ALL NOVEL Chapter 92: Sharpening Fangs
Aunger had traveled from the Capital of Lazon to the homestead of the Master. Entering the station, he bore witness to a crowd of uninformed individuals that were manipulating communication equipment. Aunger went to his office. He called for the Hounds stationed in the Capital, and told them to contact Old Fred. It was only after thirty minutes that Old Fred responded.
Aunger spoke first. “The Master of the Hounds is back.
There was a grunt behind the telephone. It was a pained groan that Aunger had always heard from the Older Gentleman when he was watching the Master grow into this scheming individual.
“What are his plans?”
“Keep the Emperor’s Huntsmen in the Capital. Don’t let their soldiers go and demand that they obey the order of the Master’s Hounds.”
“You are asking me to tell the Emperor, no, order the Emperor around?”
“He will, if the Emperor knows what's good for them.”
There was a steel in Aunger’s voice. The Master had already decided that they would secure the areas around the descent area. As much as Aunger hated the very idea of endangering their Master. He had to comply in order to save the people that might be involved.
The Hounds’ answers to their Master, but they were also the dogs, the hounds that bite on those who dare to mess with their owners. It had been long since these strays had become Hounds of Lazon, and they wouldn't let anyone get in the way of the Master of the Hounds’s plans.
“I shall relay the message to the Emperor. He...I will make him understand what it means. The young master told me that the world will know if the Exiled One comes to the lands. I shall tell the signs to the Emperor, and hope that he wouldn’t dare to send his men to our lands.”
“Understood, that will be all.”
“Wait,” Old Fred demanded. “Watch the young master’s back. You’ve been with us for too long, and have watched us reach this far, Aunger. That’s why I asked you to keep him safe.”
“That’s a given,” Aunger answered. He placed the telephone down, and went to call General Logain. The phone was answered after ten minutes of waiting.
“It’s time, Brother Logain,” Aunger said without emotion.
“The Exiled One comes?”
“Yes. The Master of the Hounds requires your services now”
“I see,” Brother Logain paused. “I had heard that he had changed for good after the war. Do you remember that package that he sent? My boys were one of the people that recommended the marinated boar. Young Master barely sends anyone gifts, and judging by how he prioritized this package, it seemed like he liked the person enough to send him a lot of meat.”
“I remember the name. Master said that he was somewhat saved by this person, and that it made him think differently of how he treats my Brothers and Sisters of the Hounds.”
“Then why is he back?” Logain asked dully.
“Because it is the only way we could face the Exiled One. Prepare the artillery unity, and secure the areas around the descent. Make sure that all our citizens are safe.”
“I have already made sure that they would understand. The influx of ‘demifiend’ horde has rouse some of the mob, but they will not interfere with the affairs of the Hounds.”
“Keep the perimeter secured. All our Vulcan Units are going to be deployed around the descent and contain the areas that will have the possible stream of monsters. The rest that get out of the perimeter are in your hands, Logain.”
“We will form a defensive encirclement. Each creature that gets out of the perimeter will be dealt with by my men. We will employ machine-gun volleys so I advise that there should be a six hundred meter gap between the premier and containment unit. The flyers will do recon, and I expect aerial surveillance from them. Keep a sky-high view and better have control of the area. We’ll call when there are no anti-air creatures and let you deploy them as you see fit.”
“Copy that,” Logain's voice vanished for a moment. Behind the telephone he could hear him issue out orders. “I’ll leave some of the old regiments to watch the borders. What about those who try to join the fight?”
“Keep them at bay. If that’s not possible let them join the defensive line and keep their rifles pointed at whatever is coming. Master estimates that they should have the same sizes as the old demifiends of the south of Jorvi. They are harder to crack so shred them to pieces. Ammunition wouldn’t be an issue.”
“Millions of coins going to the toilet after this.”
“It wouldn’t matter if we do not destroy the Exiled One and the Exile One’s Flock.”
“And if they don’t come?”
“Then it would be a blessing, but do you believe that they wouldn’t?”
“No. If Brother Mavin said so then it must be true. I’ll get them armed to the teeth immediately. I’ll start by rounding up the civilians to safety, and direct them to Vaaksi. The Mayor there will understand the situation. I’ll have their garrison on high-alert.”
“Keep our people calm,” Aunger said. “Make sure to tell them that there is a powerful demifiend, better stir them now before they get conclusions of their own. Follow the story that the Master had instructed to tell. Keep in contact with Ike and Martina until then. The South of Lazon will soon deploy the Strongarm Units. The airships will be used to hastily deploy the combatants.”
“Overwhelming force it is.”
“We are fighting beasts, and if they have a shred of intelligence then we will destroy them without a quarter. May God be with you, Logain.”
“You too, Aunger. You’re the one who needs it the most.”
Aunger placed the telephone down and stared at the desk for a moment. He clenched his hand, walked to the microphone, and spoke to his Brothers and Sisters.
“Blood Brothers and Sisters of the Hounds,” he started. “Years ago we were nothing more than a rabble of misfits that have nowhere to go. We were foolish children who had foolish hopes. We were in the bottom of the pit, like rats scouring for leftovers. But it was then our Blood-Father, Mavin Tomas, the one whose blood now strengthens your bodies, and had turned some of you into superior men and women who had strength beyond any human. There are more of us now than ever, and all of it was because someone offered a hand towards us.
“We faced many obstacles during the past twelve years. We faced doubts, fears, and even asked questions if we should continue down this path. There are many of us who have left, and many who have strayed from paying back the debt they owe.”
Aunger paused for a moment. The steel in his voice became colder and bolder. There was a killing intent that reminded them who gave them purpose.
“Our Blood-Father now faces his greatest enemy. We have helped our Blood-Father throughout the War and had worked to destroy the demifiends that were sleeping below us. We made homes out of their dens and we have become a force to be reckoned with throughout the years. Not even the Emperor dares! Do you know why? Because we have our purpose. We have a home that has become strong and prosperous. We did it because we were united with our Blood-Father at the helm.
“But our goal is far from over. What we face now is a being that could possibly destroy the home that we have worked so hard to defend and prosper,” his voice became subdued suddenly. “The Magi and the Nullers were powerful, and you have seen what they can do. The enemy that is coming brings a flock of invaders that are alien to our home. They will bring destruction, pain, and hardship. Some of our brothers and sisters who will be on the front will lose their lives. It will be a storm of death, but take heed my Brothers and Sisters. We will carve the way for our Blood-Father! He shall be the sword that strikes the beast that leads them! It is our duty to be the shield that defends our Master! This is a battle that we’ve been preparing for the past years! Our Blood-Father had done the impossible and sealed the hands of the Imperator, closing the Source of the Spark alone! With our full strength, who do we have to fear, my brothers and sisters?
“None! Not even the alien threat that comes at our doorsteps! We shall use the full might of our legion and destroy them at their arrival! We will crush them before they even take another step into our lands! Let the Fangs of the Hounds bear against them! Let the roars of our Gunfire drown them! Lead our Blood-Father to victory and bring down the invaders to their knees!”
