Daybreak:Volume 2 Chapter 15 - Revision history

Aorii at 16:00, 8 April 2022

2022-04-08T16:00:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:00, 8 April 2022
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	Ariadne had voiced her objections this morning before all the platoon and company leaders. However she had been overruled by the Colonel who was her superior. This meant that whatever would transpire, she was not responsible for it. Instead it was Colonel Hammerstein whom all the accountability would fall upon, even if that meant the removal of his head as her uncle had threatened.		Ariadne had voiced her objections this morning before all the platoon and company leaders. However she had been overruled by the Colonel who was her superior. This meant that whatever would transpire, she was not responsible for it. Instead it was Colonel Hammerstein whom all the accountability would fall upon, even if that meant the removal of his head as her uncle had threatened.

	''Yet... that would only serve to benefit our enemies,'' Ariadne scowled.		''Yet... that would only serve to benefit our enemies,'' Ariadne scowled. She might not like Hammerstein personally, but there was no doubt that the man was an excellent field commander.

	She might not like Hammerstein personally, but there was no doubt that the man was an excellent field commander.

	"Sir, I can give the group a boost." The young lady volunteered.		"Sir, I can give the group a boost." The young lady volunteered.

Aorii at 15:36, 8 April 2022

2022-04-08T15:36:49Z

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Aorii at 16:56, 9 July 2021

2021-07-09T16:56:34Z

Aorii at 18:23, 10 April 2021

2021-04-10T18:23:54Z

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Aorii at 18:20, 20 March 2021

2021-03-20T18:20:45Z

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Aorii: REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

2021-03-20T18:19:48Z

REDUX STARTS, FULL CLEAR

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Aorii: DELETING GERD'S SCENE to shorten chapters and make it more personal

2017-04-17T03:03:12Z

DELETING GERD'S SCENE to shorten chapters and make it more personal

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Aorii at 17:20, 1 March 2015

2015-03-01T17:20:53Z

Aorii: altered last scene

2015-02-07T21:01:46Z

altered last scene

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Aorii at 20:37, 7 February 2015

2015-02-07T20:37:05Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 16:56, 9 July 2021
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	The convoy's guards began to shout in Hyperborean as they spotted the Weichsel air cavalry flying in at low altitude. But the obscuring snow had delayed them for too long. Even with their skis, the Skagen infantry had no chance of forming lines in time.		The convoy's guards began to shout in Hyperborean as they spotted the Weichsel air cavalry flying in at low altitude. But the obscuring snow had delayed them for too long. Even with their skis, the Skagen infantry had no chance of forming lines in time.

	A smattering of lone arrows and preloaded crossbow bolts shot out to meet the attackers. The majority of them struck the Phantoms' wards harmlessly ~~and~~ bounced off. Without the officers' ''Dispel'' arrows to lead an organized volley, commoner archers had no chance of repelling mage cavalry with their bows.		A smattering of lone arrows and preloaded crossbow bolts shot out to meet the attackers. The majority of them struck the Phantoms' wards and harmlessly bounced off. Without the officers' ''Dispel'' arrows to lead an organized volley, commoner archers had no chance of repelling mage cavalry with their bows.

	"''Mana Seeker!''" Ariadne heard Elise, her company's second-in-command and 1st platoon commander, cry out as both an order and a spell. Five glowing bolts of magic shot out from the petite girl's casting glove. They were soon joined by dozens of others which swarmed through the air towards the enemy.		"''Mana Seeker!''" Ariadne heard Elise, her company's second-in-command and 1st platoon commander, cry out as both an order and a spell. Five glowing bolts of magic shot out from the petite girl's casting glove. They were soon joined by dozens of others which swarmed through the air towards the enemy.
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	"Two volleys fly-by! Grenades at the ready!" Ariadne bellowed.		"Two volleys fly-by! Grenades at the ready!" Ariadne bellowed.

	Knights Phantom were elite cavalry with expensive, specialized equipment. And while the Phantom Grenadiers weren't proper knights, they still had gear matching their noble brethren that the late Marshal spent a fortune to subsidize for this experimental formation. Each cavalryman wore a heavily-warded, extra-dimensional belt pouch dedicated to grenades -- shrunken barrels filled with either pitch and tar or ~~black~~ powder.		Knights Phantom were elite cavalry with expensive, specialized equipment. And while the Phantom Grenadiers weren't proper knights, they still had gear matching their noble brethren that the late Marshal spent a fortune to subsidize for this experimental formation. Each cavalryman wore a heavily-warded, extra-dimensional belt pouch dedicated to grenades -- shrunken barrels filled with either pitch and tar or blast powder.

