“Ha! Is that the best that you can do? Is that all the strength that you can muster, serpent?” Oya goaded, and she slashed Duke’s mask. The Demi-Goddess of storms thrust her sword and the Four-Armed Dragon caught the blade between his palms.

  “You are quick. I will admit that, but invisibility and intangibility are not enough to defeat me.” Oya boasted, and a powerful jolt of lightning erupted from her blade. The Mana infused electrons surged through Duke’s body agonizingly. He tried to vanish, and a second surge brought him to his knees.

  Sergeant Drakk’N’s muscles spasmed uncontrollably, while glittery stones clung to his scales and armour. The statically charged stones became heavy boulders and Duke was encased in seconds. The signals broadcasted by his nano-technology were contained and his energy signature disappeared.

  The General of the Iron Army smiled, when a second bright light lit up the darkness again and Oya raised a single eyebrow. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and her heart beat faster. The dread welled up and the Demi-Goddess of Storms clenched her teeth and snarled, before she turned around quickly. The mountainous stone seal shattered and the Four-Armed Dragon escaped his enemy’s clutches.

  “The Vanishing Step? Is that all you are concerned with? That is merely a defense mechanism. One all children learn to master. Of all our powers, none are as terrifying as our fire.” Duke rumbled proudly and he exhaled a sphere of Dragon fire. Oya’s eyes bulged as a wave of searing heat caressed her skin. She dashed back twelve kilometres, gripped her sword tightly and ran her finger tips along the blade.

  The Iron and divine armies stopped for a moment. They stared at the two giants standing in front of the canyon’s mouth. They had appeared for the briefest of moments, just as a small star exploded. An implosion contained the heat and the light. The marble sized star exploded once more, before it contracted again.

  The fiery explosions, violent pulses, shock waves and impacts scattered the clouds. The canyon walls crumbled and the rockslides blocked off the mouth. The Demi-Goddess scowled at her forces. The Iron Army had taken the initiative and used the distraction to their advantage.

  “Push!” Dumas roared from the front lines. The bannermen raised the heavy flags and the translucent domes advanced. The marksmen fired heavy crystal rounds, while the warriors slashed and stabbed everyone in front of them. The dimensional fields drew nearer to one another. They closed the gaps between them, before they culled everyone they had caught in their trap.

  The Iron Army pinned the remaining warriors in gold between the mountain of rocks and their barriers. Aata roared and his giants pushed. Metal groaned and stone crumbled under the pressure. Suddenly, a bright light enveloped the divine warriors. Their golden armour shimmered and a bright light spilled out of their eyes. The divine warriors pushed back and the Iron Army’s advance was halted.

  “Where is this burst of strength coming from?” Madeleine asked and Dumas’ eyes swept the battlefield. He scanned, spotted and targeted the trinkets on the opposing bannermen’s belts. “Destroy the totems. It is the source of their power.” The Iron Army’s General ordered. He stood over a reading table in the middle of an enormous library, with a polaroid photo in his hands.

  Dumas waved his hand, and the album returned to its shelf. He flicked his wrist, and the photograph multiplied. A scanner, with multiple lenses, fell from the stormy skies and the polaroids slipped out of his hands. A breeze carried them to the strange device above his head and into the slots beside each lens.

  The Iron Army’s commanders received their General’s memories, and they locked onto their respective targets. Oya felt her influence wane over her forces. She sucked her teeth and glanced over her left shoulder.

  “We cannot delay his advance any longer. Not without suffering severe casualties. How can a band of faithless warmongers defeat My warriors? I cannot not sense his influence on them. This is their strength. Impressive or foolish? How can they trust mortals with this much power? How do they strip it away, should the children abuse it?” the Demi-Goddess of Storms wondered.

  Sergeant Drakk’N noticed the shift in Oya’s gaze. He drifted backwards, vanished and left a doppelg?nger in his place in one swift motion. The Four-Armed Dragon’s copy exhaled a sphere of Dragon fire, dashed forward and swung horizontally.

  The doppelg?nger struck the back of the glittery fireball, vanished, spun and stepped in closer. The copy swung twice in quick succession and the Demi-Goddess of Storms dashed back. However, a searing heat burned her back, and she slammed into an invisible wall. An orange magical circle expanded and the starry nodes sparkled and glittered.

