Grimoires and Gunsmoke

As Relor surged through the rift, his immense form overshadowed the land beneath. The sheer magnitude of the majestic sovereign stirred the atmosphere, causing trees to sway and the grass to dance in his wake. His once resplendent golden feathers, which used to gleam with a near luminescent brilliance, were now sullied with ash, soot, and drenched in his own radiant blood.

He was amongst the final few of the dragons to make the journey through the rift, joining those who had already passed, each bearing the wounds and weariness of a battle that had raged for over a day. Several of his kin lay sprawled upon the ground, their once mighty forms now heaving with the effort of each labored breath, completely drained from the exhausting ordeal.

After finding an expanse large enough for his gargantuan size, Relor made for his descent, but it was far from the regal display befitting a creature of his grandeur. The sheer force of his landing caused the earth to shake,and as he tried to stabilize his massive frame, a sharp, agonizing pain shot through him, causing him to stagger dangerously.

A deep, guttural roar of o the severity of his injuries. His massive legs, which had always held him aloft, were now the source of anguish which caused a string of ancient curses to burst from Relor’s maw. His once resplendent form was a patchwork of gashes, bruises, and broken feathers, all inflicted by the arrival of those infernal mortals' newest weapons.

In the beginning, the "darts" they loosed at him and his kin were painful but manageable. The things would simply burst upon contact, bombarding them with burning heat and rattling shock waves, yet most dragons could continue fighting even after being struck multiple times. However, as the conflict wore on, those damnable mortals adapted, switching to… more potent and effective iterations of their weapons.

These newer "darts" the otherworlders employed, unlike their explosive predecessors, simply just slammed into you with unmatched speed. By the time you realized their hellish ‘eye’ was looking at you, it was too late, a solid bolt of vengeful fury that was seemingly unleashed by the gods themselves was going to hit you. And even if you knew they were coming, those damned things were far too fast to reliably dodge, at least not in the midst of battle with their metal locusts.

“You humiliate me with this retreat Korthax!” Relor bellowed with uncontrolled rage as he limped towards the camp with a group of humanoids emerging from it.

Korthax, a white feather Dragonkin and the supreme commander of the invasion forces was already making his way towards the Sovereign with his head bowed low. “I apologize, my Sovereign.” The General’s voice was steady as he took a knee in subservience. "But this decision was not made lightly. If the flights fell, or heaven forbid, you fell, then whole swathes of the empire could be put at risk. I could not, would not, let that happen."

Relor’s fiery eyes glared down at Korthax, his body trembling not just from his injuries, but from the fury and frustration that boiled within. “Fight another day?” he spat out, his voice dripping with disdain. “We’re the mightiest of beings in all of existence, Korthax! Masters of the heavens! Rightful keeper of all realms! And now, we flee like prey from these... these mortals!?”

Not another word was uttered from Korthax as he remained kowtowed in front of the massive entity in front of him. The Sovereign knew full well that Korthax’s warnings about the overwhelming force beyond the rift proved painfully accurate. He also knew that the call to retreat was not only sound, but the only logical course of action, yet it infuriated Relor to his core.

His once indomitable pride had been shattered, and the shame of this failure of a conquest was seeping throughout his very essence. The air grew tense, the very atmosphere electrified by Relor's raw anger. Suddenly, with an explosive hiss, Relor lunged forward, jaws agape, his sharp teeth mere feet from Korthax's face. Korthax, despite his initial shock, did not waver or show fear, instead he continued to show deference and kept his head low to the ground, fully aware of the wrath he had invoked but standing resolute in the face of possible death.

The majestic beeing eyes were set ablaze with fury and bore into Korthax, searching, probing, seeking any hint of deceit or weakness. Yet, all he found was unwavering loyalty and a grim determination.

With a guttural growl, Relor snapped his jaws shut, inches from Korthax’s head, causing the general to flinch ever so slightly, though he held his ground. The Sovereign straightened up, towering over Korthax, his breathing heavy and labored from both his injuries and his barely contained rage.

