The wails of the helminth became the only company echoed deep within Aurelius' consciousness. His exo felt weighted. Empty, heavy without any purpose. The time gap wasn't long, but the sand had created a pile before it dispersed from Aurelius' ventilation.
His sight was blurry. The shapes of the building slowly became clear following his state.
[Active]
[Foreign Rhythms Detected]
[Elysian Rhythms]
The rhythms of his people were scattered across the region. Corps of thousands split for the sake of Enarc's defence.
With a glance, Aurelius clenched his talons by his side as he woke from the slumber Lucaen forced him into.
.....
[Current Location: Gliese 667 Cc | Elysium | Enarc | Twilight Zone]
[Status: Allies]
They went against my orders.
Valtron's rhythm was within Echolon, yet his corps were in Enarc. A lieutenant left his post and his soldiers, to fight at the front?
Talk about absurdity.
He pushed himself up, letting the sand fall away to the graphite. His feet gripped the planet below him, plates tightened, mana infused his exo.
[Generals Of Elysium Nearby]
[Proceed With Caution]
[General Nefertari Uncia: 100% OP]
[General Lucaen Theron: 100% OP | 1 Active Universal Skill]
[General Caius Orientalis: 100% OP]
Lucaen's rhythm.
His fixed rhythm..
His wings jerked slightly.
Irritation, annoyance, fear.
Shaking off the feelings away from his insides.
How fearless to not bother about concealing their rhythms. A blatant show of superiority in his region, during a crisis. He went straight towards General Nefertari's presence in the Cort.
Why would she be here?
A specialist ran down the hall, oblivious to his presence. His havoc steps were drowned by the chaos of life as the quartermaster soon followed through. Seemingly scrambling past through the hall to chase the specialist.
The situation speaks for itself.
The door by the end was firmly shut. His wings tucked firmly as he pushed the heavy door open. It opened with an uneven range of motion. The corten layer beneath weaned the steel door with screeches.
The Enarchies dropped their attention, pressing their hand on their chest. A moment of coordination before it broke into disarray of duties.
The generals crowded the simulated board by their gait. Standing at ease inside the legislative chamber. A constant pillar, a symbol within the masses of exos.
Lucaen held his gaze for a moment. His muzzle angled subtly at Aurelius before he forced away. The unspoken was loud, yet persisted as mutual silence.
*Say something.
Don't pretend as if the realm were nothing.*
But Caius stared at him on the door. Waiting for him to speak his mind.
Aurelius anchored his head at General Nefertari's intricate spine. "What's with the sudden reinforcements?" Moving past her to occupy the space between Caius and Lucaen, his eyes dragged from her tail to her sharp pupils.
He remained alerted. Mind divided by the current political situation and the war threatening the safety of the Enarchies.
Who am I to say?
I'm lost too.
She nodded barely. "You seem to be struggling."
"So does your army." He refuted instantly. "Seems like they're having a tough time getting into Enarc?"
Caius groaned at the statement, "Your presence's a silent threat on their rhythm, even desynchronized."
"The Enarchies are fine without your help." Aurelius cut their quarrel short, glaring at General Nefertari while Caius never left his periphery.
She didn't bother to return the silent implication as her gaze rooted by the simulated warzone laid in front of them. The terrains were fixed, the corps were located. Multiple administrators kept an eye on the pieces, strategizing beneath the schemes alongside the recons.
The Cort was busy with the ins and outs of his people. The command chain was a wreck. The generals are here, but they are not Enarc's. They can't brute force them out either. That's a disaster waiting to happen.
His people were closer to Lucaen, the only one that they grudgingly had no choice but to trust. Knowing full well, Lucaen means no harm other than to help their governor. That was obvious.
"You helped diverted the helminths from our home. It is only right that I help in making your home safer." She declared.
"You speak like a politician."
"And a politician in a war room?" He mused.
"Sounds like bad news, no?"
Solivane's recon immediately saluted Aurelius. Her body was rigid under his gaze when she intercepted them. "CC2, CC3 heavy casualties." She reported low for Aurelius' orders.
