"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
Date: August 1072.
Location: Wladirosa, Northern Kazimierz – Western Ursus border.
POV: Nyx.
Tentatively, I'm the most suitable person to converse with them which is also why I'm guiding them to our makeshift aid station/barracks. The situation had been quite grim so far. Thankfully the Campaign Knights presence here should've indicated that Ursus should be on the run now.
While guiding them along, I can finally contemplate a lot more about the state of this village. Destroyed houses due to mortar bombardment. Burnt fields that had usually yielded crops for the village's self-sufficiency now turned into charred ground with perhaps some UXO still left embedded somewhere. Makeshift repairs with the barricade that had been hastily erected overnight.
Thinking back it was a miracle that the Ursus army didn't just break through with overwhelming power. But I suppose my little guerrilla warfare for months had spent some of the much-needed resources and manpower.
Passing through the destroyed building, we are now at the makeshift aid station. The knights are kind enough to offer medical aid, something we truly struggled with due to our now lacking resources.
While the knight's medics are treating the wounded militia and villagers, I'm now conversing with their Leader.
"How is the situation for the overall theater if I may ask."
"The situation is quite spotty, the westernmost and centermost zones are more or less under our control. But the eastern part is grim, we have even received words that Emperor's Blade had been dispatched."
"Emperor's blade... I have heard of them, according to rumors they are the finest Empire of Ursus can muster. Rumors say that each is a force equaling a catastrophe."
"Those rumors are true... but only for the veterans. The newer Emperor's Blades are immature by comparison."
"Which was sent to the eastern part?"
"From what little information we have, it appears to be the veterans... but they are retreating as we speak."
"It might be too late to say this, but can you readily provide such information? No matter how I look at it, this can be considered a breach of personnel conduct."
"It is one thing if it's regarding mission and the like. But for general information, it is viable to be spoken freely."
"I see, so what are you guys doing here exactly? Shouldn't you be heading east?"
"We are here as part of a sweeping force, we have been passing several destroyed villages. Ursus did a number on Kazimierz’s hinterlands. We also doubled as cremation squad, too many dead bodies can cause disease outbreak or Oripathy vector of infection."
"..."
"Which was why we were bewildered seeing a relatively intact village still standing here."
"Well, what can I say? We're a hardy bunch."
"That I can see and agree with."
"Indeed."
"I forgot my manners, my name is Jakub Roja."
"My name is Nyx, just Nyx and I'm not from Kazimierz."
"Ho? Mercenary then?"
"A local freeloader while being an errand girl."
"Errand girl? It was quite hilarious seeing an errand girl capable of leading." The knight grinned with a taunting, in a good way, manner.
"The way you carry yourself just shows how trained you're."
"Being trained is merely a plus in my resume, can’t have too many skills since knowledge is hardly a heavy thing to carry along the way."
"Hahahaha!"
"I'm serious."
"I do apologize, it is just such a refreshing take from the usual death and suffering..."
We chatted some more needless stuff, just when I thought things would finally settle down. Jakub's radio rang, and he immediately answered it. His expression is that of pure disbelief.
"... what!?"
"What's wrong?" He seems reluctant to answer but decides to tell me.
"… One of our finest knights, Kiril Nearl, had gone on radio silence. Our artillery division and Tactical Support element are in a panic to inquire about their condition."
"Isn't that normal on a battlefield or that perhaps... they are cut off behind enemy lines?"
"Normally yes and to your other conjecture, that might be the truth of the matter. The Nearls are also one of the Elder family that contributed greatly to Kazimierz's safety."
"Elder? Like royalty?"
"Long ago Kazimierz had a ruling monarch of Pegasian lineage. Nearl is one such lineage. Their martial prowess had always been a cut above the rest from what little ancient history that I know of."
"In other words he is HVT?"
"Yes, if you want to put it that way. But to me, he is a true brother-in-arms"
"So, what will you do?"
"I... we can't just abandon this place... at least not the medic knights. But I also can't just leave Kiril Nearl's situation unresolved... not to mention he is also my mentor."
"How about I lend you a hand?"
"... What's your angle?"
"Pent up anger that someone dear to me almost died?"
"Hah... very well... but do you even know where he is when even we didn't?"
"Can you inquire where they were the last time?"
"One minute..."
"You do that, I'll get my bike."
"Sure."
Finally, I can wreak havoc without worrying about surprise attacks while I'm gone... I'm still pissed seeing Nelka had a crossbow bolt piercing through her left ankle... just recalling it made my blood boil.
Running to the hidden garage compartment is where my old partner resides. I haven't ridden my bike due to constant siege for the last few months. Now I can finally let loose...
I also don't forget to pack as much dried food and water, they will most likely be tired if my guess about them getting cut off is correct. This is a personal stash of mine, so it wouldn’t compromise’s the village own. I had taught them how to make tunnels for storage, sparing foodstuff from being turned into mush by mortar stonks.
Not long after I got the bike out and headed back to where Jakub is at. He already gripped his spear tightly. I can sense his burning emotion... guess I met a kindred in the matter of pent-up aggression.
"Situation?"
"He headed east with 7 others."
