Chapter 04

Chapter 04 – On the way to Lors

Celeste, and her newly appointed lieutenant, Jules Cross were getting ready to depart for Lors. Normally a trip there would take about a week on the fastest magic high-speed horse but, due to the special order issued by the Patriarch, they had the Arcane Carriages on their disposal for the trip.

The Arcane Carriages were carriages powered by powerful magic that reached enormous speed levels. The trip to Lors would take just three days and, from there, the trip to the front lines in the Nameless Land would take eight days. Adding a day for the dwarves to load all the necessary materials on the carriages it would take twelve days to reach their destination.

“General! The preparations are ready! We should be departing.” said Lieutenant Cross.

“Indeed Lieutenant.”

Celeste boarded the Arcane Carriage. It was the first time she rode one. It was strange riding a carriage with no horses. It was all white and made of some kind of light metal. Getting on it she got a really weird feeling.

“First time riding one General?” asked the magician who would drive it.

“Yes. But I had read about them. They are the pride of the Magic Research Institute.” said Celeste as she was sitting in the luxurious passenger’s seat.

“You will see why soon!” said the driver.

When all the soldiers and the Carriages were ready to depart, the drivers started chanting the spell to activate the arcane powers that would move them. The carriages were engulfed in a purple light and their wheels started to move.

“Amazing! They’re really moving on their own!” said Celeste who leaned out of the window to confirm that there really were no horses pulling the carriages. “Where did you get the idea for this?”

“Well…” said the driver “it would be a lie to say we didn’t get some inspiration from Technologica. Their so-called cars… they moved without horses. So we figured we could do something like that with magic. But still it required a vast amount of magic energy so it took many years to develop and that’s why we use it only after special orders by the Imperial Army.”

“I see… taking ideas from the enemy and using them to our advantage isn’t all that bad.”

Celeste sat down at her seat marveling at how fast they were traveling. They already reached the gates of the city. Of course, after an Imperial order, the road was cleared from any carriages. The trip they had to make was of the utmost importance, so every citizen should contribute to making it easier.

Soon, Luminus was starting to get further and further away from them. Celeste got her head out of the window again and looked at the city in the distance. Luminus was the center of the Empire and the religion that united it. Before it became what it is today, it used to be named Zeneris and it was the capital of the Aurian Kingdom, the biggest of the western nations of Phantasmagoria. Back when the continent was made up of various countries, Aurian was the place people from all over gathered to study magic and find fame and fortune as adventurers, vagabonds or even knights in service of the kingdom. Aurian even traded with countries in Technologica quite often.

But everything changed once the teachings of Amosa spread in the land. The Amosian religion favored the use of magic above all and condemned technology created by humans as a hybris to the god Amosa. Technological advancements were an abomination that had to be destroyed. Of course the people of Phantasmagoria, who always preferred to use magic over mechanical devices, were quick to believe in the god whose followers preached that ultimate happiness would come upon anyone who came to them.

And this religion soon united the land. However it wasn’t a bloodless unification. The human believers of Amosa from the west, waged a war and occupied the east and also forced the non-human kingdoms of the Dwarves in Lors, the orcs in Nomaria and the mer-people of New Ismena to ally and become part of the new Empire. Only the elves of Everwood managed to stay out of the conflict by isolating their kingdom with powerful magic, not allowing anyone to come in or get out. The elves always possessed a superior kind of magic, thus the Empire decided to leave them alone.

But after the Empire was established under its first Emperor, who was also the Patriarch back then, it decided that it should convert the western continent of Technologica and force them to abandon their so-called “heathen” ways in the name of Amosa. Of course Technologica, which always had relied on technology rather than magic, responded negatively to the Empire’s surrendering calls. The countries were quick to unite in a Federation that started for temporary reasons and, soon, became permanent. Just like the Empire in Phantasmagoria, the Republic of Technologica destroyed all the countries in the western continent and made them one.

And then the Eternal War started. Using a narrow patch of land that united the two continents across the Central Sea, the so-called Nameless land, that, as the legends said, had risen from the sea bottom five hundred years ago, an all-out war between Phantasmagoria and Technologica broke out. It was practically a war between magic and technology. Everybody expected this war to be a bloodbath. What they didn’t expect however was that this war would never end.

