Chapter 6: Outlander
Land of Elren
Alatyr Sient, Twelfth Tribe
More than half of the Elren Tribes have already been snared within the hold of Erysthrina Empire. But those remaining still continued to fight off the daemons fiercely, and one of them is Alatyr Sient; the strongest of the twelve who remained standing mighty and resisted the empire.
They have also opened their gates to those seeking refuge and protection from the Sanguines, especially for the victims of war.
Fionn lowered his hood down enough to hide his features under its shadows as his group passed through the guarded entrance of the Tribe. His two friends trailed close beside him as they weave to the bustling streets; with vendors, refugees and from time to time, soldiers marching to exit the gate.
He notices how this tribe was a lot more advance and develop than its smaller brother-clans, like Bastion.
Starting from their stone walls which was erected all over the place as a mighty protector. They even have high watchtowers, inferni canons and large ballistae that could rival Avilyon’s armory.
Its territorial army, the Svallin Agmen, were fully-equip in lightweight silver-cuirass and most wielded golden-tip lances and battle-axes.
“But they do lack shields” Ajax pointed out.
Fionn glances at him, he was glad that after his friend woke up, he was able to cope immediately from the news. ‘Maybe he already anticipated it after he helped me’. But Fionn did not expect a punch in the face the moment they reunited. Thankfully after that, the giant seemed to be satisfied and already readied for their journey.
He could still feel the bruise somewhere in his cheeks.
“Yeah, but I don’t think they need it. We don’t even use ours that much” Artemia responds, “Just look like how everyone is built for war”
Fionn kept silent as he also noted that every soldier was actually tall, and had a physique of what others would say the ideal build for a perfect warrior.
He brought out from his satchel the rolled-old map he had manage to get from Avilyon’s library. He could have gotten a new copy, but the chart was more than just the modern atlas. It was a book of maps that had diagrams and graphics of some lands that were said to be lost after the ‘Genealogy Scourge’.
Fionn knew they would need it.
The three of them have agreed to go to the Northern Isles. But to get on sea faster, the only port was at the edge of Elren, hosted by the Alatyr Sient.
“Stop!”
Fionn freezes on his track. Ajax who was behind him, bump on his back which almost tumbled him down on the ground.
He slowly looks to his right, seeing five tribal soldiers heading their way. ‘Are they going to arrest us?’ His hand slip to the grip of his lance strap of his back. ‘But we are banished not wanted’.
It was three to five. Maybe we could take them out.
His nerves calm as a hand suddenly held his grip already on his lance. He turns to see Artemia shaking her head.
No.
He can’t believe he had actually thought of fighting the guards headed to them. Especially they were on other’s territory.
“You three” the tallest man pointed at them. “Come with me, no questions”
The trio looked at each other, Fionn knew they were left with no choice but to follow the soldier as the other warriors flank their sides. Either they complied or turn it into a mess.
Their walk was not long, passing only twenty dome-tents as Fionn counted before they reached a man in his mid-forties, with long graying hair and salt-and-pepper beard. His eyes were glazed dark brown and looked on them with sharp with intelligence. His full steel armor clank noisily as he moves toward them. Great dual-axes were strap at his back which Theos is sure he would use without hesitation if need be.
He reminded himself to remain calm as the man walk towards them.
“I am Inti, Alatyr Sient’s chieftain. You outlanders what it is you seek?” the chieftain’s loud strident tone added authority over everyone.
Fionn stood still. They were detected. The surprise on his face must be visible as the chief added.
“We were already eyeing your movements the moment you entered our gates. As someone who are exiled from their homes, we must be alert to see if you wanderers are dangerous”
“We only seek for passage Sir” Artemia replied formally.
Knowing that a playact would not work, Fionn asks the obvious, “Did you know that we are going to arrive?”
Inti grins at his question, “A friend of yours sent a letter ahead of your arrival”
‘General Alaric?l’, Fionn thought, but he kept his reaction to himself. ‘But why would he do that?’
“Do you seek passage for the eastern plains of Magmell or set-sail at the port?” the chieftain asked.
Fionn thought how much information he should give. He did not know who actually sent the notice, nor does he know if the man could be trusted. But he realizes there is no point in lying. They must pass here to get to their destination. “We plan to go to Vaettir”
“As far as possible from here I see” the tribal chief nods as if to agree.
One soldier suddenly appeared on view, running to them. He salutes at the leader as he arrived not even acknowledging the presence of the outlanders. “Chief Inti, we have an attack on the west wall. The captain requests your aid for it is an unidentifiable creature”
Inti’s brows knitted in bafflement as wrinkles form in his temple. He motions for them to follow him. “There are reports that the Isles were left untouched by the Empire” he pauses and set their pace faster, “Of course, this I cannot confirm since I have not travelled since the start of the Sanguine’s conquest”
“Are they afraid of Vaettir?” Fionn questioned in ragged breath because of their brisk march.
“Because it is rumored that the patron deity of the Northern Isles has come down from the Axis Mundi or what we call ‘heaven naos’ to shelter its nation”
“That is crazy. You have to be kidding” Ajax’s mouth was wide agape.