  “This battle was decided long before you stepped foot onto the field. Take solace in knowing you were a part of a greater plan. Fare well.” Duke said solemnly and his binding spell held Oya in place. Sergeant Drakk’N closed his eyes. He stared at the bright white giant and compared her to the Demi-Goddess Cameron.

  “She cannot invoke the power of words either or she would at this moment. Then my hunt continues.” Duke realized as his attack incinerated his opponent slowly. The Mana infused star fire passed through Oya’s shields. The Dragon fire ate through her energy fields and burned through her Mana. Suddenly, the Demi-Goddess of Storms combusted and turned into fire. She stood in her mind palace and watched as the shelves burned. The flames pierced the nano-sized energy fields in her cells and her influence waned.

  “Farah!” Dumas blared. Captain Titan and her squads left the safety of their barriers. They reached out and crystal hands grabbed the totems. The newly formed Psychic Commandos yanked the tiny idols towards their allies. They sealed the magical artifacts inside metal boxes and Oya’s eyes bulged. “They came prepared? How? How did he know to seal away our effigies? Have we been betrayed? That wretched blacksmith! I must warn the others of this travesty!” she thought frantically, and an eagle raced over the horizon.

  “No!” the Demi-Goddess screamed, when a third doppelg?nger caught the tiny bird. Duke crushed the bird and Oya’s body turned to ash. Dumas roared again and the Iron Army slaughtered the remaining combatants. They raised their weapons and let out mighty war cries and cheers.

  “Back to your ships! We have wasted enough time here.” Sergeant Drakk’N rumbled proudly. “To the ship! The war is far from over!” The Iron Army’s General ordered and the drop ships drew nearer. The Four-Armed Dragon scanned the broken bird in his palm. He tilted his hand, and it fell slowly.

  *

  “He’s not coming.” Sergeant Lewis said with a hint of joy. “Do not look so pleased. We will have to face this enemy alone if he does not.” Corporal Maira pointed out, and her cousin scoffed. “What makes you think we cannot?” he replied and the Lilac Breasted Roller Dragon laughed.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “It appears luck is on your side again.” Corporal Maira taunted, and she leaned over the edge of her tower. The dark grey skies above the mountains in the distance parted and a colossal northern right whale descended slowly.

  The twelve divine armies, at the twelve giants’ feet, turned around. They laughed at the lone whale ship and the Demi-Gods smirked. A deep horn blared. The powerful vibrations rattled their teeth and shook their organs. Sergeant Drakk’N appeared on his Mother Shipp’s nose and inhaled deeply. He closed his eyes and placed all four palms together.

  “I did not know their kind prayed.” A Demi-God said arrogantly. “Who would they pray to?” another chimed in. “Is it a prayer? No, his power is rising. Raise your shields!” a Demi-Goddess shouted and the divine armies raised their flags.

  The giants crossed their arms, and the whale ship opened her mouth. A portal opened and Duke exhaled. The Dragons stationed near the coast saw the wall of Dragon fire, before the wave of heat washed over them. The Pelican Dragon’s jaw dropped. He fixed his eyes on the colossal hearth beyond the hole in the world.

  “Impossible.” Sergeant Lewis whispered, and he studied the endless sea of fire. The Pelican Dragon’s eyes reached the horizon, but the starry hearth stretched beyond what his Astral eyes could see. He searched for the altars and temples that moulded the flames. “See? There is something very strange about these Drakk’N folk.” Corporal Maira said, and she memorisied the giant cathedrals dotted all over the galaxy of fire.

  “Apollo!” the Demi-Goddess shrieked, but the wall of flames enthralled the Demi-God. “You have arrived. The Savior’s General. The Hero of the Unification War. How will you earn that title?” Apollo rumbled giddily. “Attack! He is their General! Take his head and they will crumble!” he roared, and the giants charged through the flames.

  Duke opened his eyes quickly. He scanned the fiery cloaks wrapped around the Demi-Gods. He glanced over his right shoulder and spotted the faint energy signature above the clouds. Six of the giants leapt and lunged at the whale ship, while the rest threw their spears.

