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Xolas looked through his telescope. “Are those ballistas enchanted?” He passed the telescope to Donet. Donet looked at Netharia from a far distance.
“Possibly, but I can’t be certain. We’re too far away. Were his ballistas enchanted at Soul Fortress?”
“Pythus never got to use them, his relief army was routed. The over confident fool fell right into another ambush. Unfortunately, he denied us the ballistas by destroying them on his way out. Find a safe place where we can skirmish with minimal casualties, and test if Pythus has adapted to Nether warfare.”
“Yes sir.”
“Lieutenant, order the engineers to construct siege platforms for our artillery. Even if those ballistas don’t work now, Pythus will likely use the overworld prisoners to enchant his bows.”
A skeleton with a leather helmet saluted Xolas, and walked off.
Boldue walked into the prison, followed by Skorch.
Vulcannus looked up, and slightly smiled at the sight of his friend. “You’re alive.” Boldue spoke it mostly in fact, but there was some relief in it.
“I am. What’s going on outside?”
“You’re always seeking information, aren’t you.” Boldue smiled. “You may be aware that aside from you, all of the nether natives have been enlisted to fight in the war.”
“Then it’s as bad as it gets if Pythus wants me.”
“Everything is under control, but yes, your help would assist us in ending this war more quickly.” Skorch spoke. “Along with the enchanters. Who are they, Boldue.”
“The Voltaris, and the human.”
Skorch glared at the forever snoring Voltaris, being certain it wasn’t him, and then walked over to Kylezid’s cell.
“Get out.” Despite the Voltaris already moving on his own, Skorch yanked him out. He forcefully pressed a green song into Kylezid’s inventory. Next he moved to Daniel’s cell.
“Chill, I’m on my way out.” Daniel said. “There’s no need-”
“There’s no need for you to talk, human.” Skorch broke the lock with his hand, and yanked the cell door open, and he choked Daniel.
“Alright- I get it.” He wheezed. Skorch dropped him, and Daniel sat down, gasping for air.
“You’ve discovered that normal string doesn’t work for ballistas, haven’t you.” Vulcannus said. “Or are the Netharan enchanters not good enough for the size of bows you’re seeking.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Skorch said. “You have your prince, Boldue. Go outside and play.” Skorch handed Boldue a key.
“You idiot.” Skorch scowled at Vulcannus. “I know you have been conspiring. It’s in your nature.”
“I was merely making an alliance to ensure our survival.” Vulcannus spoke.
“If these two were part of it, forget them.” The skeleton cackled again, and Skorch drew his sword and sent it through the cell door, slaying it. The Voltaris finally woke up, and went to the back of his cell. “I know nothing!”
Forcing Daniel and Kylezid to run, Skorch left, while leaving Boldue and Vulcannus. “Disrespectful grunt.” Boldue said. “You’re a prince! How can you accept that?”
“Because my neck is around a noose. Even now that I’m out of this cell, I am still in prison.” Boldue finished unlocking the cell door, and Vulcannus exited.
The two left, and were surprised to see Pythus waiting outside.
“Boldue, Vulcannus.” He spoke the first name with his casual firm voice, but the second name more coldly. “I hope your reunion was pleasant.” He spoke firmly, clearly not meaning his statement at all. “I want you to supervise the enchanting of the ballistas immediately. The enemy is close.”
“Are they, brother.”
“They are.” Boldue spoke, not wanting to annoy their king. “It will be done, King Pythus.” Boldue bowed. Vulcannus begrudgingly bowed as well.
“Follow me, my prince.” Boldue guided Vulcannus to the blacksmith, where Wither skeletons were smelting swords, and female Netharans were fletching arrows.
They entered a hangar, where multiple ballistas were being produced. “Hey, can you teach me how to use that?” Daniel was angry as he watched Kylezid use a song to enchant a ballista. Daniel did have a book stand but was clearly struggling with limited resources.
“No, only Ardoni can wield songs.”
“Maybe if you give me a try-”
“How did you pass the academy without learning about Songs?”
“I’m not an Ardoni, glow box.”
Daniel changed subject as Vulcannus and Boldue entered. “It’s nice to be out of prison, isn’t it, big brain?” Daniel asked.
Vulcannus was silent for a moment, gesturing his disapproval of the name calling. “Out here is a much better place. I’ve been assigned to overwatch your enchanting.”
“I need an enchanting table. I’m not a darn ardoni with their stupid songs.” Daniel spoke.
The guarding Wither skeletons chattered at Boldue. Boldue patted Vulcannus once, and left.