“It’s been almost two hundred years…” thought Celeste. “It would be great if we could win this war and end it once and for all… Maybe the old Amosian believers didn’t use the best methods to unite us but it had to be done. So we could face this enemy… I hope we can finally teach them the ways of Amosa.”

Celeste was a big believer in the religion. Ever since she lost both her parents in the front lines when she was eight, believing in Amosa was what gave her strength. That and Rex.

Lieutenant Cross broke Celeste’s train of thought by remarking that the trip seemed like it would go smoothly. Celeste nodded her head. She was used to long distance trips since she went back and forth to Luminus from the front lines for the past five years. From times to times they would get assaulted by big monsters but it was nothing they couldn’t handle.

“Though, we’ll probably run into some monsters. God, I hate random monster encounters!” said Cross.

“We could always use the extra experience don’t you think Lieutenant? But don’t worry; with that speed it would take a really big and strong monster to stop us.”

“I hope it won’t happen. I don’t think I am strong enough to handle it…”

“And what role do I play here? I am a Rose General Lieutenant don’t forget!”

The lieutenant laughed. Celeste’s confidence was refreshing to him. He used to serve Lord Joshua before he was assigned to serve her. At first he didn’t like the idea of serving a little girl but she seemed alright.

“We have to go all the way south, pass near Everwood while heading east and then enter Raeyl Valley and go south and we will be in Lors territory.” said Celeste while looking at a map she had brought with her. “I know this is an urgent mission but I am excited to go there!”

It looked like the White Rose General was already enjoying her first task. The trip to Lors would prove to be completely uneventful.

Chapter 03

Chapter 03 – A little push is all one needs

 

The old tomb seemed ready to fall apart at any moment. Soil kept leaking from the cracks in the ceiling whenever something touched the walls. The moisture and the smell of the mold made the atmosphere inside unbearable. Not even monsters were foolish enough to tread to such a dangerous place. 

And yet the young treasure hunter persevered. The main chamber was just a few steps away. Holding the torch in her left hand she pushed forward in the narrow corridor.

“Just a little more.” she whispered to herself.

Finally her steps brought her in front of the stone door blocking the entrance to the main chamber. She started looking around for a way to open the door.

“Um, it has to be around here.”

She neared the walls near the door and started touching them in hopes of finding some kind of contraption that would allow her to reach her destination. After touching almost every stone near the door and getting her hands all dirty, the young treasure hunter found a stone that was different. She pushed it.

The whole tomb trembled and the cracks in the ceiling let out more soil than usual but the old stone door moved to unveil the main chamber.

“You did it Nessa!” the girl said to herself and, carefully, she passed through the door to find herself in a big room.

It was pitch dark around there. The girl, Nessa, sighed and put her torch up. She waved it around and said a spell. The torch let out four smaller flames that travelled around the room and set themselves into key positions, illuminating the whole chamber.

Nessa could see her aim in front of her. An old sarcophagus of a long forgotten king lay in front of her. Holding her breath, she came close to it. The stone lid of the sarcophagus looked too heavy for her to lift. But Nessa didn’t seem to bother at all. She touched the blue pendant hanging from her neck.

“May you rest in peace and excuse me for what I am going to do but I bet you don’t really need all that stuff do you?” she said.

With these words she threw her torch on the floor and put her hands on the stone lid. She pushed it but it didn’t barge. Not showing disappointment, she pushed again, harder. Again the lid didn’t move. She did it once more but this time her arm muscles became bigger, like she drank some kind of strengthening potion. The lid moved and fell to the ground with an awfully loud sound.

The mummy inside was adorned with all sorts of jewelry, yet Nessa ignored most of them and went for a big blue orb that the mummy had in its hands. But it was really hard to get it out.

“C’mon old man you’re not in dire need of this. Let… it… go…” said Nessa while fighting to get the orb from the mummy’s hands. It proved a task of its own.

In the end, Nessa put so much strength in pulling that both the orb and the mummy’s hands came off and it sent her flying across the room.

“Ouch! Geez you sure know how to put up a fight for a dead guy!”