"East... the northeastern part is close to the tundra while also near a major river... high possibility of him being in a swampy region..."
"I see... Also, they said that he rallied them to rescue our knights that are being cut off."
"Admirable, but is that wise?"
"No, but a true knight left no one behind..."
"Heh... I think we can get along just fine..."
With that I and Jakub speed through with utmost haste. Then I spotted Tymoteusz around the gate. Prompting me to stop and hand over the command of this place.
"Nyx!? Where are you going?"
"Hunting with my new friend Jakub. So you're in charge."
"What about the village?"
"The knights will stay here in the meantime so rest assured." Jakub answered while checking his equipment again.
"... I guess that's that huh? Very well, good luck on your endeavor and give them hell."
"Well then, let's ride."
We nodded and left the village, hopefully, we're not too late... it won't change my objective of wreaking havoc but I would feel kinda bad to see Jakub's mentor die.
Also...
'It might be a good time to put my seemingly disappointing arts to good use... cantare... chant... sing...'
Date: August 1072
Location: Northern Kazimierz
POV: Narrator
'We're cut off...' That's the only thing that rang in his mind. He never regretted his decision to commence the rescue operation. None of his brothers and sisters are going to be left behind.
Darkness painted his surroundings, fighting from sunrise to sunset for days on end.
Looking behind him he can see silhouettes of dead bodies in the thousands... he has been fighting for days on end since their radio and other means of communication were rendered useless, possibly jammed. Fighting without supplies to sustain them starts to take a much more vivid predicament on their physical prowess.
Looking ahead across this dark and blasted swamp he can't see the Ursus army bearing down on them like a crushing tidal wave once again, but he can sense the trembling earth beneath him. Their numbers are many but he and his comrades are enough.
After all...
"FEAR NEITHER HARDSHIP NOR DARKNESS!" He shouts with vigor, their enemies are encircling them in a semi-circular cage.
""FEAR NEITHER HARDSHIP NOR DARKNESS!"" His comrades responded in kind. They had lost 7 knights already... their numbers are barely above 40 now.
"Ioleta, we might not succeed in making it alive. But... it was an honor fighting alongside you."
"Truly now? The honor is all mine Kiril." He, hearing her response, smirks before an all too familiar sound yanking his attention back to the battlefield...
"KNIGHTS! LOCK SHIELD!" With his command, everyone huddles together while weathering the mortars’ bombardment. Several Ursine artillery spotter drones hovered above them.
Any other knights would have been blasted to kingdom comes, but not the Silverlance and not Kiril Nearl. His Pegasian blood carried with it millennia of martial prowess and arts aptitude that was further enhanced by his prowess both as a knight and as a person.
"MOVE!" The mortar and light artillery of Ursus keep on hammering down upon their position, but they never stop. They keep marching forward. The war is won, but it will be better to ensure the dead's mementos are returned to their families and not turned into mere war trophies for opulent halls that hold no meaning.
"DAYBREAK WILL COME!" With his chant a golden shield is manifested, healing them and easing their fatigue. The golden shield briefly flickered an image of a Pegasus spreading its wings wide.
Illuminating the darkness with its radiant warmth of the light. Paving the way through the darkness, into the encroaching dawn. No matter how hard darkness tried to drown the earth within its cold veil... sun will always rise again...
The barrage stops, and he can now sense the thundering footsteps of Ursus infantries and heavy shock troopers. With his command, he commanded them to prepare to weather the storm.
"BRACE! DAYBREAK WILL COME!"
""DAYBREAK WILL COME!""
The knights fanned out forming a semi-circular shield wall to brace against the coming impact. Not long after the wall of steel collided against a tidal wave of men and flesh.
The Silverlance fought while covering one another, after the charge had been blunted Kiril Nearl wasted no time to press on the advantage.
With the charge blunted, each knight is now giving a firsthand demonstration of why they only have so few members. Every single one of them is undoubtedly the finest, the very best Kazimierz has to offer.
Each Knight is power itself made manifest.
Each Knight is a testament to Kazimierz's glory with unbridled radiance and splendor.
Each Knight is a vengeful ghost for their fallen brothers and sisters.
Each Knight is and will always carry the burden of their dead ancestors.
Each Knight is Kazimierz.
A knight let his Arts flow into his spear, emblazing it with light and flame before swinging like a scythe, feeling tens of Ursus soldiers with ease. The knight let out a ferocious cry of defiance and a vengeful flame of righteous fury.
Another let her arts amalgamate into a rain of fiery needles, skewering another tens of Ursus soldiers. She also let out a hymn of defiance and graceful send-off to her foes.
Ioleta showcased a pure combat prowess with only her sword, said sword had been enhanced to become unimaginably sharp through her light arts. With a single flick of her wrist, 4 soldiers were beheaded, clean, and cauterized.
Kiril Nearl has shown his ultimate prowess by cutting down numerous soldiers with ease. An infantry was smashed by his shield and promptly departed this cruel world.
Another met the tip of his spear, while also skewering a few behind them while knocking another few along his spear thrust energy residue.
Kiril won't stop until he can bring back his brothers and sisters back home. Along with the shields of the fallen knights, to be returned to their family.