“I can’t help you with that.”
“There we go.” Donet smiled, as the piglin slaves destroyed the last few blocks to an opening of netherrack. “Now build the wither, and get the heck out of its way.”
Donet was interrupted by a horn blow from Netharia. He took the three wither skulls from a chest, along with four soul sand, and made a wither, he then leaped away, as the Wither exploded.
Then, to Donet’s surprise, a ballista was fired from a distance, but missed its’ target. He looked through a telescope, and saw a snapped ballista. “Perfect, they haven’t enchanted them. Let’s get out of here.”
Donet and the piglin slaves and Wither fled as two withers were deployed, along with four rafts being pulled by striders.
Pythus’ withers initially opened fire at the opening, but found it was dug deep. After some shots, it reached a vein of gravel, which collapsed. The rafts were sent back.
Pythus was outraged, as he and his top advisors; Skorch, Vulcannus, Boldue, the Angel of Death, and two others deliberated at Pythus’ throne room.
“Vulcannus, why aren’t the ballistas finished?!”
“The Enchanting table was only just constructed yesterday. The enchanters can only do so much in just a day.”
“Well then put an ax behind their head. Four operating ballistas are not faring well when Xolas has more than two dozen!”
“We have twice as many constructed Pythus. We just need to enchant them.” Skorch said.
“What difference does it make when we can’t enchant them?!”
“We just need to hold out for some more time.” Vulcannus spoke. “You should deploy the withers to destroy the batteries, and while we will take severe losses, it will buy our enchanters enough time to enchant those four dozen ballistas. Then, Xolas will be in our position; more withers, but far fewer ballistas.”
“We will have fewer withers than him?!”
“Vulcannus’ plan could work, my king. It’s better than our current situation.” Boldue said. At that time, a fire charge reached Pythus’ throne room, and destroyed part of the wall.
“Skorch?” Pythus looked at his most trusted ally.
“Our fortifications and soldiers are being blown apart daily. Radical action must be taken to destroy the batteries. I have no choice but to support Vulcannus’ plan.”
Pythus took a deep breath. “You leave me no other choice. Deploy the withers, and blast those batteries to oblivion.”
The Angel of Death nodded, and the council was dismissed.
The Angel of Death and the final Withers were readied, and then they deployed. At the lead, the Angel of Death flew upwards, as fire charges flew down, hitting multiple withers. Next came arrow fire from skeletons, and one and then two arrows hit the Angel’s wings, but it kept flying upwards. It reached a battery of skeleton archers, and flew down.
In a slaughter, the Angel used its swords and agility to kill the skeletons. It looked as four wither skeletons charged, and in a more prolonged fight, it fought and slayed the four skeletons, but it retreated at the sight of a charging netharan.
Wounded from the two arrow shots, the Angel struggled on its way back.
From a telescope, Pythus cringed as he saw the Withers being tattered by the ballistas, but the batteries were being torn down. Four ballistas from Netharia opened fire, and Kylezid and Daniel deployed two new ballistas.
The Angel, wounded, flew back.
“It has been done.” Skorch looked through his telescope.
“At a great cost. But one which must be paid.” Pythus muttered. “When you capture Xolas, I want to hurt him before he dies.”
However, Pythus was taken aback when he heard the sound of many Withers. Ten Withers flew out from Xolas’ siege lines, while Piglin slaves lowered multiple rafts onto the lava lake, followed by the lowering of Striders.
Atop a wither, Xolas was seen, and the Withers fired at Netharia.
“Shoot him out of the sky!” Pythus yelled at his six ballista archers. Many skeletons of Pythus were deployed, and a horn was blown.
Only Pythus and Skorch did not retreat as the withers neared. Pythus drew a bow, and fired at Xolas’ wither, but it failed to kill it. However, Pythus was tackled by Skorch as a Wither skull exploded right where the two had been. Another Wither skull hit right next to the two, and while Skorch was tossed inwards, Pythus was tossed outwards.
He grabbed out, and got onto a small nether block window/fence. He pulled out a potion of fire resistance, but a second wither skull explosion made him lose grip, and with a sweep of his ax, he dug it into the nether block. His potion fell into the lava. He was dangling on, and his ax began to rip downwards. Frantic, Pythus pulled out an ender pearl, and looked around. There seemed no good place, until he saw a wither find him, and it began to approach, shooting a wither skull. Pythus then let go of his ax, and tossed his eye while in free fall. To his amazement, the eye hit the wither, and he clung onto it. The Wither, shocked, toppled down, but Pythus tossed another eye, and he landed back in his throne room, where he found his imperial guard using .
