Mallow's POV
As we finished up the plan that we had, everyone seemed uneasy about this, unsure of if it would work or not. I couldn't blame them in all honesty, this was Do or Die, failure wasn't an option; Unfortunately, I knew the dread being that lay in the depths of Necropolis, and while I wouldn't know how today's fight would end; It no longer mattered how ready I was, these people needed my help, and I would not let their faith in me be for naught. Damien and Jameson gathered themselves, readying their weapons, while Jacke and Alex took to their people to update them on what was about to go down. I walked over to a pair that had sat by the side, not speaking, yet watching everything go down before them.
"You must be 'The Golden Child of Ice' I presume?" The man asked as I approached, while his partner stared at me with something resembling curiosity, yet so much more.
"I am, Jacke told me he'd been sent to invite you two to his family, but I don't know a thing about either of you. Are you going to join in his war today?"
"We haven't decided, we don't know anything about this war, so why fight when there seems no reasoning behind it?" The woman stated, she had golden hair and fiery orange eyes, but there wasn't a hint of hatred nor regret behind them. The man looked at her with endearing eyes, he was clearly in love, and she was as much of a guide to him, as he was a follower of her judgment.
"Well, let me ask you this, is there truly any point to war? Or is it just a way for the young and stupid to be tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other for money? If you fear not death, what fear would you have to face in war?"
"Neither, war is pointless without motive, I swore I would never leave his side ever again after I witnessed his needless suffering day after day. You would ask me to abandon him, simply to fight?"
"No, I would not. I would ask you both to fight, if not for me nor yourselves, for your family that you've joined. They're going to war to end their misfortune to build a brighter future for themselves, and for the people, they care about, what other motive could be more righteous than that?"
The man extended his hand and shook mine, introducing himself as Milo, and nudged his partner to do the same. Her name was Gloria, and I smiled at them, their names had more meaning than they knew; Yet, they wouldn't fight if not by each other's side, so I sat down as Jacke and Alex continued their instructions, explaining that this war wasn't for simple games, nor was it a war that they had to fight. This wasn't something to scoff at, the head of their family had been plagued by this foe, a curse he couldn't get rid of no matter how determined his efforts, and needed the help of his fellows if he was to cure himself of this curse once and for all. La Bruja was his old flame, and he once bowed before her out of fear that she would crucify him, but now he was not the same boy she once knew. He'd grown up and faced innumerable foes on the battlefield, and had an opportunity to rebuild his family, and lead his people to a brighter future; With Alex by his side, his family would be stronger than ever before, and they would no longer need to live in fear, but only if his family were willing to fight by his side.
"I'd say it like this, 'If they stand behind you, protect them, If they stand beside you, respect them, and if they stand against you, show no mercy, for your foe has none to give.' I won't force anyone to fight, that's not my way, but Jacke won't be at his prime if you two aren't willing to fight by his side, or at the very least, by mine. There's something else influencing the strength of La Bruja, some call it the void, in another world he was named 'Sithis' or 'The Dread Father', but he is everything wicked. If he chooses to show his face in Necropolis, I will not have a choice in the matter but to stand against him, to shield your family from his gaze, if nothing else," I stood back up, and they followed behind me back to join the family as they gathered a final time around the table.
"Milo, Gloria? Why are you-"
"He asked us to join the fight, so we will, but only if you explain who this bitch is when we get back!" Gloria stated, and surprisingly, Jameson was the only one to jump at her statement.
"I like her, but you're scary, G!" Jameson stated before joining in the laughter, which was mildly concerning considering the circumstances, but it eased their nerves and that was good.
"Alright, Jacke, are your men ready?"
"We are, this won't be an easy fight, but it's time."
"Gather your men, give them one final speech, and let the world know who we are."
Jacke stood before those who had fought to join us and gave one of the best speeches I had heard yet, elaborating the pain they'd been through, invoking that every emotion in the book was a source of energy for them.
"You've all been living underneath me for a time long enough to know I don't disrespect your time, nor your energy, I welcome you all as my own. Our foe, on the other hand, sees her forces as nothing more than tools, living weapons to be used to exercise her will. She watches as her forces obey, simply because they have no choice, but that's not who we are. We're a bunch of crazy motherfuckers who've been suffering in silence for far too long. This war will not be pretty, some of you may die, and for that, I apologize; But know that the afterlife awaits, and your brothers and sisters in arms that fall will join you, and those that remain will not let your sacrifice go in vain."
As brutal his words were, his family looked even crazier, they'd been waiting for this chance to fight for whatever "Bonus" he had in store for them, and they'd stop at nothing to get it. I opened a gate to the Necropolis, and opened it for them to storm through, war awaited on the other side; However, as I watched them charge the gates, there wasn't an ounce of fear nor regret within them. They were exceptionally prideful to be given this chance to fight for those who'd given them their all, a debt repaid eternally to Jacke, yet they didn't seem to care.
"Jacke, I don't know what price you promised them, but it better be worth it for them to charge The Necropolis without an ounce of fear.
"Victoria."
They entered the gates after their men, with Milo, Gloria, and myself behind them; On the other side lay an army of innumerable souls, controlled by the hand of La Bruja, and as Damien had described: The Void lay in waiting for me to show myself, and I was more than ready to give him a fight.