Curse

Stormguard

The Janus fleet sailed to Swawnia from Erdale. They planned to take the Thorn capital swiftly. Once they were done, they would plunder as many resources as possible and expand the Janus empire outwards. Attacking Thorn had always been tricky; They had three capitals. Only when all three cities were taken would the center island rise from the sea.

"Hold the anchor! We near Swawnia!" Lily called. "We will take Rysk swiftly!"

The Janus mob cheered.

"Avil will lead the attack on Rysk. I will lead the attack on Hymth, and then we will meet at Cathialia! Then we will destroy the tower!"

Avil rubbed his head. He never thought the day would come. The Janus had been tricked by the queen. She never kept her promises, and the Janus wiped out the blood kin on Swawnia way too fast.

The three ships departed from the cluster, Janus fleet behind. Avil knew that this was going to end in loss. But...

"Sir! We have received news from headquarters. The Simiak have been overthrown!"

"By whom?"

"The second strongest clan on Herdale. The ruling clan is now Stormguard."

Avil nodded. The Stormguard were famous for their weapons, the Aux Shields. They looked like shields, but a blade came out of the bottom. Also, they could release force fields that burned the opponent and had a devastating blast tremor effect. No wonder they took Simiak so quickly. Avil wouldn't be surprised if no Stormguard had lost their lives.

"Hm... What are their status?"

"They've already cleared the blood kin on Herdale, they are sailing to the Blood Isles. The whole lot of them. Also," the spy looked down. "Glazio has lost their position. Ichth has fallen."

"What!? But..."

"It's true. Ichth is taken. The remaining Glazio are fleeing to Janus territory, we have let them stay."

"That is good. Maybe we can send some Janus to Ichth after Thorn?"

"Perhaps. But that is not my matter, more of Lily's."

"Correct. You are dismissed."

"Yes, sir."

The spy waked away. Avil could see him board a rowboat and paddle towards Fordrasir.

Catrina walked up to Avil.

"Oceanic is pretty nice, aren't they? They have maintained calm waters since the global war."

"That is nice. Some of the Blood Kin say they did so by the orders of Zhurah."

"Perhaps. Perhaps."

Catrina stared onto the sunset.

"To think our would would be such a war torn place... Sometimes I just pray to the seven for peace... War has no purpose."

Avil nodded. "Same."

Avil turned to a thud behind him. There lay Catrina, a wound on her arm.

"Damn! That was meant for her heart!" A figure stalked into view.

"Excuse me. I am a Stormguard. And since you saw that," he said, "You must die."

Avil tensed. His battle reflexes kicked in. By now multiple Janus had arrived. That included Lily.

"Ah, such a nice gathering. If you would look at your sleeping chambers, you'll find a nice surprise!"

The Stormguard threw his shield into the water, leaping onto it.

"Farewell. I must join the fight for Denim."

The Aux shield opened its thrusters, and the platinum board sped away. For the first time in a long time, Avil saw a wave form. Perhaps it was time for war.