Pythus took an ax from an imperial guard, and entered the battle. It was an even fight for the time being, and the enemy retreated. Boldue joined his king.
The snoring Ardoni suddenly awoke to see the Felina’s carpet being lifted, and then Donet got out, rubbing himself clean of dust.
“This is the prison, correct?” Donet asked the startled Voltaris.
“Yes…”
“Good.” He was followed by the Felina, and multiple other Wither Skeletons.
“What-” The tired Voltaris was even more confused at the sight of this army.
“Should we free him?” Donet asked.
The Felina nodded no, and then Donet and his remaining army went outside, and slaughtered the two guards there.
Kylezid and Daniel were preparing to enchant another crossbow string when the sound of combat was getting too close. “Hey, you guys, why don’t you fight the enemy and protect your children and masters rather than watch us? Don’t they need you?” Daniel asked. He turned to Kylezid and spoke in a lower tone. "Do wither skeletons even have children?" At that note, a wither skull blasted through the ceiling and destroyed the ballista Kylezid was trying to enchant. A second skull destroyed the front door, and the skeletons took cover. Meanwhile, Kylezid and Daniel fled.
“Do you have any idea where a portal is?” Kylezid asked, as the two ran through the urban area of Netharia, passing houses and then shops. They nearly ran into a battle of multiple skeletons, and then ran down an alley way, only to find a wither skeleton butchering a child netharan. “Oh gross.” The Wither skeleton stood up, and then a jet of flames came from Kylezid, and the Wither was smoked. However, Kylezid realized the flame was slow to kill an already burnt body, but by then Daniel had punched the skeleton’s head off, and took his sword.
“Do you even know how to use that?” Kylezid asked.
“I can learn.” Daniel responded with fake confidence.
“Give me it.” Kylezid snatched it, and Daniel didn’t resist.
The two continued to run, until a wither skull blast tossed them backwards. A group of Pythus loyalists shot a ballista at the wither, decapitating it.
Kylezid was relieved, and a wave of Xolas’ imperials came from the distance, headed in Kylezid’s direction. Pythus’ skeletons opened fire, but it didn’t stop the Wither Skeletons as they kept coming. Kylezid used his agressium song again, and like previously, only the first few Wither skeletons actually died, while the rest were caught off guard. A second volley of arrows struck them down.
A Wither skeleton wearing a gold helmet waved Kylezid over. Kylezid initially ran over, but then looked and saw his frenemy lean against a building. Kylezid ran to Daniel’s side, despite both sides shooting arrows. He looked at his friend, but lifted a hand to reveal a horrific sight, which Kylezid quickly concealed. Kylezid got up, and used his song again at Xolas’ troops, who by then stepsided him, and waited for the effect to end. Kylezid then entered a melee against the Wither skeletons, and while he slew two, he was cut down with a quick slash to his side.
Xolas smiled as he met up with Donet. “The urban areas have been neutralized, my Emperor.” Donet spoke. “The Felina did not lie, and our breakthrough was a complete success. All that's left is some small hold outs and The Citadel.”
“Rally all remaining forces. I want all withers and Netharans on me, while you finish off the stragglers. Join me once you’re done”
“Yes sir.”
At the front of a large army, Xolas stood in front of his large army, with six Netharans by his side, along with two withers.
“Brave soldiers, the enemy has grown so weak as to confine themselves to one structure. Only one man stands in the Nether’s path to greatness. His name is the pretender Pythus, and he will die today. Leave no survivors, for if they wanted to surrender, they would have submitted already. Join me in killing this usurper.”
“Are you done talking, Xolas?” Xolas looked as he saw Vulcannus and multiple skeletons appeared from the rooftops, bows and even an enchanted ballista at the ready.
“Vulcannus.” Xolas spoke. “You’re a great disappointment, and a coward. Your right to life is less than that of the pretender, for he atleast fights.”
“I have chosen my side for reasons beyond your close minded understanding, Xolas.”
“Why? Did you truly think your brother would spare you, or let you ever be in a powerful position? You should have joined me, I fight for people like you. Bow to your Emperor, and I’ll spare your life. You know your death is imminent if you do not accept my offer.”
“That is where you are wrong, General.” Vulcannus drew his bow, and the skeleton archers followed, but neither fired. Xolas was curious; as Vulcannus was not aiming at him. Instead, Vulcannus’ flaming arrow hit the top of the massive closed nether portal, and the portal was opened.