  Sergeant Drakk’N’s ship vanished and ascended quickly. He evaded the attacks just as the Dragons descended on their enemies. They forced the giants back and surrounded them. The Demi-Gods and their followers were separated from one another in an instant. A second horn blared and thousands of drop ships breached the clouds. The Iron Army opened fire on the twelve divine armies and the aerial bombardment kicked up billowing sand storms.

  “This is Sergeant Drakk’N. I have made it and we are currently engaging the enemy.” Duke reported, and Colonel Sakamoto chuckled. “Excellent work, Sergeant. Hold that position for a week. That should buy us enough time to secure the northeast.” General IronHide ordered.

  “Be careful when you travel. My people and I defeated a Demi-Goddess and her army en route.” the Four-Armed Dragon reported and the Dragons exchanged bewildered looks. “You and your forces fought a Demi-God by yourselves? Absurd.” Sergeant Lewis blurted out. Duke returned the tomes to their shelves. He shared his memories and the Pelican Dragon’s expression changed.

  “Most impressive. You were right, Hilda.” The Woodpecker Dragon said with a grin. “Colonel?” Duke asked with a frown. He opened his eyes and stared at Colonel Sakamoto. “Took you long enough. Do you recognize me now?” Laurelei asked, and her eyes glowed orange as well. The stoic Woodpecker Dragon grew taller and her form more feminine. The Dragons exchanged bewildered looks.

  “I see you have left the enemy waiting. How you managed that, I can only wonder.” Colonel Sakamoto said playfully as she completed her transformation. Ogun scanned the Woodpecker Dragon and the hundreds of multi-coloured magical circles behind her. He blocked instinctively and she flapped her wings. The rainbow of crystal circles sparkled and flashed, before the world shattered and the shards formed a stained-glass painting.

  “Ha! So, you have decided to fight earnestly?” the Bull Dragon asked with a single chuckle. “Hmph. Three Dragons are required to complete the maelstrom formation. I am merely lending my power. Then I am returning to my search.” Colonel Sakamoto replied nonchalantly.

  “Any sign of him?” Duke asked quickly and the Woodpecker Dragon’s eyes burned a bright shade of orange. The two Dragons locked eyes and their energy signatures sky rocketed. “To battle!” General IronHide roared, and the Dragons pushed their frontline hundreds of kilometres further inland.

  *

  “This is ridiculous.” Colonel Sakamoto complained. “There is nothing we can do about it, except ask them to endure.” Hilda replied and Sergeant Drakk’N sighed. “Speak freely, Sergeant. You have earned that much.” General IronHide said frankly.

  “The spring lulled us into a false sense of security. This summer is too much for mortals to endure. We must preserve their strength until the end of winter.” Duke said candidly. “A lopsided front line. How can one Demi-God be this troublesome?” Hilda groaned, and she unclenched her fist.

  “Enemy reinforcements are approaching. Excuse me.” Sergeant Drakk’N reported, before his Astral body disappeared. “Again? What is going on in the north?” Laurelei asked and Hilda looked up at the sky. “Dismissed.” She said and every Astral body on her tower disappeared. “What I say next does not leave this tower.” General IronHide said quietly. “My, my, how secre-” Colonel Sakamoto stopped, when Hilda shot her a stern look.

  “That bad? Is it him? Have they found Riekes?” Laurelei asked quickly. General IronHide stared at Colonel Sakamoto for a few seconds, before her expression softened and she answered. “No, but they were investigating sightings of a malformed Dragon when we lost communication with the Fleet Admiral.” Hilda replied honestly.

  “Impossible. What about the title hungry officers that cling to him like pests?” Laurelei asked with a curious smile. “Nothing.” General IronHide replied quietly. “Are they dead?” Colonel Sakamoto asked quickly. “Possibly. Which makes everything we have done and are still doing pointless. We cannot hold our position without the northern pyramid.” Hilda pointed out and Laurelei gave it some thought.

  “Thank The Universe our Prince is here if the north fell so easily. Ah, now I see why you do not want this news to leave this tower.” Colonel Sakamoto said playfully and General IronHide scoffed. “Perhaps, if he is anything like his brother, but his leadership has yet to be tested. No, old man Granger or the hero Creed will lead this army before the war is done.” She replied, and Lauralei squinted at her. “Do you want me to volunteer my service?” she asked, and Hilda scoffed again. She stared at the cloudy horizon and smiled.

