Dreaded words have disrupted the relative peace the Citadel enjoys because of its superior magical reserves.

"General Quarters, General Quarters. All warriors, man your battlestations."

The following messages coming from the Prime Minister's voice have an edge of worry laden in her tone, but she speaks loudly and clearly for all of the surrounding and interior parts of the Citadel to hear.

The Fievegal is once more under attack.

And, because of the small size of the Fievegal, coupled with incomplete communication devices that haven't been deployed yet, enemies of the Fievegal are able to reach to the very heart of the fledgling nation and attack its capital seat directly with very minimal resistance. Gwenesphia jogs to the main flyway of the Citadel from the teleporter in the control room, followed by Veiranoei, Wenlianna, and Senn. Bellphine remains in the control room, rejoining the other ladies in waiting for their own separate instructions.

The sheer size and scope of the Citadel itself dwarfs the largest castles in the east, making even the large footprint of the city-like palace of the Grand Zenkon Empire seem like a large estate when compared to the mountain of a structure that once housed the legendary soulwyrms, or more accurately, the feldroks.

Ryuogriar, Reignleif, and Geirahoel are already gathered on the flyway with Gold, Vaergraes, Aoloan, Xyreko, Balamae, Ucahote, and the Stalvaltan women, as well as appropriate military officers for the Stalvaltan Guard.

Yanidere is the one giving orders as Aramellianna oversees. "... to the eastern gate and intercept any attackers trying to catch the civilians. Mind the range and firing lines of the wall defenses."

"Yes, your Grace!" replies Captain Muindis as he salutes. He gives a brief bow to the newly arrived Empresses of the Fievegal before jogging to a waiting shuttle to carry out his orders. Yanidere doesn't waste time, turning to the next officer, "Captain, take your men and man the northern gate's defenses. You have permission to use the length of the wall to launch defensive strikes on the attackers, and you may deploy up to half of your forces beyond the wall to defend the civilian population. They may be what we call demon-kin, but they are members of the Fievegal, same as us."

"Of course your Grace."

"Before you go, Sir Helbeit, Sir Resken;"

"Yes ma'am!" reply the knights in question.

"Each of you take Dragonslayers and a full loadout of anti-magic arr-, er, uh, bullets. You have authority to move freely, but I want you to focus on defense of civilians before engaging enemy forces unless a high value target arrives. We shall use Imperial Standard Flare spells to communicate such arrivals."

"As you wish, your Grace!" confirm the two knights who participated in the battle with Yaulwembor.

Gwenesphia asks as they're getting close to the larger group, "Xyreko, what's happening?"

The golem looks over her shoulder before looking further back. Sundenelle, Byleathea, Sir Ecklevon, Roeta, Baeka, Paet and Weya are arriving as well.

Ryuogriar is the one to reply, "The Hegemony's remnant seems to have banded together under someone's banner to attack us when we are at our most vulnerable."

"V-Vulnerable?" asks Wenlianna nervously.

Senn, in spite of arriving with Gwenesphia, Veiranoei, and Wenlianna, answers confidently, "The Citadel's mana is almost completely depleted."

This causes gasps from everyone who hasn't already heard it one way or another. Roeta snaps, "What the hell does that mean!?"

"Exactly what it sounds like, Dame Roeta," retorts the First Dragon Empress bluntly. Roeta immediately softens her posture and expression at the platinum blonde dragon's words, and Ryuogriar continues, "Daniel's Fiendbreakers put us very negative in terms of draw versus recovery, and our hope was to keep it quiet for as long as possible." She looks out over the distance, where fires and flashes from attack spells are destroying one of the exterior villages near the official northern border of the Fievegal, which is the closest border to the Citadel itself. "It seems our enemies were more perceptive than we hoped."

"We expected this was a possibility," replies Reignleif.

"Expecting and being ready for are very different," remarks the usually-unserious Gold.

"I'm surprised you aren't already out there trying to kill everyone." Geirahoel doesn't look at her seniors when she says this, but it's clear she is making a jab at Gold's competitive fighting spirit.

"I probably would," retorts the golden blonde. "If I wasn't bound by this…" She pulls her blouse open to show the tattoo-like magic brand that spans the cleavage of the top side of her breasts, and for those who know what it looks like, it very clearly spells a simple name.

'Daniel'.

Only the now-Empresses were given contracts that allowed them to fight in order to defend their children, with the rest of the dragons contracted to a near-helpless level of pacifism. He overcorrected due to how aggressive the male dragons under Morthybargaron were, and the implication of that very same contract was that not even Daniel himself could force the dragons to fight.

