The Great Empire

The Great collapse

The day was like any other for me the breeze was soft and it was a warm  summer day the kids were out playing. It was a great day in the empire even the people were happy no uprisings nothing taxes were low and things were great as I walked down the street I passed the training yard where another centurion of lower rank was drilling some of the other warriors he waved "Hello James it's a great day huh?"
I waved back with a smile "aye for the empire and for the country" I kept walking however  everything changed within a moment the ground shook and split opened lava spewed out, it was chaos I looked around as buildings crumbled into the mother earth. I was awe struck within moments however I was running toward the school the children needed help. My dreams of saving the kids were crushed when I saw it the school had fallen into the abyss with its people swallowed without a though by mother earth the whole kingdom fell as if the earth wished to reclaim the stone of which the arena and houses were built. I kept running the whole kingdom was falling with that the Great Empire fell.  My great grandpa stood from his seat by the fire and looked down at me "James my grand child  you have to lead our people now." Grandpa sighed as he watched what was left of our people set up makeshift homes thrown together with drift  wood and rugged stone just for a place to rest there heads "grandfather" I spoke softly as I stood "the great collapse was over two decades ago we can make our empire great again like it was under the rule of Julius." He only stared blankly at me a great sorrow in his eyes he smiled tho "you have great plans my boy" he leaned back in his wooden chair "but the great collapse was nothing like you would ever imagine the earth shook black liquid shot from the cracks, whole city blocks fell huge waves crashed into our ships and lava spewed from the volcano" he paused as he got a far away look in his eyes as he often did when he thought back to the great collapse. He turned to me once more and took my hand "listen closely your father died trying to keep us safe,but there is one thing he didn't tell you do not go to war we are not strong enough to fight" I gripped his hands with a deep breath and nodded I understood and with that he slipped away the life went from his eyes and he was at peace. "Rest easy now your work is done." The next morning I was greeted by a furious pounding on the door I sprank to me feet and ran to the door throwing it open there was a young gladiator,one of the few who escaped the arena, her name was Lilian. "Good morning James sorry to wake you like this" she spoke so fast I could barely catch what she was saying "but there is a stranger at the gate looking for our leader" she continued talking as I doned my father's armor and grabbed up my sword "well take me to them" I said and we were on our way. We reached a hastily made gate where a young woman wearing armor balcker the the night sky stood she was surrounded by two generals I didn't recognize the warriors "Are you the one they call James?" Her words came out soft and almost caring as I stood before her "yes that's me and who might you be?" I responded with my sword gripped tight
She responded "I am Applyon warlord of the Blackstone legion and these" she motioned to the warriors on her right and left "are Holden Cross and Mercy" these warriors were strange one held a long axe with a spear point on the end the other held a small sword and a small dagger odd weapons of choice. Applyon took steps forward to that my archers ready some arrows "you are not allowed here turn and go home!" I shouted from the wall she halted her advanced and nodded "I understand you suffered much we just want to warn you of a new threat to you we need your help" she had her hands raised I thought hard for a moment and looked to my men they were not ready for war. I turned to the woman in the darkest armor I've even seen and waved my hand "the Great Empire will not go to war" in a flash she drew her sword and three arrows fired around her I smirked as I turned "if you try anything like that again I personally will end you" I spoke with conviction she looked around as if she might try something eventually she dropped her weapon "be warned the raiders of the north will come here eventually and you will fall I will return in three months to see if you still stand" she spoke as if not a threat but a prophecy and with thoes finally words she left. Lilian and I exchanged glances then went back to town "we need to train our people if what she says is true our people need a proper army" Lilian spoke with a fearful tone I sighed as I kept walking I the turned to her "if she is right what do we know about this woman? Nothing exactly" I paused for a moment what if she was right? I turned to Lilian who was watching me she was much younger than me and very beautiful tho she rarely took her helm off. I shook my head and sighed "okay you may have a point round up as many civilians willing to serve there empire and meet me by the main gate" with that she was gone and I was off to collect as many weapons as I could. If there was a fight to  be had we would be ready.