Chereads / The Red Valley Empire / Chapter 3 - The breaking point, the start of an endless war.

Chapter 3 - The breaking point, the start of an endless war.

Born on the planet Ethios II, he wouldn't be that much to talk about. Ethios II would be a lush and vibrant planet, merchants and bronze architecture could be scouted across the landscape. Harmony and peace was at rest, the ecosystems undisturbed. His father, Praxamedes Ileu, Lord General of the Imperius Ministorium would be a great and patient leader. His parenting skills were that of an adoring mother. 

The Ileu estate roared that of the casual bronze and crimson dye, instead of it being your standard officers villa, it was a full on two mansions and a cathedral smacked and smashed into each other. Massive estate for the near 60 generation family, with long ties to the Imperium. But, not everything will last in peace and solitude. Everyone and everything isn't protected by the horrors of the walks of life. 

Suddenly, in the middle of a family prayer, a loud boom could be heard. The family scattered and Praxamedes stood ready to protect his family. Ready to protect his heir Cassius Ileu from perishing. They walked quickly to the balcony of their estate, and saw the main city in ruined. A large column of smoke, shifted into the sky. The city burning, and the terrifying terror that struck the city emerged. A large, pre-great war era ship emerged. A Dreadnought Super Battle-cruiser. 

"Get to the pods, now!" Praxamedes said, his voice shaking. But he stood fast with his armor and massive blade. His wife, holding the young Cassius ran to the emergency pods. 

The pods weren't really 'pods, they were more like a small nighthawk class cruiser with servants and Praxedes crew ready to leave when announced or in danger. As they loaded onto the nighthawk cruiser, all but one crew member was missing. The Lord General, missing. They had no choice but to leave as the world descended into chaos as the small enemy fleet entered the sky's and horizons. Marking the end times of Ethios II, everything was set aflame. The estate could be seen from the bridge of the cruiser as it started to enter the atmosphere.

A solemn moment took over the crew, and the first officer who would take the helm of the cruiser and crewman. They could see that the large estate would be the last thing standing, as the Dreadnought Super Battle-cruiser encroached on the estate. Tears could be seen from the crew as the courtesy captain, Praxamedes would be seen. For the last time, the Battle-cruiser would charge up it's thermo-nuclear beam laser. 

The Battle-cruiser fired, everything in its path being crushed and burned. The estate vanished, Praxamedes would be dead. But, he would be accepting of this fate. The sad and solemn moment took over, depressing and sorrowful. As they entered space, the planet would appear to be scorched, the hyper slip space travel device kicked in. Cassius and his mother cried and wailed, the pain still not setting in easily. The stages of grief enter their minds. Denial, Aggression, Bargaining, Depression, and the final stage acceptance of the death of Praxamedes Ileu and all that died on Ethios II. The stages were long, 4 months for his wife, Elaine Ileu-Aventia. For young Cassius, the grief stained his mind. Staining his vision of family, staining his learning and youthful stages. But, he too came to accept his father's death. All who were lost in the Battle of Ethios II were given a special stone. 

The stone would mark the first deaths of the newborn war, being placed at the capital planet of the Imperium, Medes I. The homeplanet and the center of the Ecclesiarchy. Praxamedes words would be placed onto the stone. The words he would say before each battle or raid. It would say;

"Brothers and Sisters! We are all alike, born from the ground and built up. Fret not, as we will be bringing glory to the Imperium. Glory as we fight for our families and loved ones, Glory for we may be remembered by our peoples! Do not give up, do not be scared! Never back down, never retreat! Do this, in remembrance of all who have suffered, and the lord shall guide your blade into those foolish enough to stand in our way!" The plaque inscribed, becoming the center speech prior before battle for the Imperius Ministorium. But, things would not stop there.

The Imperium closely followed, and enhanced their gear, technology, and more so their Weaponry. They watched, like wolves ready to attack. The Imperium plotted it's strike back into the enemy.