The news was simultaneously sudden as Lucaen knocked the two pieces of CC that were positioned as the flankers. What pieces carved of crows, fell with nothing but a thud. The board flickered as it updated the new lost.
That's a delay. Aurelius turned to the board, following Lucaen's hand that knocked the pawns.
In my system.
"How did you know?"
"The jackals can't sense them." He defended.
[COM:Solivane>All]
[CC2 and CC3 can't maintain formation. Our strength will be reserved.]
[COM:CPOE>Solivane]
[You are a lieutenant.]
[Use that brain of yours and save as many as you can without thinking of your own.]
Caius winced slightly at the fallen pieces. "That's two divisions fallen."
"Your army is getting weaker."
Aurelius remained silent, eyes shifted from the board to General Nefertari. The calm demeanor didn't went passed him.
"Looks like you do need help, Aurelius."
Aurelius scoffed, moving his scapula back and tight. "I doubt you brought your division for your safety, General."
Her ears perked upwards, "Your wariness is justified."
"15,000 soldiers on standby. Without a Lieutenant General."
That's a beautiful wrapped invasion.
Lucaen pointed to the scattered brigades that'd merged with Valtron's corps. "5,400 trained soldiers. Lieutenant Iscen is on defensive per Valtron's orders."
"Who is Valtron?" She held her gaze on him. That predatory gaze that demanded explanation.
His talons tightened instinctively at the board; wings drooped slightly.
Damn it-
Not now.
The board moved. Little pieces of crows were scattered amongst the HC. Their lack of coordination distorted the harpy's.
You left your divisions with another region's.
What kind of plan is that?!
"How am I not made aware of another ranking official in Enarc?"
[COM:CPOE>All]
[What are you trying to do, Lieutenants?]
*Tell me you have a plan in mind.
I didn't made you my lieutenants for no reasons!*
Lucaen raised his claw in a placating manner, while the other loosened his robe. "We are helping the Enarchies."
"He has the right to remain anonymous."
"Unless you have something else in mind that satiates your interest?"
[COM:Solivane>All]
[HC can't maintain formation.]
[Reinforcements needed.]
[COM:CPOE>All]
[That is not what I wanted to hear.]
Aurelius shoved a fallen piece through the northern gate forcefully. "They will go through the gap."
"I'll make it work." The position of the pieces were engraved in his mind. The tank, the hammer. The chaos of the CC with no leader.
To march with no end.
Towards no purpose other than to bring one more helminth with them.
"ssSUnnecessary rissk." Salus quipped.
This room is suffocating.
He geared his arms out, talons stretched. Cooling his internal system as the breeze waved through his internal.
[COM:Valtron>All]
[I can't split my forces. Tevarians are amongst us.]
"Haa.." He sighed out loud. Enough for the recons to flinch in response.
[COM:CPOE>Valtron]
[Now it's getting into you, doesn't it?]
[You left the Cort unattended with 3 *foreign generals in it*.]
[Tell me where's the brilliance in that?]
[COM:Valtron>All]
[I apologize, Sir.]
[..It was, my oversight.]
Aurelius turned towards the window by Caius; he couldn't bring himself to update the real numbers. Not when everyone was eyeing for his downfall. So, he did what he does best.
"CC, active combatants 30,000."
"HC with 10,000 left."
Despite the absurd number of active soldiers. Enarc's system was different. Unless your rhythm is fractured, you will be enlisted— no exceptions, unless a higher-up says otherwise.
A low murmur was heard, Caius's claws tracking the standing pieces back to the fallen pieces.
Too clean.
Was probably in his mind.
The formations they'd maneuvered. Caius gestured to the fallen crows and harpies, recapping their failures for all to see. "The numbers don't add up."
"And who is this Valtron, Lucaen spoke of?" She pressed on.
"A newly appointed Lieutenant with no army."
"You take me for a fool." The words followed with a low hiss.
[COM:Sevyron>CPOE]
[Can't hold for long. CC is slowing down.]
"Then be the fool since you take me as one."
