Chapter 13: Magical Warfare

Magical warfare is nothing like regular medieval armies marching against one another with spells being flung here and there. Magical warfare is like a Star Wars battlefield. Magical warfare is ruinous to the surrounding landscape. I stood there as the mages fired off spell after spell neither side getting through to the waiting melee troops. The air was growing heavy from the magic, and I could see a growing storm beginning to make its appearance. Today was a good day to kill.

*

Loran took a deep breath as the mages of the Crimson Army fought against those from the world they had invaded. He whispered the command word once more to see the gift his lord had bestowed upon him.

“Aspects.”

Aspect: The Soldier

(Uncommon)

(20%)

Effect: minor increase in all stats which include but is not limited to endurance, vitality, speed, magic, and strength. When amongst fellow holders of the Aspect: The Soldier effect increase is doubled if they are part of the same army.

Perks:

Interlocking Force (Tier I): This perk works better in conjunction with another user of the same aspect. When activated user defensive abilities generate a shield wall that will reduce all incoming physical and magical damage by 20%.

Battle Mind (Tier I): This perk works better in conjunction with another user of the same aspect. When activated user is set into the Battle Mind state. This allows the user greatly enhanced reflexes and points out weaknesses in an opponent.

Rejuvenation (Passive) (Tier I): Passively regenerates physical stamina and mana.

Something that the troops of the Crimson Army had been practicing with ever since the Young Lord reveal this new piece of magic to them. Loran thought it had to be new magic as well as most of the troops who knew of the existence of the magic the Young Lord called the ‘System’. New magic that the Young Lord promised would make them heroes and even allow the commoners to match the nobles.

Loran looked to the squad that depended on his leadership and his will grew firmer. Lady Amaya and the Young Lord chose him for a reason and Loran would not disappoint.

*

All around me spells rage as both parties attempted to exhaust each other’s magical means. So far, the mages from the count’s forces had used a majority of fire magic while the mages of the crimson army responded with the same. They were mostly trained in earth and fire magic as that was the affinities that a good portion of humans were tied too. Not to say that they couldn’t use different magics but just that it was easier to use the magic of the affinity you were tied too. I could use the base four elements with ease but as my main bloodline was tied to fire and earth those magics came to me easier.

I still stood in the front waiting for either the mages to exhaust themselves or for some side to break through. A giant ball of attribute less mana appeared in the air and began to fire off bullets towards my army. This would be a deciding factor. The battle had already been raging on for ten minutes and I knew my mages would be nearing the limits of their repertoire even with Aspect: Mage enhancing them. The enemy mages were more experienced and had seen true battle before whereas this was the first true battle my mages would see. Soon, it would be time for my soldiers to test their blades. I expected a much better outcome from this.

*

Amaya stared in frustration at the attribute less ball of mana that flung out projectiles towards her army. Her mages were on their last legs having exhausted most of their mana from defending while in the same instance retaliating with what little attacks they could.

“Shit.” She muttered under her breath. In truth she expected more from her mages. She expected them to at least be able to have their physical combat troops react and begin to use their abilities in defense. That was not the case, but the Crimson General would not let this deter her from action. As she fired off a spell that she had long since readied.

“|Cain’s Ablution|.”

Cain’s Ablution was an old spell created by the grand mage Cain during the Eradication war. It was a fifth-tier spell that was designed for a single mage to disrupt group cast spells by ‘purifying’ or removing the mana within the area. This created a void zone that caused the spell to fizzle out. Which is exactly what happened to the last spell fired off by the count’s army. However, this did take a toll as it used up half of Amaya’s current mana pool. The battlefield grew quiet as both sides mages finally exhausted themselves. It would be up to the physical combat troops to prove themselves now.

“A General’s Insight can see through all.”

A magical ripple spread out over the army as Amaya finished saying her activation phrase and the troops stood a little bit straighter and taller. This caused her mana pool to dwindle even more. A few shifting positions here and there as they could see they were slightly out of place within their squad. Any nervous tension that may have once been present was gone and only determination was left.

Amaya could feel the presence of her army become stronger as the magic in the air bonded with their bodies and did something. She wasn’t sure exactly what it was as she only used her first perk in limited capacity but both the perk and the skill of her first aspect were now activated. It was time to see how they came into effect against true opponents.

“SOLDIER’S OF THE CRIMSON ARMY! SHOW THESE MEN WHAT IT MEANS TO GO AGAINST THE KAN DUKEDOM.” Her shout broke the silence, and she could see her cousin who had remained in place far outside of the army perk up. Amaya didn’t know what foolishness possessed Aegis to stay so far from the easy protection of his army, but she could see the effect he was having on the men as their eyes never left the back of their Young Lord.

The opposing armies were roughly 500ft apart and that distance began to rapidly shrink as the Crimson Army began its march.

“ACTIVATE YOUR BATTLE MIND,” Amaya called as they were roughly 250ft away and now had caught up to her cousin who began to march with them.

“ONE MIND, ONE BODY, BATTLE MIND.” The soldiers said in union. The formation grew even tighter and for a moment Amaya thought she was overseeing some of the veteran troops they’d gone against in training.

The recovering mages and healers were left with a small contingent to protect them and Amaya was towards the back of the army when she let out a grin as she raised her weapon Hope of the Dragons and fired off the spell bestowed onto it right as she had her army charge.