  “No. I will not stand in the way of the Sergeant’s destiny.” General IronHide replied with her hands behind her back. Her dark red robes fluttered in the breeze and she scanned the dozens of cities scattered around her tower.

  “His destiny? His blood, you mean. What a terrible time for another rebellion.” Colonel Sakamoto said with a hint of boredom. “We do not know if that is true. There are still too many unknowns.” Hilda replied stoically. “Will the two siblings side with their uncle and their brother or with their father? Where was the other one stationed?” Laurelei asked, and General IronHide remained silent.

  “You jest. How brazen. Why does he not announce his intentions?” Colonel Sakamoto rumbled sarcastically. She let out a high-pitched laugh and Hilda placed her hands on the railings.

  “Then perhaps it is only up to one brother. Our Sergeant, on a knife’s edge. I do not envy him any longer. His family is more broken than mine.” Laurelei rumbled callously and her younger brothers flashed before her. Colonel Sakamoto’s eyes glowed orange, and she sucked her teeth and looked away.

  “The maelstrom needs to blow away this nuisance in the southeast, if we intend to hold this continent long enough to finish the pyramid.” Laurelei said angrily. “Aye, I am already on my way. Half of a continent is better than nothing.” General IronHide said with a cold and emotionless stare.

  *

  “There is just no end to them!” Aata said with a grunt. He swatted dozens of bodies away with a single swipe and leapt hundreds of metres into the air. Madeleine glanced to her left, and a warrior pounced. He thrust his spear, and she stepped to the side. Commander Wolfe dug her sword deep between his ribs, stepped forward and cut through his spine. “Fortunately, they do not compare to the warriors of the south!” She shouted and the divine armies clenched their teeth.

  “Perhaps they should surrender, before they throw their lives away.” Farah added as an invisible force contorted the surrounding bodies with sickening crunches. Dumas scanned the grassy savannah drenched with blood and the beachside meadows in the distance. “We are so close to home. How many more battles? How many more must die, before we have won back our home?” he wondered.

  The General of the Iron Army gripped his hammer tightly. He clenched his teeth and his face turned a bright shade of red. A vein throbbed on his freshly shaved scalp and his moustache twitched. Dumas let out an enraged roar, and a shockwave broke the circle of divine warriors around him.

  Suddenly, a fiery explosion engulfed the sky. A flaming meteor crashed into the jungles to the east and a dust storm approached the battlefield quickly. The warriors, gunners, psychics and wizards, spread out over a twenty-kilometre area, grouped up. They raised their shields and erected Mana infused stone bunkers.

  “What…are…you?” the Demi-God croaked with their last breath. Duke spread his wings and hovered over his opponent with his eyes closed. He exhaled slowly and watched the giant’s energy signature grow dimmer. Sergeant Drakk’N scanned the darkness. He spotted four bright lights to the north, turned to face that direction and opened his eyes.

  “Capture or kill the rest, but deal with them quickly. We have enemy reinforcements coming from the north. I will buy you as much time as I can.” Duke said to the General of the Iron Army. He flapped his wings, vanished and appeared kilometres above the beach.

  “Formations!” Dumas roared. The remaining divine warriors looked around, shocked by their dwindling numbers. “Your god is dead! Surrender or join him!” The General of the Iron Army bellowed menacingly. His voice hurt their ear drums and rattled their teeth. The heat emanating from his body cut through the blistering sun and licked their skin. Jolts of static electricity struck their metal armour, and Madeleine’s hair rose slowly. Aata stepped forward, and the ground trembled. The General of the Iron Army slammed his hammer down with a thud and the divine warriors nearly jumped at the sound.

  “Again. Why would they ignore the central positions? They could take the skies and every major position from the rear. Are these the Demi-Gods from the surrounding continents and islands? Which poses another question, why are there so many? Did something drive them to the south, like panic-stricken animals fleeing a disaster? All paths lead to the north. Stay alive, Raymond. I am certain we can make sense of this madness, if you and Kagiso work together.” The Four-Armed Dragon thought hopefully and his Mother Ship appeared behind him.