"Your soldiers are rather hostile to the citizens." He dragged the feline piece across the artificial sand.
"One wrong word..," He drawled, sneaking a glimpse of her reaction.
"You belong to the helminths."
He pressed the feline piece amongst the pawns facing the Enarchy corps, together with the helminth surge.
Her gaze dropped to the lone trail. The indent of a dragged feline, it was obvious that no one could act as they wished. Not without consequences.
Her ears dropped slightly, eyes slitting at his threat.
"You brazen kid-"
Caius interjected, his exo leaning on the board. "Friendly reminder, you're using tons of our supplied rhythm."
"Supplied rhythm?" Lucaen's head perked at Caius's warning. Legs angling him away from the board.
"Explain."
"Is this the cause of my inability to sync and regulate with Elysium's rhythm?"
[COM:Solivane>All]
[CC1 major casualty. Major General Niralt has fallen.]
[CC1 and CC2 are without a commanding force.]
For a moment,
He felt chills through his system.
Niralt..
His talons clenched.
Another command down.
We could've avoided all of this.
"Silence."
"Shut up, all of you."
His eyes anchored on the ridge CC1 covered. Counting seconds before he parted ways with his old friend.
Even still, the board updated apathetically against Aurelius' wish.
[I request that they merge and support HC, Sir.]
General Nefertari hissed beneath her breath, clearly annoyed by this predicament. "Caius will brief on that later, Lucaen Theron."
"You should focus on the foretelling future of Tevar's revolt."
Not only was she hostile to her debtor. But she, too, would bury the past if needed.
I need a new army—
A loud thump was heard.
Lucaen's tail swayed agitatedly, followed by the creaks of his tail parts grazing each other. Coiled before it swayed to the other side.
"Bold. You forget who gave you the Chief's seat."
"The Therons could seize Corra any moment."
Aurelius turned from the agitated heir, engraving the losing battle on his head.
Valtron's reservations are slow..
He can't save them.
"You dare not challenge Maat."
General Nefertari looked past Lucaen, then to Caius.
"Hissstory can be ssrewritten." Salus supported.
That statement was bold. Bold enough to cause everyone to second-guess their objectives.
[COM:CPOE>All]
[Valtron retreat inside, now.]
[Replace my position. Keep the generals in check.]
[All of you.]
[Is.. a failure of a leader.]
Aurelius dragged his palm from his eyes to his forehead. "You will know everything when Valtron's here."
[COM:Valtron>CPOE]
[On my way.]
"Generals, you've come with aid."
"Corran's, Tevar's reinforcement will be under my command—"
"That does not give you the authority to overrule me."
Aurelius sneered slightly at General Nefertari, "Valtron will entertain you as to what's happening in the field."
"Would they be as loyal once the helminths breach all of Elysium?"
"It doesn't take a smart head to think about the implications of your own stubbornness."
[COM:CPOE>SSC]
[SSCI, SSCII, be on standby. You're deployed under my command.]
[Lieutenant Valtron will be strategizing inside the Cort.]
"This will lead to a revision of our alliance, does it not?"
"This usurpation does not look good on you."
"That's a stupid thing to do when I publicly save your region from the helminths. You should learn gratitude." Aurelius dismissed a matter of factly.
"My presence on the wall will be a great assistance." Lucaen's tail grazed gently on Aurelius' calf. Taking him by surprise as his head found Lucaen in seconds. He didn't say anything. But Aurelius' eyes alone were enough.
That..
hurts.
He retreated his leg behind,
This was not the pain of being stabbed.
Hoping was.
And he will forever be the hoping idiot for more.
[COM:CPOE>UNKNOWN]
[User 'LucaenTheron' is not connected to the Enclavian system.]
What was I expecting?
Aurelius lowered his voice low enough only for him to hear. "Please guide Valtron."
"I trust you to take the Enarchies as your people, too."
"Stay here, in the Cort."
"..."
It was a stretched stillness between the two of them.
Looking at Lucaen's closed-off demeanor, Aurelius dragged his attention away.
Stop.. making a fool of yourself, Aurelius.