Then, the gates to Netharia flew open, and the main portal opened, and a pour of zombies and wither skeletons flanked Xolas. “Vulcannus! Kill them all!”
Vulcannus fired an arrow, but Xolas had already stormed into the palace.
An army of skeleton halberdiers awaited Xolas, but Xolas’ Netharans were well armed, and tossed ender pearls and hit the back flank, forcing the halberders to break rank. Xolas’ army poured in, and despite archer shots from the side walks, Xolas’ forces shot back. Meanwhile, Xolas’ army was slaughtering the overworld zombies from their back flank.
Donet slashed through the enemy line of unarmed zombies, and quickly got to the portal. He turned off the portal, and Xolas’ back army had slain nearly every zombie.
The front assault was a different story, as two of Pythus’ withers fought Xolas’ withers while raining hell on the opposing armies without discrimination.
Skorch engaged in an attempted flanking by one of the walkways, as Xolas’ forces had created a bridge using gravel.
Atop the fortress, Vulcannus and skeleton archers fought off two wounded Withers, while some of Xolas’ engineers had constructed ladders and climbed up. Nearly at breaking point, the Angel of Death swooped up to save Vulcannus.
Pythus was fighting with his halberd imperial guard, but they were being pushed back. He saw an Ender Pearl fly, and then almost right on his throne, Xolas was behind him.
“Xolas! You dare take my throne, which you have no right to!”
“But here I am, and here you are, on the verge of defeat. I’m not sorry, but I can not accept your surrender.” He drew his longsword. Pythus drew an imperial guard’s ax.
Xolas gave an evil chuckle, and the two charged. Using both heavy weapons, the two fought with heavy attacks. With a lack of flexibility with their weapons, the two used their body as much as their weapons. Xolas swung both weapons to the ground, and then kicked Pythus, forcing him to fall back away from his weapon. Pythus drew the Nether Sword, and Xolas just laughed more.
“Finally you confess you have no right to the throne.” Pythus was ashamed that the blade did not glow, but he just growled, and attacked.
With more agility, Pythus gained the upper hand, and Xolas took his first major blow, stopping a stab only by holding down on the blade. He tripped Pythus, and the two fought with fists. Xolas punched Pythus’ jaw, making him fall back. Xolas took the nether sword to finish Pythus off, but found it disappointingly didn’t glow. That gave Pythus time to kick Xolas hard on his waist, and then a heavy punch to the side of his face, but Xolas ducked, and then nearly body slammed himself on Pythus, but Pythus side stepped and pushed him to the ground.. Still holding the Nether sword, Xolas fought as Pythus regained hand of his axe. The two fought again, until Pythus swung overhead with his ax. Xolas lashed out with the opening, but the back side of Pythus’ ax slashed Xolas.
Xolas was startled at his bleeding, and barely blocked a second swing, only for Pythus to punch him, take the nether blade, and stab it through Xolas’ side.
Xolas looked at Pythus. “You will never be King…”
“But here I am, and here you are, dead.”
A deeper push, and Xolas let out a faded sigh as the last of his air left his body.
Pythus looked around him, and saw the battle was in his favor. He smiled, and watched as Donet spotted his Emperor’s death while fighting Skorch. Donet was shocked, and moved back. Skorch smiled. “Your pretender is dead!” Pythus yelled. “And soon you will join him!” There was the sound of three wither houls. Donet looked behind him, and saw as Vulcannus put the last head of a wither skull on soul sand.
“Retreat!” Donet yelled, and his army retreated while under Wither fire into Netharia.
Skorch, Vulcannus, and the Angel of Death came to the wounded king’s side.
“Your kingship is secured, King Pythus.” Skorch spoke, having suffered a severe wound to his arm.
“And so has our family’s glory.” Pythus nodded at Vulcannus. For the first and last time, the two brothers’ hatred was allayed.
“The enemy can not be pursued now, but they will not last long.”
Demoralized, Donet walked through the woods with his crossbow. He reached an opening, and saw a ghast in the distance. He smiled, and fired; a direct hit. He spotted an egg in the distance, and approached it.
A wither skeleton messenger ran to him, and passed him a message. Morally drained, Donet ignored him. “Can’t you let a Netharan hunt in peace?!”
The skeleton nodded no. Donet was unhappy, but sighed, and took the message.
“You must be lying.” Donet scowled, and looked at his two bodyguards.
