Adrastos, the old mystic stood upon the rampart staring off into the fields beyond. Joseph joined the aged wise man upon those walls.
"It is stirring," the old man said as Joseph approached. The statement was a little too matter of fact for Joseph's liking. Up til now, he still found himself hoping that all of this was the ramblings of a mad man. The contingent of soldiers that accompanied Adrastos numbered less than a hundred. Yet Joseph had been assured that each of them were expertly trained for the battle ahead.
"You should prepare your men," Adrastos said, turning to face Joseph. He paused, looking into Joseph's eyes as though he were going to say something else, but did not and walked further down the length of the wall. Joseph watched the old man for some time. Adrastos walked the length of each wall, staring off into the horizon. There was something steady and powerful about Adrastos despite his obvious age. Adrastos' men, who had been so grim and aloof upon his meeting them in the company of the new Emperor were now walking amongst the troops and engaging them in cordial conversation. These men who all seemed to be either Northern Greek or outright Macedonian seemed to move from group to group with ease, speaking to each man in his native tongue. Many of the mercenaries seemed to enjoy the discourse. These knights of the Sol Invictus as they had been introduced to Joseph were a curious lot. But he was glad to have them. If nothing else, they were at least improving morale.
Once Joseph had set a night watch and archers upon the battlements, he called forth the captains of his men to address the army. Joseph found himself wishing that anyone else could give this ludicrous speech. But sadly, it had to fall to him as commander of the army. Adrastos stood next to him like some old wizard behind a king. Joseph seemed to recall such a thing from an old story, though he could not readily place it at the moment.
"You have been called together to create a great and mighty army to defend the Empire from her enemies. The Empire thanks you for your assistance in this matter."
Joseph knew that he was already addressing a restless crowd. They had been allowed no plunder in taking this fortress as was custom. He could not afford to have the strength of the fortress reduced in any way, nor the populace any additional reason to despise them. Every body would be needed. Thankfully Akhlat was a large enough area to have a few brothels nearby. In place of rape and pillage, whores had been brought to the leaders and captains of each brigade of mercenaries or company of soldiers. Horses had been traveling back and forth to neighboring villages all evening and night in hopes of, if not satiating, at least pacifying the men for now. Byzantine gold could speak volumes where all other forms of communication had broken down.
Over a hundred women were quietly circulating through the camp. The presence of the whores could not be made public however, as there were far too few to service even the bulk of his army of over 50,000 fighting men. They were merely meant to pacify the superiors that could keep them in line. And then favored soldiers if there was time. So for now, he had their attention. And if Adrastos was correct, he only needed to keep them quelled for tonight anyway. There might truly be no tomorrow.
"But tomorrow you will be called to an even higher purpose. God himself will be watching over you as you defend Christendom and mankind from a terrible host not of this world. All of your courage and strength will be required. Rest and make merry this evening, and tomorrow we fight for God and all men!"
At first only the knights of Sol Invictus and various officers who had received their 'bribe' cheered. Amongst the rest of the army there were murmurs of disbelief and confusion. From the pieces he could catch, the soldiers guessed that this was merely more propaganda of the Roman Empire against their enemies, and that this next battle was to be taken especially serious.
Servants brought out stores of wine, meat and bread to the soldiers. Musicians were found from amongst the town folk, and they were commanded to play. Small parties broke out around the various camps.
"We must move to the gate," Joseph heard from somewhere in his dreams. He sat up. The sun had not yet risen, but the hint of it was on the horizon. He looked about the room. He knew he had heard a voice, but no one was there. He walked outside and saw four old mystics sitting around a small fire, staring into it intently.
"Are you ready?" Adrastos asked.
"If I said no?" Joseph asked.
"Then you would be a wise man," Adrastos replied with a grin. The humor helped relieve his apprehension, but the greater implications of the man's statement continued to echo in his mind. If he were indeed facing some otherworldly foe, there was perhaps no real preparing for it. The Sol Invictus warriors gathered around one of the Greek priests. The priest read rites and said blessings to the kneeling warriors. Joseph sent his messengers through the camp to wake the men. After giving his instructions he decided to sit in amongst the warriors of the Sol Invictus. To his surprise he was welcomed into their midst. He knelt, closed his eyes, and listened to the priest.
