A few hours later, Maximus was standing at the front of his legions as they surrounded Volantis in preparation for the siege. On the river, the Imperial fleet led by Admiral Lyra Thorne had already begun its bombardment on the Volantis Navy which was taking the brunt of the assault. The sky overhead filled with smoke and the echo of cannon fire resounded through the air.
(Admiral Lyra Thorne Image)
The fleet consisted of 1 First rate, 2 Fourth rates, and 4 Sixth rates. Each ship was a floating fortress, armed to the teeth with cannon and secured with multiple layers of oval-shaped, iron plate armor. Maximus was excited to see them in action as this was his first naval battle since he reincarnated into this world.
He looked to his left, where the Imperial army stood ready prepared to attack Volantis. Their faces reflected the resolve and determination that mirrored his own.
To his right, the siege towers which were proper siege towers made to scale the walls of Volantis were standing by. The massive siege towers had wheels at their base and several levels inside from which archers and spearmen could attack.
Ahead lay Volantis itself. The city's towering walls seemed to stretch for miles, a testament to the Triarchs' rule. Yet even those stone barriers were no match for what Maximus was about to unleash.
As he raised his hand high in the air, the figure wearing the robes of a Red Priests had appeared in the distance walking towards the Imperial army. Maximus stayed his hand, his gaze settling on the approaching figure.
In the next moment, the figure stopped walking and just stood there, in between the Imperial army and the walls of Volantis. Maximus figured this to be the same dark figure who warned him not to attack the city.
The figure began to levitate off the ground, their silhouette eerily illuminated by the raging fires of Volantis behind them. A thin black mist enveloped them as they rose higher and higher until they appeared as just a dark spot floating in the sky. Their voice echoed across the battlefield touching every ear present.
"All who stand before Volantis, hear me! You who dare defy my Lord must not only face these walls but also my wrath!" The disembodied voice reverberated ominously throughout the battlefield. On both sides confusion filled the air, but more so on the Tigers' side as they didn't know who this strange figure was.
Some guessed it to be a ploy from the Temple of the Lord of Light. Maximus turned back towards his men, "Do not fret, my brethren. We do not fear gods or men, we stand together, for we have nothing to fear but fear itself!" He stole that last part from his previous life, it was the words of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The Imperial Army erupted into cheers, bolstering their courage once more. Returning his gaze to the floating figure, Maximus watched as the figure floated back down and landed on the ground. To his right, Lilith had walked forward, "Your Excellency, let me handle this insolent demon and send them back to the Lord of Light in pieces."
Maximus nodded, stepping aside to allow Lilith to direct her Wrath on the figure. He observed as Lilith cast a spell, the air around her crackled with electricity and a bright light emanated from her hand which she directed towards the figure. She was one of his most potent weapons and had never failed him in any battle.
The blast hurtled toward the figure, who merely sighed as if inconvenienced rather than threatened. Just as it seemed certain the blast would hit, a barrier of dark energy formed around him, absorbing Lilith's attack leaving nothing more than a ripple effect that shattered against the barrier.
"Such futile efforts," the figure scoffed. "Let me show you what true power looks like."
Suddenly, the dark figure waved its arms in the sky. A black mist began to form above them, swirling and merging until it had an ominous resemblance to a storm cloud. Bolts of black lightning began to crackle within those clouds, illuminating the surrounding area.
From the ground, the Imperial Army could only watch in stunned silence as the figure continued to manipulate the elements. The bolt of black lightning, a terrible and magnificent sight, moved within its storm cloud like a caged beast waiting to be released.
"I am not of your world," the figure declared, "Such is the power what awaits all who dare cross the path laid down by my Lord."
As his proclamation echoed across the battlefield, he threw his arms downward. The black storm cloud responded, releasing an enormous bolt of dark lightning that surged straight toward Lilith.
Lilith, however, was unfazed. She raised her hand and chanted a spell under her breath. A shield appeared around her just in time to meet the strike. It held firm against the onslaught. When she opened her eyes again, they burned with determination and unyielding power.
"Silly tricks," Lilith responded coolly as she lowered her hand and stood straighter, dismissing her protective shield. "I've seen children perform better."
Maximus could not help but grin at Lilith's confidence. He had faith in her abilities; she was formidable from what he knew of her capabilities and power.
He turned to his troops, raising his hand once again. "Prepare for the siege! On my Command!"
He turned back to witness Lilith going head-on against the dark figure. She raised her hands again, her lips moving in quiet incantations, and then a burst of pure white energy exploded towards the figure.
Just like before, a barrier formed around the figure but this time cracks began to appear on it as it struggled to contain Lilith's attack.
"You are stronger than I thought." The figure chuckled with renewed interest. The next moment it began chanting and its body started emitting an eerie glow. This time it wasn't going to just defend; it was preparing to attack.
Suddenly, the dark figure hurled a humongous wave of energy towards her. Countering swiftly, Lilith waved her hand and summoned a few magical shields which began rotating rapidly around her forming a magical barrier dome.
The wave of energy crashed against her protective dome sending shockwaves into nearby surroundings, but she stood firm, unaffected by the power of the figure's attack.
"Prepare the cannons!" Maximus ordered, turning back to his men. The soldiers quickly complied, maneuvering into position to fire the cannons at the walls of city.
The dark figure's attack had ceased, leaving Lilith standing amidst a cloud of dust and smoke. Her magical shield had held up against the attack, but cracks were visible now, showcasing how powerful the attack was.
"All units, prepare to advance!" Maximus commanded once more as he turned back to look at Lilith and the figure squaring off. The Imperial Army began setting formations, their eyes shifting between Maximus and the ongoing duel.
As the infantry prepared to advance, he glanced towards the river to see Admiral Thorne still fighting the last remnants of the Volantis Navy. The battlefield was perfectly in their favor now; all they needed was Lilith to Claim victory and they would be rid of one more obstacle.