Chronicles of Dras

Prologue - General Kane & the four armies

The mist swirled around their feet, a spectral dance that shrouded the ground in an ethereal blanket. Three armies stood at attention at the end of a meadow nestled in a mountainous region. The sun had set, surrendering the sky to the twinkling stars and the twin moons of Eros, their luminescent glow casting long shadows over the snow-peaked mountains.

The armies were a diverse coalition of races and nations. The Darlor, the Dwarven brethren of the Iron Abyss, their home nestled in the nearby mountains. Their armour was as hard as the rocks they mined, their spirits as unyielding as the metal they forged. The Danann, a religious tribe from the west, were enigmatic practitioners of magic and battle, their lineage was traced back to the gods themselves. Their eyes glowed with an inner light, their bodies radiating a power that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. And finally, the Imperial Army of Bartex, the heart of a mighty empire situated in the middle of the known world. Their soldiers were disciplined and well-trained, their armour shining under the moonlight, their banners fluttering in the wind.

"I can smell them out there," Trax, a stout and battle-hardened dwarf, grumbled, his eyes scanning the darkness beyond the meadow. His voice was gravelly, a testament to countless battles and smoky tavern nights. His beard was thick and matted, his eyes a piercing blue that reflected the moonlight.

"That smell would be from you," Macha, a member of the Danann, retorted, her voice laced with disinterest. She was a tall figure, her silver hair cascading down her back, her eyes a piercing blue that seemed to glow in the moonlight. Her robes were adorned with intricate symbols, their meanings known only to her and her tribe.

"Say's the one that never showers," Trax grunted, his eyes never leaving the darkness. His hand rested on the hilt of his axe, his fingers tapping a nervous rhythm. His armour was dented and scratched, a testament to the many battles he had fought.

"Shut up, the both of you.... If I have to listen to another night of you arguing again," Kane, a Bartex general, interjected, his hand gripping the pommel of his sword. His voice was a low growl, the impatience evident in his tone. He was a towering figure, his armour glinting under the moonlight, his face a hardened mask of determination. His eyes were a deep brown, filled with wisdom that came from years of leading his men into battle.

The banter ceased, replaced by a tense silence that hung heavy in the air. The armies waited, their breaths held in anticipation. The quiet was shattered by a screech that pierced the night, a chilling announcement that they were no longer alone.

"Finally, after two days' waiting, they are here," Trax said, turning to his men. His voice was a low rumble, the anticipation evident in his tone. "Ready the cannons!"

Kane nodded, his gaze meeting Macha's. "I think we should get back to our armies, remember the plan!" He donned his golden helmet and walked back to his army, his figure disappearing into the sea of soldiers. His men parted for him, their faces filled with respect and admiration.

The three armies now faced an army of goblins, orcs, and chaos beings as they spilled onto the meadow, their war cries echoing through the valley, shattering the peaceful mountain serenity. Their eyes glowed with a savage hunger, their bodies twisted and grotesque. They were a horde of nightmares, their presence a blight upon the land.

"FIRE!" Trax roared, and twenty cannons unleashed their fury. The cannonballs flew through the air, their trajectory ending in the heart of the approaching army. The impact was devastating, the cannonballs taking down multiple targets, their demise confirmed by the shrieks that filled the air.

But they kept coming, seemingly unfazed by the cannonballs. The first ranks of the chaotic army clashed with the Darlor and Bartex, their shields raised in defence, halting the army's progress. The sound of metal clashing against metal filled the air, a symphony of chaos and destruction.