"It is you who are the true defenders of mankind. It is upon your shoulders that rests the greatest of burdens, and the gods will be proud of your protection of their creation, of your defense of the innocent from the greatest of evils," the priest went on.
Joseph found himself wondering at the strangeness of what the priest had just said. Gods? There was but one God. What could the old priest be referring to but the myths of old?
Joseph looked up to see that a number of his officers were already assembled. He stood and walked over to them.
"You have called us together so early? We see no enemies approaching," Jacques de Chavelier, one of the French captains asked.
"My scouts have found our enemy, and we must press them back from this territory," Joseph responded.
"You have the formation plans, we shall all meet beyond the south wall," Joseph continued.
Uruk, the massive Varangian walked up next to Joseph.
"I hear tale that we are facing a dark enemy. Not Turk, Bulgar or Arab," Uruk said in his native Nordic tongue.
"You have heard truth. We go to face a host of monsters that seek only destruction," Joseph replied. The big Norseman smiled with a fire in his eyes that Joseph found vaguely unsettling.
"Good," the huge Norseman began. "We shall face true monsters like the heroes of old, and our names shall be remembered in greatness."
"We have to defeat them first," Joseph replied. Uruk simply laughed heartily, swinging his immense battle axe over his shoulder and striding over to his equally large and stalwart comrades. Several shouts were raised up as they held their weapons overhead. Apparently the idea of fighting inhuman monsters excited them. Although unsettled, Joseph found himself glad that he had such powerful and eager allies.
He observed William, captain of the Norman mercenaries, walk over to the Varangians. Sharing a common ancestry and language, William asked what the excitement was about. Uruk related that they would soon be fighting a heroic battle against a great and mighty foe, slaying monsters like the heroes of old. William seemed to find the whole matter very queer, and walked back to his own men. He and his comrades cavorted in hushed tones. One of William's men, an adventurous knight named Roger strode over to Uruk's men to confirm the story. After this, he approached Joseph. The army was beginning to file outside.
"Is it true that we are going to face an army of monsters?" Roger asked.
"It is," Joseph replied simply.
Roger nodded slowly, taking in the news.
"Then I hope God is watching us, and this counts for redemption," Roger said, walking away.
Roger lined up with the tall, strong Normans, with William on a horse with the company of cavalry at the helm of the Norman mercenaries. Roger spoke with some of the men closest to himself, but Joseph could not make out what he said, nor did he have any longer to wait. With his personal retinue and cavalry around him, he proceeded out of the fortress with the Sol Invictus following close behind. Dust rose all around him as thousands of armed men left the gates of the city.
The Sol Invictus was lead by the old mystics, who in turn had a retinue of holy men in vestments gathered around them. Even the Crusader armies of Syria did not have such arraignments. Joseph found himself marveling at the strangeness of the Sol Invictus. The mystics who seemed to be their leaders were the most simply dressed. They were plain white robes with no distinguishing marks, and they all carried a large satchel filled with scrolls and sundry other items. The holy men surrounding the mystics were finely arrayed in the sequined vestments of the Orthodox Church. The Bishop in their midst had a large book on a gold chain with an ornate clasp over the cover which Joseph could only guess to be the Bible.
The soldiers marching together behind them were all arrayed in a royal blue with argent cross. Their shields however were engraved with two overlain Greek symbols. Chi and Rho. They were an example of a professional army. Uniformly arrayed, with shield and spear in hand; sword at their side. Archers brought up the rear of this contingent. They too were just as disciplined as the rest of the unit. Joseph imagined that this was what the great Roman armies of old once looked like, when the borders of the empire stretched from Persia to England. Joseph felt a certain amount of relief from being surrounded by the Varangians, the Sol Invictus and the Norman mercenaries. He was personally surrounded by the greatest fighters in the world. There should be little to fear. But Joseph knew better.
The rest of this bedraggled lot would likely run at the first sign of real danger. Joseph simply hoped he could rally enough force to drive back whatever menace he might face.
There was a swirling in the distant sands ahead. Some scouts said that a sandstorm might be on the horizon. Adrastos road up alongside Joseph.
"The gate is open, they are coming through," Adrastos said grimly. He road forward to the head of the column to gaze beyond. Joseph called for his army to assume battle formations. There was some murmuring and confusion amongst the soldiers. There was no army within site. The Varangians gripped their weapons eagerly and shouted loudly.