Ursus's army starts to get desperate. They are now firing artillery right on top of their own. Knights and soldiers alike are being subjected to an indiscriminate form of violence. Kiril can see a knight being flung away with visible injury.
It has been going on for a while, Kiril must concentrate and command what was left of his comrades.
He keeps swinging and thrusting his lance before throwing it at a nearby shock trooper, instantly killing said trooper. Kiril pulled out his sword readying himself to command everyone to raise their shield for a new wave of both men and bombardment... none came.
He also noticed that the new wave of Ursus soldiers were also stopped dead in their tracks.
He could feel a warm radiance behind him... the sun had finally risen... but the moment he looked back up front... he saw a woman being shone upon by the light behind him that had risen through the darkness.
And with it, she starts to... sing... the song is being sung in his language but feels so... alien...
"Bogurodzica..."
A soft preamble, so soft it felt like it was caressing his skin with such a gentle warmth. His soul and mind are being cleansed with his mother's loving embrace, when was the last time he felt such? The eternal heat of blazing radiance with such gentleness...
"Dziewica..."
The song continued to the next part. He starts to feel his hostilities wane and ebb away from his mind. Even the Ursus soldiers, who shouldn't have understood it, can feel it deep inside them to just let it end... return home.
"Bogiem sławiena..."
The song utterly charmed the Kazimierzian knights... their souls resonated as one, in a single cradle of warmth that is the singer's soft voice. Her voice seems to amplify their image of her as someone with a clear aura of the divine’s servant going hand-in-hand with a blissfully blessed splendor.
Ursus officers, who managed to force themselves free, start barking orders after breaking free from the song's charm.
"Maryja..."
The Ursus soldiers start snapping out of the charm one by one before redirecting their tidal wave of violence onto a single point. They collectively deemed the woman who sang such a song to be of utmost priority, or else they would truly let it all go, and return home accomplishing nothing...
The woman briefly, and softly, sigh... before continuing her song to the next verse.
"Bogurodzica...!"
Her tone now changed into a belligerent one, shaking awake every knight from their stupor while stopping the Ursus' charge. Regardless of who they are, their hearts are rattled and shaken beyond compare.
"Dziewica...!"
The song passages were but the same one, yet it carried scorching intensity that would turn hell into a frigid winter. Intensity that is free of bound and a sense of logic. Free and multiplying with intense momentum, concentrated but free of anything to hold it together. A pure amalgamation of arts beyond what an Ancient Terran can't even hope of mustering.
"Bogiem sławiena...!"
And even eclipsing the vaunted glory and purity of the Elder Terran race, the oldest known and once ruler of Terra. Their arts and bloodline are being dwarfed by what can be described as challenging the zenith of a miracle itself.
"Maryja...!"
Now... the song is challenging the validity of firstborns themselves. Putting seeds of doubt about their existence. The Feraerus and Feranmuts can also feel it. They don't know who, but there is someone out there who is breaching the veil of divinity using the weights of their innumerable souls.
"U twego syna...!"
The song continues with its paralyzing zeal and blazing inferno of complete defiance. The woman starts to enter a trance of her own making, a trance that is both beautiful and deadly.
"Gospodzina...!"
A trance of graceful angel and unbridled fury born from the deepest pit obsession. The manifestation of divine ichor is beautiful, precious, and deadly for mortals.
"Matko zwolena...!"
A trance that is mesmerizing, hypnotizing, and yet truly maddening. But the trance brought with it a sense of encouraging the listener to be in full control.
"Maryja...!"
A trance of the most venomous divine ichor... This is an ichor the singer happily and wholeheartedly drank with a euphoric sacrifice of mortal values... leaving only a dancer that would please the gods with what offering the maiden brought with.
She finally ceased her singing, before blitzing like a shockwave against the approaching Ursus soldiers. Her soft voice had adopted a darker tone of a vengeful, silent, voice of utter rage. The gentle touch was now morphed into and leaving unrelenting fury in its place.
War-dancing Maiden has been born...
With graceful footwork, she glides across the swamp no different than dancing upon the most pristine of marble. One hand gripping a dagger while the other had an arrow in hand.
With 1-2 movements she stabbed and cut down the encroaching soldiers with grace befitting a true ballroom dance of cajolery, intimacy, and domination to dictate who would lead the impromptu ensemble.
Her whole body moves in perfect coordination, no wasted movement, no unnecessary emotions, none of that hubris of being the finest... only a pure innocent dance that is masking pure rage beneath.
Her thin yet herculean tail moves like a chimera' own. Her hands, clutching her weapons, move with vicious ferocity while maintaining vivacity.
A childlike glee that contrasted the bloody battlefield. Her foes are now deathly afraid of this anomalous existence. But not once did her movement cease, if anything she appears to be encouraging them to keep up the pace.
A smile so, so charming. A kind of smile only reserved for her dance partner...
With an adorable tilt to the left side of her head, she dodged a crossbow bolt.
With a simple half-step backward, she caused a flurry of strikes to only graze the wind.
With delightful giggles, she twists her body to avoid a sword stabbing her in the back.