"An Enarchy will be interpreting my commands into your COM frequency." He declared.
General Nefertari nodded. "See that he does."
Valtron emerged behind Aurelius.
Instantly saluting him, down towards the others.
"Greetings, Generals."
Aurelius nodded, wasting no time the moment Valtron came in. "Listen well."
"Inform this live on their COM, Valtron."
"Yes, Sir."
"A new corps will be made right at this moment."
Aurelius stood imposing as he angled at the board. The war board that succeeded in producing dissatisfying outcomes.
"I'll be commanding it personally, codename AC."
"15,000 Corrans will split. Your divisions are called CACI and CACII."
"CACI determined by infantries, and CACII by artilleries."
He carved a new pawn from the simulations. The golden piece stood in the midst of the battlefield. The helminths sensed the rhythm, they turned, and rushed through the new variable.
Only to be met with an invisible attraction that had yet to exist as their claws went through it.
With a sway of his right, the pawn moved to the inner wall. The gesture raised smaller pieces behind the main, all formatted cleanly with his adjustment. Pieces of feline pawns, canids, under a single bird of prey.
"In 20, be in formation by the northwest wall."
"Failure upon completion will result in you fighting alone, and I will throw you out myself."
Aurelius stepped away, leaving Valtron to take his place by the board.
The window that framed the northern wall showed the horizon of dust clouding the war. His talons reached the grille frame, pulling it apart to fit his exo out. Wings tucked behind his scapulae before it was enlarged to cover the whole window.
Dimming a section of the room entirely, leaving specks of light escaping through his metallic feathers.
[COM:CPOE>Clann | Lara>Seyvron>Solivane>Valtron]
[What are we working with, recons?]
[Real numbers.]
He can feel the stares of the generals seeping in his back.
Obnoxious as he was, he had no time to entertain them.
[COM:Lara>CPOE] [COM:Clann>CPOE]
[HC1 MG alive, major -5k] [CC1 MG Niralt deceased, moderate -2k]
[HC2 MG alive, severe -7k] [CC2 MG Zeyan deceased, heavy -8k]
[HC3 MG alive, minor -1k] [CC3 MG alive, heavy -5k]
[HC4 MG alive, minor -2k] [CC4 MG alive, minor -500]
[25k active soldiers] [=32.5k active soldiers]
[62.5% combat effectiveness] [68% combat effectiveness]
His wings angled sharply behind him, pushing him away from the Cort towards the wall. His eyes fixated on his destination. The ongoing bustle of war had fallen deaf to his attention.
His exo remained imposing above the land. The span of his wings was made to be witnessed as it beats the air.
To any seeing eye, that was a declaration of their due victory. The last thing they see before the war ends, a pair of wings wide enough to cover a domestic house. Followed by a celebratory holiday throughout all Enarc. Always their salvator.
[COM:Seyvron>CPOE>Lara]
[We're holding a path for the AC with the remaining units.]
[HC2 withdrawn from the deployment, Sir.]
[COM:Solivane>CPOE>Clann]
[HC formed the forward shield, with CC1, CC2 echeloned behind as the striking force.]
[COM:Lara>CPOE]
[HC2 retrograding]
[Update, HC1 merged amongst HC3 and HC4.]
[55% combat effectiveness]
[COM:Clann>CPOE]
[Two-layer formation. HC1 is taking the front with HC3, and the blind spot is covered with HC4. HC2 dragged inside amidst CC1, CC2.]
[A path created by CC3 and CC4 for the surrounding 6 divisions.]
His extension fluttered, slowing his flight to land him on the edge of the wall. His gaze scanned the formations laid in front of him. The hideous strategies his lieutenants had employed. Failures upon failures of coordination. How can they sustain their collective strength far long after he's no longer here?
Who would watch them?
Who would tolerate their borderline insanity?
The moving corps forced themselves to protect each other. Showcasing the collective survivability doctrine he taught the lieutenants.
What purpose does winning mean without the people? Wasn't it for the people that the terms winners, and victors were created for?
If so,
What is Aurelius without his people?