On top of Nyxara, Maximus was flying over the city of Elyria alongside Merlin who was flying on top of her Black Wing which she named Shadowflame. She was at first given a griffon, but she preferred the wild nature of the Black Wings, so she was given one which she managed to tame with her magic.
Below, the city of Elyria was surrounded on all sides by the Imperial Fleet, cut off from the outside world and from receiving any supplies that it needed to survive a long siege. The defenders of the city which numbered 10k hadn't heard about what happened to Mantarys, yet which was advantageous to Maximus's plans.
Elyria, which is known for its impressive naval power because it was located on an island, was now but a former shell of itself. Their fleet was destroyed alongside the rest of the Master's Alliance fleet during their third campaign against the Imperial Fleet.
Now Elyria was defenseless from the sea and could only rely on the walls of their city. Within the city, the same thing that happened in Mantarys was going to happen in Elyria and Tolos as well.
Flying over Admiral Thorne's flagship the 'Imperial Fury' Maximus jumped off of Nyxara and landed on the deck of the ship. He removed his helm as Merlin followed suit, landing Shadowflame on the deck of the ship because he was much smaller than Nyxara who was 40 meters in length and had a wingspan of 48 meters. She would crush the flagship if she attempted to land on it.
Admiral Thorne had got on one knee and put her right hand across her chest which was a standard salute for Captains and other officers of the Imperial Navy. The rest of the crew had snapped to attention, their arms at their sides and eyes staring straight forward not directly looking at anything.
"At ease," Maximus said as he walked up to Admiral Thorne, "Your Excellency, We're ready for your orders." Maximus nodded slowly, observing the way the rest of the crew relaxed slightly but still held themselves with rigid discipline. "Excellent," he replied, "The Shadowhand agents are already infiltrating the city and killing the Masters, once we get word that the Masters are dead then we can move in and force a surrender from the defending forces."
"Understood, Your Excellency," Thorne replied. "I've instructed the fleet to maintain their current positions. We'll tighten the blockade and wait for your signal." Admiral Thorne began to order her ships to tighten their formation around the city while the troopships which transport land troops for battle got into position.
While the fleet was preparing for combat, Maximus decided to take a moment and appreciate the scene before him. The sight of the Imperial Fleet around Elyria's Island was just a prelude to what the future held.
Interrupting his admiration, a Shadowhand agent appeared next to him, "Your Excellency, the Elyrian Masters are dead, however, the Commander of the defending forces have already surrendered after murdering all the Master's officers within the army."
"Seems like they have come to their senses," he murmured.
"Quite," Merlin stated.
Seeing the white flagged waved from the walls of the city, Maximus ordered the troops to take control of the city, arresting the defenders until the conflict was over. The arrested defenders were treated as Imperial Prisoners of war and thrown into prison camps which made sure they received all of their basic needs and such.
Then just like Mantarys, the Imperial army moved in and started to enforce Imperial Law and rules, and completely get rid of slavery while also implementing the recovery system for former slaves.
At Tolos, Alexander who was leading the Eternal Legion to take the city had just finished conquering the city which also surrendered after the Masters were assassinated.
Now the Western part of Slavers Bay was completely under Imperial control, leaving only the major cities of Mereen, Yunkai, and Astapor standing. Unlike Elyria, Mantarys, and Tolos, the major slave trading cities of Slavers Bay had hired dozens of Warlocks to protect them, making assassination impossible for the Shadowhand agents.
This is where the true major battle of this conflict would take place. So, for this, Maximus together with his subordinates had created a three-pronged attack plan involving land, air, and sea. From land, the Eternal Legion would siege the walls of the cities, while from the Sea, the Imperial Navy would bombard their ports and land troops. From the air, the Black wings, Griffons, and Nyxara would raid death down on the defenders.
The battle for Mereen, Yunkai, and Astapor would be the final battles of the conflict. The strategy they had devised was bold, ambitious, and ruthless. These cities were not only the heart of Slaver's Bay but also fortified bastions with an unyielding resolve to resist the Imperial advance. It was no longer just about defeating armies, it was about breaking the spirit of the enemy, and the Imperials were prepared to do so.
Siege of Mereen
The Eternal Legion, in a wave of unrelenting force, began their advance toward Mereen. The city, with its imposing walls and proud history of resistance, had never faced an opponent quite like the Imperial army. As the legion marched, the sound of drums and the rumble of cannons filled the air. On the horizon, the Imperial fleet, the greatest the world had ever seen, encircled the port.
Maximus stood among his officers at the front, overlooking the massive formation. Nyxara circled above, her wings creating gusts of wind that whipped through the soldiers below. The Black Wings and Griffons, led by Merlin, flew overhead, their presence alone striking fear into the hearts of the defenders. The shadows of their wings cast long, ominous shapes over the fields leading to the city.