After her continuous gale of dances, her enemies now truly and utterly become fearful of her. They keep their distance, not wanting to provoke the beast disguising itself as an angel.
The woman giggled with sonorous bell chimes of a voice, her eyes briefly flickered towards the knights-turned-audiences. With the softest smile a loving mother could muster... she extends her invitation to them.
The knights moved as one straight arrowhead, with Kiril leading the breakthrough charge. Unknown to them, Jakub has been going on the other side to clear out both the jamming devices and the combined Ursus artillery unit.
""""Bogurodzica...!""""
An unknown force through the manifestation of her arts compelled to the knight sing along. This new wave of choir brought primal fear upon the stupefied and terrified Ursus soldiers. They had been so focused on one entity that the Kazimierzian Knights had broken through their encirclement.
""""Dziewica...!""""
The song was only heard once, yet that's enough to have it engraved deep within every single one of them. The display was both beautiful and intimidating.
""""Bogiem sławiena...!""""
The knights are no longer slow, bogged-down, turtle. They had turned into a swift arrow of radiance light. They are locking their shields as one and crashing against the faltering Ursus army from the other side. Pinning them between an anomaly, and their deadly adversaries.
""""Maryja...!""""
The anomaly started to move once more but her singing didn't stop. It only gained even more force and energy. The knights are still singing along while swinging their weapons to hack their foes down.
""""U twego syna...!""""
A knight laughs not in malice but with a gleeful sense of freedom, unchained by guilt but also propelled by love and devotion. So full of love that the arts being manifested send the knight adversary to the next world in a loving embrace, full of forgiveness and warmth... something the Ursus soldiers rarely felt within the godforsaken tundra...
""""Gospodzina...!""""
Another one manipulated Arts into a much more efficient form, surpassing what was prior. The concentration was thick but maintained a softer aura, which sent the knight's adversary in peace.
""""Matko zwolena...!""""
Ioleta never felt this much sense of freedom, to practice her arts as when she was but merely a child full of dreams. Her Arts had been tuned up above what was once her zenith. She starts crying in delight and assuredness while being enamored by the one who initiated this wondrous choir.
""""Maryja!""""
Kiril Nearl can see his dear family waiting for him. His taciturn younger son whose rough exterior encompassed strong heroic values and a wealth of self-sacrifice.
His animated, kind, but equally taciturn oldest son is said to be the best knight Nearl's family ever had. The one who would succeed his family in this nation that's mired with self-interests.
His soon-to-be-in-law is known to be the most beautiful and kind woman in Kazimierz. The one who would bring about stability and peace to his house and family...
His niece who starts to show an air of leadership and wisdom while not being strayed by haughtiness, is a fine woman in the making.
And a glimpse towards the future where he can see a pair of his granddaughters who would herald the coming of Radiance, a new era for unified Kazimierz.
The song repeated once more. Their sheer fervor had routed the entire Ursine army, this was not a battle. This is a complete annihilation, the commanding head was forced to retreat, or else the damage sustained would affect the stability of their nation as a whole.
Ursus's army had been decimated, the casualties toll surpassing a division's worth of soldiers.
11 knights died from the 49.
Kiril lost all, except for Ioleta, the man he set out with to rescue the stranded Silverlance.
But with it, they can now bring back the bodies of the fallen. No longer would they be left on the battlefield for vultures to feast upon.
The Knights and the Singer raised their weapons high and sang aloud the epilogue, an end of this ensemble.
""""U twego syna...!""""
""""Gospodzina...!""""
""""Matko zwolena...!""""
""""Maryja!""""
""""Maryja!""""
""""Maryja!""""
All the knights now kneel in reverence, awe, gratitude, and irrevocable spirits of camaraderie...
The singer will now conclude her performance, as well as theirs. With a simple kneeling motion clasping her hand in a prayer-like form. She is now singing the final verse with grateful adoration and satisfied emotion.
""""Bogurodzica...""""
A line full of longing for a better future.
""""Dziewica...""""
A word that is filled with dreams and hopes.
""""Bogiem sławiena...""""
A phrase of utmost reverence.
""""Maryja...""""
A plea for clemency and guidance.
""""U twego syna...""""
The longing to return home to be greeted by a brighter future was granted
""""Gospodzina...""""
The manifestation of their dreams will soon be granted.
""""Matko zwolena...""""
Their reverence is unnecessary but commendable and appreciated all the same.
""""Maryja...""""
The pleas are heard, the clemencies are granted, and guidance for a better future is now laid open...
"Zyszczy nam..."
Even with bloodstained, caked with dirt, and utterly disheveled appearance, the Wardancer closed their performance with grace.
"Spuści nam!"
A simple closing...
"Kyrie... Eleyson...!"
But that's all it took to make the gods stand up with a thundering applause.
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author Note:
Hello, this is me, myself, and I, the author who somehow added a musical ensemble into his fic because he thought so randomly at 10 p.m...
Oh yeah! The song that had been sung was an old Polish War Chant, it was based on a religious song that's turned into a war chant at the battle of Grunwald.
The song's name? Why it is "Bogurodzica". The version I used was the one Farya Faraji composed, check it out to find some sick historical music.
Update as usual... Hopefully...
Ciao.
