Legacy of the Jungle Smith

Chapter 2: The Eve of Eternal War

  The World of Areas is in its nascent stage as the infant civilizations are just beginning to form under the nurturing care of the Divines. This arena like world only exists to fuel the four Divines' ambitions to ascend to Aion's heights and those dreams drove the Divines to make their realms as best as they can for the grand game that will eventually take place. Yet all games need rules which the Divines did argue about but it was surprisingly in a good nature. For the first time in countless cycles did the Divines laugh and joke with one another but they would eventually set the rules of the world. 

The Rules of the Great Game.

They all agreed that the first thousand years will  be peaceful for thier civilizations to grow and prosper. Every two hundred and fifty years is the time to designate a Prophet to help lead their people in the intended path. How they are chosen is up to the Divines and what they tell their Prophet is also up to them. Another rule was that all battles will take place in the center of the world though the question was raised on how due to the large meteor that crashed into it during its creation. Mountains formed around the crater with a vast hilly jungle soon formed around the new mountain range that have nearly taken over the entirely of the arena. Lone mountains formed along the edge at set intervals that made the whole thing feel like a cage. Yet there was enough space for the Divines to play their game though it is now forced into lanes but they agreed to let it be. It will prevent one from waiting for the rest to kill one another and to sweep in and take care of the scraps. So for the time being do the Divines focus on thier realms. 

They have time to spare. Time to figure this all out.

  The year is 786 and world is prospering with the blessings of the Divines. The Blood Forest Confederation has been initiating raids on their neighbors ever since they met each other since 752. The Kingdom of Ash and the Kingdom of Marina erected great fortresses at the entrance of their respective canyons but it didn't deter the raiders but rather embolden them. Belinda was delighted by her people's warmongering ways and was proud of their use of blood forest wolves as mounts. Nerkos was more annoyed than anything about the constant raids but his people merely retreated to the sea and pelted the fur cladded tribals with slings and arrows from their ships. Even a victory was meaningless for the raiders for there was no way to actually attack any of the island towns or cities. Thus they rarely would attack the Marina. Much to Nerkos' amusement. 

Talros' Kingdom of Ash was not as fortunate and were the prime target for Belinda's Raiders. The Ash Kingdom however was made of far sterner stuff in comparison to the people of Marina. This most recent raiding campaign is met with resolute hearts and blades from the Ashen people. Ranks of swordsmen and axemen wait eagerly for the coming tide of wolf riders. The wall of iron will stand strong against claw and fang.

"Here I thought that we agreed to no fighting?" said a bemused Talros who watches the battle with confidence in his people. "Bah! I got bored after the first three hundred years! I'm quite proud that I held back for so long and You didn't complain till now anyhow so I reckon we silently agreed to let it happen cause its fun after all!" Belinda proclaimed. She was happy she has done this and was surprised that the rest let it happen without much fuss. However, she wasn't as happy once the battle started to turn against her raiders. The Ashen soldiers didn't buckle against the sheer weight of the tribals and their great wolves. Belinda was a bit frustrated that her people's smithing skills were incredibly subpar and they used what Talros calls "Pig Iron" as the main source of weapons. That and the fact that the Ashen wore chainmail with small groups of nobles wearing half plate steel armor and their shoddy weapons mostly bounced off or just left scratches. The Ashen soldiers didn't have to worry about such issues as their steel was more than enough to rip apart the hide wearing barbarians.

"It has liven things up greatly that I do admit. I honestly need to get my own to do better. I'm somewhat disappointed but they do learn fast from their mistakes." Nerkos said mostly to himself. Marina was far too peaceful for his liking and these raids have been toughing up his people a bit but they are proving to be far too cowardly. Once the battle is lost they merely retreat to the sea and act victorious which angers Nerkos to no end. Only Assassins and Thieves can be cowards! Not his warriors! Though it is hard to stand resolute when you have little more than a bone spear with turtle shell armor.  Nerkos casts a glance at his two kin that are currently bickering and riling each other up but his attention is then turned to the last of them. It was a surprising change of character but it was one that he and the other two boneheaded Divines agreed was a welcome one.