“Fine, we go back. Soul Fortress has fallen, that just leaves us with Zollin Fortress. But… one moment.” Donet approached an egg. “You’ll fit as a nice prize, dinner. You’re as rare as a-”
Donet turned around as he heard a clatter, and then saw that his two bodyguards and messenger had been slain.
“Vulcannus.” Donet drew his primary weapon; a sykle.
“Donet.”
“Of all enemies, you’re the one I want to slay least. Step aside.”
“I can’t do that.” Vulcannus drew his bow, and aimed.
“Then why don’t you fire.”
“I have an offer, Donet.”
“And what could I possibly give you?”
“The rebellion ended in Netharia. Your cause is lost. But I have an offer to avenge our old friend. Surrender the rest of your armies, and many of them may find mercy.”
“Many of them.” Donet chuckled. “We both know Pythus will have no mercy. I may as well go down with a fight.”
“I’m thinking about the future, Donet, about your legacy, and the legacy of Xolas’ cause.”
“As am I. I want to destroy as much as I can, to scar Pythus’ reign for as long as he lives. Kill me here, so I’ll be a martyr, just like Xolas.”
“I think Xolas has already created a martyr, himself, you can’t do anything worse. Zillid Fortress will be raised, and you will die. It’s just a question of how it will happen.”
“There are some who won’t escape Pythus’ purge. The Piglins, our Voltares allies, likely your allies too.”
“I’ll do my best to keep some alive.”
“I doubt it. I’d be surprised if you live for much longer.”
“Possibly not, but I have my plans.”
Donet paced, for a long time, considering Vulcannus’ offer.
Donet spat on the ground, and then kneeled with his weapon in his palms. Vulcannus took it, and then escorted Donet away.
Vulcannus and the other elites watched as Pythus himself examined Xolas’ last supporters. Donet, Paddle, and some other netharan, along with the imprisoned felina and two Voltares.
“For treason against your king, terrorism, and violating all rules of war, by the true King’s will, I sentence you all to death.” Skorch spoke. “Only by the mercy of our king, your execution will be by the merciful slice of my sword. Do you have any final words?” Skorch spoke coldly, and Vulcannus raised an eyebrow, surprised Pythus had kept his condition of surrender.
“You did not win over the Nether, you never will. Your throne means nothing.” Donet spoke. Pythus’ expression became more amused than angry, and Skorch beheaded Donet.
Next was a Voltares. “We were allies, Skorch.” The Voltares spoke.
“Not today.” A slash, and the Voltares was gone.
Two wither skeletons just hissed, and were beheaded. Next came Paddle. He was clearly horribly beaten, and was missing a left arm and right ear. Skorch glared down at him with great disgust and hatred. “You monsters will die for what you’ve done. Monsters and slavers make common people like myself pick up arms, and fight for what is right. I never meant to kill your child, Skorch, but you brought this upon yourself.” Paddle spoke.
Angry, Skorch growled and brought his sword down with great strength with the blade going swiftly through Paddle, and it clanged against the ground. Then, he slaughtered the remaining ring leaders without mercy.
“With a pool of blood, Pythus’ enemies were gone, but Paddle was right. Tyrants like Pythus will always be resisted. Their fall is inevitable. When a ruler can only make enemies, they can never rule for long. I owe Pythus a thanks for giving me the allies I have now. The pathway to Netharia will soon be open for both of us, while some allies exist even in Pythus’ inner circle. With your help, Pythus’ fall will certainly come.”
The two dismounted Luna, as they reached a large nether portal.
“Your alliance has been invaluable, Vulcannus. The Knights of Ardonia owe you a great thanks.” Abbigail spoke. “But how will you rule when Pythus is gone?”
“I will undo what my brother has done, and create the society my father dreamt of. The nether will be restored under a true and rightful king.”
Luna glared at Vulcannus, clearly untrustworthy of their ally.
“I require time to close the other portals and mobilize my allies, but it should only be in a fortnight that my other allies strike. Traversing through the nether will be difficult with your dragon and armies, but this portal here should work when the time comes. Follow the map and go straight west, my allies will make it a relatively safe passage.” Vulcannus passed Abbigail a map, which she took.
“And what if you end up like all the others who have tried to stop Pythus?”
“Let us hope that won’t happen.” Vulcannus put on his crown, and lit the portal with a fire charge. He looked back at the two, and then entered.
Vulcannus entered Lavatown from the portal, where Boldue and a few Netharans awaited him. “Pythus’ time has come. Rally the rest of your forces, and we march to Netharia at once.” Vulcannus drew the glowing nether blade, and pointed it in the direction of Netharia, registering his authority and right to the throne.