"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
Date: August 1072.
Location: Wladirosa, Northern Kazimierz – Western Ursus border.
POV: Nyx.
Tentatively, I'm the most suitable person to converse with them which is also why I'm guiding them to our makeshift aid station/barracks. The situation had been quite grim so far. Thankfully the Campaign Knights presence here should've indicated that Ursus should be on the run now.
While guiding them along, I can finally contemplate a lot more about the state of this village. Destroyed houses due to mortar bombardment. Burnt fields that had usually yielded crops for the village's self-sufficiency now turned into charred ground with perhaps some UXO still left embedded somewhere. Makeshift repairs with the barricade that had been hastily erected overnight.
Thinking back it was a miracle that the Ursus army didn't just break through with overwhelming power. But I suppose my little guerrilla warfare for months had spent some of the much-needed resources and manpower.
Passing through the destroyed building, we are now at the makeshift aid station. The knights are kind enough to offer medical aid, something we truly struggled with due to our now lacking resources.
While the knight's medics are treating the wounded militia and villagers, I'm now conversing with their Leader.
"How is the situation for the overall theater if I may ask."
"The situation is quite spotty, the westernmost and centermost zones are more or less under our control. But the eastern part is grim, we have even received words that Emperor's Blade had been dispatched."
"Emperor's blade... I have heard of them, according to rumors they are the finest Empire of Ursus can muster. Rumors say that each is a force equaling a catastrophe."
"Those rumors are true... but only for the veterans. The newer Emperor's Blades are immature by comparison."
"Which was sent to the eastern part?"
"From what little information we have, it appears to be the veterans... but they are retreating as we speak."
"It might be too late to say this, but can you readily provide such information? No matter how I look at it, this can be considered a breach of personnel conduct."
"It is one thing if it's regarding mission and the like. But for general information, it is viable to be spoken freely."
"I see, so what are you guys doing here exactly? Shouldn't you be heading east?"
"We are here as part of a sweeping force, we have been passing several destroyed villages. Ursus did a number on Kazimierz’s hinterlands. We also doubled as cremation squad, too many dead bodies can cause disease outbreak or Oripathy vector of infection."
"..."
"Which was why we were bewildered seeing a relatively intact village still standing here."
"Well, what can I say? We're a hardy bunch."
"That I can see and agree with."
"Indeed."
"I forgot my manners, my name is Jakub Roja."
"My name is Nyx, just Nyx and I'm not from Kazimierz."
"Ho? Mercenary then?"
"A local freeloader while being an errand girl."
"Errand girl? It was quite hilarious seeing an errand girl capable of leading." The knight grinned with a taunting, in a good way, manner.
"The way you carry yourself just shows how trained you're."
"Being trained is merely a plus in my resume, can’t have too many skills since knowledge is hardly a heavy thing to carry along the way."
"Hahahaha!"
"I'm serious."
"I do apologize, it is just such a refreshing take from the usual death and suffering..."
We chatted some more needless stuff, just when I thought things would finally settle down. Jakub's radio rang, and he immediately answered it. His expression is that of pure disbelief.
"... what!?"
"What's wrong?" He seems reluctant to answer but decides to tell me.
"… One of our finest knights, Kiril Nearl, had gone on radio silence. Our artillery division and Tactical Support element are in a panic to inquire about their condition."
"Isn't that normal on a battlefield or that perhaps... they are cut off behind enemy lines?"
"Normally yes and to your other conjecture, that might be the truth of the matter. The Nearls are also one of the Elder family that contributed greatly to Kazimierz's safety."
"Elder? Like royalty?"
"Long ago Kazimierz had a ruling monarch of Pegasian lineage. Nearl is one such lineage. Their martial prowess had always been a cut above the rest from what little ancient history that I know of."
"In other words he is HVT?"
"Yes, if you want to put it that way. But to me, he is a true brother-in-arms"
"So, what will you do?"
"I... we can't just abandon this place... at least not the medic knights. But I also can't just leave Kiril Nearl's situation unresolved... not to mention he is also my mentor."
"How about I lend you a hand?"
"... What's your angle?"
"Pent up anger that someone dear to me almost died?"
"Hah... very well... but do you even know where he is when even we didn't?"
"Can you inquire where they were the last time?"
"One minute..."
"You do that, I'll get my bike."
"Sure."
Finally, I can wreak havoc without worrying about surprise attacks while I'm gone... I'm still pissed seeing Nelka had a crossbow bolt piercing through her left ankle... just recalling it made my blood boil.
Running to the hidden garage compartment is where my old partner resides. I haven't ridden my bike due to constant siege for the last few months. Now I can finally let loose...
I also don't forget to pack as much dried food and water, they will most likely be tired if my guess about them getting cut off is correct. This is a personal stash of mine, so it wouldn’t compromise’s the village own. I had taught them how to make tunnels for storage, sparing foodstuff from being turned into mush by mortar stonks.
Not long after I got the bike out and headed back to where Jakub is at. He already gripped his spear tightly. I can sense his burning emotion... guess I met a kindred in the matter of pent-up aggression.
"Situation?"
"He headed east with 7 others."
