Calm before the storm

In the morning you set out, feeling a bit of trepidation over Yura’s half asleep prophecy. The trip to the battlefield is uneventful, if slow. You arrive the evening before Halid’s **** is expected to arrive, so you spend the time reviewing the plan with unit leaders.

Ky Dura greets you as you approach her camp. “We’re ready to fight, Josh. You’re sure you want us hidden?”

You nod. “They don’t know you’re here, so you should be able to crush their flank without much trouble, especially with them worrying about the dwarves and Uzume on the other side. With any luck, the extra pressure should make them crumble quickly.”

Dura nods. “A sound plan. We will do it your way then.”

With that, the big orc smacks you on the ass and winks at you as she heads back to her camp. You chuckle, and make the rounds of your own camp. Morale seems to be high, and everyone is surprisingly eager for the battle. You spend your evening ensuring that the girls are ready for tomorrow’s battle.

You’re awakened early as scouts report that the enemy army approaches. Your camp is an overturned anthill of activity as everyone rushes to their places. Each of your girls give you a kiss as they head to their assigned positions. You make your way to the front, soldiers parting to let you through. With Anna, Maya, and Kali beside you, you observe Halid’s army filing into position. At the front, you see the man himself. He’s lost weight, but he’s clearly still not in a fighters shape.

Upon spotting you in front of your army in your gleaming armor, he confidently strides into the no mans land between your lines. Maya scoffs, “He really thinks we have anything to talk about?”

You sigh. “Let’s go hear what he has to say. I’m sure it will be very enlightening...”

You walk forward, quiet falling over both sides as you approach the deposed ruler. You nod as you approach. “So, you escape from prison, poison my friend, con some people into joining you, and NOW you want to talk?”

Halid sneers at you. “I’m giving you a chance to surrender. I have powerful allies now. Give up and maybe I’ll spare some of your people.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Very confident. I’d rather save some of the troops for the real fight, but you already allied yourself with demons. There’s no hope for you.”

Halid laughs, and there’s an insane edge to the laughter. “You cannot fight him, just like you cannot fight us! Treating these...creatures as humans doesn’t make them human! They’re animals and playthings!”

You sigh. “The only reason I don’t kill you where you stand is that I am somewhat honorable. You clearly want this fight, let’s get it over with. Maybe if I kill you in battle your commanders will see reason.”

Halid snarls and turns back to his own lines. You do the same, shrugging. “That was as much of a waste of time as I expected.”

Kali nods. “At least he confirmed his alliance with the demon lord.”

Maya grins. “Now we can kill him without much remorse!”

Anna smiles. “I think our half-dragon has a bit of pregnancy bloodlust, master...”

You chuckle as you reach your lines. “Yeah, well, just be careful. Watch each other’s backs, and stay safe.”

You hear commands from across the field, and Halid’s army begins moving. You draw your sword, runes glowing as you raise it to the sky, and you draw breath for your first command.