	Two air cavalry companies formed seven triangular wedges that flew in at an altitude of twenty paces. As they soared close to the defenders, Ariadne and nearly three hundred cavalrymen threw out their grenades towards the disorganized enemy. The grenades were followed by area ''Dispels'', ripping away shrinking spells to reveal full-sized kegs.		Two air cavalry companies formed seven triangular wedges that flew in at an altitude of twenty paces. As they soared close to the defenders, Ariadne and nearly three hundred cavalrymen threw out their grenades towards the disorganized enemy. The grenades were followed by area ''Dispels'', ripping away shrinking spells to reveal full-sized kegs.
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	"Bank right!" She shouted as she led her company's 1st platoon around in a wide loop for a second pass.		"Bank right!" She shouted as she led her company's 1st platoon around in a wide loop for a second pass.

	The triangular wedge formations made such maneuvers easy. Most mounts --including both pegasi and hippogryphs-- inherited the herd mentality of horses, which naturally made them follow a commander's steed whom they've learned to recognize as the 'alpha ~~horse~~'.		The triangular wedge formations made such maneuvers easy. Most mounts --including both pegasi and hippogryphs-- inherited the herd mentality of horses, which naturally made them follow a commander's steed whom they've learned to recognize as the 'alpha'.

	It was also why Ariadne's familiar summon was always a ~~male~~ pegasus.		It was also why Ariadne's familiar summon was always a pegasus stallion.

	The survivors of the first barrage soon found themselves under a second wave of expanding-barrel grenades. More fire and explosions tore into the Skagen convoy as sleds shattered and men were set ablaze.		The survivors of the first barrage soon found themselves under a second wave of expanding-barrel grenades. More fire and explosions tore into the Skagen convoy as sleds shattered and men were set ablaze.
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	The shadowy barding covering their beastly mounts tore away, forming a stampede of spectral horses that caught ablaze as they charged ahead of the cavalry wedge. These 'phantom steeds' rammed and trampled through the enemy troops, before detonating inside their formations in a blazing inferno.		The shadowy barding covering their beastly mounts tore away, forming a stampede of spectral horses that caught ablaze as they charged ahead of the cavalry wedge. These 'phantom steeds' rammed and trampled through the enemy troops, before detonating inside their formations in a blazing inferno.

	By the time Ariadne and her comrades plunged into the Skagen convoy with cold steel, the Northmen's morale had already shattered. Soldiers threw away their weapons and began to either flee or surrender in droves. ~~Only a~~ few squads rallied around stalwart officers fought on, only to be cut down by Weichsel's riders with their lances and swordstaves.		By the time Ariadne and her comrades plunged into the Skagen convoy with cold steel, the Northmen's morale had already shattered. Soldiers threw away their weapons and began to either flee or surrender in droves. A few squads rallied around stalwart officers fought on, only to be cut down by Weichsel's riders with their lances and swordstaves.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:20, 1 March 2015
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	Admiral Vintersvend struggled to hang onto the bulwark as his skywhale fell through the skies. It would have been easier if he could use both hands, or if his dead familiar wasn't ~~falling~~ towards the ground at a near fifty-degrees tilt.		Admiral Vintersvend struggled to hang onto the bulwark as his skywhale fell through the skies. It would have been easier if he could use both hands, or if his dead familiar wasn't plunging towards the ground at a near fifty-degrees tilt.

	Physical prowess had always been his brother's domain, not his. Furthermore, he also wasn't as young as he used to be...		Physical prowess had always been his brother's domain, not his. Furthermore, he also wasn't as young as he used to be...
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	They had been ''winning''! They had forced the Wickers onto the defensive and drove their boarding troops back. They were on the verge of shattering Weichsel's phantom corps and securing air dominance for the remainder of the war.		They had been ''winning''! They had forced the Wickers onto the defensive and drove their boarding troops back. They were on the verge of shattering Weichsel's phantom corps and securing air dominance for the remainder of the war.

	Then, in ~~just~~ the span of a minute, everything had been reversed.		Then, in the span of less than a minute, everything had been reversed.