“You dare to counsel me on matters of war, Korthax!?” Relor’s voice was a dangerous whisper, filled with barely restrained anger. “You, who have led us into a failed campaign! You who have failed to gauge the enemies true strength! And you presume to know what is best!?"

Korthax didn’t utter a word, fully aware that any misplaced phrase could seal his fate. He maintained his stance of submission, eyes lowered, yet his voice when he spoke was steady and resolute. "I bear the burden of our defeat, my Sovereign. The miscalculations were mine, and I do not shy away from the consequences of my actions."

Relor's fiery gaze bore into Korthax ,the seething rage within the dragon was like a hellish inferno. Every muscle, every sinew of the Sovereign's magnificent form was coiled in tension, poised on the knife's edge between mercy and wrath. His wingtips quivered with barely contained energy, and his tail lashed out, displacing the air and creating minor whirlwinds.

But in the end the large divine creature reared its head back and looked down at the prostrating general in disgust. "You should thank the emperor and the gods for mercy, Korthax," Relor growled, the heat from his breath making the air waver. "For if I was any less forgiving then I’d see to it that not just you, but your entire lineage be turned to ash.”

If he was capable of sweating, then Korthax would have felt a torrent of sweat pouring down the back of neck. Threats like those from dragons as ancient and mighty as the one in front of him weren’t threats.

They were promises.

"You honor me with another chance, your greatness," Korthax responded with an unwavering voice. "I understand the depth of my errors and the weight of your expectations. I shall work tirelessly to ensure that my actions henceforth reflect the unwavering loyalty and dedication I have for the emperor and his empire."

The fury in the Sovereign's eyes, now bore a calculating look. "Your words mean little now, Korthax, but I shall allow you to prove your worth.” Relor continued, his voice now carrying a tone of stern finality, “You have one chance, and one alone. Fail, and there will be no mercy, no reprieve.”

Korthax lowered himself further, pressing his forehead to the cold ground beneath him, signifying his utmost submission and respect. "Your grace, I will go before the emperor and the council and admit to my grievous errors. I shall spare no detail, holding nothing back, and will accept any punishment or duty they see fit to bestow upon me."

Raising his head just slightly, enough to lock eyes with the majestic form of Relor, Korthax continued, "But, your grandeur, I must share a dire concern. I have felt the enemy's fury, I have felt their tenacity.”

The general paused as he carefully thought about the next few words that were going to leave his mouth. ”I… I believe they will not rest on their laurels and will choose to be more problematic in the future.”

“You talk in riddles! Speak plainly, wretch!” Relor boomed, his voice echoing across the vast landscape, causing a tremor in the ground beneath them.

The general swallowed hard as his claws sunk deep into the earth. “I fear they will not be sated with just chasing us away and instead, choose to pursue us, my Sovereign. Any civilization that powerful will not tolerate any kind of attack without retaliation.”

Relor's pupils narrowed, reflecting a mixture of irritation and contemplation. The mere thought that their adversaries might have the audacity to tread upon their sacred lands was unsettling. “You imply that our strategic withdrawal could lead them straight to our empire's doorstep?”

Korthax pressed his head to the floor once more. “Yes, my Sovereign.”

The silence that followed was palpable. The wind howled around them, ruffling the dragon’s massive wings and tousling Korthax’s mane. The reality of the potential threat weighed heavily on Relor as he realized that was a very real possibility.

After what seemed like an eternity, The gargantuan dragon finally broke the silence. “Then we must be swift and decisive. Return to the capital and inform the war council, we cannot be caught off guard.”

Korthax pressed his head even deeper into the ground if it were all possible. “At once, my Sovereign. Your will shall be done.”

And with that, Relor let out a pained groan as the colossal dragon painstakingly lifted him off the ground. The vast sky was soon filled with a mesmerizing tapestry of dragons, their scales reflecting the sun's rays in a myriad of dazzling colors. But not all dragons were capable of taking flight. Some, their bodies battered and wings torn from the earlier confrontations, could only muster enough strength to lift a few feet off the ground before collapsing back to the earth with a heart-wrenching thud.

