***The city of Montserrant, western side…***
"23rd Squadron, ready! Launch!"
On signal, the fighter planes of the 23rd Squadron, which was one of the Cole Miners' Guild clubs 'squadrons', raced on the airstrips trying to gain lift for their flying machines. This was their third sortie for that particular battle, and by then, they already lost four out of twenty-five of their numbers.
However, they can't falter here. If the crusaders reached the city center, Montserrant would be shelled to smithereens.
'Blue team to left; red team to right. Black on reserve!' came the message from the squadron leader. At once, the teams that consisted their unit moved to formation. Nevertheless, it was difficult to maintain cohesion; not too far from their launch point, the anti-aircraft guns of the crusader's airships were already waiting for them to get in range.
'All teams disengage!' was the next signal by the squadron leader. The 23rd planes veered off their path as it was peppered with bullets. But then, just when they thought they were safely out of the anti-aircraft range…
"Fighters above!" One of the pilots shouted; it was too late for him to send signals through their flags. The enemy airships forced them into a crusader ambush, who moved directly on top of them squadrons.
From twenty-one pilots, the 23rd Squadron was cut to fourteen planes in a matter of minutes.
But all was not lost.
"For the Lord Kuro and his servant the Lady Seirna!"
"!!!" the warriors of the 23rd were frozen in shock as one of their planes suddenly pushed forward, heading to the airship formations. Firing its guns non-stop as well as barreling towards their enemies, the pilot screamed his battle cry as if in a frenzy. At first, even the crusaders were astonished at the suicidal courage of the lone dwarf and his plane, but then, when they realized what he was about to do…
"Fire! Fire!" was the order of their commanders. "Don't let that damn plane hit us!"
However, even with his plane's wings nearly shredded, and the pilot was injured, he raced forward. The only thing on the dwarf's mind was the thought of the afterlife, and that he would take one of their feared enemies down. Lighting a cigarette, he positioned his tattered plane to a spot where he would securely hit the airship and set it aflame.
"Long live the dwarves!" was his last words before a powerful explosion caused the dirigible to ignite and burst into flames.
Watching him from afar were his comrades. Encouraged by his example, the squadron leader of the 23rd signaled to his remaining planes: 'Are the dwarves of the 23rd afraid of death?'
Instead of answering him with their own signals, the pilots shouted, "Dwarves laugh at death!"
"Glory to Montserrant! Glory to the Lord Kuro!"
"Glory!"
Then, like madmen, the planes of the 23rd charged towards the airship fleet, with others veering off to engage the crusader fighters pursuing them. Those who stayed behind to battle the enemy planes did similar 'kamikaze' tactics, even as their foes peppered them with bullets, and shredded their machines. The ones who reached the enemy formations deliberately crashed their planes on their opponents, taking some with them to the afterlife.
Those who lost control of their aircraft had to resort with the war hammers and battleaxes. Estimating the distance and using the steam propulsion of their weapons, they caught up to their enemies' machines and killed the pilots, taking control of the plane and deliberately crashing it on others.
Indeed, at that time, the crusaders were bewildered by what they were witnessing. They never thought that such way of fighting was possible, and even more so, those dwarves knew they were sure of death. At once, the horrified squadrons of the Church pulled off from battle.
On the airship fleet's side, soon there were successive explosions, much to the delight of the remnants of the 23rd.
----------
***The northern face of Montserrant…***
However intense the battle was at the western side of the city, it was dwarfed by the scale of the fighting on the northern front. Here, the crusaders concentrated their forces, as it was meant to be the main 'blow' to the defenses of the rebels. Not only were the fighter squadrons and airship fleets plenty on this side, there were also landing forces meant to invade Montserrant once their flyers were annihilated.
It was here that the miner queen, Paula, and the bulk of her aerial armies defended. The battle was chaotic, and she had completely lost the control of her own squadron. There were many close calls as she maneuvered her plane across the sea of anti-aircraft fire, nipping her machine's wings, and punching through the armored pilot seat.
Good thing she wore the armor of her father; it deflected at least two hits that got through her plane's protective barrier.
"…"
Still, the armor didn't cover her limbs. And a few moments later, a bullet finally wounded her thigh. It was not a deep wound, but it sure was painful. The throbbing pain distracted her from fully flying her plane, that soon, she lost control of it. Spinning in the air, the miner queen maneuvered her machine so that it would crash on one of the airships.
As the plane was about to hit the dirigible, Paula used her battle ax's steam propulsion to safely land on the airship's ballonet. But, even with her injuries, she had to move, for when her plane crashed nearby, it set the dirigible aflame. The miner queen had no choice other than to jump, and let her life into the hands of Fate.