Joseph joined the priests and mystics that road forward, ahead of the army. What Joseph saw made his blood run cold.
In a wide amorphous circle it appeared as though red sand were continually rising from the ground. Gouts of flame burst out from various points within the swirling red sand. A loud, low guttural sound emitted from within the swirling redness. A single massive entity strode forth. It had red skin, curving black horns and a menacing gaze even from far away. It held an enormous spiked club in one hand. Holding a long, curved black horn, it blew into it. Another loud, low, guttural sound emitted from the horn, and more, similar creatures emerged from the swirling red.
"They look dangerous, but I do not think it will take this entire host to vanquish them," Joseph said looking to his compatriot.
Atropos said nothing. His eyes remained fixed on the red, and on the figures that had emerged. Each of these creatures held forth a horn. This sound was higher pitched, brassier, and blasted. It echoed inhumanly across the desert sands. Hundreds of strange creatures skittered forward from the swirling redness. They moved on four insectoid legs. A menacing pincer-like mandible snapped audibly as they crawled forth. Behind these were what appeared to be the actual soldiers. Red in black armor, spikes protruding from elbow, knee and shoulder. They carried long black spears with wickedly curved points. Behind these were more creatures, these with hunch backs, thick gnarled arms with huge meaty fists carrying heavy spiked clubs. They were wearing thick, crude armor and rounded helmets.
"Return to your men quickly and bring them here," Adrastos said, not looking away from the growing army.
"But we should draw them out, assess their strength and test their-" Joseph countered.
"There is no time!" the old man turned and shouted. "We must keep them from mobilizing, or from any more coming through. If we can drive back this first wave, we can keep the others from coming through as well."
The gravity of Adrastos' words ran through Joseph's blood like ice in the desert heat. This imposing army before him was merely the first wave? Then Joseph thought of his reading about Hell. Scholars spoke of the countless hordes of demons that filled the damned ranks of Hell. Joseph had just turned his head when he heard a loud sizzling sound overhead. He turned to see what he could only think of as flaming boulders flying through the air. Adrastos and some nearby him raised their hands and began chanting. The flaming boulders exploded overhead loudly, with the shrapnel all being propelled away. Joseph marveled. Adrastos had somehow created an invisible barrier to protect from the incoming projectiles. He was shaken from his moment of awe by Adrastos' stern voice.
"Now!"
Joseph kicked his horse and hurried back to his men. He could see the confusion on their faces as he approached. They had heard the explosion ahead. Joseph rode to his officers and gathered them around.
"The enemy is using some form of catapult against us, we'll need to strike quickly and take the fight to them to diminish the effect of this," Joseph announced to those gathered. Joseph looked over his shoulder and considered what might happen on the battlefield. The very sight of such an enemy may cause his already ungainly assortment of soldiers to scatter like the sands. Quickly, he called Uruk, the Varangian, William, the Norman, and John the Armenian over to him.
"Uruk, I need your men to remain in the rear with me, William, your men will take the vanguard with the Germans. John, I need your men in front of us here in the rear," Joseph stated quickly.
"My men seek honor and glory in this great battle!" Uruk roared, not at all happy at the prospect of missing out on the fighting.
"And why do my men take all the risk in this fight?" William asked. John stayed silent. Shrewd, Joseph thought to himself.
"Uruk, I know your men support and believe in this battle, which is why I need you near me for this all to work. William, I know that you believe as well, and with what we will find ahead, the men will need some one to rally them to the front. You will not be alone, the Greeks will fight alongside you, specifically the elite corps I have brought with me," at this Joseph nodded to Hadrian, Captain of the Sol Invictus. William looked over his shoulder to Hadrian, who nodded back. William sighed softly.
"So its true. We are fighting demons," William both stated and asked.
"I have just seen them beyond the next sand dune," Joseph replied.
"And the Greeks and I are to rally the men to the front?" William said.
"That is my hope," Joseph replied.
"And why do you want your greatest warriors at the back with you?" William asked.
"That brings us to the truly grim part of the operation. I believe that the site and strength of our enemy will put many of our comrades to flight, John, that is where your spears come into play. I will place you at the backs of the Franks, behind the Germans," Joseph said.
"You are to lower arms and strike down any that turn to flee," Joseph finished heavily.
