"P-please have mercy 'O divine savior, please spare me! I promise to spread your holiness across all the tribes of the woodlands!" Imaye cried in agony.
"Oh, now you choose to worship my likeness? After you ravaged our walls, and killed my people!? State the reason as to why your kind chose to commit to such atrocity, and answer my question earlier. Where are the rest of your people?"
"Th-they're all residing within the woodlands 1,500 yards east from here my Lord!" Imaye responded as quick as he could.
"And your business here?" Polaris asked with his impatience growing by the second.
"W-we heard about a new God that has been residing within this village, and our prophet Usaine, a druid. He said that this was blasphemous to our religion as a species. He wanted us to sack the village and abduct what he called the 'false deity' and serve retribution to the spirits of the woodlands. B-but you're real! You're true! Please grant me mercy 'O divine grace, make me your vessel-" Imaye was beheaded at an instant by Polaris right after talking.
"I have no respect in those that only gain faith when they fear me. I have no respect for those that surrender themselves to Gods they never believed in." Said Polaris. "Karn, Shota, treat the wounded. We will be holding a ceremony for Isle's passing. And you, Karn, see that your faith has been relinquished. Go in peace, my men, you have done me greatness." Polaris said before dismissing the platoon.
Five hours had passed after the conflict as the faith of Ireruk had increased. Polaris stood by the side of the road,, next to his captains Karn and Shota, as the village carried Isle's coffin down the street with carriages.
"Karn, have faith in me yet again, for I have have given those who have harmed our hearts the punishment they have been longing for. Karn, if you are to ever lose faith in me again, understand that I shall forgive you, and understand the power that our religion holds."
As the burial of Isle was commencing, Polaris stood atop of his podium, to give the weary hearts reassurance.
"To all those who are listening, do not fret. It is I, Polaris, the bringer of retribution, and the God to rule amongst you all. We have lost the lives of great men today, both commoners and superiors. But I am here to give you all my grace, and my apology. My apology for allowing such to happen, and I must tell you all that the lives we've lost have now entered their own valhalla, and my grace."
"We, are the bringers of justice and peace, and we work and brag under my honor. We are a growing force, and we are a religion. Rise up my followers! For I shall now be choosing an apostle to stay alongside me for our troubles. We shall prevail from our previous losses, from the deaths of Bil Sok, to the martyring of Isle. We are the force of the Northern Star, we shall now be the religion of Canis."
With great vigor and new resilience found in their hearts, the Irelurks who are now Canisians under the heat of the Northern Star rejoiced as they all prepared their tribute for the apostles.
"Me! Me!'
"No, take my son!"
"I can protect you!!"
"Guide me under your light."
The crowd chanted and screamed, begging to be by the side of Polaris, but the God had already made up his mind and put his sights upon one person.
"Karn, step into my grace. I have made you my apostle." Polaris called to him.
"B-but my Lord! I slightly lost faith in you earlier during the raid!" He said worryingly, understanding his unworthiness.
"Isn't that more of a reason to take you with me?" Polaris responded.
"Thank you, my Lord. I shall do you proud." Karn said in relief.
Three weeks later
"Hm, you've built quite the formidable force, Karn. 120 new foot soldiers for our campaign through the woodlands."
"I thank you for your gratitude 'O lord, but if I may ask, what shall be our business with the lower life forms over at the woodlands?" Karn inquired.
"Right before I executed that nymph named Imaye, he told me that they came here for a reason. To take me. They found our religion blasphemous to theirs, and their prophet, a druid named Usaine was to blame."
"Oh my, so what shall be your plan 'O Lord?" Karn asked.
"My plan is to strip the dead nymphs of their attire and equipment. Dress our foot soldiers with their insignia, and we must pose a scene. All 120 of you will walk me down the woodlands, curse me,, hit me, anything. Act like I have been captured, and that you are surrendering me to their prophet. We may not skirmish them right away due to their dirt hounds. I won't be killed, but you all will. And once we're by the throne room of their great prophet, we strike. Karn. I want you to assign divisions. We'll need a team make sure none of those nymphs catch their hands on any more socalls." Polaris said.
"Very well Sir. We shall do this so that Canis may prosper by your name!" Karn said with enthusiasm.
Days had passed as they were preparing their foot soldiers for their raid. Polaris had been able to fully rest from his fatigue due to the worship bestowed onto him and his time to rest. His ability to reign down shepherd's might had finally replenished, and so had all of his chi. As he walked outside his tavern to the city gates, he assigned Captain Shota to keep watch of the village while they were on their skirmish. As soon as he met Karn, they all set their formations and loaded their carriages as they went for their odyssey.
"Now, you are all under my protection and guidance, but you must all understand what I'm about to say. While we are in bloodshed,, i will not be able to face each one of you with my blessings, so you must all watch your flanks." Polaris said to his whole platoon as they were in their carriages and horses.
"Are there any updates regarding the divisions, Karn?"
"Yes my liege. The recombinants composed of 30 men shall be the one assisting you while you are being offered to the druid. The Instacks shall take care of any artifacts like socalls that will ruin our line, made of 20 men. The First division shall be our main battle force once you call upon us, and I will be within this division, composed of over 50 men. And we shall have reinforcements awaiting for your command at bay, composed of 20 men."
"Very well, I thank you for your obedience, Karn."
Three hours had surpassed, as nothing new had risen. Many men had fallen asleep or had succumbed to boredom. The horses and carriages were moving until Karn halted the force.
"Polaris, there's smoke in the distance, it seems like cavalry, and I recognize the insignia on their flags.. The 21st expedition guild..?"
Part 3 of Canis arc.