The Realmsic Conquest: The Hero of Legend - Book 1 [2015 Watty Award Winner]

Chapter Fifty-Six

All of the Legionarie sentries snapped to attention as Damian stepped onto the command tower balcony. He straightened his back and raised his head high, making sure that his countenance exuded nothing but confidence.

His war armor gleamed as his long silver hair blew in the cold, sweeping breeze. Above him hovered thick, dark cumulonimbus clouds that stretched ominously across the sky. Damian breathed deeply through his mouth. The air tasted like war. He leaned over the balcony and peered into the distance. The tower's vantage point provided a dramatic panoramic of the landscape. From here, he'd be able to see the battle's entire progression and command it accordingly.

"My Lord," a voice said from behind.

"And you are?" Damian asked, turning to face him.

"My Lordship, I'm the officer responsible for this tower. I bring you the latest news."

"Report," Damian ordered.

"The enemy forces were scouted less than two miles away, but they appear to be half-stepping and moving at an unusually slow pace."

"Interesting," Damian said. "And what of our Legion?"

"Our infantry is already assembled at all eight encampments. They're awaiting your orders."

The soldier stood at attention as Damian turned to lean against the balcony. After staring out into the distance for a few moments, he came to a decision. "Send our troops forward," he ordered. "Swallow the Realmsic Army whole!"

"Your will be done," the officer saluted. He stood next to a ram horn attached to the side of the tower. But instead of blowing through it, he reached into his armor belt and removed a mobile device. Since General Thane's return, Damian had implemented the devices into the Legion. All ranking officers received them. He listened as the officer spoke into it, giving commands. A few minutes later, the ground beneath the tower began to tremble.

As the vibration broadened into a full-scale tremor, Damian, the tower officer, and the other sentries were shaken off balance. They held tightly to whatever they could as the structure swayed back and forth. Damian gripped the stone banister attached to the balcony, peering over its side. Below him, an ocean of soldiers charged into battle. By the thousands, their footfalls shook the ground.

Clambering to his feet, he felt pleased with himself. Perhaps this battle would be over in time for lunch. He wondered what the mess hall was serving—hopefully not mystery meat. He didn't understand how anyone could eat that.

Damian suddenly felt his senses tingle. He paused, shifting his gaze to the horizon. The sky darkened, and the sweeping breeze ceased. Something was happening.

RMRMRMRMRMRM, the sky above him began to tremble like the ground—but the source of the disturbance remained concealed beyond the heavy, gray clouds.

"What's going on?" the tower officer asked a comrade.

Damian ignored their conversation, for he already knew. Concentrating his full attention towards the clouds, he watched as their saturated bottoms began glowing amber-red and the light intensified. It was if the Realmsic sun was burning through the morning mist.

"Take cover!" someone below screamed. At that moment, the clouds departed, revealing an ocean of flames directly above them. The intense heat immediately beaded Damian's forehead with sweat. Stretching the length of the horizon, the flames poured from the sky like lava. They splashed onto the ground like a molten tidal wave. No one had time to react. Instantly, an entire Legionarie brigade had been erased from the battlefield.