Taking the orb, Nessa picked her torch again and rushed to leave the room. If her experiences as a treasure hunter were correct, this tomb would crumble any moment now. And, indeed, after she had taken a few steps in the corridor, the whole place started shaking violently. Nessa started to run to the exit.

“I hate it when I’m right! And what’s with all these tombs caving in once you get the treasure? Be a little more productive you old kings!” she shouted as she ran as fast as she could.

The tomb ceiling was crumbling behind her. Nessa saw the light from the exit at the end of the corridor and sprinted. She managed to get outside as the stones supporting the exit fell down in rubbles.

Nessa lay on the grass and looked at the sky. The light of the day blinded her but the fresh air made her feel so much better. The orb was safe in her backpack and she too was in one piece. She laughed and breathed a sigh in relief.

“It looks like you succeeded in getting it.” A deep voice cut her joy short.

“Yes…” she said in a serious tone as she rose and stood up, still shaken from the flight.

A short man, accompanied by two tall brutes came near her. He wore luxurious clothes and held a gem-crusted cane. He looked like a very rich and very cunning man. Without saying anything more, he opened his hand, waiting for Nessa to hand something over to him.

“You don’t waste any time, huh Rogers?” asked Nessa looking kind of disappointed.

“Of course. Don’t forget who’re you’re working for Nessa. Give me the orb.”

Nessa laughed. She touched her pendant again and stood silent for a brief moment. Then she finally spoke.

“How could I? But you know what Rogers? I decided I would be self-employed starting today.”

She had just spoken these words when she took a small bomb from her belt and threw it on the ground. It was a smoke bomb and it engulfed the place that was still dusty from the tomb collapse earlier. The man, Rogers, and his two sidekicks started coughing and tried to clear the smoke. When it went away, Nessa had disappeared.

“Damn her! I should have expected she’d do that!” he roared. “Men, we need to find her and fast. She’s got my orb!”

Meanwhile Nessa was running as fast as she could through the valley where she was. Even if monsters tried to chase her she would outrun them.

“Sorry folks. No time to slice you! I need to find a place to lay low for now!” she shouted.

The Grasslands were a vast area. Where could she go to escape her, now former, employer?

Chapter 2

Chapter 02 – First Duties as a Rose General

It had been a month since the inauguration of Celeste Rozenburg to the position of the White Rose General. It was a tradition for the newly appointed Generals to take a break from the front lines and build publicity with the people around the capital.

“I’d rather I travelled to the Alamar region as well. No one ever goes there, right?” said Celeste to Rex as they were going down the hallways of the Imperial Palace. They had been summoned to the War Room, clearly to be given orders to return to the front lines of the war.

“Alamar is so far away from here and from the war. We shouldn’t really care about them unless they decide to rebel.” said Rex calmly. “More importantly, it seems we will return to the front lines. Are you prepared?”

“Yessir! I took this time to rest as well so I will be ok. Don’t worry.”

“Perfect. You need to show them that they didn’t make a mistake by trusting you with this position. I put my honor on the line for this. Don’t disappoint me Celeste.”

“I won’t Rex… I promise!” Celeste replied all flustered.

Rex laughed at her expression. “We’re here.” he said.

When they entered they found Lord Joshua and Alexius already there with the Patriarch. Alexius made a weird face when he saw them together.

“Oh! Where were you? Fooling around? Don’t you know that relationships between Generals are forbidden?” he said mockingly.

“D… don’t misunderstand!” replied Celeste all red. She still wasn’t used to Alexius making fun of her. But his words always hit close at home.

“Now, young ones, behave.” said the Patriarch sternly, shutting them up. “As you understand I summoned you here because the situation at the front lines requires your presence there immediately.”

“All four of us?” asked Lord Joshua. “Are things that bad?”

The Patriarch nodded and he pointed at the map laid out on the table at the center of the room. It was a map of the Nameless Land, a piece of land connecting the two warring continents. It belonged to nobody and t was the perfect place to wage the Eternal War that went on for almost two hundred years with the two opposing forces gaining the upper hand and losing it consecutively.

The Patriarch clicked his fingers and, suddenly, magical representations of strategic points appeared at the map. Using magic was an everyday habit in the Holy Empire of Phantasmagoria and the main focus of the Amosa Religion.

