First Light of a New Age

Chapter 103: Grandlord vs Warboss

Iron Kingdom, Mount Meikneoir, The Iron Capital, The Iron Palace, The Iron Throne Room.

1st Year of God, Tuesday, 4th Week, Month Of Jonah.

Seated on the Iron Throne, Grandlord Hammerfall held a worn picture of a young dwarf, his son, Dwalin, as a child. His massive hands trembled as he clenched the frame, feeling his heart heavy with grief and rage.

Silently, he cursed himself, the words forming unspoken yet vivid in his mind. 'I should have protected you.'

"I'm sorry..." he whispered, his voice barely audible in the vast gilded chamber.

Behind him, a soft yet firm voice broke through his anguish.

"Dear... are you certain about this?"

Hammerfall turned, his gaze meeting the steady eyes of his wife, the Queen, who's face carried the same sorrow as he was.

"I must," he muttered. "For our son."

With heavy steps, the Grandlord strode from the throne room to the balcony overlooking the vast underground city, a masterpiece of dwarven engineering, shimmering with the glow of enchanted forges and crystal lights. As he stood above the bustling metropolis, his voice erupted like a storm, echoing through every cavern and chamber.

"Citizens of the Great Iron Kingdom! To all the Dwarven race, hear me!"

The city fell silent, its people pausing in their work to listen to the Grandlord's proclamation. His voice, deep and commanding, carried across the miles.

"I bring tragic news. Our beloved Prince... is dead."

A wave of shock rippled through the crowd like a thunderclap. Cries of disbelief and wails of mourning filled the air as the weight of his words settled upon them.

"For centuries, we have prospered, achieving greatness in trade, technology, and alliances. Yet, despite our goodwill, those we called allies have turned their blades against us since the war began. For too long, we have endured their treachery. For too long, we have held back! No more!"

Hammerfall raised his fist high, rallying cry that roused the dwarves from despair.

"I declare an all-out war! Join the Iron Military, and together we will unleash our wrath, our unity, and our might! Let the world tremble before the vengeance of the Iron Kingdom!"

A deafening roar erupted from the crowd below as their grief turned to fury. Hammerfall's gaze swept over his people and his tone shifted to a colder, more calculated edge as he spoke.

"I thank you for your loyalty, for building this kingdom through your blood and sweat. I vowed to my father and now to my son, vengeance will be ours. Today, the Iron Kingdom will reveal its true might!"

He paused, letting the weight of his words linger. Then, his voice boomed once more, this time with an air of triumph.

"For decades, we have prepared for this moment. Now, I present to you... the 'Iron Badgermoles'!"

Then, the ground began to quake, and gasps echoed through the city as a massive machine burst from the earth below.

Towering above the crowd, the Iron Badgermole was a colossal mobile drilling machine about the size as a football field, its front adorned with the fierce visage of a badger with a body of a mole. Its gleaming metallic frame bristled with advanced weaponry, its adamantite drills capable of tearing through the strongest rock with ease.

Hammerfall watched the awe-struck crowd with satisfaction and a grim smile forming on his lips. He turned to his royal guards and issued his orders.

"You! Mobilize the entire military. Spread the call across the Iron Kingdom, every able dwarf must join this war."