	The hammer blow had come too quick, too fast. By the time the Admiral realized what had happened, the damage had already been done:		The hammer blow had come too quick, too fast. By the time the Admiral realized what had happened, the damage had already been done:
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	The mighty Drake Outriders had been thrown into disarray, then pressed into a desperate defense like predators pounced upon by packs of angry prey.		The mighty Drake Outriders had been thrown into disarray, then pressed into a desperate defense like predators pounced upon by packs of angry prey.

	Over a thousand veteran marksmen, runescribes, engineers, and other experienced specialists all found themselves crashing toward their death. Those who managed to stay airborne found little mercy as roaming squads of phantoms ~~cut~~ them apart.		Over a thousand veteran marksmen, runescribes, engineers, and other experienced specialists all found themselves crashing toward their death. Those who managed to stay airborne found little mercy as roaming squads of phantoms hacked them apart.

	It was a disaster. A calamity he had walked straight into.		It was a disaster. A calamity he had walked straight into.
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	"I am ''NOT'' leaving my men behind to die!" Vintersvend yelled back in fury.		"I am ''NOT'' leaving my men behind to die!" Vintersvend yelled back in fury.

	He had known most of the Polarlys' crew for at least twenty years. The thought of abandoning them in this critical moment was unthinkable. It would be cowardice beneath the dignity of any man alive.		He had known most of the Polarlys' crew for at least twenty years. The thought of abandoning them in this critical moment was unthinkable. It would be cowardice beneath the dignity of any man alive, an act of treachery for which he would never be able to forgive himself.

	"But Milord...!" the aide cried again, his earnest blue eyes almost begging.		"But Milord...!" the aide cried again, his earnest blue eyes almost begging.
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	With one hand tilting the rune tablet toward the attackers, Vintersvend gave it a single tap on the back. The gale barrier then spat out a horde of runestones with ballistic accuracy, and the proximity-triggered electrical bursts called down a lightning volley that blasted the squad apart.		With one hand tilting the rune tablet toward the attackers, Vintersvend gave it a single tap on the back. The gale barrier then spat out a horde of runestones with ballistic accuracy, and the proximity-triggered electrical bursts called down a lightning volley that blasted the squad apart.

	But the thunderous barrage also caught people's attention. Spell rays began flying toward the entrance in the dozens. However the explosive volley never made it past the wind. The barrier detonated spells as though solid matter. Elemental and antimagic blasts rapidly weakened the hurricane gales, ~~though~~ they were ~~quickly~~ replenished as the Admiral poured more ether into his specially crafted stones.		But the thunderous barrage also caught people's attention. Spell rays began flying toward the entrance in the dozens. However the explosive volley never made it past the wind. The barrier detonated spells as though solid matter. Elemental and antimagic blasts rapidly weakened the hurricane gales, yet they were rapidly replenished as the Admiral poured more ether into his specially crafted stones.

	Vintersvend was soon breathing hard as he strained his magic reserves. No individual archmage could match ether endurance against dozens, hundreds of battlemages and win. He still carried plenty of runestones for combat use, but he had to hold those barriers firm with his own power -- at least long enough to persuade the Wickers to cease their 'worthless' bombardment.		Vintersvend was soon breathing hard as he strained his magic reserves. No individual archmage could match ether endurance against dozens, hundreds of battlemages and win. He still carried plenty of runestones for combat use, but he had to hold those barriers firm with his own power -- at least long enough to persuade the Wickers to cease their 'worthless' bombardment.
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	Another tap of the rune tablet hurled out a dozen more stones, but the phantom vanished in a bolt of his own lightning before the salvo struck. Yet just before striking the wind wall, the attacker rematerialized into physical form once more.		Another tap of the rune tablet hurled out a dozen more stones, but the phantom vanished in a bolt of his own lightning before the salvo struck. Yet just before striking the wind wall, the attacker rematerialized into physical form once more.

	Vintersvend's eyes grew wide with astonishment as he watched the intruder fall into his hangar. The gale barrier had torn ~~his~~ uniform into bloody shreds. ~~If it hadn't been for~~ the man's steel and arcane armor, the cutting winds would have ripped him apart.		Vintersvend's eyes grew wide with astonishment as he watched the intruder fall into his hangar. The gale barrier had torn the Wicker's uniform into bloody shreds. Without the man's steel and arcane armor, the cutting winds would have ripped him apart.

	''The sheer audacity of this... this boy!''		''The sheer audacity of this... this boy!''