"!!!"
Paula was sure she would die. But then, when she opened her eyes, she realized she was actually flying. Surprised at first, she soon learned that someone held her afloat.
"Y-Your Holiness!"
"I told you, queen! You can't die on me!"
"W-What?"
"You fought well!" the saint commented. "And your dwarves…I don't know if it's foolishness or they're just too brave. Their tenacious defense of the southern, eastern and western sides of the city caused the crusaders to retreat, horrified at their sheer disregard for their own lives."
"Huh?"
"No time to explain, queen! Let's talk about it later," Seirna winked at her. "I'll drop you off in Montserrant. These idiots are really forcing me to move my hand!"
Finding a nearby airstrip, the Overseer Saint dropped Paula there and went back to battle.
"May the Lord Kuro bless you, Holy Saint!"
Seirna only replied to her with a smirk and flew away. Charging like a black fighter jet, the Overseer Saint hacked into the crusader plane formations, nullifying the enemy advantage and inflicting heavy casualties as well. The crusaders watched as the 'winged black lady with a sword' slashed their flying war machines like a blade into water, complete with blood, gore and explosions brought forth by her black flames.
And with that, successive airships, enemy planes, as well as falling dwarf warriors dropped from the heavens and into the stone pavement of Montserrant, or into the forests of Equality, now devoid of fog cover. Even more terrible was that Seirna set them aflame, to make sure they would die a quick death.
"Aaaaahhh!!!"
The screams of those who burned filled the air, that the miner queen had to cover her ears to keep her mind from repeating the dreadful scenes. Seirna's victims who plunged into the forest were luckier than the ones who fell into Montserrant, for they were chopped and smashed by the angry warriors of the miners' guild, even as they burn.
The bloodbath in Montserrant was great that day. Personally, Paula wished it would all just stop…
----------
There was a significant change in the tactics and strategy of their enemies, Seirna surmised.
"…'
From the uncoordinated assaults on Montserrant, the cities loyal to the fake god switched into a unified, multi-front offensive that nearly destroyed the armies of the miners and their allied rebellious cities and guilds. And now, the fledgling religion she had founded was in danger of losing the 'faith' of its initial worshippers, just because they almost got defeated.
How fickle is the faith of the dwarves when they are confronted by 'close' situations…
"…"
Nevertheless, Seirna was aware that if the trend continues, they would be overwhelmed by the attrition. The Church was still undeniably bigger than the Cole Miners, and the guilds/cities that joined them in breaking off with the Golden Hammer. And while she led them victory after victory at the heart of the fake god's city, it was still impossible to defeat his faithful just by flying above and shooting down planes with his banner. Her god-powers and experience from past histories were useful, but Seirna's allies were not immortal; for every injury and/or death they suffered, the more their people would question the 'divine mandate' of the otherworlder.
"…"
Of course, it was not like she was out of options. However, the Overseer Saint would like to defer using it until the times were desperate, and they were forced into a corner. For one, her authority over life and death could lead to the strengthening of the Seductress, who was always waiting for the chance to return to Chersea and the other worlds. And Kuro's god-power would be useless if the there were no dwarves who would worship him…
Seirna is worried that she has already spilled enough blood and caused too much suffering to strengthen the Seductress.
But she couldn't help it. The events in the land of the dwarves kept on spiraling out of control, and she was forced to answer every aggressive move with aggression of her own.
If she showed even a bit of leniency, their enemies will surely take advantage of it.
"…"
The Overseer Saint sighed. It was one of these moments where she genuinely wished the otherworlder was beside her.
"Your Holiness…"
Seirna turned to the dwarf that came to her room to report. "Is the preparation complete?"
"Yes, Your Holiness…" the messenger answered, though there was a noticeable hint of anxiety in his voice.
"How is the Queen?"
"S-She's fine, Your Holiness. Only a scratch to her leg, but overall, she will recover fast."
"Good," the Overseer Saint stood up. "Because I would need her command in our upcoming strike on Hemelin. We'll let those heathens know the dwarves of who follow the Lord Kuro are no pushovers, and any attacks carried on us will be met with equal destruction."
----------
**Kuro**
"Hey man, sorry for disturbing you while you guys are taking a rest," Gaius' face appeared to me after my sight became clouded for a while. "But we need to talk, right now."
If I remembered right, Lady Martelle was still mourning for her loss, with Lily consoling her. Then, since I knew the Head Maid could console her better than me, I left them for a while, looking for a good place to take our dinner before continuing on to the city of Temun near the border crossing. A white mist enveloped me, clouding my eyes, and here I was again…inside the confines of my mind.
