An Assassin's Choice {Wings Of Fire Fanfic/AU}

Chapter 84: Battalions And An Unwanted Speech

[Welp, HERE THEY ARE! The infamous Chapter 86 (and the other ones, but mainly Chapter 86...)! And you all are going to slaughter me for this cliffhanger... Oh well, I guess I'll see you again when I'm haunting your dreams. >;) ]

     Admiral Kenobi, Lieutenant Whirlwind, and General Sultan, seeing as they were the highest ranked dragons there (aside from Tanner and Force herself, obviously), were all tasked with organizing the troops into reasonable battalions. There were supposed to be three battalions, each with numerous strong dragons, and numerous weak dragons, balancing out the strength.

     Everyone was silent, unable to utter a word, yet one thing on their mind:

     What's going to happen to us?

     The Admiral wished he could comfort them, protect them, tell them it was going to be alright, ANYTHING, but he was physically unable due to Force's speech restrictions.

     He knew, as well as everyone else in this dank cavern, that the events of this day, no matter the turn out, would inevitably end up in history scrolls, whether they were SkyWing or ShadowWing scrolls.. well.. that all depended on how the battalions performed in the battle today.

    Force wanted the attack to be swift and merciless, taking no prisoners, killing anyone they could manage, but the majority of the army disagreed with this approach. Well.. it's not like they could've made a difference anyway...

     Admiral Kenobi nervously fidgeted with his claws as the three massive groups of SkyWings and SandWings formed neat and orderly lines, a square with a checkered pattern of weak and strong dragons for each battalion.

     They were getting eerily close to midnight now, which was the scheduled time of attack. He only became more anxious as Force stepped up on a high stone before them, glittering with turquoise and aquamarine gems she had made into little scale-shaped jewelry. Tanner stepped up behind her, nervously fidgeting with his new tourmaline earrings and obsidian bracelet.

    "My.. ahem.. loyal subjects," she addressed the army regally. The force from all of their glares combined should have knocked Force off her feet, but she stood tall as ever.

    "I'd like to make an encouraging speech before this battle," she announced before continuing on. "As you all know, we didn't really meet on good terms, and I'm certain most of you probably still.. dispise me.." she spat out the word as if it were rotten prey. "..but I'm going to have to ask you to try to let go of that hate. You all will be going into battle, and I support and applaud all of you, for I'm sure that you all will do great work. Yes, some may die, but I believe it is a worthy sacrifice for our cause. So, with all that said, I now ask WHO IS WITH ME?!" There was dead silence, hatred radiating off of the crowd in dizzying waves. A scowl grew on the ShadowWing's face.

    "I said.. WHO IS WITH ME?!" When met with silence for the second time, she stomped the ground with one of her hind legs, enraged, and the entire army sprung up in non-consenting cheers and whistles.

    "Now that's better..." Force muttered.

    "OFF WE GO!" she ordered, gesturing toward the exit, and at once, the battalions began marching out of the cavern.

     Oh no... Admiral Kenobi thought with dread. We're all going to die...