Hells Bells

An Encounter

Originally Written In 2022

January 31st 2025. The Empire.

The soldiers move forward to breach the outer wall, but are mowed down by Gatling guns moving out from secret compartments in the outer walls, then moving back in the wall when the Republic's cannons fire back. Wyte stares at yet another failed assault by republican forces.

WYTE: They're not gonna get anywhere if they keep throwing themselves against the walls.

AZEL: Even though most of the lower enlisted sided with us after saving their families, the generals stayed loyal, so the tactical thinking has dropped dramatically. It also doesn't help that the general the Republic sent won't be here for another 2 days.

Wyte lets out a sigh.

WYTE: And to make the bad situation worse, Odin called back most of the air support and naval assets away to deal with rogue NATO forces that launched a counter attack in Mato.

Wyte looks back at the wall with his binoculars, watching the republicans retreat.

AZEL: Can't you guys teleport in and deal with them.

WYTE: Nope, Odin told us to let you deal with it, to make your "ascension" to the throne more legit, so the people don't see you as a puppet to us.

Wyte stares at the Imperials moving out of the castle with beheaded corpses.

WYTE: There goes another batch of POWs.

Wyte turns his attention to the charging republicans.

WYTE: And there goes another assault.

Wyte looks back at the princess.

WYTE: You need to tell whoever's in charge to stop charging as soon as they kill a bunch of their comrades, it's just a needless slaughter that destroys morale.

AZEL: I tried to, but he doesn't listen to me.

WYTE: Let me guess he doesn't listen because of your affiliation with us.

AZEL: Actually no, he doesn't listen to me because he thinks I have no military experience, and because I'm a noble.

WYTE: That was my second guess...You have military experience?

AZEL: Yes, I studied one of my books about 2004 military tactics and tested it a few times in combat, when I was 16.

WYTE: Okay, so you do have military experience, but the tactics are not relevant to the time period of your world.

AZEL: Yes.

WYTE: Alright, how about you grab Rishu, then go talk to that general.

AZEL: Why?

WYTE: If he doesn't listen, she'll make him listen.

Wytes focus turns to a hatch lowering down on the wall.

WYTE: What the hell is that?

An oversized cannon drops down aimed at Wytes position.

WYTE: Everyone down!!!

A flash of light engulfed the position. Wyte looks up with a cannonball inches from his face that falls at his feet. The sounds of battle die out, with everyone's attention turned toward the flash. Wyte looks at the cannonball in confusion when a chill runs down his spine, he turns around to a woman with bright white clothing and large spanning wings, staring at him with a stoic face.

???: Why have you come back?

WYTE: I don't think you have the right to ask that without telling me what the hell just happened.