Thud! Thud! Thud!
Through the dirty streets of the underhive, a massive line of soldiers marched heavily. Civilians dared not leave their homes and even hesitated to look out of their windows to sneak a glance at the intimidating display of power.
At the front of the march, a woman in golden armour rode on horseback. This was Clementine, the leading commander in this campaign. Though her demeanor had noticeably changed, now wearing a golden knights helmet.
As for Vanderwald, as a strategic asset to the empire, he can't openly participate in military operations without reason. His role was similar to a nuclear weapon on earth. If he participated, the Kingdom would send the cults leader. A battle between the two would likely result in both armies being obliterated in the crossfire.
Standing near the front of the convoy, Cypher and Orion, being key assets, commanded respect. Both had their dreambeasts near them at all times.
"How's your bird coming along, are you having any trouble with him?" Orion asked. Looking down at his own Dreambeast, Senmon, he held a deep care for any animal. As a branchouse member of the Corvis noble family he was often looked down on by the other main family members, however they had still assigned Senmon to him since he first showed potential to be a Weaver. After years together they had formed somewhat of an inseparable connection.
Cypher noticed this as he observed both of them interacting on the journey to the upper city level of Thorn.
"No, and he's called Rain." Cypher responded Quickly. The platform that would take the convey out of the underhive was slowly coming to view and distracted him.
"You two should work well together but don't let it go to your head. If your going to be working with me then you'll need to keep up." Ignoring Cyphers rudeness,Orion noticed his gaze was on their exit
In a large open area, a square platform big enough to fit hundreds of people lay. Its corners were held up by four large chains that connected to the ceiling like a large elevator.
"It's been a while since I was last up there, but I can't say I don't miss it." Orions voice held a tinge of nostalgia.
"Is it nice, the city? Cypher curiously asked.
"Haha, if you can get past the snakes and hypocrites playing their political chess. But on the outside, its quite the paradise."
They both stepped on to the platform as he spoke, following Clementines lead.
The sound of gears echoed from above, shaking the ground slightly.
"Get in formation, the Imperial troops are waiting for us above!" Clementine ordered, Prompting the weavers and priests to stand neatly in a square pattern, with rows displaying status.
"Cypher, Orion. The mission hasn't changed despite the circumstances. Your to follow your orders and disrupt their supply lines when we arrive." Clementine's unusualy serious voice affirmed their assumptions. If the Kingdom had had time to fortify their position, then it was essential that they had constant food to sustain their defence.
"Yes Saint."×2
Both Orion and Cypher held their fists to their chests in salute.
However not a moment later the sound of gears intensified until two massive stone slabs on the roof split apart, revealing a bright orange light beaming down from the sky above ground.
The ground beneath the army shook as the platform lifted off the ground, pulled up by four chains that strained under their weight.
Soon the platform ascended high up into the sky, like it was transportion angels to heaven. The residents of the underhive looked up in awe as they saw them leave to the city above them.
On the platform, the biting chill of the outside world instantly hit Cypher.
The outside world was uncomfortably cold, likely having temperatures in the negative degrees.
However, as a Dreamweaver, his body couldn't possibly be compromised by such things.
In a moment, they reached the top of the opening. The platform stopped with a loud thud, signaling that they had reached the top.
Finally having left the underhive, Cypher gained a chance to look at his sorroundings.
The upper city of Thorn was nothing like the city beneath. If their was one word to describe it, it would be excess.
Absolutely gigantic castles that reached taller than any skyscraper, with every inch being layered in gold, silver and marvel stone luxury materials. Mansions held plots of land that teemed with lush flowers and greenery that exuded life.
Every single building was interconnected with sleek and clean tiles that formed wide open treetlike pathways. Each one leading to a structure in the centre of the city.
In the distance, a gigantic dome shaped palace lay like a sleeping giant. This was the emporers home, a place where every descion was made and Nobles schemed for power. Around the pantheon like structure, Four large statues of fully armoured golden soldiers stood like silent guardians. Their size bigger than any other building in the city besides the palace at the centre.
"What?" Cypher was slightly stunned as he looked into the sky that painted a paradoxical picture of beauty.
Above them was an orange moon that shone with a brightness thatmade him initially think it was a star. However it was surrounded by the blackness of space, seemingly only letting it's light shines down on the planet below it.
"So that's why its so cold up here." Cypher came to a conclusion quickly. A moon wouldn't produce the heat of a star, leading to a globally low temperature as the planet he was standing on never moved or rotated.
Only now after prying his eyes away from the sky did Cypher noticed that they were in a large open field slightly outside of the city. The land seemed to stretch endlessly into Greenery on the horizon. Around them, an uncountable number of armed knights were gathered to meet them. This was the Imperial army, the soldiers that would fight with the church in the upcoming battle.
"General Ivon of the Imperial army, at your service Ms Clementine!" An old gray haired man ran with a light chain armour onto the platform and hastily greeted Clementine. Behind him, a small group of guards followed.
"General, how are you holding up?" Clementineblooked down from her horse and responded. She was technically a superior giving her a higher status than the general.
"Milady, the supply lines have been prepared with food and weapons. We've prepared everything we'll need for the campaign," Icon hastily replied before fiddling with a map on his waist and handing it to the Saint," The enemy's convoy routes and food deliverys have also been received from our spies. Take a look."
After a brief glance, she nodded, looked towards Orion and passed it down to him.
"Can you handle it?"
"Possibly. If their Dreamweavers are distracted in the main fight then we can have Rain scout out their convoys easily. But I don't believe for a second that their foolish enough to leave them ungaurded." Orion explained his thoughts, " If they do, then we'll handle it."
"Good, I'll be counting on you." With that, Clementine looked towards the entire gathered army," The Empire will not stop until our enemies are crushed! The verman of the cult will be left crucified and the soldiers will be cut down without mercy!"
The army cheered, their hearts racing with the lust for battle.
"Very well then! Move out!"
Her horse kicked the ground, getting prepared to run.