“As you can see…” he said “the Republic has introduced some new mechanical war suits and they have been hammering our positions nonstop for the past week. Our magic barriers won’t be able to hold much longer and our offensive spells don’t hurt them much. If this goes on we will be at a great disadvantage in a month. We may even lose the war.”

“We can’t let that happen!” shouted Alexius.

“Of course we cannot. Therefore I want you to return to the front lines ASAP. I heard that both the Blue Rose and the Red Rose have developed a defensive and offensive spell during your stay at the capital. Is that right?” the Patriarch asked his subordinates.

“Indeed we have.” answered Joshua. “Though I am not sure how strong the barrier I have created is, it is certainly stronger that the ones we use now.”

“And my spell is lightning-based so it’s great for short-circuiting their robots.” said Rex. “But we need to amplify it because the range is limited.”

“My barrier needs amplifying too.”

“That can be a problem.” said the Patriarch. “Right now all the amplification cannons are being used in the front lines. We don’t have any spares to set up and we cannot afford to withdraw any to change their settings.”

“So we need to get new cannon materials. You know, right now, the only place that has them is Lors Mountain, the Dwarven Province.” said Alexius.

“It will take time to transport them to the Nameless Land from Lors. We have to issue a special order and use the Arcane Carriages.” said Rex. “Will you do it Sir?”

“I will issue that order immediately. However we cannot leave this mission to any lower rank officers.” answered the Patriarch.

“Indeed.” Rex turned to Celeste. “Therefore Sir, I suggest that Lady Celeste go and bring those materials from Lors. Let this be her first mission as a Rose General.”

“Great idea Red Rose. This is a great chance for the White Rose to show us how she can handle a top priority mission. White Rose, you are to depart immediately for Lors tomorrow morning. The rest of the Roses must hurry to the front lines. We have to reverse the situation.”

Hearing the Patriarchs order, Celeste responded affirmatively. She and the rest of the Generals waited for the Patriarch to exit before they could leave.

“Well, Miss Rozenburg.” said Alexius after the Patriarch left. “There it is. Your first official mission. You have to complete it accurately and with utmost caution. If you fail…”

“Yessir! I will not disappoint or betray the trust you have shown me.” said Celeste and gave her military greeting.

“For the glory of Amosa and the Empire.” said Lord Joshua and everyone repeated his words. Afterwards they left the room.

Rex took Celeste with him and they left the Castle and went past the Royal Gardens to a secluded gardener’s shack. It was a place they often went to when they were together at the capital.

“Don’t be afraid.” said Rex after they arrived. “This mission is quite easy.”

“I am not. Just a little stressed. I have to act like a General now.” Celeste walked to a patch of white roses and kneeled to look at them.

“When you feel really pressured you can always come and talk to me. Remember I will always be your ally.”

“Yes… I know. But I will show you I won’t need your help anymore. I can stand on my feet now. I am strong!”

“Hahaha. You’re still that little girl I know. You haven’t changed one bit. Still acting like you’re the mightiest girl around, huh?”

“Am I not?” Celeste turned and looked at Rex smiling and pulling out her tongue.

“You definitely are. Anyway… we will meet again at the battlefield. So, let’s take this time to relax a little.” said Rex and went near a patch of red roses. He picked one and smelled it.

Celeste was looking at him the whole time. Ever since they were little, she was always looking at him. He was her inspiration and she followed him to the army to be with him. Although she denied it for the longest time, she had finally come to terms with her feelings. She was in love with Rex Soren. Not the Rose General but the man himself. But she could never find the courage to tell him. Besides it being forbidden now that she was a Rose General like him, Rex seemed to think of her as his little sister. He couldn’t love her back like this. Therefore her feelings were doomed to remain unspoken.

“But you know… I am excited that I get to go to Lors. I haven’t seen any dwarves before.” she said.

“Really? They usually came and brought supplies to the front lines. You really haven’t seen any?”

“No. I guess I wasn’t around any time they came.”

Rex laughed and tossed the rose to Celeste.

“Anyway, do your job properly Miss Rozenburg. It’s your first duty as the White Rose after all.” he said.

Celeste nodded and held the rose so tight in her hands that it prickled her.