John nodded, his eyes resigned with the further realization of Joseph's words, "and the Varangians are with you to keep my men from running.
Joseph nodded once. William laughed humourlessly.
"Some trust you've got in your army," William spat.
"Mercenaries are not known for their loyalty or willingness to die," Joseph said stoically.
"Neither are natives from my experience," William countered.
"Then you all see why this is necessary," Joseph said.
"We go to fight the devil eh?" John said evenly. He looked off to the horizon where the enemy force awaited. "Then I hope we all are ready."
With this, John clasped arms with Joseph and rode back to his men. William looked at Joseph for a long moment before donning his helmet.
"This is by far the craziest enterprise I have ever gotten myself mixed up in," William said.
"Let us all hope it forever stays that way," Joseph replied. William grinned and chuckled once. With that, he rode up next to the Greeks, who filed alongside the Normans, taking their new place at the vanguard. The Germans laughed and clapped their comrades on the shoulders as they took position or passed by. The Franks eyed their comrades suspiciously, from the Greeks and Normans in front to the Armenians behind them. A French captain, Hugh de Bordeaux, rode up to Joseph.
"Why are we rearranging the army so?" he asked.
"I have scouted ahead and see this as our best chances for success," Joseph replied.
"Why then have I not been consulted?" Hugh asked curtly.
"Because nothing for your men has changed. You still hold the center," Joseph stated. Hugh did not look at all pleased with this answer.
"Is there some Greek trickery at work here?" Hugh demanded.
"Our purpose or plan has not changed. We have still come here to win," Joseph said. Hugh waited as though something more should be said. Something in Joseph's eyes made him decide not to continue to push the subject. He wheeled his horse around and rejoined his men. He could hear muttering, and a few sergeants asking Hugh questions in their native tongue. The murmuring did not sound pleased and he saw several doubtful looks cast from their number in his direction. But Joseph felt more secure with John at their back.
Joseph looked to Uruk. "We ready?"
Uruk chuckled. Joseph could see the kinship between his men and the Normans.
"Ever ready," Uruk said.
With that, the horn sounded and Joseph mighty host marched forth. Flashes and rumbling sounded ahead, as though a strong storm were on the horizon. Joseph knew better.
Joseph called for the archers to take the front and rode up alongside them. They were the first up the hill. He saw the fear strike the faces of his archers when they beheld their enemy. Some blue light was emanating from Adrastos and his men, and the demons were striking at whatever barrier protected them, trying to strike through it.
"We must strike at them now, cause as many casualties as we can!" Joseph cried out. At this the archers started, but remembered their purpose. The archers loaded and fired. Arrows sang through the air and struck red flesh and black steel. Many arrows bounced harmlessly off the hardened armor. The arrows that did find home seemed to barely phase their new bearers. Very few demons fell. The demon spider-hounds sped forward.
"Quick, aim for the vanguard, take down as many as possible!" Joseph cried out again. The archers loaded again, and fired again, Many more of these arrows found their mark and seemed to have greater affect on these creatures than their larger, heartier brethren more to the rear. Joseph ordered them to load and fire again. The second volley was still in the air when the spider-hounds surged forward and were on top of the archers. Those that could turned and ran. Those near the front screamed horribly as they were rent asunder by the evil looking mandible pincers and the wicked, serrated claws on the forelegs of the creatures. The vanguard were right behind them.
Joseph turned to ride back and rally the cavalry. He would attempt to strike at their flanks. The Invictii, Normans and Germans saw the army next. The Germans looked shocked. The Invictii called out to their comrades.
"For God and man!" they yelled in German before lunging forward with spears. Each Invictii adeptly pierced one of the spider-hounds just above the mandible with their spears. Some were injured by the spiked forelegs, but each soldier managed to slay their mark. The Normans followed suit, hacking at the legs with their large swords, severing appendages as though they were hacking through a forest. These creatures were still not to be easy prey for any man, and several of the Normans were taken, clawed or chewed horribly. The Normans quickly learned from the Greek compatriots and thrust their swords down into the 'heads' of these things, just above the mandible. Hot black liquid would burst forth, sometimes burning their slayer.
