The Empire's Descent

Chapter 3: True Might

Ever since the fateful day when a pair of giant unblinking eyes were spotted flying haphazardly towards the capital with unknown intentions, news articles and gossip about a potential monster attack wrapped the city in a tight hold. Concern, worry, and slight fear of these unknown creatures stirred those in powerful positions to act, as the military doubled its efforts to keep the skies in firm control.

As the premier superpower of the Hyperion continent, the Empire of Magna grew to its current size due to the lack of other superpowers on the continent, with only the smaller, weaker kingdoms around it being its neighbors. Its history didn't start as a superpower — that's for sure, but through countless wars and political maneuvering, the Empire of Magna grew to be a power that even the continental powers like its eastern and western neighbors had to treat it with respect.

With enough military might to conquer the whole Hyperion continent in under a year, there were only a dozen or so nations in the entire world with militaries on par or even surpassing the Empire of Magna.

Among the many men called to duty was Captain Toyne Stormrider, commander of the prestigious Angel-class ironclad dubbed the E.M.S Resolute.

From the Resolute's gleaming brass-and-mahogany bridge, Stormrider intently scanned the cloud-mottled sky with his keen grey eyes. As an engineer and sorcerer in the arts of mana, he had pioneered many innovations that gave the Angel-class its unparalleled prowess. Constructed primarily from durable enhanced steel and reinforced with enchanted alloys, it replicates the appearance of its formidable sea-faring brethren slamming through the seas like a hammer. Its sleek, yet bulky hull features a matte white finish, adorned with intricate etchings and runes that shimmer with a faint magical glow that helps the ship absorb attacks that would've been devastating to any lesser ship.

At the ship's bow, a large, ornate figurehead depicts a majestic angel with its wings outstretched, symbolizing freedom and power. The ship's sides are lined with cannons that have been modified to channel mana energy instead of conventional ammunition, as a thick roof protects the crew from any attacks from above.

Four massive, prominent engines that each were a marvel in technology on their own, extend from the sides of the ship. These engines are flexible yet resilient, each individually capable of adjusting their pitch to optimize lift and maneuverability.

The Angel class's mana propulsion system resides within the ship's core, protected by layers upon layers of magically-enhanced steel with regenerative runes installed. A network of interwoven mana conduits, pipes, and magical crystals harness and channel the ambient mana in the air, converting it into a propulsive force that enables the ship to soar through the skies despite the sheer weight it bears.

Overall, the Angel-class line of ironclads combines the grace and elegance of its magical capabilities, with the unrelenting force and awe of its sea-faring counterpart, creating a truly awe-inspiring and formidable flying fortress.

Yet for all the Resolute's power, an unnamed tension gnawed at Stormrider. Whatever the creatures were that had appeared the day before, seemed to stir an almost primeval sense of unease within him.

Below, in the imperial capital of Magna Prime, Emperor Vilek Magna gazed out from his towering palace. As the leading figure of the Empire of Magna, Emperor Vilek Magna stood at the forefront of his ancestor's legacy. Single-handedly stopping the combined armies of numerous kingdoms that formed an alliance, his name was known far and wide to the point that even isolated communities know of his greatness. At the proven age of 70, he gazed upon his glorious capital city, which was named after him, with proud eyes.

Yet a lingering feeling of doubt stayed trapped in his mind. Just yesterday, two mysterious 'eyes' were spotted flying to his capital in unrelenting speeds, before retreating when a wyvern rider fired a warning shot. He worried that maybe this was a new weapon the alliance had made, since his spies reported that they were on the verge of creating a weapon on par with his famed Angel-class ironclads. Were his spy networks missing some new threat on the horizon? Or a new weapon about to be fielded by past foes, perhaps?

A commotion outside broke his brooding. Through dense gray clouds and illuminated by the faint morning light, an enormous shape had materialized in the sky. Masses flocked to streets and balconies, pointing up in awestruck terror. Back in the ironclad above, Captain Stormrider peered through his spyglass with a sharp intake of breath. Strange geometries emerged from dissolving clouds - angles unfamiliar and immense.

As the thick clouds above stirred like a storm, Emperor Magna stared at them with wary eyes. Something was moving the clouds artificially, but... what is it?

Moments later, a silhouette begins to form within the clouds. It was something... Immense. Something that could even be written down in history as a...

Star Destroyer

With a blur of movement, Emperor Magna barked orders to ready all defenses as he glared at the gigantic figure descending like a demonic entity from above. What floated silently above the sprawling capital was unlike anything in recorded history.

Seen through the windows of his palace, the Emperor saw a vast dagger-shape hang in the air, its complete form shrouded in mystery. A lump of fear silently building up in his throat.

Elsewhere, engines whirred to life, as they ascended to meet the gigantic entity above. Ships of all sizes such as the aging behemoths of the Leviathan-class ironclads, to the small — yet maneuverable Phoenix-class frigates, ventured closer and closer to the unknown, exiting through underground caverns that housed the capital's defense fleet.

Yet even with all this might, it did little to alleviate fears. The sheer size difference intimidated more than a few brave men. Even the Leviathan-class ironclads, albeit significantly smaller than their newer Angel-class counterparts, were still large in their own right, and yet they were still absolutely dwarfed by this unknown behemoth.

At the moment, there were seven Leviathan's and eighteen Phoenix-class frigates surrounding the immense vessel, with the E.M.S Resolute at the forefront, preparing to confront the descending ship whose size cast an immense shadow that seemed darker than the night itself. Dozens of other ships of varying sizes contributed to the total firepower.

But could they ever stop this monster, whatever it is?

When the last layer of clouds finally gave way, despair was etched into the souls of the younger sailors.

There, floating ominously above the castle where the Emperor himself resided, was a ship in the shape of a dagger. With a cold, steel gray hull, it dawned upon the capital like a predator preparing to strike.

As airships of all sizes rose from below, the crews of these vessels found themselves dwarfed before this leviathan hovering above the very seat of the Empire. Already wavering men looked to captains for answers, meeting only troubled silence. An unnamed force had appeared, looming over all with an inscrutable darkness. Its intentions, like its nature, were unknown - as its mere presence seemed to force the empire to its knees.