The first wave of cannon fire struck the city walls, causing massive explosions that echoed through the streets of Mereen. The defenders, who had been preparing for a prolonged siege, were caught off guard by the intensity of the assault. The cannons hammered away at their fortifications, creating gaping holes in the once-impenetrable walls. The Imperial air forces swooped in, unleashing fire and terror from above, while Nyxara, with her imposing size and fiery breath, scorched the battlements, sending defenders fleeing in all directions.
From the ground, the Eternal Legion's infantry began their charge. Elf Spearmen formed ranks, using their shields to block incoming arrows and missiles while the heavy Dwarven infantry pressed forward, the massive siege weapons giving them an advantage against the crumbling walls. The defenders of Mereen, once confident in the warlocks' power, were now realizing that their magic could not hold against such overwhelming force.
Mereen had long prided itself on its ability to resist invaders, but this battle was different. The warlocks, though still holding some ground, were retreating into the heart of the city, where they could no longer project their power effectively. It was only a matter of time before the gates would fall.
As the final blow to the gates came, the city's defenders realized their position was untenable. Alexander's voice echoed across the command center as he ordered the final charge into the city. The Imperial Witches targeted the enemy warlocks, while any remaining defenders who tried to fight were killed.
Those that surrendered were shown mercy and any warlocks captured would be brought back to Heaven's Reach and interrogated. The Masters of Mereen were dragged out of their palaces and publicly executed for all to see.
Yunkai's Last Stand
5 days later
While Mereen fell, the remaining cities of Yunkai and Astapor were preparing for their own battles. The leaders of Yunkai, having seen the fall of their neighboring city, were unwilling to submit without a fight. Their warlocks, wielding dark and twisted magics, began casting powerful wards and protections, attempting to shield the city from the incoming onslaught.
Merlin had cast her own magic which quickly dismantled the shield around the city, allowing the Imperial forces to attack it. The warlocks were shocked, as never before had they encountered something like this. Their magic was dismantled in an instant as if it was nothing.
The aerial forces descended upon the city just like Mereen, with Nyxara's fiery breath incinerating the walls, turning them into molten rock that poured into the streets below, causing chaos and disarray among the city's defenders.
As this unfolded, the Imperial navy moved closer to Yunkai's coast. Once in range, their cannons fired volley after volley into the city, shaking its foundation and weakening any defensive structures still standing. All defenses were assaulted simultaneously from every direction, leaving no opportunity for reorganization.
From within Yunkai, desperate cries and pleas for mercy were shouted, but they went unheard as the sound of steel against steel and magic was louder. The inhabitants witnessed a fierce display of power that either sparked terror or awe, sometimes both, as Imperial soldiers swept through every alley and street.
The warlocks of Yunkai, sensing defeat, attempted a last-ditch effort to cast an all-encompassing curse. But as they focused their energy, Nyxara dove from the skies, her fiery breath searing the warlocks from the air, while the Legion's forces took control of every part of the city. Their magic was powerful, but they were no match.
And just as it started, within hours, the battle was over, and the Masters were executed.
Astapor: The Final Battle
Astapor, the last of the major cities of Slaver's Bay, had already begun preparing for the inevitable. The city's warlocks had gathered in the Citadel, creating powerful magical defenses around the city. They would not give up easily.
Maximus, standing alongside his commanders, surveyed the city one last time. The battle would be similar to Yunkai's battle. The warlocks would fight with everything they had, and they would likely use every dark magic at their disposal. But the Imperial witches and other magic forces would show these warlocks that the house of the undying isn't as powerful as it thinks it is.
"We end this here," Maximus declared. "The warlocks will be dealt with first, followed by the fall of the city. When Astapor falls, Slaver's Bay will be no more."
And with that, the final battle began.
The Imperial forces, after days of preparation, launched their assault. The cannons fired relentlessly, creating cracks in Astapor's towering walls. The warlocks gathered at the Citadel, preparing to unleash their most powerful spells. But once again, the Black Wings carrying witches on their backs, disrupted their focus, while Nyxara tore through the defenses. On the ground, the Legion advanced.
The final stand of the Masters was a desperate one. But no matter how many spells they cast, no matter how many walls they built, the might of the Eternal Legion proved to be unstoppable. Astapor's walls crumbled. The warlocks, having spent their last strength to protect their city, fell one by one to the witches. In the end, Slaver's Bay was freed from its chains.
With the fall of the last city, the Eternal Legion stood victorious. The once-powerful cities of Mereen, Yunkai, and Astapor were now under Imperial rule, their slave markets erased from the face of the earth. The former slaves now stood as free people ready to rebuild and be re-introduced into society as free people.
Maximus stood at the heart of the shattered city of Astapor, looking out over the ruins. His army, victorious and battle-worn, assembled behind him. This was the dawn of a new era, one where the shackles of slavery were broken, and the people of Slaver's Bay would finally be free.
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Also here the picture of Merlin
(Merlin)