“As I told you, it is only a report circulating around which is yet to be confirmed”
“The last time a celestial went down is during the ‘Scourge’” Fionn stated, “To help mankind be saved from their absolute destruction”
“What did they saw?” Artemia inquired to the chieftain, curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
“Before the Erysthrina ships reached the shore of Vaettir, in a flash of blinding light the great fire spirit loomed before them; they say its infernal wings stretch all over the horizon, and it has eyes which incinerated those who looked directly into it. Thus, the Sanguine retreated in terror”
Fionn absorb the newfound information. ‘Is the threat really that dire for the gods to get involved? What is really happening?’ “But what is the empire looking for? What is their end goal?” he voices out his more pressing concern, hoping to get some answer that even Alaric was not able to provide him.
The chieftain shakes his head, “Years of information and studying their action have only led us to one answer. They are looking for a long-lost relic”
“Do you have any idea what kind of ancient piece is that? That they need to massacre everyone?” Fionn added bitterly as he reminisce the past. ‘So it is the same answer. No one actually knows what those demons are seeking’
A huge boom shook the ground. Smoke began to cloud the houses not far from them. Their strides hastened into a run.
“Some survivors claimed that they heard the Templars asked the high rank officials of their place about the whereabouts of something they could not identify We could only guess it is something that was scattered throughout the nations. But we are sure it is something that would bring catastrophic consequences in the world once they have succeeded in obtaining it all”
The moment they arrived the wall has already been destroyed and a huge thirty feet human-shaped made of pure rock have already breached inside. It trampled the first house with one swing of its fist.
It did not have any face nor was it exceptionally molded to a perfect imitation of the human body, but its combined blocks of stone resembled the shape of man. A small rock stood at its peak, and two orbs of fire glowed like it was its eyes.
Ajax grip the hilt of his great sword, “What on earth is that?”
Inti’s eyes were wide as he also watched some of his warriors flew and be crushed beneath the massive blocks of rock. “That is a stone-golem. Formed by enchanted clay, and controlled by a powerful druid” he readied his stance getting also his dual-weapon.
“Is this also one of the Sanguine’s puppet?” Fionn asked.
It took a moment before the chief answered, “Yes, yes… the Sanguine were also known to be practitioners of the Animating Magic”
Fionn stops his two comrades as they unsheathe their weapons and prepared to charge. “Wait”
He observes the golem’s movements. Slow and slatternly. But it is certain ruin wherever it hits. Most of the Svallin Agmen present have already circled around it, taking turns to attack. But their weapons of steel only spark against the great scale rock without damage.
He unstraps his lance, and walks forward.
“Well, what did you wait for?” Ajax commented and went beside him, as the lady also followed.
“No stay here” he looks at both of them in turn. “You are not even fully healed”
“What are you saying? We are a team Fionn” the giant retorted in upset.
“At this moment. You’ll just slow me down” Fortunately, Artemia did not complained. Then he turns around and throws his spear.
It soared the air with insane force and speed, propelling straight to the golem’s arm but it only smacks its hard-limb away.
As Fionn thought, even his weapon would not be enough to destroy it. But it gave him time to close the distance and get his lance, as the mud-creature seemed to stagger.
The golem now followed up a huge swing with its other monolith branch. Fionn batted it down before it could gain momentum.
‘It worked’, the stone-limb crash down to the ground. He just needs to get his momentum first.
As the golem retracted its other arm again, marked at him.
Fionn did not move. He will not sidestep the blow. Take it head on, a voice whispered in him. That’s right. He knew that the creature’s body was hard to break. But his weapon was a gift… from a deity. It might just be indestructible.
He drives his javelin towards the incoming attack, its glinting tip penetrated and broke the hard slab surface. He felt the impact vibrated through his arm and body. But Fionn wasted no moment, seeing the golem’s body still bent down from its momentum.
Fionn pushes his feet to move and steps at the remnant of what was once the golem’s pillar-arm, and springs at its chest, then leaps above its head.
As he went down in midair, he slashes his javelin as hard as he could, which slice smoothly the stone skull. The two orbs of fire were immediately extinguished.
Fionn shove his spear downward as he landed on top of the golem’s head, crushing it to dust.
Everyone stood agape as if in a trance after the bout. But it was immediately dispelled as shouts echoed from afar.
Soldiers hurried at the ruined part of the wall as Fionn could gaze the army starting to run down the hill just beyond.
Another bloody battle.
Ajax was appeared beside him and muttered, “Show-off”. Artemia elbowed him.
The chieftain was now also in front of him. “Alas! you all must go now. Excellent fighting you have demonstrated. But I will not let you join this one.” He pauses as if to see Fionn will protest, “This is the fight of our land. We must show these demons they have chosen a wrong battle”
Inti continued, “My soldiers are expecting for me to lead at the front” each of his hand now wielded in a firm grip the two great axes “Since you are headed for Vaettir, I say you are on the right path. If there is anyone who could answer you more deeply, it is the Grand Archon of Fire. Seek him and you may find the answers you are looking for. Standing and speaking here won’t do you anymore favor, go now my dear children!” he heads out to the broken wall.
“Thank you” Artemia said her farewell.
“May you win this one” Fionn looked the chieftain in his eyes.
“Remember that it is still your freedom to choose. Stay and fight. Or escape to survive” he looks at each of them in the eye earnestly. “Remember, there is no shame in running it means you want to live, but it is also not foolish to fight, it only means you are ready for the certain death. One we all will face” he nodded to each of them “May the wind blow such good tidings to your journey.”