The Holy City

You arrived at the site you left your legionnaires at to find them in the middle of a battle, groups of troops were scattered across the valley, with some forming defenses whilst behind them others volley fired crossbows and picked angels out of the sky.

You found Strabo on a hill watching the battle. As you approached, an angel decided to make an attack on the venerable commander. Strabo, not skipping a beat, swapped his spear around to a reverse grip, cocked his arm back and threw it, nailing the angel in the chest. The angel corkscrewed through the air before plowing into the ground, coming to a stop just in front of Strabo who plucked his spear out of the dead angel’s chest.

“My my, that man must get plenty” Ishtar purred.

“You’d say that, but there’s a problem with that” you comment.

“Problem? The only problem that man has is when he’s six bitches deep and needs a short break!” Ishtar replied, you just chuckle and shake your head.

“We should rename you to the goddess of hedonism” Andraste quipped.

“You’re just jealous!” Ishtar retorted.

“Oh what?” came the reply.

“My boobs are bigger!” You shake your head at the two’s antics.

“Hah! Those udders would just get in the way! And besides, mine’s made of solid metal!” Andraste retorted, slapping her breastplate for a metallic thwack.

“Ladies! Ladies, agree to fuck each other later . . . probably after Ishtar’s done with everything male first . . . and let’s get out of here!” you say, twacking the two on the backs of their heads. “How’s the fight back here?” you ask Strabo as you reached him.

“We’ve lost a few men” he told you with a sigh “but casualties are considerably light all things considered” he added. You had given your chosen men sun-forged weapons and armour, just in case they’d be fighting divinity and it looks like that was a bright idea.

“Good to hear” you say, thinking about the men that died “get the soldiers who died and bring them here . . . I will judge them” you say. Strabo looked at you for a moment before turning to one of the men near him and snapping an order.

In no time at all, seven stretchers were laid in front of you, their occupants unmoving and silent. It was time, you decided, that you finally created your afterlife.

****

With a mental flex, you found yourself in a glistening marble palace, observing the seven soldiers who died as they looked around them in awe. With the sound of hobnailed boots on the marble floor, you approached, all of them turning to face you in an instant and snapping a salute when they noticed who it was.

“Welcome to the Holy City” you say. “The final resting place for heroes of the New Empire, civilian or otherwise” you tell them.

“W-we’re dead?” asked the only female of the group. You nod gently as the woman took a deep breath before looking past you at the city behind you.

“The city is poorly furnished right now . . . I suppose that’s a good thing, but it won’t stay that way” you explain. “However, since you seven have died in my pursuits, my godly pursuits, all of you have the chance to return to the land of the living” you tell them and all eyes turned to you. “I will heal your bodies and place your souls back in them” you say. “If you so choose” you add.

“Can we choose not to return?” An older man asked, stepping forward. He looked like he was pushing sixty and definitely like he needed retirement.

“If you wish to remain dead, you have earned the right to remain here” you say “Just as you have earned the right to return” you add “be warned, however, should you return, this won’t be the last battle against the divine you will face” you tell them “I already have an invasion planned on another magical place, against another non-human foe” you tell them. The legionnaires look at each other before turning to the old man who just looked tired.

“We would like to return” the woman told you, acting as spokeswoman for the six still wanting to return. You nod at them and then turn to the old man.

“In time, more people who have died will start to arrive here” you tell him, “the underworld is lost to us, so I must create my own” you explain “Until then, the souls of the dead must be guarded from our enemy, he may come for them, should he do so . . .” you say, trailing off. “He will consume them for his own power” you say and the younger six look at you in shock and horror. The old man however, he merely nodded. “I will imbue you with strength and power for the currently unlikely scenario that the city is attacked, but otherwise enjoy your retirement” you tell the man. “Pick any building on the hill bar this one and claim it as yours” you tell him. The old man nodded once more and set off to explore.

“The war cannot be won here” the woman muttered to herself, looking like she’d rather not leave that old man to his loneliness. “We’re ready to return” she told you, turning to face you.

“Very well then, rise soldiers of the Empire, rise once more!” you command and the city was replaced with the Garden of Eden where the six soldiers gasped as their souls returned to their bodies.

“It . . . it’s a miracle!” one of the men around you exclaimed before a cheer rang out.

“But what about old man Titus?” asked another soldier. You walk over to the corpse of the old man and place his sword on his chest, folding his hands over them.

“He has done his duty and has earned his rest” you say “Would any of you **** the old man to charge again?” you ask, sweeping your eyes over each legionnaire present.

“Then a pyre it is” Strabo said, getting the attention of everyone present “To honor a hero of the legion” he added. With that said, two men darted forward and took up the stretcher holding the fallen man and the journey back home began.