"Yeah, my apologies, Kuro," the former god gave me a tap on the shoulder. "In any case, it'll be brief. You need to know this."
"Then what is it?"
"It's about Seirna," Gaius revealed. "You really should get a move on now."
"You mean, really…now?" I couldn't believe what I just heard. "Lady Martelle…no, Lady Helgath's still out of herself!"
"I got two options for you, Kuro. You push yourselves to reach Temun now, and you avoid strengthening the Seductress; or take a rest, and fight a powerful monster later. Your call."
Hearing the word 'Seductress' felt like a slap to me. "Strengthening the Seductress? What's going on?"
"I told you, ever since I started to weaken, I got a blurry sight on things to come," he replied, annoyed at my questions. "I'm not the Gaius of old; I'm just a plain spirit of a man from your world, and a retired god here. The only way I know something is not going right is through the remnants of the god-powers that still rests within me. And even with that, I can't be 100% sure!"
"So, this is all based on just a hunch? A holy hunch?" I was getting sarcastic.
"It will not kill you to err on the side of caution," he pointed out. "Ask Publius Quinctilius Varus."
"Who's that?"
"That guy who led three Roman legions to death in Teutoburg. He fully believed in Arminius, and that traitor guided him to his death."
"Oh…him? Right…." Then, I realized something, "Hey, you're long dead during those times! How do you still know about it? I thought you can't cross into another god's world?"
"You said it yourself; I'm a god, so go figure! Besides, it's not only you mortals who can get their hands on the latest gossip!" Gaius chuckled, and he pushed me away. "Anyway, stop with the stupid questions, Kuro! Chersea and the other worlds are relying on you, their future god. If you keep delaying, then the Seductress will have the upper hand soon!"
"Wait, what shall I do?"
"Once you meet Seirna…" the former deity clicked his tongue and muttered, "That child…her zealousness will kill all of us. So, yeah, once you meet with Seirna, tell her to read your mind. I want to talk to her and return some sense into her head."
"Ah, alright then."
"Well, don't just stand there! The moment I let you off this place, you should hurry to Helgath and the Nerfes Princess. Time is of the essence. Temun before the next day!"
The way Gaius shook me made me realized that the former god was serious in his warning. After assuring him that I would do what he said, he brought me back to Equality and I ran back to where Lady Martelle and Lily were.
----------
True enough, once my senses returned to Equality, I noticed something was off.
"…"
My eyes were guided by chance to look back at the peaks that consisted the city of Hemelin. Thanks to the clear skies and 'mist-less' air, I could peer far into the distance. Much to my shock, I saw vast airship fleets swarmed by planes that looked like flies just above the city proper. Their formations told me that something was about to happen. Realizing that I was missing a lot of crucial events, I hurried to Lady Martelle and Lily.
Thank goodness, though…they are also aware of the unusual scene at the holy city.
"Kuro," it was the dwarf lady. "We need to go back to Temun as soon as we can."
"What a coincidence," I replied. "I was about to tell you the same. Do you have any idea of what's going on?"
"The banner of the Golden Hammer flutters in the wind…" Lady Martelle answered. "Even at this distance, it is clear. That must be the crusading army, gathering their forces to attack Montserrant."
"If so, then we must continue our travels," Lily added. "While the forests are thick in this area, we are still in danger of being spotted, should those fleets advance to Montserrant, don't you think so, Your Holiness?"
"Yeah," the dwarf lady then took some of our baggage and placed it some distance from where we were. "I guess I'll summon my giant form to cover the remaining distance. Keep your eyes peeled, guys; once I'm big, chances are those idiots from Hemelin will see us. If the push comes to shove, Kuro, I'd like you to use the god-powers within you."
"Eh, no need to tell me that," I reassured her. "One sign that they're coming after us, and I'll call in bad weather to destroy their fleets."
"Let's hope it doesn't arrive on that," Lady Martelle chuckled as she activated the spell that changed her size. "Or all our hard-work trying to keep that Seductress bitch weak will be for naught."
----------
***The city of Hemelin…***
The appearance of the land beneath the cloud covers of Equality and ensuing 'power struggle' in the higher levels of religious leadership baffled everyone, including the officials of the Church. But, while the power grab was only known to a few of the church's high officials, those who learned about it took that as a 'good' sign their Golden Hammer—wherever he was—approved of the leadership change.