The Germans behind seemed confused and nervous about attacking these monsters. The Normans and the Greeks both spread out as the vanguard of the enemy army approached quickly. They braced themselves and rushed forward to meet the assault. The crunch of steel and flesh was sickening and very loud. The Germans seemed confused. The first few lines were in the thick of the combat before they had time to think. Some more brave souls rushed forward to fight. These were hewn to pieces by the long sharp spears and powerful arms that wielded. them. The others warriors in the vanguard began to stagger backwards.
Joseph had brought the Turkomen, Syrian and Greek cavalry forward. Turkish archers began circling, peppering the enemy with arrows. Joseph brought his cavalry in an arch and charged into the left flank of the enemy. Many horses fell, but many demons as well. Josephs charge plunged deep into the ranks of his enemy. He ordered his men to disengage and turn, to prepare for another charge. Many of the men in the front were either unhorsed or locked in combat. The other demons ran forth to ensnare or surround the other cavalry. Joseph found that his men were having great difficulty extricating themselves from the tangle of lances and demon spears.
The Normans at the back of their respective lines shouted jeers and taunts to the uncertain Germans. Some took the bate and joined the fray. Others were undecided as the Franks rose over the crest and were aghast at what they beheld. Cries and shouts arose from their ranks. Hugh rode forward to see what all the dismayed sounds were about. He felt his blood run cold at what he saw. Otherworldly creatures were gnawing on or hacking through men as more poured through a swirling red abyss in the distance.
The Franks began to recede from the fray as the Germans pressed backward. The whole center began to fragment and push backward. The Greeks and Normans at the front called out to the comrades to join the fray. They were pressed against badly at the front. Fighting between the Greeks, Normans and demons was fierce as only men fighting for their lives against unholy forces can ever truly understand. Something primal was awoken in each man to fight and destroy what was before him. Yet each man was met with unyielding heartiness and strength. The mightiest of blows seemed barely to phase their opponents while with a swing they sent one or two men to the ground each time.
Joseph had finally pulled away his cavalry by turning it into another charge alongside the enemies flank and arching outward. The gambit had cost him easily a third of his cavalry. The others were battered and badly shaken. Joseph turned to see the battle at the front and was immediately dismayed. He saw the Normans and Greeks fighting ferociously at the front, but being overwhelmed, while the rest of the center drew back from the fight. Joseph's cavalry could only reach the flank nearest the Normans, but he needed to strike now to keep the battle from being lost.
He shouted for the Turkish archers to continue peppering the center while he brought his cavalry around and made a charge in a pincer like attack on the right foremost part of the enemy army. Demons turned to face the new enemy and found themselves run through by their Norman opponents. Some Normans had taken to flight at this point. Some of the Germans toward the center however were heartened at seeing their general at the front and their combined forces slaying the demons in the front. These Germans charged forth and the right foremost columns of the enemy force began to crumble.
The Franks were nearly in full route when they encountered a wall of shields and spears awaiting them. Several Franks were already laying on the ground bleeding. The Armenians stared grimly at their compatriots from across the line. Pleas were shouted. Hugh rode to the front.
"What is the meaning of this?" Hugh shouted.
"Turn around and do what you were paid for," John the Armenian called back.
"And what were your men hired for? To stab us in the back during the fight?" Hugh exclaimed for all to hear.
"No, we have orders only to strike cowards in the chest and face until we see their backs again," John said flatly. Hugh's face became red as he snarled.
"You treacherous Armenian devils!" Hugh screamed.
"The devils are behind you. And it will take all of us to defeat them," John called back. At this point Uruk could take no more and had pushed his way to the front of the Armenians.
"You bellow like pregnant women! We have the honor of fighting the legions of Devil himself! God has called upon us to do mighty deeds which shall be remembered forever. How pleased will God be in Heaven for our fulfillment of this duty? What greater righteousness can any man hope for than to wade through the blood of demons?" Uruk shouted to the dismayed Franks.
"Out of our way or we will cut you down!" Hugh spat back.
"You would waste all that strength against your fellow man rather than focus it upon the spawn of the Devil?" John asked in his usual stoic manner. Hugh growled. He seemed genuinely conflicted. He looked back over his shoulder toward the fighting.
"If we are to spill our blood this day, should it at not at least be for something worth while?" John asked.
