Infinity's End - Quismeral's Requiem

PART I - Quismeral's Requiem / Chapter 1 - The Freedom War

          I

            The war horn was blown and the chilly wind carried it to all sides so that everyone can hear it. War drums started beating as soon as the horn’s chilly cry faded into the night. The smell of sweat and hunger dominated the battlefield. Generals stared at their trembling warriors, hearts beating as if following the drums’ beat. They drew their swords and shouted at the top of their lungs, screaming their war cry and raising the energy all around them. The sound of their cry sent the sleeping birds flying away from the trees of the forest which surrounded the battlefield. The red flag with the picture of a dragon waived on the east side of the battlefield and then a blue and white striped flag with the mighty winged Angel rose on the opposite side. The war cries faded and for a moment the war drums’ beating is the only sound that you can hear and then when everyone seemed to believe that the silence will go on forever, the drum beats became faster and so did their hearts as the two sides began their charge. Dust swirled behind the warrior’s feet as they ran to meet their enemies. For a moment it was a beautiful sight, two massive armies charging to meet their bitter foes.

            The warriors were afraid but when the charge started, they went into a state wherein the only thing that they care about is how to survive the war and kill as much as they can. It is called bloodlust. It is a state in which only war can bring. 

            Then the two sides clashed. Blood spilled onto the ground making the soil red as rose. The smell of sweat mixed with dust and blood drowned the fresh smell that the field formerly had. The air tasted of fear, hate and iron. Sounds of weapons striking flesh and metal filled every warrior’s ear but they do not listen to it for the only sound they hear are the voices inside their heads telling them to kill, kill and kill.

            Red as blood, stronger than iron: this is how they describe the Nation of Altamia and its people. They came from the cold plains of the North and its people are warlike. Their skin is brown and they are generally short but they have the fiercest warriors the world has to offer. They conquered every territory that they set eyes onto and yet here they are, trying to defeat the one Empire that evaded their rule for so many years. Their magic is for a selected few since only the one's who are descended from the shamans of the old have the ability to wield magic.

            Peaceful and not much seasoned in war as their opponents, the Illuminarians are generally gentle and hospitable but once they are threatened, they turn into formidable opponents for Illuminarians have the best Archers in the world. They came from the forested areas of the south. They mostly live in huts and stone houses but they build great temples for their gods whom they worship. Today, these crude huts and stone houses became large cities, magnificent in their own appearance. Although the Illuminarians are mismatched against the Altamians in terms of warriors. they were able to repel the Altamians through magic. It is said that the first magic-wielder is Illuminarian and that he spread it to all sides of the world. Illuminarians are magic-wielders. Every Illuminarian possess the ability to wield magic unlike the Altamians.

            These two sides have been in war since time immemorial. The Altamians are winning since they have already captured three Illuminarian cities but the Illuminarians are keeping up a good fight. Lately, the Illuminarians have been successfully driving out the forces of Altamia. Tonight, as the moon shows its full face, lending its light to those who are to be killed and those who are going to kill, the two factions face each other once again in a war that would determine the strongest. They have brought their elite, their aces, their finishers.

            Commanding the red army is a young man, twenty summers old. His sword glinted as he raised it with his right hand, its gold eagle hilt attracting his army’s eyes. His voice boomed and the war drums stopped immediately.