Note: I plan to end each of these fights all in one chapter after this, so don't groan too much.
Terraces taken by Arazra's army: nine of eleven.
"We're fighting a war on three two fronts now. In our front, we have to take the remaining terraces and slay the pretender before we're overwhelmed on our back, which is being assaulted by the Harpies and Nergal's forces, and any possible others that may join them." Explained Hezazias, the fifth district leader and brother to Arazra, to the rest of the commanding officers.
"Yes, we hadn't expected any reinforcements other than the Harpies to attack us so quickly. Of all districts, it had to be Nergal's fourth district." Lamented Ornias, the eighth district leader.
"His demons are fast. If any more districts show up on the pretender's side, it is only a matter of hours before they overrun our flank and rear guard. We can thank the fact that while Nergal's forces are fast, they are not as strong as Zagan's behemoth of an army or Estair's skilled magic users." Added Sasilith, the seventh district leader and sister to Arazra, as she nodded knowingly.
"Forget them. Have all of Black Steps move to the flank and rear, they are useless without Xizaen. The best they can do is act as fodder and a buffer against any reinforcements. Put the district soldier's full strength in capturing the last two districts. Every single commanding officer will fight from now on. We will not stop until we reach the palace and slay the pretender." Commanded the leader, Arazra of the tenth district.
"He got back his witch, will that affect anything?" Ornias put this question forth to the group.
In this think tank of Arazra's army, only the district leaders were allowed to take part. Not even the highest ranked member of their mercenary forces would be privy to their conversation. Not even Zazie was allowed in, Arazra didn't trust her one bit, even with her precious [World] in his hands.
"No, it will not. If the witch does pose a threat, she will be mercilessly slain just like the pretender himself. This will without a doubt be a tough battle. We must not break our momentum for anything. Once we enter the tenth terrace, tell the soldiers to not even stop their assault for orders unless we go out of our way to order each and every soldier." Arazra said coldly.
"Mmm, yes. Five pillars are inside those few terraces, biding their time. We managed to deprive them of Sitri, but it will not be enough. Of course undiluted aggression is important now, but we cannot deny the essence of caution. Who knows what the true strength of the pretender's concubines, that Daughter of Pride, the fallen angel, and the witch?" Advised Hezazias.
"Leave the fallen angel and Daughter of Lust to me. I have a previous engagement with them, a battle to possible death." Warned Sasilith. She was legitimately interested in Nerissa and Aureal, both in their skills and devotion to the pretender. They both had honest and pure love in them, extremely rare for beings of Sin.
"Oh? Interesting. I've no doubt of your skills, Sasilith, but can you take on two of the pretender's favored? He must have chosen powerful beings to be his concubines." Asked Arazra.
"I can, though not with ease. Initially, I thought the Daughter of Lust to be the weaker of the two, despite being a white demon. However, I learned two major things about both of them that should tell us they are both powerful foes that cannot be underestimated." Sasilith's words were solemn.
Arazra raised an eyebrow, "Ah yes, I know what you're talking about. Still, explain for these two."
"Very well brother. The Daughter of Lust wields Old Age, which I assume she stole from the slain Avandar." Both Ornias and Hezazias widened their eyes in surprise. Sitri continue with an even more insane prospect. "And the fallen angel has an even more mysterious power, one that should be fundamentally and physically impossible for any being in existence... She wields both the dark and the light."
"Oh?" "What did you..." Both Hezazias and Ornias stood up, either surprised or interested at Sasilith's impossible words.
"That's what I thought. Though she did not perform this power in front of me, so I have yet to find out if it is actually true, I did feel both light and dark inside of her. "
"Ornias, find those damn Wars, gather the Legion of Renning, and while you're at it, get Zazie and her underlings ready. Hezazias, take command of the district forces. We will all begin the attack within the hour." With Arazra's command, each of the district leaders bowed and left, with Sasilith blushing a slight red before she left.
-
"Uh, not that I mind, but..."
"But what?"