“MEN OF THE CRIMSON ARMY… CHARGE. |Seismic Collapse|.”

From a quick march to a sprint with their spears out and pointed forward the soldiers of the Crimson Army met their disrupted opponents as the ground shifted and the earth split open in the middle of the opposing army.

“YOU DARE?” The count’s voice magically roared out.

“WE DARE!” Her cousin roared in response.

Then the armies collided with the effect of Amaya’s spell showing instant results as the off-guard frontline of the counts army was skewered on the long spears of the crimson army.

Amaya could see as Aegis bisected a man at the waist with his ax before using his shield to bash another down. A figured blurred through the recovering counts army and Amaya watched as Aegis raised his shield in surprise while stumbling a few steps back. A man covered in full plate armor went against him. she watched as Aegis recovered and looked down on the man. Ashes began to descend around them.

Her focus drew to another part of the battlefield as the second lieutenant of the count reinforced their frontline soldiers and brought a tense but stable line back in order. Amaya fired off a spell in his direction. Hoping to collapse that portion of the count’s army once again but to little avail the well-trained soldiers began to show their discipline that had been honed throughout the years as they fought against the Nox. Their lines grew straighter and finally the pushed back against the Crimson army. The second uncontested lieutenant cutting deep into them as his strength overwhelmed her soldiers.

Frustration came to Amaya as she could no longer cast spells at him in fear of hitting her own troops. This was one of the many concerns she had. Their lack of higher tiered troops that could meet the opposing armies’ elites in battle. She could not face them in close combat as Amaya focused on finishing Path of the Mind before Path of the Body. She watched as he was about to cut another Crimson soldier down until the ground shifted and a magi human with golden locks stood in his path. While a human with a short spear and shield with a sword strapped to her back stood next to him. A few of the special aspect users appeared. A few champions.

*

Alex stood next to Rouge his large sword held like a shield in front of him. Alex could physically look down upon his opponent, yet he felt as if he was facing a giant today. His squad was among the closest when the count’s lieutenant broke into their lines slaughtering left and right as most were too weak to truly oppose him. That is until Alex and Rouge decided to put themselves in front of his path.

Alex and Rouge felt a suppression press down upon them as the lieutenant’s aura pressed down. Alex flared his nostrils and looked over to the only other person to receive the same aspect as him. Rouge looked back a grim but determine expression was portrayed upon her face. Both thought over the details of the power gifted to them by the Young Lord. Hopefully it would provide them with an advantage against their opponent. If not… then the two would do their best to defend their fellow soldiers regardless of the cost even if that meant sacrificing themselves. Alex took a deep breath and Rouge crouched readying herself.

Alex aspect appeared like this

Aspect: The Champion

(25%)

Effect: Increase in all stats which include but is not limited to endurance, vitality, speed, magic, and strength.

Perks:

Champions Aura (Tier I): When this perk is activated the user projects an aura around them. This aura provides suppression against all who find themselves against the user.

Unlimited Might (Tier II): A Champion’s might is not to be underestimated. By activating this perk the user physical strength is doubled at the cost of the user’s mana pool or vice versa as the user’s physical strength is weaken while their mana pool is reinforced.

Sword of Kan (Tier I): When activated allows the user to summon Sword Will’s that will move and attack in tandem with the user.

Champion’s Stamina (Passive) (Tier I): A Champions stamina is ceaseless. When others may fall, a champion will always rise to the occasion. While in combat the Champion’s regeneration whether physical or magical is increased by 25%.

A golden aura erupted around Alex and simultaneously Alex felt his meagre mana pool almost become non-existent.

“You face me in the ARENA, when my MIGHT is unlimited.” Alex said and prepared himself just in time as a blade appeared at his throat.

Aspect: The Champion

(25%)

Effect: Increase in all stats which include but is not limited to endurance, vitality, speed, magic, and strength.

Perks:

Champions Aura (Tier I): When this perk is activated the user projects an aura around them. This aura provides suppression against all who find themselves against the user.

Unlimited Might (Tier II): A Champion’s might is not to be underestimated. By activating this perk the user physical strength is doubled at the cost of the user’s mana pool or vice versa as the user’s physical strength is weaken while their mana pool is reinforced.

Spear of Kan (Tier I): When activated allows the user to conjure the Spear of Altin.

Champion’s Stamina (Passive) (Tier I): A Champions stamina is ceaseless. When other’s my fall a champion will always rise to the occasion. While in combat the Champion’s regeneration whether physical or magical is increased by 25%.

“My ARENA is not for cowards; my MIGHT is limitless.” Rouge aura burst out alongside Alex, and she reacted as the count’s lieutenant sword pierced towards her fellow champion’s throat. Her spear just barely reaching in time to prevent Alex from being stabbed through the neck.

Rouge could see slightly shocked eyes through the visor of the lieutenant, and she moved in tandem with Alex pulling her spear back while his large blade slashed forward.

All around them the battle continued to rage with soft blue hexagon shields popping in from time to time as the soldiers of the Crimson army activated their aspects. Yet this did not go through Alex nor Rouge head as they were almost instantly both put on the defensive as an aura burst from their opponent.

“I haven’t had a challenge in ages. This should be fun,” the feminine voice said as her blade lit up with a blue glow.

The two shot a glance at each other and prepared themselves as it seems their opponent was beginning to take them seriously.