"East... the northeastern part is close to the tundra while also near a major river... high possibility of him being in a swampy region..."
"I see... Also, they said that he rallied them to rescue our knights that are being cut off."
"Admirable, but is that wise?"
"No, but a true knight left no one behind..."
"Heh... I think we can get along just fine..."
With that I and Jakub speed through with utmost haste. Then I spotted Tymoteusz around the gate. Prompting me to stop and hand over the command of this place.
"Nyx!? Where are you going?"
"Hunting with my new friend Jakub. So you're in charge."
"What about the village?"
"The knights will stay here in the meantime so rest assured." Jakub answered while checking his equipment again.
"... I guess that's that huh? Very well, good luck on your endeavor and give them hell."
"Well then, let's ride."
We nodded and left the village, hopefully, we're not too late... it won't change my objective of wreaking havoc but I would feel kinda bad to see Jakub's mentor die.
Also...
'It might be a good time to put my seemingly disappointing arts to good use... cantare... chant... sing...'
Date: August 1072
Location: Northern Kazimierz
POV: Narrator
'We're cut off...' That's the only thing that rang in his mind. He never regretted his decision to commence the rescue operation. None of his brothers and sisters are going to be left behind.
Darkness painted his surroundings, fighting from sunrise to sunset for days on end.
Looking behind him he can see silhouettes of dead bodies in the thousands... he has been fighting for days on end since their radio and other means of communication were rendered useless, possibly jammed. Fighting without supplies to sustain them starts to take a much more vivid predicament on their physical prowess.
Looking ahead across this dark and blasted swamp he can't see the Ursus army bearing down on them like a crushing tidal wave once again, but he can sense the trembling earth beneath him. Their numbers are many but he and his comrades are enough.
After all...
"FEAR NEITHER HARDSHIP NOR DARKNESS!" He shouts with vigor, their enemies are encircling them in a semi-circular cage.
""FEAR NEITHER HARDSHIP NOR DARKNESS!"" His comrades responded in kind. They had lost 7 knights already... their numbers are barely above 40 now.
"Ioleta, we might not succeed in making it alive. But... it was an honor fighting alongside you."
"Truly now? The honor is all mine Kiril." He, hearing her response, smirks before an all too familiar sound yanking his attention back to the battlefield...
"KNIGHTS! LOCK SHIELD!" With his command, everyone huddles together while weathering the mortars’ bombardment. Several Ursine artillery spotter drones hovered above them.
Any other knights would have been blasted to kingdom comes, but not the Silverlance and not Kiril Nearl. His Pegasian blood carried with it millennia of martial prowess and arts aptitude that was further enhanced by his prowess both as a knight and as a person.
"MOVE!" The mortar and light artillery of Ursus keep on hammering down upon their position, but they never stop. They keep marching forward. The war is won, but it will be better to ensure the dead's mementos are returned to their families and not turned into mere war trophies for opulent halls that hold no meaning.
"DAYBREAK WILL COME!" With his chant a golden shield is manifested, healing them and easing their fatigue. The golden shield briefly flickered an image of a Pegasus spreading its wings wide.
Illuminating the darkness with its radiant warmth of the light. Paving the way through the darkness, into the encroaching dawn. No matter how hard darkness tried to drown the earth within its cold veil... sun will always rise again...
The barrage stops, and he can now sense the thundering footsteps of Ursus infantries and heavy shock troopers. With his command, he commanded them to prepare to weather the storm.
"BRACE! DAYBREAK WILL COME!"
""DAYBREAK WILL COME!""
The knights fanned out forming a semi-circular shield wall to brace against the coming impact. Not long after the wall of steel collided against a tidal wave of men and flesh.
The Silverlance fought while covering one another, after the charge had been blunted Kiril Nearl wasted no time to press on the advantage.
With the charge blunted, each knight is now giving a firsthand demonstration of why they only have so few members. Every single one of them is undoubtedly the finest, the very best Kazimierz has to offer.
Each Knight is power itself made manifest.
Each Knight is a testament to Kazimierz's glory with unbridled radiance and splendor.
Each Knight is a vengeful ghost for their fallen brothers and sisters.
Each Knight is and will always carry the burden of their dead ancestors.
Each Knight is Kazimierz.
A knight let his Arts flow into his spear, emblazing it with light and flame before swinging like a scythe, feeling tens of Ursus soldiers with ease. The knight let out a ferocious cry of defiance and a vengeful flame of righteous fury.
Another let her arts amalgamate into a rain of fiery needles, skewering another tens of Ursus soldiers. She also let out a hymn of defiance and graceful send-off to her foes.
Ioleta showcased a pure combat prowess with only her sword, said sword had been enhanced to become unimaginably sharp through her light arts. With a single flick of her wrist, 4 soldiers were beheaded, clean, and cauterized.
Kiril Nearl has shown his ultimate prowess by cutting down numerous soldiers with ease. An infantry was smashed by his shield and promptly departed this cruel world.
Another met the tip of his spear, while also skewering a few behind them while knocking another few along his spear thrust energy residue.
Kiril won't stop until he can bring back his brothers and sisters back home. Along with the shields of the fallen knights, to be returned to their family.