The discussion was caught off by the sudden clanging sounds to the now rear of the Franks. The Franks in the middle turned to see the red skinned demons charging into their midst. Obviously the middle of the front lines had broken and the demons were pouring through. The tall, powerfully built ones charged forward with their wicked black spears, causing the blood to flow freely. They decimated the unprepared and distracted ranks of the Franks. The ones behind them turned to face their enemies. These were reinforced by their comrades although casualties were still heavy.
"We are being slaughtered! For the grace of God let us through!" Hugh shrieked. John was unmoved.
"Turn and help your countrymen if you have any honor at all!" Uruk called back.
Thunderous footfalls could be heard from behind the vanguard that was pressing heavily into the French with their spears. The massive, stooped, gnarled creatures thundered forward, swinging massive spiked clubs. Bone shattered and blood sprayed where ever these massive clubs landed. Those closest to the melee swung their swords at the incoming enemy. Yet the Franks were fractured and not of a common mind. Their half hearted attempt at defense was shattered by the force and intensity of the charging demons.
Hugh's fear now turned to mindless terror and he spurred his horse, charging toward the Armenian line. Uruk stepped forward. With one swipe the foremost leg of Hugh's horse was removed. Uruk changed directions and swung the ax in an arch down on Hugh, silencing his cries forever. With another chop he put the horse out of its misery as well. Several Franks had ran forward with Hugh only to be impaled on Armenian spears. Uruk's booming voice echoed over the chaos.
"Go back and fight like men!" Uruk boomed. Some of the Franks were startled by Uruk's sheer intensity. Uruk, unable to wait any longer, charged forward shouting.
"Forward men, strike down anything coming toward you," John commanded. The Armenian wall of shields and spears began moving forward. Towards the edges, some men simply ran off into the desert. Those more towards the center turned resignedly to face their opponents. They inched forward ahead of the Armenians. Some decided to charge forward. These at least had the mercy of dying quickly.
Uruk charged the nearest demon, swinging with his mighty ax. The ax caught mostly metal and his foe staggered slightly. Uruk was amazed. Never had an opponent still been alive much less remained standing after his ax connected. His foe took advantage of his surprise and rushed forward. The two collided with the clang of metal.
The Sol Invictii had moved to form a protective ring around the priests and mystics. With gestures and words, the mystics and priests sent demons sprawling back as the Invictii knights themselves fought furiously with those that approached. Joseph and his contingent had pulled back to regroup, allowing the demons to surge into the bulk of his army. Joseph felt justified in this since his forces at the front were so thin and he knew the Armenians and Varangians would be holding the center. Hopefully they would be able to encircle and destroy this enemy host.
Joseph called out to the mounted archers to continue firing arrows into the thick of the enemy. Joseph wheeled his horse about to get a better look at the mystics. Some powerful blue light was emanating from them that drove the demons away from them. The Invictii themselves seemed to be infused with this same light and struck down their adversaries with righteous fury. Adrastos rode from his position amongst the Invictii toward the swirling red. One by one, the other priests and mystics followed.
The middle of the Frankish contingent was maddening. Piles of dead lay on either side. The Franks had turned to face their adversaries and the distrustful Armenians were right at their back. The fighting had become scattered enough that the demons were meeting with the Armenian line. Varangians, unable to contain themselves any longer, had begun moving through the Armenian ranks to join the fray. Blood, both black and red ran thick upon the ground making it slick. The fighters in the center fought to maintain their balance. The Varangians were surprised again like Uruk by the resilience of their foes, but this only fueled their efforts further.
The Armenians continued to move forward as a solid wall of spears, clashing with the demons wherever they made contact. Spears clashed from both sides. The phalanx formation prevented the pure brute strength of the demons from breaking their ranks. Many demons found themselves skewered at the end of the Armenian spears. The Varangians moved to distance themselves from the Armenians so that the demons that got past them would find themselves between spear and ax.
The large brutes charged forward behind the demons' spear men, shattering bone and armor like dry twigs. Even the mighty Varangians found themselves hurled to the ground by the sheer force of these gnarled brutes. Between these two waves of demons it was becoming apparent that the Germans had been completely obliterated and the French mostly destroyed. The sheer number of French mercenaries brought to the battle (the center, and largest contingent) was all that had truly still kept them in the battle. French losses were severe. The Varangians shouted, hoping to give heart to their French comrades, but these new opponents with the strength of bulls made even their might buckle. Varangians started finding themselves pulverized by the massive clubs of the brutes.