	The Admiral stared ~~with~~ near disbelief as the Knight Phantom crashed hard onto the steel floor and gradually rolled to a stop merely five paces away. A dozen gashes had cut the attacker's face into a bloody mess beyond recognition. ~~But~~ Vintersvend estimated that the short redhead who appeared a teen couldn't be older than early twenties at most.		The Admiral stared in near disbelief as the Knight Phantom crashed hard onto the steel floor and gradually rolled to a stop merely five paces away. A dozen gashes had cut the attacker's face into a bloody mess beyond recognition. Nevertheless Vintersvend estimated that the short redhead who appeared a teen couldn't be older than early twenties at most.

	What it bravery? Overconfidence? Outright stupidity? Vintersvend didn't know what compelled the boy into such a foolhardy stunt. But it hardly mattered anymore.		What it bravery? Overconfidence? Outright stupidity? Vintersvend didn't know what compelled the boy into such a foolhardy stunt. But it hardly mattered anymore.

	A handful of his housecarl bodyguards were rushing over from the entrances. The ~~Wicker~~ boy would never be allowed to stand up again.		A handful of his housecarl bodyguards were rushing over from the entrances. The heathen boy would never be allowed to stand up again.

	~~But~~ as ~~the~~ hateful, blood-covered eyes turned to glare at the Admiral, Vintersvend realized that the kid wasn't finished ~~yet~~. The redhead tossed one of the two kukris in his hands, hurling out the curved steel like a bladed boomerang.		Yet as hateful, blood-covered eyes turned to glare at the Admiral, Vintersvend realized that the kid wasn't finished. The redhead tossed one of the two kukris in his hands, hurling out the curved steel like a bladed boomerang.

	However the kid was too badly hurt. His aim was terrible even at so close a range. The kukri merely tore the edge of the Admiral's billowing cloak.		However the kid was too badly hurt. His aim was terrible even at so close a range. The kukri merely tore the edge of the Admiral's billowing cloak.
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	No... it also grazed his layered wards, and the weapon's discharged ''Catalyst Dispel'' overwhelmed them with cascading failure.		No... it also grazed his layered wards, and the weapon's discharged ''Catalyst Dispel'' overwhelmed them with cascading failure.

	With a jerk of his hands, the Admiral summoned runic pebbles ~~into~~ his ~~reach~~ to replenish the wards. But a sharp, slashing pain from his right forearm caused him to drop the stones.		With a jerk of his hands, the Admiral summoned runic pebbles between his fingers to replenish the wards. But a sharp, slashing pain from his right forearm caused him to drop the stones.

	"''Armor Screen!''" the bloodied boy spat out, curving the protective bubble around the Admiral and enclosing his space against the steel bulwark.		"''Armor Screen!''" the bloodied boy spat out, curving the protective bubble around the Admiral and enclosing his space against the steel bulwark.

	''~~Why...~~'' Vintersvend ~~wondered~~ in confusion before he saw the re-emerging threat.		''What--'' Vintersvend puzzled in confusion before he saw the re-emerging threat.

	The kukri had bounced off the wall and came back, somehow tripling itself in the process. Then, with another rebound off the translucent bubble, ~~another~~ two copies duplicated into existence.		The kukri had bounced off the wall and came back, somehow tripling itself in the process. Then, with another rebound off the translucent bubble, two more copies duplicated into existence.

	~~A shallow~~ cut across his shin~~; a slash chipping~~ his bony shoulder; a hacking stab deep into his back. The whirlwind of steel escalated ~~quickly~~, and ~~Vintersvend soon tasted iron as blood flowed into his mouth.~~		They cut across his shin, slashed his bony shoulder, even sent a hacking stab deep into his back. The whirlwind of steel escalated in mere seconds, and agonizing pain drowned out all coherent thought -- let alone any deduction that could devise a suitable counterspell.

	~~He knew he had only moments to think of~~ a counterspell~~, to figure out which prepared rune to use. But as the sharp outbursts of pain accelerated and multiplied, maintaining focus grew impossible as his consciousness began to scream out~~.


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	"Rest easy son. You did us proud."		"Rest easy son. You did us proud."

	Reynald ~~spat~~ out the blood in his mouth at he stared blankly at Colonel von Mackensen, commander of the ''Falcon Force.''		Without even the energy to lift his hand, Reynald could only gurgle out the blood in his mouth as he stared blankly at Colonel von Mackensen, commander of the ''Falcon Force.''

	"I-I'm not dead yet."		"I-I'm not dead yet."