26 Pressing Forward (1/2)
”Rahh!” Elias shouted out an ecstatic cheer, his voice shattering through the heavy silence that had befallen the battlefield. Beyond his shout, the only thing audible was the screeching roar of the centipede as it twisted and rolled in place, all the while chunks of heavy black metal came collapsing off it's previously believed impervious hide.
A weapon to shatter the practically invulnerable midnight centipedes. That wasn't something to mock. These beasts had been renowned throughout all of Midnight as the dominate aggressors, the ones who held the power to demolish all in their wake. They carried with them an air of terror, the true representatives of the Grandmaster's believed infinite power.
The Grandmaster, a man who held the command of dozens of Territorial Lords within his grasp, one could imagine how terrifying such a being was. For a servant forged by such a being to be destroyed, that would definitely catch the ire of many.
What Elias, and in truth Roland had accomplished with this single action had altered the fate of Midnight, more so than they could ever know at the time.
This was all the evidence many would need to believe they could rise up against the forces of the Grandmaster, a once omnipotent ruler of all under the crimson sky. In truth, the peace was fragile, and time itself was all it would take to eventually shatter that peace.
”Elias, we need to move up to the top!” Deus loudly proclaimed as he pulled himself together.
The two paused for a moment to take in everything around them. The bleeding screech of the midnight centipede, the silent awe of everyone present watching, even the heavy shudder of the black sand as it kicked out around them.
”Hmph,” Elias coughed out with a nod, clambering down from the heavy ballista weapon. As he stepped, his feet wobbled, most likely from the tense pressure that filled the air as he released the final round.
”Come along Deus, we've got a charge to lead.”
The two collected themselves as they quickly abandoned the room, rus.h.i.+ng back toward the deck of the s.h.i.+p. As they ran through the inner corridors they could hear the heavy blasts of enemy fire as it rocked against the thick metal hull of the Nijaden and the seemingly ever-expanding desert.
Elias led the way as the two of them stepped out onto the deck of the s.h.i.+p.
The moment they arrived all eyes fell onto them. Silence reigned as shock and awe were the most dominant emotions that seemed to soak through the air.
Noticing this, Elias glanced around at everyone present, his clan's crew included, and bellowed out instructions for all to hear. He didn't have time to take the moment in, not really.
He knew better than anyone present that the moment that shot was fired he had begun a timer. His actions, and more importantly his clan's actions weren't known to many now, but soon everyone would know of the weaponry and power that Roland held.
But that wasn't the only problem, either.
In truth, the main issue was the counting clock that had befallen him the moment he killed the centipede.
The Territorial Lord of Direfell will come for him and Roland. Don't be mistaken, this action was a declaration of war.
Even if it wasn't supposed to be, or intended to be, that didn't matter anymore. Roland now held true power, and the Lords cannot permit such an untapped power to go unchallenged.
There were many secrets that the Lords of Midnight held, but it was an unquestionable truth that the midnight centipedes acted as their agents. Their representatives. To destroy one was to destroy the balance of power.
So now Elias knew what would come for him.
Roch Cresswell, the military captain of Direfell and the man who once held true dominion over countless lives. His word was the word of his Lord, and now he would come for Elias.
Perhaps Roland wouldn't have to fear too greatly, but Elias wasn't in a place where he could go without worry, not only that but Elias was the one who fired the bolt in the first place, which made him a prime target for the hunt that was to come.