But, there are obviously situations where one such as Gold would be willing to fight and is unable to. "At best, I can destroy supplies or supply my magic to defense," adds Gold. "If you want to try to release my contract without the Harbinger, I'm willing…"

"We can't," replies Xyreko. "I don't have the resources to stop contract demons. And, it's possible our enemies will be able to trace the contract magic directly to you for the same result. Our advantage right now is the Citadel's size."

"I'll head to the wall for defense," offers Baeka, who has only just started to take an active role in the Fievegal's interior affairs after having reached out to the dattakorien villages. "After all, if there are any dattakoriens among our enemies, it's after they rejected my offer. I have no conflict with defeating them however we need to."

Xyreko answers, "The Empresses and other companions of Daniel's do not have to participate in the battle. Ucahote, Balamae, and I will coordinate defense using the Army, and if the worst should happen, I will conserve enough mana to evacuate the Imperial family and friends to the dam, where several vehicles will be able to carry you away from here."

"We're not abandoning the Citadel," declares Vaergraes. "At least, I'm not. There is only one person who should be in control of the Citadel at this point, and he is already in charge of it."

The others manage an uneasy chuckle, but Roeta adds, "Agreed. I'm fine with the Empresses evacuating, but I have too much to lose to abandon the Citadel now." She looks at Ryuogriar, pleading sincerely, "My Lady, if you do choose to evacuate, I ask that you take my and Magnir's egg with you."

Reignleif is the one to reply to the young pink dragon, "Don't be so fatalistic. There are the four of us that can still fight. The first four Valkyries." She looks to Ryuogriar, saying, "If you and Gold are willing to help me, I believe I can make use of a fiendbreaker attack at least once. I understand what has to happen. But, from the damage it did, it won't necessarily finish the fight in that one shot."

"Hah!" scoffs Gold. "It will surely be crippling for morale."

"They're demon-kin, not human-kin," replies Vaergraes. "They know who they're picking a fight with and are doing so anyways. Our best hope is that there are no archoneldwyn among them."

"I believe Doephluev is the last of her kind," replies Ryuogriar rather calmly. "But, I won't make the mistake of assuming we are invincible either. Not again." She looks at Geirahoel. "Geira, I would like you to stay with the Stalvaltans, specifically the Grand Duchesses. The Hegemony will almost certainly employ wyverns, and we can't afford to lose the airship."

"What will you be doing?" asks the young orange dragon.

"I'll go to the front line and try to route the enemies after seeing what we're up against while Reina and Gold prepare for our main attack."

"Your Majesty!" exclaim several voices, including Roeta, Aramellianna, and Yanidere.

Ryuogriar simply holds her hand up, keeping her confident composure. "With Daniel, Hekate and… that other one away from the Citadel, I believe there is no dispute that I am the next in line of authority, yes?"

Everyone is quiet, since it's true. And, even if anyone wanted to challenge her, the only ones strong enough would be Vaergraes, Senn, and possibly Reignleif and Geirahoel.

Aoloan does decide to say, "You're also the closest to Daniel. If something happens…"

"We're all close to Mukori," counters Ryuogriar bluntly. "None of our deaths are acceptable, including you. I, however, am most prepared to fight with adequate strength, and most prepared for what we could be up against. I will not recklessly fly into battle as I did that time. But, we cannot afford to allow our citizens to be attacked without consequence."

Reignleif sighs. "I suppose this is you not pressuring me to hurry." The blue dragon smiles, adding confidently, "I will be ready to fire in no more than twenty minutes. Do not aim for or be close to our enemies when the time comes. The Godkillers were more fearsome by magnitudes, but even dragon fire looks like a basic attack spell compared to the Fiendbreakers."

"I will remain high in the air."

"I'll defend your Grace from airborne threats, then," replies Roeta.

Vaergraes offers, "I can deposit as much of my mana as I can to the Citadel, or I can conserve it for healing magic if need be."

"Healing magic," declares Ryuogriar. "We will be able to store our allies in void bags to buy time, but the more deaths that pile up, the more our population will be permanently crippled." She looks around asking, "Where are Shek and Skloe?"

Xyreko answers, "Their Majesties are rallying the goblins not already assigned to the Army. It seems they have more influence over the goblin population than I assumed."

"With permission," starts Veiranoei. "I would like to go with Empress Ryuogriar."

The dragon in question cocks her head, surprised at this odd request. Veiranoei has among the least responsibility of the Empresses because her title is more for her protection, rather than a duty to the Fievegal.

"Why?" asks Ryuogriar, surprised.