Nevertheless, under the new leadership of Farah Koh, the Church did not lower their guard. Prioritizing the defense of the city of Hemelin over satisfying their curiosity on the ruins, she had the anti-aircraft defenses transferred to the temple district, though leaving a few batteries in the surrounding districts so as not to appear abandoning their faithful. The captains of every fighter squadron were also briefed on the new defensive tactics and strategy, based on the 'zone defense' plan of the dwarf security lady. Airships—rendered obsolete by the 'black lady'—were relegated to 'stationary defensive fortresses' floating above or near the important installations of Hemelin—but never above the temple district—to act as 'bait.'
It was a significant change to their roles; fixed 'gun bulwarks' instead of charging through the enemy fighter formations head on (which proved costly and wasteful of lives).
These reforms, and the sudden change in leadership—though it was subtle—electrified the failing morale of the forces loyal to the Golden Hammer. Sending smaller expeditions to cities that preferred to 'watch from the sidelines' in a show of 'gunboat diplomacy,' Miss Koh effectively deprived Montserrant of potential new allies, as the dwarves of the 'neutral' settlements were forced to side with the Church, or face withering isolation, and possible annihilation once the heathens were dealt with.
Relying on their advantage of having a more 'developed' industrial base and bigger population, the dwarf security lady knew they could outlast the heretics of Montserrant in attrition warfare. Also, having expected the counter-attack led by the 'black lady,' she prepared countermeasures for her appearance. As the Overseer Saint, Seirna, often targeted the vulnerable airships, they placed those away from the temple district as bait to 'separate' her from her allies. Then, they could deal with the pilots of the Cole Miners' Guild before she could counter their tactics.
A risky tactic, but a key one to preserve their military strength.
"!!!"
Hemelin's air raid sirens blared once again, telling everyone that a significant force of pilots from Montserrant was sighted. Miss Koh took a deep breath, and sighed. All according to plan, she told herself, but there was still a sense of worry within her. For if her plans failed, she would face shame and possible execution for defying the First Deputy Priest.
"Miss Koh! The rebels are here," one of her lieutenants called for her.
So, the security lady rushed at one of the Great Temple's parapets, watching the implementation of her new strategy to counter the Cole Miners' threat and regain the sagging morale of the Church's forces.
True enough to her expectations, the 'black lady' appeared in the skies once again, leading the raiders in their effort to destroy whatever remained of the loyalists. The airships—even those who were out of range—began firing their guns, for the exploits of that flying monster was well-known to them. And Miss Koh expected their reaction as well; in tune with her schemes, she gave them more than the usual supply of ammunition to keep their firing at their powerful enemy and distract her.
"!!!"
Airship after airship got blown and burned by Seirna's black flames, and fighter planes shot down like flies. Still, in her tactics, Miss Koh held off the bulk of her planes until the opportune time. Through her spyglass, she followed the movement of the holy lady, and with the airships firing at her, slowly drew her away from the fighters that she escorted. And then…
"The black lady is separated!" the dwarf security lady bellowed through her communication device. "Launch the fighters!"
The pilots from the miners' guild cheered at the successive airships that Seirna destroyed, effectively distracting them from the Church's squadrons that engaged them from the temple district. The result was a massacre; having been surrounded from the bottom to their top, the rebel fighters were shot down in quick succession…with some of them unable to know what hit them.
----------
Meanwhile, on Seirna's side, she destroyed the formidable airship fleets just like before. After the powerful enemy assault on Montserrant, she was determined to crush the crusaders, and bring an end to the religious war. Hence, she brought several miners' squadrons—the remaining 'top aces,' as well as newly constituted pilots who proved their mettle in their most recent dogfight.
The best of Montserrant's air forces.
But, when she realized that her allies were wiped out in a trap laid for them by their enemies, she couldn't ignore the losses they incurred. To return to Montserrant alone, and with the crusader fleets still intact, it meant that the new faith she painstakingly founded and defended would crumble to dust in that one swipe of the enemy. There were still friendly pilots reinforcing the initial group, but the Overseer Saint was already panicking.
In her mind, retreat is impossible. But to continue on will be murder…
"!!!"
The concentration of anti-aircraft fires also increased as the second batch—oblivious of the fate of their comrades—neared their target. As squadron after squadron incurred irreplaceable losses, the Saint herself was forced to veer off her path for the first time.
"!!!" Of course, it was witnessed by the miners. And as it was the only moment they saw Seirna pull away from the fight; the results were instantaneous. The miner squadrons' morale fell rock bottom, and they quickly backed down. Their enemies' anti-aircraft fire downed a few more of their numbers as they retreated, aside from the casualties earlier.