Releasing a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, Korthax looked up, following the path of Relor and the mass of dragons disappearing into the horizon, their forms becoming distant silhouettes against the setting sun. “I live. What a delightful surprise.” The general murmured to himself with relief evident in his voice.

Lira, who had been standing a good distance away just in case, finally made her way to his side. "Congratulations on your survival, general." She said, her voice holding a hint of amusement, her iridescent feathers shimmered in the sunlight.

“Thank you, Lira. It seems fate has other plans for me.” Korthax replied as he stood up and dusted himself off.

His trusted adjutant nodded gracefully before darting to the dragons still sprawled out on the ground. Her voice softened, "And what of them? Those who could not join the Sovereign?"

Korthax's gaze followed hers, taking in the sight of the wounded and exhausted dragons, still struggling to muster the strength to rise. He stood up, his stance firm and resolute. "Leave them," he declared, his voice heavy with regret but unwavering. "They will rest and, in time, find their own way."

The adjutant’s gaze lingered on the injured dragons for a moment, before offering a small shrug and snapping back to her charge. "Very well." she replied before proceeding to change her focus. "Now, on to the matters of the withdrawal. Do you mean to pull back to secondary line or-”

“I mean to completely pull out of the region.” Korthax cut her off with a sigh. “After going over the details of the enemy’s capabilities, I’ve come to the conclusion that we are ill-equipped to face them in our current state."

He motioned for Lira to follow him as he walked towards the encampment buzzing with activity. "I read about accounts of bandit-like raids that decimated the Daesyl’s Emberthrower units." Korthax said, letting out another sight. “They appeared out of the wooded areas like ghosts, launching lightning attacks with impunity.

Lira's eyebrows knitted in concern. "Emberthrowers? Those enormous 6 legged creatures that spit fire over the horizon? Don’t they usually sit far behind the front lines?"

Korthax nodded gravely. "Yep, and those ‘bandits’ I assume are actually highly-trained units that move swiftly and stealthily. They attack during the darkest hours and are able to see better than our own night-seeing creatures."

“Furthermore, those monsters have the ability to strike us with explosion magic out of seemingly nowhere.” The general put his hands to his eyes to massage the headache that was forming. “Hitting critical units or our supply routes with more of those damn darts.

Lira grimaced, clearly disturbed by the implication as the general continued “Their explosive magic is unlike anything we’ve encountered. Our barriers and protective enchantments don’t seem to deter them. And these... darts, they come from such distances and at such speeds, we don’t even get a warning.”

Taking a moment to gaze at the horizon, Korthax added with an exhausted look, “But what truly baffles me is their omniscience. It’s as if they have the eyes of a Soulhawk perpetually hovering above us, watching our every move.” He glanced at Lira, searching for any sign of recognition. “You remember the legends, don’t you? The Soulhawk, an all-seeing entity, invisible and omnipresent. I can’t shake the feeling that they have something akin to it.”

Shaking her head, Lira looked at Korthax as if he was crazy. “So not only can they strike from unseen distances, they launch raids with beings that can see in the night as if it were day, they seem to know where everyone one of our units are and their every move. But how?”

Korthax stopped and stared long and hard at the woman before shrugging and continuing his trek. “Hells if I know.” He said with a laugh that indicated he didn’t believe his own words. “But evidence points that everything in that report is true”

Lira fell into step beside him, her usually confident stride now more measured, pensive. The encampment around them started to come alive as the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting a golden hue across tents and dragons alike. Sparks from fire pits spiraled upwards, and the distant murmurs of conversations were punctuated by the occasional roar of a restless dragon.

“So we fall back to the Empire proper, use the tributaries, vassals and everything in between as a buffer…?” She began, realizing what Korthax’s plan really was.”

The general simply nodded and entered the command tent. “That’s correct. That and the fact the barbarian territories also border the Necropolis and forest of those damned druids.” He sighed deeply, pouring over the vast map spread across the tent's central table. "They're known for their unpredictability and hatred for intruders. If the enemy pushes through the rift and into the buffer states, they'll most likely be drawn into conflicts on multiple fronts."

Lira's eyes widened with realization, "You're thinking of using the volatile nature of those in the area to our advantage. Keep these... demons busy and embroiled in skirmishes while the Empire formulates a proper response."