Ursus's army starts to get desperate. They are now firing artillery right on top of their own. Knights and soldiers alike are being subjected to an indiscriminate form of violence. Kiril can see a knight being flung away with visible injury.
It has been going on for a while, Kiril must concentrate and command what was left of his comrades.
He keeps swinging and thrusting his lance before throwing it at a nearby shock trooper, instantly killing said trooper. Kiril pulled out his sword readying himself to command everyone to raise their shield for a new wave of both men and bombardment... none came.
He also noticed that the new wave of Ursus soldiers were also stopped dead in their tracks.
He could feel a warm radiance behind him... the sun had finally risen... but the moment he looked back up front... he saw a woman being shone upon by the light behind him that had risen through the darkness.
And with it, she starts to... sing... the song is being sung in his language but feels so... alien...
"Bogurodzica..."
A soft preamble, so soft it felt like it was caressing his skin with such a gentle warmth. His soul and mind are being cleansed with his mother's loving embrace, when was the last time he felt such? The eternal heat of blazing radiance with such gentleness...
"Dziewica..."
The song continued to the next part. He starts to feel his hostilities wane and ebb away from his mind. Even the Ursus soldiers, who shouldn't have understood it, can feel it deep inside them to just let it end... return home.
"Bogiem sławiena..."
The song utterly charmed the Kazimierzian knights... their souls resonated as one, in a single cradle of warmth that is the singer's soft voice. Her voice seems to amplify their image of her as someone with a clear aura of the divine’s servant going hand-in-hand with a blissfully blessed splendor.
Ursus officers, who managed to force themselves free, start barking orders after breaking free from the song's charm.
"Maryja..."
The Ursus soldiers start snapping out of the charm one by one before redirecting their tidal wave of violence onto a single point. They collectively deemed the woman who sang such a song to be of utmost priority, or else they would truly let it all go, and return home accomplishing nothing...
The woman briefly, and softly, sigh... before continuing her song to the next verse.
"Bogurodzica...!"
Her tone now changed into a belligerent one, shaking awake every knight from their stupor while stopping the Ursus' charge. Regardless of who they are, their hearts are rattled and shaken beyond compare.
"Dziewica...!"
The song passages were but the same one, yet it carried scorching intensity that would turn hell into a frigid winter. Intensity that is free of bound and a sense of logic. Free and multiplying with intense momentum, concentrated but free of anything to hold it together. A pure amalgamation of arts beyond what an Ancient Terran can't even hope of mustering.
"Bogiem sławiena...!"
And even eclipsing the vaunted glory and purity of the Elder Terran race, the oldest known and once ruler of Terra. Their arts and bloodline are being dwarfed by what can be described as challenging the zenith of a miracle itself.
"Maryja...!"
Now... the song is challenging the validity of firstborns themselves. Putting seeds of doubt about their existence. The Feraerus and Feranmuts can also feel it. They don't know who, but there is someone out there who is breaching the veil of divinity using the weights of their innumerable souls.
"U twego syna...!"
The song continues with its paralyzing zeal and blazing inferno of complete defiance. The woman starts to enter a trance of her own making, a trance that is both beautiful and deadly.
"Gospodzina...!"
A trance of graceful angel and unbridled fury born from the deepest pit obsession. The manifestation of divine ichor is beautiful, precious, and deadly for mortals.
"Matko zwolena...!"
A trance that is mesmerizing, hypnotizing, and yet truly maddening. But the trance brought with it a sense of encouraging the listener to be in full control.
"Maryja...!"
A trance of the most venomous divine ichor... This is an ichor the singer happily and wholeheartedly drank with a euphoric sacrifice of mortal values... leaving only a dancer that would please the gods with what offering the maiden brought with.
She finally ceased her singing, before blitzing like a shockwave against the approaching Ursus soldiers. Her soft voice had adopted a darker tone of a vengeful, silent, voice of utter rage. The gentle touch was now morphed into and leaving unrelenting fury in its place.
War-dancing Maiden has been born...
With graceful footwork, she glides across the swamp no different than dancing upon the most pristine of marble. One hand gripping a dagger while the other had an arrow in hand.
With 1-2 movements she stabbed and cut down the encroaching soldiers with grace befitting a true ballroom dance of cajolery, intimacy, and domination to dictate who would lead the impromptu ensemble.
Her whole body moves in perfect coordination, no wasted movement, no unnecessary emotions, none of that hubris of being the finest... only a pure innocent dance that is masking pure rage beneath.
Her thin yet herculean tail moves like a chimera' own. Her hands, clutching her weapons, move with vicious ferocity while maintaining vivacity.
A childlike glee that contrasted the bloody battlefield. Her foes are now deathly afraid of this anomalous existence. But not once did her movement cease, if anything she appears to be encouraging them to keep up the pace.
A smile so, so charming. A kind of smile only reserved for her dance partner...
With an adorable tilt to the left side of her head, she dodged a crossbow bolt.
With a simple half-step backward, she caused a flurry of strikes to only graze the wind.
With delightful giggles, she twists her body to avoid a sword stabbing her in the back.
