Debauchery of a Soul-Eating Wraith

Once the Carriage was out of East City, it set off at breakneck speeds because the path it now traveled had no obstacles to hinder travel.

Days passed and all through that time, Everyone in the Carriage was silent. Breaks, as few as they were, were spent cultivating or sparring to ensure they were sharp for the battles to come. Zayda allowed no complacency because she strongly believed that this was the greatest test her Squad had ever faced and would likely face for many more missions to come.

"We're about to face a threat of such massive proportions that the Golden Child herself was assigned command so you can expect that you will require every bit of skill and wit you possess to survive," Zayda said during one of their breaks as she studiously oversaw combat practice.

She watched like an all-too-serious militant who did not wish to be embarrassed by her inexperienced Squad and even though their little breaks were not enough to correct the issues the group had with their battle stances and skills, she did not go easy on them.

She was so studiously into being an overbearing drill sergeant that not even Evian was spared from her consistent note-giving and criticisms despite the relationship they now had.

Evian was not all that bothered.

For one, he saw her giving of commands as a sexy show of power and the knowledge that he could break through that steely, authoritarian exterior whenever he wished with the use of his carnal skills made him feel powerful.

Second, he knew he needed to get better with the Spear. He was heading to a battlefield where he would have to face people rather than monsters in a potentially wide open space where he would be incapable of making use of his Eldritch skills as freely as he would like so he needed to get better with what he could use.

Anyway,

Breaks and all, days later, their Carriage approached the [Western Fort] which the combined forces had taken as their base and an important spot they needed to defend to keep the enemy off their borders.

Zayda showed off her badge to the guards at the gate of the Fort and after they stared at her and everyone in the Carriage with intense scrutiny, they were allowed in.

"Rude," Carleine said with a frown.

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"They're just being thorough," Zayda said.

"About what? The battle is on the other side, not within," Ember said with a scoff in solidarity with Carleine.

Zayda said nothing besides letting out a small sigh like just being at the Fort felt daunting.

Once inside the First grounds, their Carriage was stopped before it could progress further inside.

"You have to go on on foot from here," said the Knight standing by.

"Of course," Zayda said amicably.

Outside the Carriage, Evian was able to observe the Fort in its entirety.

It was the size of a small city.

Built with bricks that appeared enchanted as they constantly, individually, gave off intense Spiritual pressure, the Western Fortress was built with Battlements all around it with Knights standing and keeping watch towards the outside of the Kingdom's borders, clearly towards the enemy.

The Fort had been turned into a camp for the combined forces who all moved around, appearing consistently busy.

"Stick close to me," Zayda said solemnly, "We need to get out placements."

Everyone called to the Western Fort for this battle had a role to play. Whether it was to tend to arsenals, sharpen their weapons and skills in readiness to do battle or join at the War table to strategize.

The Squad had only taken a few steps with Evian dutifully looking around and taking in as much of the Fortress as he could, when they were approached.

A group of Knights conveyed before them not with hostility but rather curiosity. Since the Group had been allowed into the Fort, the conveying Knights knew they were, at least, allies.

"State your business," said the Knight at the forefront of the gathered Knights.

"Zayda Vi'thar, 3rd Rank Knight Commander of the Martial Temple," Zayda said confidently while flashing her insignia. Her status in the Martial Temple already garnered her respect from the conveyed Knights but she then went a step further.

Zayda retrieved the letter of their Squad's appointment and held it towards the inquiring Knight who looked it over. By the time he was at the end, his eyes widened at the realization that this group had been personally invited by the Martial Temple's Golden Child.

This was a grace only afforded to those who were personally known by the Combined Force Commander herself. Over 98% of everyone else at the Western Fort, including the conveyed Knights blocking Zayda's path, had been assigned by the Martial Temple in an impersonal fashion.

"I see," he said, quickly calming himself. They had received instructions on what to do, should this situation come about.

He gestured with his head so his subordinates stood aside and then gave a bow that Zayda deserved as a Knight Commander that she was,

"I'm Knight Rolan of the Martial Temple's 21st Battalion. Come with me, I'll lead you to the Commander.

Knight Rolan turned around and indeed led the way so the group followed. They entered through a door that led to stairs built into the massive walls and so clearly leading up to the battlements.

"We finally get to meet her," Gryon mumbled.

"It appears so," Gillert said.

Astrid Renan was a legend to anyone who came from Verdelen City. A genius that none other in the City could even dream to match up to. An existence garnering massive respect and support from the entirety of the Martial Temple which was an organization that surpassed any Territorial Lord in terms of pure prestige not to mention their combat force that demanded fear and respect.

Evian looked from Gillert and Gryon's adoring faces to Carleine and Ember's to see that they were the same. He realized, at that moment, that he was the odd one. He was the only one not truly understanding the magnificence and significance that Astrid Renan commanded.

He was the only one not realizing how much of a fire Astrid had lit in them all due to all she had achieved while coming from somewhere they had all called home.

It did not matter that she was an almost deified hybrid which had started her on the path of glory she was on. All that mattered was that she was a source of inspiration.

Throughout their journey here, Evian had learned that none of them had actually ever 'seen' Astrid. The closest one to an actual view had been Ember but even she only caught a glance during visits her father had practically dragged her to because of his growing interest in Frida Renan.

"How strong do you think she is?" Gryon asked Gillert but he got no response because, at that moment, they arrived at the final door at the top of the long stairs.

Knight Rolan pushed it open and the group saw men and women gathered and looking through the gaps in the battlements. They were all letting off pressures that spoke of them being experts.

"They're not attacking…" One said.

"… Yet," said another, "The last battle resulted in casualties, they must want to regroup…"

The conversation paused because there was no way a group of Experts would not notice their enemy-watching had been intruded upon.

"Captains, Lieutenants," Rolan said with genuine respect and a bow. Gryon, feeling awkward, bowed as well.

"As you were," said one of the gathered men.

Zayda wasn't fazed by the Experts. At least half of them were her colleagues and the others were those she respected but did not fear.

"So, where is she?" she asked, sounding eager to get the meeting over with.

The Knight opened his mouth to speak and then stopped as he, as well as everyone else on the battlements, as though pulled by an unnatural force, raised their heads as one and stared toward a platform higher than where they all stood.

There, a Regal figure stood.

There, Astrid Renan stood.