Chapter 45: Death to them

The streets of Riversian were filled with humans, lizardmen, dwarves, and griffons gathered along the roads, surrounding the soldiers who were preparing to depart for war. Families stood beside one another, saying their farewells as thousands of men dressed in black scaled armor marched toward the central gathering grounds.

Mothers held their sons tightly, wives tried to hide their fear behind forced smiles, and children watched their fathers prepare themselves for a battle that none of them could guarantee they would return from. Among the crowd stood a human man carrying his young son in his arms, his black scaled armor already fastened around his body.

"I have to do this, son. The great lord gave our family a second chance, and whatever happens to me is simply the price for allowing us to stay. I cannot repay that kindness by hiding when my people need me."

The boy reached toward his father’s face and gently grabbed his chin.

"Da... da."

The man’s eyes immediately began to water. He pulled his son close against his chest, holding him tightly while trying to memorize the warmth of his child one last time.

Behind him, his wife stood silently, tears already forming in her eyes as she understood the possibility that this could be the last time she ever saw her husband. She stepped closer and placed a hand against his armor.

"Please come back if you can..."

The man slowly released his son, gave his family one final look, and turned away. He knew that if he remained there any longer, leaving would only become more difficult.

With his fists tightened and his expression hardened, he began walking toward the center of the settlement, where the rest of the army had already gathered.

The closer he came, the more enormous the gathering became. Before him stretched a vast open plain surrounded by the great walls of Riversian, while the massive infrastructure of the capital towered over the area.

Thousands of soldiers stood in disciplined formations, their black scaled armor glimmering beneath the sunlight as humans stood beside lizardmen, dwarves beside griffons, and no distinction was made between their races.

Rows of Xicum riders waited behind the infantry, their mounts restless beneath their riders as weapons, supplies, and armor were checked one final time. Several enormous Pliums stood among the formations, carrying supplies and equipment across their backs, while the banners of Riversian fluttered above the army.

At the front of it all stood Siar the Second, overlooking the enormous force beneath him. He waited until the noise gradually faded, allowing the thousands of soldiers to settle into silence before finally beginning his speech.

"Days ago, a human child was attacked by the son of the leader of the Forestian people. He treated that child as nothing more than an inconvenience, as though the life of someone born beneath another race was meaningless."

"How foolish of him."

He paused for a moment, smirking.

"Did he truly believe that we were the same as them? Did he believe that Riversian would look at another race and decide that their life was worth less simply because of their blood? He was wrong. We are Riversian. We do not measure the worth of a person by their scales, their wings, their size, or the race they were born into. We welcome those who seek shelter beneath our walls with open arms, and today, those very people stand beside us upon this field."

"Look around you and remember what you are fighting for. Stand tall, my people, because we march against those who believe themselves superior to everyone else. We will not bow to them, and we will not kneel before them. We will make them understand that every action against our people carries a consequence."

"So stand tall, Riversian! Fight for the families waiting behind you, fight for the children who will inherit the world we leave behind, and fight for the people who trusted us enough to call this place their home. Become someone worthy of the family waiting for your return, and become someone your children will one day be proud to call their father!"

The silence that followed lasted only for a heartbeat before the entire army erupted into a deafening roar. Thousands of voices thundered across the plain as soldiers raised their weapons toward the sky, their cries merging into one overwhelming declaration of rage and determination.

"Death to them!"

"Kill those bastards!"

"No mercy for the proud!"

The cheers continued, and siar raised his scythe. Before jumping on the platform on which he was standing on creating a small smoke of dust. After landing, he went to over to his plium and stood on top of it.

The cheers continued to thunder across the plains as Siar slowly raised his scythe above his head, the weapon catching the sunlight as thousands of soldiers watched him from below.

Without another word, he suddenly leaped from the platform where he had been standing, landing heavily upon the ground and creating a small cloud of dust around his feet.

He emerged from the haze without hesitation and walked toward his enormous Plium, placing one foot upon its side before climbing onto its back. From his elevated position, Siar looked over the immense army one final time, his expression filled with determination as the soldiers waited for his command.

"March, my people!"

Thousands of armored soldiers moved forward in organized formations, their weapons secured beside them while the rhythmic sound of footsteps and marching equipment filled the streets.

The Xicum riders followed alongside the infantry, while the enormous Pliums carried soldiers, supplies, and equipment toward the front lines. Above them, griffons flew through the sky, keeping pace with the advancing army as the banners of Riversian fluttered proudly in the wind.

The civilians gathered along the roads erupted into loud cheers as the army passed through the capital.

Children raised their hands excitedly, families shouted encouragement toward their loved ones, and countless voices called the names of the soldiers marching toward the western gate.

Some waved pieces of cloth while others simply stood proudly, watching the enormous force leave the safety of Riversian’s walls. The sound followed the army all the way toward the gate, growing distant only as the soldiers finally passed beyond the capital and began their march toward the lands of the Forestians.