March

  I watched the vast sea of troops marching east from atop my vantage point on the hillside. It was a glorious sight. Two and a half million men strong, all of them marching under different banners and colors. Yet despite their differences, these disparate factions were united under one noble goal: the destruction of the Primordials and, with their end, gaining freedom for the entirety of the known world. All the races of humanity: the elves, the dwarves, the halflings and the sapiens; they were all represented here, in this immense, endless army. All of them had put aside their differences and devoted themselves to work together against a common threat.

  I closed my eyes and sighed. It had been a long, trying road to get to this point. A road filled with countless years of tireless debating, negotiations, and politicking. So much back talking and compromises. So much time wasted. Yet it had all been worth it. For the first time in history, Mankind was united against the unforgiving power of the Primordials.

  I opened my eyes when I heard heavy footsteps approaching from behind me. From the sound of his gait and the familiar tapping of a heavy scabbard against his hip, I was able to guess the man’s identity. He was Lord Burien, my aid and most trusted confidante. Once he drew close enough to speak, I heard the steel plates of his armor shifting as he bent down to one knee on the grass.

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  “It is time, Your Majesty,” he said with a soft tone. “Our force is ready to join the advance.”

  “Good.” With a heavy heart, I took one final look around the endless green of the countryside which had been my home for all of my life. Ispara, known throughout the world as the realm of green, endless fields. It was a peaceful country, one with verdant trees and soft grasses, very much unlike the cursed lands we would soon be visiting.

  I made sure to burn the memory of my homeland deep into my soul, for I would not be seeing it again.

  “Let’s go.” With a resolute will, I pulled my helmet’s visor down, covering my face with the thin layer of magical steel. I thought of my friends, my family, and my kingdom; of their fates if this grand venture were to fail. I softly promised to myself that we would not. The Primordials would die, and the world would change.

  Turning around, I began my march down the hillside and towards the massive camp containing the two hundred and fifty thousand soldiers of Ispara, with Lord Burien at my side.

  My heart pounded hard deep within my chest. Soon we would be off, to join the mighty tide of humanity that sought to do the impossible. It would take years, perhaps decades, to accomplish our goal. But we would accomplish it. Every soul in this unified army, be they the lowest footman to the mightiest king, were prepared to sacrifice their lives to do so.

  It was at moments like these that I was proud to be a human being.

  And so, with the thunderous march of millions, the first step towards a new age of mankind had begun. The Second Crusade was in full swing.