First Casualties

The streets of Tlangthar bustled as always, alive with the hum of daily life, yet Larin and Ngieri barely noticed the familiar sights and sounds. Vendors called out their wares, children played in the alleys, and the scent of freshly baked bread mingled with the earthy aroma of the city. But there was no time for pleasantries or stopping at the stalls of acquaintances. They glided past the gates, their urgency unspoken but palpable, ignoring the surprised looks from the gatekeepers and bypassing the square where a small crowd had begun to gather.

Their destination was the Barracks, a massive structure that stood at the heart of the city, built to house warriors, strategists, and leaders in times of war. Its reinforced walls loomed over the surrounding buildings, its banners of black and red—a solemn mark of wartime—billowing in the cool breeze. The symbolism was clear to all: Xiaxo was once again under siege.

Inside, the Barracks was packed with people. Chiefs, advisors, nurses, doctors, scientists, blacksmiths, fishers—every walk of life in Xiaxo was represented. The atmosphere was tense, the room a mosaic of focused faces. Conversations were whispered but urgent, and the air buzzed with the unspoken weight of responsibility. 

Mualza, the Earth Shaman, stood with his arms crossed near the front, his weathered face as solid and unyielding as the stone he commanded. Lianchhia, her fiery presence evident even without words, sat with her hands folded, the faint smell of ash lingering around her. Hwehwe paced near a table covered with maps and diagrams, her movements sharp, her expression as fierce as ever. Pupi, the wise elder, leaned on his staff, his eyes scanning the crowd with a calm that belied the storm brewing within. Chinzah, the sharp and precise strategist, was quietly discussing formations with a group of warriors. And at the center, towering over them all, was Zakop, his presence commanding, his eyes glowing with intensity.

Zakop raised his staff and struck it against the stone floor, the sound reverberating through the room like a thunderclap. The noise silenced the murmurs, and all eyes turned to him. Smoke and steam curled faintly from his eyes, a sign of his heightened state.

"Now that we have settled down," Zakop began, his voice deep and resonant, "remember why we are here and what we are fighting for."

The weight of his words settled over the room. 

Pupi was the first to speak. "Kirat has tested our borders again. Their incursions are not random—they are probing our defenses, testing our resolve."

"We were ready," Chinzah said, his tone matter-of-fact. "The Border Fort held. But the cost was heavy." He paused, his jaw tightening. "One hundred and twenty-five of our own dead."

Ngieri clenched her fists, her voice trembling with controlled anger. "And what of the Kirati battalion? What losses did they suffer?"

"Over nine hundred marched on our land," Chinzah replied. "More than half are dead, their formations shattered. The Guardian Beasts—Firevein Hydra and Stormhorn Seraph—ensured our victory. Although, a pincer attack by an elite team targetting our Guardians specifically with specialized teams may be able to take down both of our Guardians there. A team of 12 veteran Cosmic Magi may even be able to."

Larin's mind raced as Chinzah described the beasts. The Flame-vein Hydra, a massive serpent-like creature, its scales glowing with molten veins of lava, had unleashed torrents of blazing mana that incinerated the Kirati ranks. Its three heads moved in deadly harmony, spewing fire and magma that turned the battlefield into a molten hellscape. The Stormhorn Seraph, equally awe-inspiring, towered over the battlefield, its horn crackling with electric fury. With every charge, it summoned storms that lashed the enemy with lightning and thunder, their formations collapsing under the relentless assault.

"They didn't anticipate our Guardians and we already had intelligence on the attack, most intelligence were duds but this time they finally went through with it," Lianchhia said, her voice steady but edged with fury. "They thought they were facing the Xiaxo of the last war. They were wrong."

"But they will learn," Pupi interjected. "The Kirat Empire does not make the same mistake twice. They will return, better prepared."

Mualza nodded. "And we must be ready for that return. Our Guardians give us an edge, but they cannot fight every battle for us. We need to strengthen our defenses, train harder, and ensure our supply lines remain intact. We must not forget, it was the machines of the Kirats who made us tremble and submit before, now, we must never let them take the people of Xiaxo hostage again !"

Hwehwe slammed her hand on the table. "And we need to strike back. We cannot just wait for them to come to us. We must make them fear crossing into our lands."

The room erupted into a cacophony of voices as the leaders debated. Some argued for retaliation, for taking the fight to Kirat before they could regroup. Others urged caution, pointing out the risks of overextending their forces. 

Zakop raised his staff again, the boom silencing the room once more. "Enough," he said, his voice sharp. "We will not act in haste. Xiaxo does not fight wars of aggression. We defend what is ours, and we do so with precision and purpose."

He turned to the assembled leaders. "We will fortify our positions and ensure that the Kirat cannot step foot on our land without paying a price. Our Guardian Beasts will hold the borders. Our warriors will be ready. And our people will endure."

The room fell silent, the weight of Zakop's words settling over them. Then he added, "The dead will be brought home in two days' time. There will be a grand funeral to honor them, as is our way. We will mourn, but we will not lose hope. This is only the beginning. The road ahead will be long and hard, but we are Xiaxo. We endure. We resist. And we will prevail."

As Zakop's voice echoed through the Barracks, a quiet resolve filled the room. The leaders dispersed, each carrying the weight of their responsibilities. Larin stood silently, his thoughts heavy with the events of the day and the challenges yet to come. 

The battle for Xiaxo's future was far from over, but for now, the people stood united, their hearts burning with the will to resist.