The Armenians continued to press forward, fighting doggedly with the opposing spear men, hoping to make way to the thicker fighting and relieve their comrades. John kept urging on his men. He glanced over his shoulder briefly seeing only a small retinue of Greek officers as the remaining rear guard.
Uruk and his men were heartened by the sudden arrival of Normans by their side. The front line had apparently fallen back to their position. Uruk was not sure how this affected the battle as a whole but was relieved that they were temporarily reinforced. As Norman swords and Varangian axes joined to thwart demonic might, Uruk and William both noticed the enemy falling back. They were striking and attacking as they retreated but it was becoming apparent that the enemy was in fact retreating!
Uruk and William both raised their weapons, called to their allies and charged into the demons as they made their egress. At this, John the Armenian ordered a full charge of his men to strike down the enemy.
Despite the unwieldy nature of the demon army it was surprisingly controlled in its retreat. They were now attempted to move away from their enemies more quickly, but continued to fight their way to safety. At this, the Normans, Varangians and Armenians charged toward their adversary.
Toward what had initially been the front of the battle, Joseph noticed Hadrian motioning to him. Joseph thrust his sword through the throat of a nearby demon and looked back up at Hadrian. Hadrian was motioning toward Adrastos. His own men were hemmed about by demons while the rest of the army seemed to be in a full retreat back to the swirling red sands.
Quickly and unquestioningly he summoned his nearest cavalry and made a straight line for Adrastos, cutting down or forcing their way through demons as they went. Joseph looked over his shoulder to see the center of his army marching forward in pursuit of the enemy. His heart lightened for the first time since the battle had begun. It seemed that his army had won the day. Excited, he quickened his pace to meet up with Adrastos.
"The true enemy comes!" Adrastos shouted as a strong wind picked up from within the swirling redness. Joseph did not at all like the sound of this.
A sudden, immense gust of wind blasted from within the swirling redness, knocking several men to the ground. Adrastos simply held out a hand, and the sand seemed to disperse around him. From within a massive man, red skin, carrying a long black staff emerged from red abyss. His eyes gleamed white, his face was covered with coarse, black hair. Short, curving goat horns protruded from his forehead. He grinned a row of wicked white teeth. He stabbed the ground with his staff and the sands rolled like a wave away from him. Several of Joseph's approaching cavalry were completely engulfed and then never seen again.
Adrastos raised his hand and the blue light appeared again. The priests all behind him appeared to be praying. Hadrian had made it to their side. He had begun drawing shapes in the sand with his spear furiously. Joseph had no idea what the meaning of it was although he did not for a moment doubt its importance.
The immense figure laughed, a booming, hollow sound that echoed through the open air. Its nostrils flared and then it breathed forth an immense gout of flame. The heat was overwhelming. Joseph felt that he might lose consciousness from the sheer heat, yet he somehow remained unburnt. He looked as the fire dissipated and noticed that it had again dispersed out and around Adrastos. The other mystics had their staffs held high overhead, chanting.
Hadrian's men pulled out ornate javelins that were as finely crafted as their spears. These they hurled at the giant before them. Each javelin seemed to flash as it made contact with his skin. He flinched in pain. Joseph's fascination was broken again by the sudden onslaught of steel clad demons. Hadrian's men had just gotten their spears up as the demons poured in. The sickening crunch of both forces colliding spurred Joseph to action. He turned and charged into the oncoming wave, slashing furiously with his sword.
One of the demons stepped forward and plunged its spear deep into the chest of Joseph's horse. The horse fell limply to the ground and Joseph tumbled away. Joseph lost his sword in the fall and looked about the ground quickly for a weapon. He saw a spear of one of the fallen Invictii warriors, he quickly grabbed and parried the incoming thrust from his attacker. Turning, he drove the spear deep into the chest of the demon, just above his armor, where chest meets throat. The demon groaned in pain and hot ichor poured forth. The next demon was upon him immediately, though it seemed more to be charging past him than at him.
