12:00
The first bomber division flew towards the horizon. They were zeroing in on the first army that was surrounding the village. If Astrian's calculations are correct, they are not aware still of the raid. They were 5 seconds away from the bombing position.
And then, blinding lights and smoke. The Saclusians in the village were left dazed as the few remaining that weren't tried to grab their armours and get equipped. And then, the second bomber division arrives, delivering the fatal payload. And in one bombing raid, most of the soldiers were dead, and the villagers are gone. It was then that the ground forces arrive, they come from the tree lines and swarm towards the village, slaughtering any people that stand in their way.
In less than 5 minutes, the first village was captured. After leaving a garrison of one unit, they headed further south. The raids continued, routing every enemy they spot and capturing every village on their way. As they reached their end of the peninsula, they turned around and headed west.
12:20
Zoroan's division was doing the same thing. Though it seems that word spreads fast and he encountered a prepared garrison in one of the villages, they stood their ground with their large shields and iron armor. It seems the bombing run didn't even scathe them one bit.
The garrison held their ground. Raising their shields up in preparation for their attack. But Zoroan's division did not budge, they charged towards the defending army, breaking their shields with a single slash of their blade, knocking them down and slaughtering them. "They were brave men." Zoroan thought, "but this power should not be handled by one man."
"WE PROCEED!" He yelled out at his army as they capturing every village and soldier in their warpath.
14:00
In two hours, the entire Saclusian army was routed. Retreating to their main castle. Lixus' army started to move, and in a few short minutes. They were at the castle's doorstep. The castle was bombarded by blinding lights by all raid bomber divisions as the ground forces quickly swarmed in.
They were commanded to kill any hostiles and to spare the innocent bystanders. But legend has it that they did not do exactly that. Lixus proceeded towards the throne room of the castle, being escorted by two witch-soldiers. He arrives at the throne of the Saclusian King.
He stands there, fear in his eyes, "Do you know what you have wrought about this world?"
"No," Lixus says, "I'm just following orders, excuse me."
The King sighs, "Was it Luca?"
"Yes."
"Then my kingdom surrenders, and so will I" He stands down and kneels, "WAIT- LUCA N-!" The temperature rises then a flash of light followed by a deafening blast which sends the three of them back explodes from the body of the king. Only a pool of blood. remains.
The King of Saclusia is dead, his corpse littered around the bloodstained throne room. Lixus, trying to regain his composure, left with his two bodyguards to check on how the rest of the castle is going. And surprisingly, it's stable.
The villagers stood there in shock, some in awe, others are simply dumbfounded. Astrian arrived on his chariot, his purple attire glittering against the afternoon sky.
"Greetings, general." He saluted, "Where's the king?"
"Gone, Lixus said, he exploded in his throne room."
"Exploded? H-how?"
"Well sir, at first it went hot, and then it just suddenly exploded. He also said he surrenders, yet he still blew up, yelling the name of Sator."
"I see. Zoroan."
"Yes, sir?" Zoroan says, saluting and facing him.
"Get a messenger to tell Tei'hi what happened. And get him here with Lui-eya, As soon as possible."
"Yes sir!" Zoroan left, taking a messenger with him.
"Lixus," He looked towards his vice-general, "Can you check with Minerva?"
"The logistics chief? What for, sir?"
"Ask her if we can do one more operation for today."
"Yes, sir." Lixus left
Astrian then headed towards the castle's throne room, inspecting the ruins inside. He looked at the puddle of blood and the bits of flesh strewn around. He thinks to himself about the possible ways that he could have killed himself, or quite possibly, be killed.
He looked left and saw a wooden door. He opens it and he sees a war room, still fully intact. He decided to wait there for Tei'hi and the others to arrive.
Lixus arrived first, informing him that the resupply for the bombing group may take upwards to 4 as supplies seem to be hindered following the destruction caused on some villages. He also pointed out that the food supply won't run out anytime soon.
Relieved with this information, Astrian went back into planning.
He was done once Tei'hi and the others arrived. There they see the map of the peninsula with arrows pointing all around the Kingdom of Satormia. Supposedly surrounding it on all sides from every possible angle.
"What are you doing, boy!?" Tei'hi asks as he barges into the room, seeing the writings on the map, he furrows his brows, "Have you gone mad!?"
"It's better we do it than them, General!" Astrian yells out.
"What are you talking about!?"
"Luca, she set us up. That man couldn't have exploded out of his own volition!
"Exploded? What?"
"The King exploded, and if Lixus' report is correct, he said it felt the same as when we were in the presence of Luca. General, she planned to assassinate any one of us." His eyes narrowed towards Tei'hi's. An intense staring contest followed.
Tei'hi gave in, he was too old for this. "Fine then, boy. You finish what you started. Be sure you succeed or die trying." He starts leaving.
All of a sudden a messenger came in, saluted to Tei'hi and loudly proclaimed, "SIR, AN ARMY IS MARCHING TOWARDS ARCADIA!"
"Shit, they're already moving in." Astrian murmured, "I'll assist, gener-"
"No. Continue with your plan."
"But-"
"GO! I'll handle this myself. You may see for yourself that Arcadians do not fall as easily in the face of magic as these awful excuse of soldiers."
"Yes sir!" Astrian saluted as Tei'hi left.
He called on Lixus to command the soldiers to get ready, there was a lot to do.