Vaid Empire: Conquest Ch. 33

Following behind the legion Hesin gave his signal, commanding his own archers to stop and loose their arrows down into the city defenders.

Dominax had wished for Irith to be at his side, to taste the victory against Kinia, yet seeing what little resistance they provided now made him glad she had decided to remain in Domani to care for their three young children. Still, had they been met with the royal army of Kinia rather than simple local defenses, he wasn't entirely certain his inexperienced legion would have survived.

A wave of white cloaks and armor met their target, crashing through the lines of purple banners. The ringing echoes of thousands of swords smashing into one another carried over the surrounding land as the defenders held their own.

Cendra heard the clashing of weapons from her position near the rear, causing her to squeeze her hilt. Her father had allowed herself and Vixin to engage in the battle, yet at a safe distance. She felt her blood boil at the screams of dying warriors, wishing she could push past the surrounding men and women to dive directly into the midst of the fight. Instead, she was forced to simply hoist her shield, blocking occasional arrows that slammed off its surface.

Nestled in the front lines Dominax swung his sword, launching bursts of flame and electricity before blocking an incoming blow. The young man before him heaved his weapon, opening a momentary gap in his defenses. Dominax seized the opportunity with a savage grin, driving his blade through his opponent's midriff and allowing his sword to claim its first victim.

Both sides hacked against each other as the defenders of Argin slowly fell. Outmatched and outnumbered, the remaining few turned to flee back to the protection of the gates, only for their attackers to quickly cut them down from behind.

"UP! ITS TIME FOR THE TRUE FIGHT!" Salduin cried out, his men pressing against the wall as they blocked incoming arrows and rocks from above. At his command several long ladders were carried above the heads of the legion, passing them along until they were hoisted into place.

Dominax claimed the lead of the nearest ladder, sweeping his blade upwards to send deadly waves of flame that pushed back several archers.

Clin steadied his breath, following his ruler's example and beginning his own ascent up the wall. He sheathed his sword, using one hand to stabilize himself while the other held his shield, hands shaking. The deafening pings of arrows ricocheting off of his white armor encircled him with each rung of the ladder that he passed, bringing him closer and closer to the angry shouts above him.

He watched Dominax reach the top, his blade dancing with visible power as he slaughtered the men around him. Clin moved to join him, bashing his shield into the defending men blocking his path and sending one toppling from the wall as he stepped onto the top.

Unsheathing his sword once more Clin drove it into the nearest enemy, closing his mind to their screams as he blocked the thrust of another. His own men followed closely behind, joining him as they fought to push back the city defenders from their own wall.

Unlike the gates of the old settlements, Argin's could be raised and lowered, rather than swung open. The gatehouse holding the mechanism sat just above the city's main entrance, guarded on both sides of the wall.

The foreign words of the enemies' shouts reminded Dominax of a time when Irith could hardly understand his language. He was killing her people, her past, replacing them with a future worthy of creating.

Salduin's hammer crashed into a man's head as he joined them atop the wall, flattening it as he and his men slowly cleaved their way towards the gatehouse. He charged forwards, pushing the final defender guarding his target straight through the wooden door behind. Quickly he finished off the man with a snap of the neck, moving to heave the wheel that slowly pulled the gate upwards. Several men joined him, and together they opened the city to the mercy of the remaining legion.

A roar erupted from the men as they charged through the gate, cutting down whoever remained to resist them. Dominax and Clin continued to fight atop the wall, slaying archers and warriors before eventually, seeing that all had been lost, they began to lower their weapons in defeat.

Dominax made his way down, entering Argin as his men set about securing the city. Its tall buildings were intertwined by seemingly endless winding roads, a civilization center far more complex than he had ever witnessed.

"Briza ...if only you could see the north at my side..."

He made his way to the largest structure, a fortification with high towers that carried long purple banners displaying the symbol of Argin's ruling family. Accompanied by his warriors he pushed open the heavy doors, entering into a small throne room. The brilliant artwork lining the carefully carved and decorated walls, the intricate metalwork spotted throughout the room, it all served to deepen Dominax's ire.

"The perfect nest for a spoiled lord." He said as Clin and Hesin entered, while a second group of soldiers emerged from a hallway that led deeper into the castle. They carried several people by both arms, throwing them at The God Emperor's feet.