"Protect the mystics!" he heard a shout over his shoulder. He ran his spear through the side of the demon running past him and felt the ground leave his feet. He landed several feet away. He tried to roll with the fall, but still felt shock from the impact. When he rose, with some difficulty, he saw the massive red brute standing before him. It had stab wounds all over its body which black liquid oozed from. It was unarmed and clearly must have struck him with one of its immense fists. It roared and charged forward. Joseph sank the back end of his spear into the sand. The brute ran right into the spear head. Yet the sheer force of the brute's charge bowed the wooden shaft of the spear until the mighty spear finally snapped. The brute was still bearing down upon him and Joseph found himself quickly reflecting the events of his life when the brute suddenly changed direction.
Joseph looked up to see one of his Varangian guards shoulder heavily into the brute and swing inward with his ax, ending the brute's attacks forever. Joseph grabbed another spear from the ground and crept back toward Adrstos. He knew that he had to protect the old man. He turned to see Hadrian run another demon through.
"The holy men must defeat Gutharkis and seal the gate," Hadrian shouted over the clang of battle. Joseph could only guess the red giant was Gutharkis. Joseph took his place alongside Hadrian and the two of them joined the line of Invictii warriors protecting the mystics. One of the holy men poured a liquid that looked like blood over the end of a spear. Adrastos took it in hand and kicked his horse, charging suddenly toward the red giant.
"No!" Hadrian cried out, but Adrastos was already too far away. The huge demon looked down at Adrastos and grinned wickedly. Hadrian broke out in full sprint toward the adversary and hurled his spear like an Olympian. The spear soared through the air as Joseph had never before witnessed. The devil looked up and swatted the spear out of the sky, but the momentary distraction caused him to misjudge how suddenly close Adrastos had become. An immense blue light erupted around Adrastos as the spear left his hand, striking the red skin of the massive enemy. Blue light splintered in all directions as an impossibly loud bellow shattered the air. In a flash of flame, light, and a shock wave, the giant and the swirling red mist vanished.
Only a small fraction of the original army returned to Akhlat. The Franks and the Germans, who had numbered in the thousands marching out, returned in only hundreds. The Normans had lost nearly half their strength. The Varangians had taken similar casualties. Joseph rode back with only a third of his cavalry. Half of the Invictii returned from battle. The Armenians were the fortunate ones. Nearly three fourths of their men had survived. Every man, however, was exhausted and in bad need of a drink.
“So it's over,” Joseph said when he sat down next to Adrastos. The old man laughed.
“That battle is finished, yes. The war rages ever onward,” he replied simply.
“Many,” Adrastos sighed. He sounded infinitely tired. Joseph was beginning to understand why.
“My men took many losses this day,” Hadrian said flatly, taking a seat next to Joseph.
“We have overcome the Devil! The gods look down on us and smile my friend! We have bested The Enemy!” Uruk roared, taking soldiers in arm and shaking them. Few, even his kinsmen, seemed to share his current enthusiasm for the battle just finished.
“I think that we are fortunate that any returned here today,” Joseph replied to Hadrian.
“I tell you of our losses because it is no simple thing to train an Invictii. Only the best of men are chosen for training, and not all are ready, even then,” Hadrian stated.
:”So you need new recruits,” Joseph replied.
“We are in a rare position Joseph,” Adrastos said at last. Joseph turned to listen. Adrastos paused, thinking Joseph would speak, but when he saw the look in the younger man's eyes, he smiled and continued.
“We have lead an entire army against the enemy host. Every one of these men is a demon slayer. What it would normally take years to train and prepare for these men have already faced.”
“You want to recruit my entire army?” Joseph asked.
“Ill news met us upon returning Joseph. Your Emperor was defeated. His army destroyed. The Ducas family have raced back to Constantinople to claim his seat. You are a general without an Emperor. You have no home to return to,” Adrastos said heavily.
Joseph stared at the ground in shock. He looked around, wondering if any of the men knew. He had loved Romanus. He had been one of the few men of character he had ever witnessed in the City. Now he was gone. The Empire in the hands of the scheming Ducas family.
“This world needs stalwart men to defend it now more than ever,” Adrastos said.
Joseph looked up at the old man with tears in his eyes.
“Will I have a chance at vengeance?”
Adrastos paused for a moment. The two men locked eyes.
“I think you will my son. One day, I think you will,” he said finally.
“Then what would you have me do?” Joseph. Hadrian and Adrastos exchanged a look, then they opened the Book of Invictus before Joseph and the ancient rite began.