Korthax smirked, the corner of his mouth turning up slightly. "Exactly. Those areas are volatile, dangerous, and filled with the untamed. If those otherworlders believe we are the only threat, they charge right in drawing the attention of Liches of the Necropolis or those damned druids in that damned forest."

“Hmmmm…” Lira hummed as she paced around the tent. "Turning our less-than-friendly neighbors and the very nature of the lands against them, let them temper our enemies…”

“And when they’ve all exhausted themselves, we’ll swoop in and kill 3 or 4 birds with one stone.” Korthax declared, slamming his hands on the table. “We bide our time, they all fight each other and then take everything for ourselves. Every power, every faction, every stray creature they encounter will bend the knee to the Empire or be eradicated."

Still deep in thought, Lira finally spoke, her voice tinged with worry. "Your plan is cunning, Korthax, but it also feels like we're walking on a blade's edge. If we miscalculate even once,if they're stronger than we anticipate, the losses could be unimaginable. We'd be not just gambling with our troops, but whole swathes of our empire as collateral.”

She took a deep breath as the worst case scenario ran through her head. "And let's not forget, our retreat won't go unnoticed. Other powerful kingdoms and empires have always had their eyes on our lands and resources. If we’re routed again, they might be emboldened to strike."

Looking up and meeting Lira’s gaze with an intensity that seemed to pierce right through her, Korlax leaned in. "I'm well aware, Lira. But this is not a hasty decision; it's a calculated risk. By letting the savage states act as buffers, they'll inadvertently shield us. While the otherworlders are busy trying to navigate the hostile kingdoms and tribes, we'll be on our own territory, watching and waiting. And while they're embroiled in their battles, our spies will gather all the intelligence we need."

“We’ll even pay lip service to those vultures looking to land grab,” Korthax continued. "We’ll even feed those like the Holy Dominion and those filthly Beastkins selective information about these otherworlders, we can indirectly guide their actions, maybe even pit them against our new foes.” He said, waving his hand. “It’ll be especially easy with the plethora of equipment we’ve captured.”

Korthax excitedly drummed the table as his brain kept churning. “And even some kingdoms, as opportunistic as they are, would rather face a known Empire than some otherworldly force fighting through otherworldly. We can foster unofficial relationships with those who'd want to see these new aggressors put in check."

Lira still felt… unsure about it all. She sensed that there were layers of complexity they couldn’t quite grasp, especially with how unpredictable the outcome to this plan would actually be. “It’s a sound strategy, Korthax, but we're venturing into uncharted territory here. We know nothing of the politics or motivations of these otherworlders. There’s a lot of ‘what ifs’ here.”

A sigh left Korthax's mouth as he hung his head. "I understand your concerns, Lira. But we must also remember the damage these demons have already inflicted. They’ve slain full-fledged dragons with ease and even managed to reliably wound a gods damned Celestial. Their strength is not to be underestimated. Either way, there are vast risks."

Reflecting on the General’s words, Lira paused and furrowed her brow. The deaths of adult and even elder dragons was already a significant blow. Crippling an eon old Celestial dragon like their Sovereigns was even more significant. The mere thought of a force capable of such feats sent chills down her spine.

She swallowed hard. "I can’t believe they have the power to do that. If they can harm Celestials, what chance do our mortal soldiers have?"

Korthax nodded gravely. "Exactly. Our hand is being forced, and perhaps this gamble, with all its intricacies and unknowns, might be our best shot. We need to buy time, gather intelligence, and rely on the unpredictable nature of the savage lands to slow them down."

The Adjutant looked down at the map laid out before them, tracing the territories with her fingers, feeling the weight of countless lives in her hands. The delicate balance of power, the unknowns, the potential consequences… It was as intoxicating as it was overwhelming.

Finally, she looked up, her eyes filled with resolve. "Alright, Korthax. As much as I hate to admit it, your plan may be our best shot I can think of… Let's draft a proposal for the Emperor."

“Come, we’ll hammer out more details over time,” Korthax said, gesturing towards their magic imbued scrolls and ink.