The Overseer Saint, shocked as she was, knew that she couldn't 'falter' at this point. The Church may have outwitted her this time, but this would be the last they would pull that off. The miners' support for Kuro would suffer greatly if the battle of attrition ended in her side's defeat. And with that, their hope of getting Kuro to become god. However, with the miner squadrons pulling out, she had to use something that would swing back the advantage to them.
The god-power of Death and Resurrection.
"…"
Seirna shook her head. It was a power entrusted to her because the gods knew she wouldn't abuse it. Nevertheless, as her allies' planes were getting shot down, the greater the pressure to use it rang in her mind.
Use your power! Save your allies! Regain their respect!
"!!!" Still, the Overseer Saint fought back. But the screams of her 'worshippers' filled her ears.
Use it! Use it now, Seirna Stephanie!
Taking a deep breath, Seirna chanted her god-powers and unleashed death against the population of Hemelin.
----------
***The Chamber of Time…***
"The Void encroaches once again!"
At once, the gods and goddesses, who were at a vigil inside Time's chambers, sprung to action. For each return of the Void creatures, they were powerful than the last, hence, the need for more powerful individuals to handle the threat. Now led by the High King of the Gods Himself, the deities were also reinforced by the heaven's armies of angels, blocking the darkness' way towards the spinning wheels.
"They shall not pass!" was the battle-cry of the High King of the Gods. That sent shivers down the bodies of everyone present; it was one of the times they saw the most powerful being fully invested in the outcome of the battle.
Likewise, with many of the heavenly beings in one place, the Void was even more excited to give them battle, as the spirits of the gods were one of its 'food.' It never waited for the other side to take up positions, and immediately lunged at the deities.
"!!!" As with His name, the High King of the Gods was the immediate target of the Void. A 'thinking' yet 'not thinking' creature, the darkness attacked Him with relentless determination. In doing so, it literally 'forgot' the other gods and goddesses who came with the High King. Thus, they were free to attack it with impunity.
"Throw everything we got!" shouted one of the gods. As such, the angels flung their spears towards the creature of darkness, only for it to have negligible effect. Then, some of the braver deities closed in to deliver powerful strikes, but the Void absorbed their weapons as well. Others hurled powerful spells, in an effort to whittle away the miasma the creature was releasing.
"What's going on?" some of them panicked, as they turned their eyes on the Lady of Time. She was watching the spinning wheel of Chersea and the Other Realms.
"The Overseer Saint, the Lady Seirna, committed a huge blunder!" she cried out. "What the hell is she thinking?"
"Hey, language!" the High King called out to her, even while the Void was chewing on His sword.
"M-My apologies, Milord," Time bowed. "But the Lady Seirna just strengthened the Seductress a hundred times over!"
A chorus of sad moans and groans echoed in the chamber. The disappointment of the gods, goddesses, and angels were clear. One of the deities asked, "Are we fighting a losing battle? Is the Black God a lost cause?"
"If you can't keep up, you may leave my chamber now!" the Lady of Time told the doubting god. "This place is for those who still hope the Black God can return better!"
"Oi ye feckers! Don't let up!" another goddess finally stepped forward to support Time and help the High King. "The Void may have gotten stronger, but we can defeat it!"
"What's the Traveling Goddess doing here?" asked a god. "I thought she was somewhere peddling her stuff?"
"And why is the High King of the Gods not rebuking her?"
"I'm used to her bad mouth," the High King revealed.
"Hey! I'm only here because my cybernetic lover was once an advisor to the Black God during his days in Cherwind!" the deity they call the 'Traveling Goddess' countered. "It wouldn't hurt to lend a hand, 'innit?" As she said that, the Traveling Goddess gave them her 'weapon of curiosities,' which she used to peddle.
"How do you—"
"Just point it at that Void thing and pull the trigger," she explained. "You haven't seen an RPG-7?"
"Wha—"
The Traveling Goddess never let the god finish his word. With him holding the weapon, she aimed it at the Void, and pulled the trigger herself. The resulting explosion scattered the spinning wheels, but other than that, those were unharmed. As the gods and goddesses dusted themselves, the Traveling Goddess was pleased with herself, and shouted, "Glory to the Sovie—"
"We do not condone atheism in the presence of gods," the High King, amused at the anticlimactic ending of their fight, cut her off as well. Nevertheless, He said to the Traveling Goddess, "Good work on that RPG."
"Yes, Milord," she bowed in reverence, while handing Him a receipt. "Also, that would be $600. Cash or credit? I also take cryptocurrencies."