood and breathing with exhaustion, held an iron vice-like grip around Nariseer neck, using the general as a shield so that the 51st could return to friendly lines.

  Not a single Irinian dared attack them. They were too loyal to their general to risk danger to them. Alisson had the Angels call out across the city that the battle was over, that the Irinian general had been captured, and to throw down their arms. Despite his calls, not many surrendered. Indeed, pockets of resistance were still fighting to the bitter end in Na’baath.

  The 51st had succeeded. They had leapt from Angel transport craft and used slow-fall scrolls to land safely amidst the city, before going on the prowl for the enemy command posts.

  The Kitsune had also done their job. The lancer detachment that Alisson had under his command had begun being airlifted by the Angels across the mountains and onto the other side of the passage since the 7th had arrived. Despite their small numbers, the pure shock of seeing the out of place Kitsune was well worth it, as they blocked the passage and prevented the escape of a great deal of Irinians. It would take time to assess the damage to the city, the civilian populace, and count the death toll.

  For now though, there was the matter before Alisson.

  Dascha held down Nariseer before Alisson. Privately in the command tent, he had a decision to make.

  “Raise her head.”

  Dascha complied, and grabbed the small general’s hair and yanked it up so that Alisson could see Nariseer’s face.

  ***