"Your holiness..." the commander of the group said, bowing low before gesturing to the group of prisoners. "We believe we've found most of Argin's ruling family."

"Is that so?" He asked, stepping towards them as one of the prisoners rose clumsily to his feet. An older male, slightly overweight and wearing a long vividly colored robe began to speak quickly in his native tongue.

"His face is on several of the statues in the city center, my lord." Clin stated as he folded his arms. "Shall I send a command back to camp to retrieve Lalian to translate?"

"There is no need." Dominax said as he lifted his sword, bringing it down between the prisoner's neck and left shoulder. The remaining prisoners screamed in horror, causing Clin to rush forwards.

"MY LORD...what have you done?!" The blond man yelled with his hands outstretched in exasperation.

Dominax calmly pulled his blade from the deceased man, using the cloak of the nearest warrior to wipe off the blood. "An example must be made, for the rest of Kinia shall know that we are here to stay."

"Yet this man did nothing to deserve death!"

Hesin groaned behind his mask. "If you're shocked by one man's death, perhaps you should apologize to all the men you cut down today."

"You know that isn't nearly the same, Hesin." Clin said as he stepped back. "There's a difference between warfare and execution!"

"Oh, I guess we'll be lucky enough to receive another holier-than-thou speech from innocent little Clin! Go on, tell us just how much better of a person you are than the rest of us." The masked assassin replied with dripping contempt.

"That's not..." Clin began to say before turning to Dominax. "He could have been useful, and as of right now I see little benefit in cutting down an unarmed man."

"He could never have been trusted to accept my rule, yet his death shall prove we are more than simple raiders." Dominax explained calmly as the guards gagged the screaming prisoners. "I have no doubt that he would have rebelled the moment we moved our aims towards Taroi. A much more malleable newcomer from amongst the population shall be granted the throne, though for now I shall reign over Argin directly."

"I just..." Clin began, though when a look of support towards Salduin received nothing but a firm expression he eased. "If that is your wish...my lord. Yet what of the remaining prisoners?"

"Enslave them." Hesin replied smugly. "They hold little worth elsewhere, yet I'm certain the wealthy citizens of Argin would be more than interested to purchase their former rulers."

Dominax nodded. "Agreed. Tell me Clin, are you capable of such a task? Or shall I commend these men to simply dispose of them here and now?"

Clin held up a hand. "No, your holiness...I...wish to see no further blood spilled today. I shall...do what you request."

"Good, then we're done here." The God Emperor commanded as he turned to leave. "Finish securing the city, then we shall begin preparations to march on Taroi."

Hesin chuckled at his blond companion before moving to follow, leaving Clin to look down upon his newly entrusted prisoners.

***

Just as the sun dipped below the horizon and plunged the world into a night of all consuming darkness, Clin ushered his followers out of one of the minor city gates. Their hands bound behind their back and their mouths gagged, they struggled to keep up with his frantic pace.

He led them just beyond the tree line before commanding them to stop in a low tone. The heavy sack that he carried upon his back fell hard to the ground as he began to cut their bindings.

The moment they pulled their gags from their mouth they began to whisper in their strange language, causing him to hush them immediately.

"Quiet. I've brought you enough supplies to survive for some time, though you need to hurry." He said as he nudged the sack with his armored foot.

They began to speak once more, their voices holding a questioning tone that stopped the moment Clin held up his hands to quiet them. "Enough. There's no time, I simply need you to run. Run hard, and when you can no longer run, do so anyway."

The noble family simply looked to him.

"You have no idea what I'm saying..." Clin sighed, taking a breath. He then pointed into the rainforest. "Just GO. I...The God Emperor is only doing what he believes is best for us all. Do not look too harshly upon him, for he's done so much for..."

They continued to stare.

Clin sighed once more, before thrusting his finger a final time away from Argin.

The oldest of the group picked up the sack as they slowly began to walk away, yet one of the younger females paused for a brief moment before granting him a quick kiss upon his cheek with visible gratitude. Then an instant later they were gone, disappearing into the trees.

Clin touched his cheek, feeling a deep coldness.

"We're only doing what's best for the world..." he said quietly to himself.

"Aren't we...?"