After her continuous gale of dances, her enemies now truly and utterly become fearful of her. They keep their distance, not wanting to provoke the beast disguising itself as an angel.
The woman giggled with sonorous bell chimes of a voice, her eyes briefly flickered towards the knights-turned-audiences. With the softest smile a loving mother could muster... she extends her invitation to them.
The knights moved as one straight arrowhead, with Kiril leading the breakthrough charge. Unknown to them, Jakub has been going on the other side to clear out both the jamming devices and the combined Ursus artillery unit.
""""Bogurodzica...!""""
An unknown force through the manifestation of her arts compelled to the knight sing along. This new wave of choir brought primal fear upon the stupefied and terrified Ursus soldiers. They had been so focused on one entity that the Kazimierzian Knights had broken through their encirclement.
""""Dziewica...!""""
The song was only heard once, yet that's enough to have it engraved deep within every single one of them. The display was both beautiful and intimidating.
""""Bogiem sławiena...!""""
The knights are no longer slow, bogged-down, turtle. They had turned into a swift arrow of radiance light. They are locking their shields as one and crashing against the faltering Ursus army from the other side. Pinning them between an anomaly, and their deadly adversaries.
""""Maryja...!""""
The anomaly started to move once more but her singing didn't stop. It only gained even more force and energy. The knights are still singing along while swinging their weapons to hack their foes down.
""""U twego syna...!""""
A knight laughs not in malice but with a gleeful sense of freedom, unchained by guilt but also propelled by love and devotion. So full of love that the arts being manifested send the knight adversary to the next world in a loving embrace, full of forgiveness and warmth... something the Ursus soldiers rarely felt within the godforsaken tundra...
""""Gospodzina...!""""
Another one manipulated Arts into a much more efficient form, surpassing what was prior. The concentration was thick but maintained a softer aura, which sent the knight's adversary in peace.
""""Matko zwolena...!""""
Ioleta never felt this much sense of freedom, to practice her arts as when she was but merely a child full of dreams. Her Arts had been tuned up above what was once her zenith. She starts crying in delight and assuredness while being enamored by the one who initiated this wondrous choir.
""""Maryja!""""
Kiril Nearl can see his dear family waiting for him. His taciturn younger son whose rough exterior encompassed strong heroic values and a wealth of self-sacrifice.
His animated, kind, but equally taciturn oldest son is said to be the best knight Nearl's family ever had. The one who would succeed his family in this nation that's mired with self-interests.
His soon-to-be-in-law is known to be the most beautiful and kind woman in Kazimierz. The one who would bring about stability and peace to his house and family...
His niece who starts to show an air of leadership and wisdom while not being strayed by haughtiness, is a fine woman in the making.
And a glimpse towards the future where he can see a pair of his granddaughters who would herald the coming of Radiance, a new era for unified Kazimierz.
The song repeated once more. Their sheer fervor had routed the entire Ursine army, this was not a battle. This is a complete annihilation, the commanding head was forced to retreat, or else the damage sustained would affect the stability of their nation as a whole.
Ursus's army had been decimated, the casualties toll surpassing a division's worth of soldiers.
11 knights died from the 49.
Kiril lost all, except for Ioleta, the man he set out with to rescue the stranded Silverlance.
But with it, they can now bring back the bodies of the fallen. No longer would they be left on the battlefield for vultures to feast upon.
The Knights and the Singer raised their weapons high and sang aloud the epilogue, an end of this ensemble.
""""U twego syna...!""""
""""Gospodzina...!""""
""""Matko zwolena...!""""
""""Maryja!""""
""""Maryja!""""
""""Maryja!""""
All the knights now kneel in reverence, awe, gratitude, and irrevocable spirits of camaraderie...
The singer will now conclude her performance, as well as theirs. With a simple kneeling motion clasping her hand in a prayer-like form. She is now singing the final verse with grateful adoration and satisfied emotion.
""""Bogurodzica...""""
A line full of longing for a better future.
""""Dziewica...""""
A word that is filled with dreams and hopes.
""""Bogiem sławiena...""""
A phrase of utmost reverence.
""""Maryja...""""
A plea for clemency and guidance.
""""U twego syna...""""
The longing to return home to be greeted by a brighter future was granted
""""Gospodzina...""""
The manifestation of their dreams will soon be granted.
""""Matko zwolena...""""
Their reverence is unnecessary but commendable and appreciated all the same.
""""Maryja...""""
The pleas are heard, the clemencies are granted, and guidance for a better future is now laid open...
"Zyszczy nam..."
Even with bloodstained, caked with dirt, and utterly disheveled appearance, the Wardancer closed their performance with grace.
"Spuści nam!"
A simple closing...
"Kyrie... Eleyson...!"
But that's all it took to make the gods stand up with a thundering applause.
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author Note:
Hello, this is me, myself, and I, the author who somehow added a musical ensemble into his fic because he thought so randomly at 10 p.m...
Oh yeah! The song that had been sung was an old Polish War Chant, it was based on a religious song that's turned into a war chant at the battle of Grunwald.
The song's name? Why it is "Bogurodzica". The version I used was the one Farya Faraji composed, check it out to find some sick historical music.
Update as usual... Hopefully...
Ciao.