"I'm a knight, and now, I'm a knight and Empress of the Fievegal. I've done nothing for this family yet, and I'm not one of Daniel's lovers. I wish to be of use in the way I know."

"I won't be fighting in close quarters," replies Ryuogriar.

"I know. And, while I'm not proficient with them yet, but I will wield a rifle to try to prevent any enemies that enter your blind spot or otherwise get too close from harming you, your Grace."

Ryuogriar is quiet. She's sympathetic to the need to do something, but Veiranoei's position is unique compared to the others.

"I know you're hesitating because I'm not a lover, and because I don't have children," remarks the gatonine correctly. "But, like you said, if we lose our home, that will be the least of any of our worries. So, please let me help defend our home."

Gold scoffs. "Can't much argue with that." She adds a little boisterously, "I can't be much use offensively until the Harbinger allows it, but I can at least take a hit meant for you. And, in a worst case, I can try to evacuate you two. So, I'll fly with you."

"I'm reassured already," jokes the Empress.

"I need you with me, Gold," counters Reignleif. "You'll be my targeting window through Ryuo once I'm ready. Ryuo, there won't be much time once the Fiendbreaker is up to speed, and I won't have the power to slow it down.

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"Gold, you may go. I'll handle the role Reignleif just mentioned." The one to say this is Senn, the elven sage notorious for remaining neutral, at least for the last few hundred years.

"You're getting involved, Senn?" asks Vaergraes. "This conflict is between the Fievegal and the former Demon Covenant, which has restructured itself as the Hegemony."

"I'm aware," replies Senn. She smirks and teases a little dryly, "Perhaps I'm interested in becoming the next Empress."

There's not much of a response, and the elven sorceress remarks, "Huh. It isn't as fun when Hekate is absent, huh?"

"I won't refuse your help," replies Ryuogriar. "But, are you certain?"

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to return to my war-hero ways," replies the ancient mage who most people have at least heard of on the continent of Stoerykame. "I have been relied on, but I have not been used since I came here. I even jeopardized the peace conference with this appearance." She gestures at herself with her free left hand as her right holds her staff. She's still in her 'Luna' illusory appearance for some reason, but it does satisfy her point. "Still, I have not been suspected nor accused of foul play."

"Should we?" asks Aramellianna a little dryly. "I've personally seen you in two different appearances, and the stories I've heard describe several more."

Senn smirks. "You should. Yet, I have been treated as an honored guest and a respected ally, rather than a tool." She looks at Ryuogriar. "I could even be an Empress if I said and did the right things. Perhaps I could even carry the next generation of elven children." She lifts and taps her staff a few times for a sort of idle fidget, seemingly feeling a little awkward herself for having said such a thing. "My point is, I have been testing you all since the moment I appeared at the banquet hosted by the Grand Premier. 'What is the Fievegal's goal?', 'What are the leadership of the Fievegal truly like?', 'Do they try to buy their way through processes and treat everyone around them like assets?' I spent the better part of my youth serving ungrateful kings and queens in their petty battles over territory and mines. You, including your Emperor, are not fighting these monsters that have lingered unimpeded for centuries with exchange as the requirement. Mattarglos is the only one you've asked anything for, but even they know your aid is not contingent on their reply. The world will finally step forward under the Fievegal, and answers I have been seeking since my youth may finally come to light."

Just before someone can ask what she has been seeking, Senn shifts her grip on her staff. "I do not care for battle, which is why I will assist with the targeting of the Fiendbreaker. And, if need be, I'll use my mana to slow the shot down if we need to abandon. If this battle can be ended without bloodshed,... Well, that's something Daniel and I tend to agree on."

"Unfortunately, we can't guarantee that," replies Ryuogriar.

"I know." Senn walks towards the edge of the flyway. It's easy to forget how high up they are because of the scope of the massive landing strip that is elevated to roughly the upper third of the Citadel. It is meant to be almost inaccessible to non-feldroks or other winged avians, meaning the feldroks can defend their own entrance very easily.

And, the height affords them a view far into the distance where the Hegemony's army is marching towards them. The individual soldiers are too far away to discern, but the army as a whole looks like a mass of darkness oozing across the greenery of the plains where the Citadel rests.

She remarks a little enigmatically, "We should plant glonvokaut here… It'll be nice to watch them grow…"

"Pardon?" asks the leading dragoness.

"It's nothing. A project for the future." Senn looks at the others again, saying confidently, "These enemies cling to the past. To the puppeteers that desire to cling to power over those who don't have enough combined power to fight back. Even with the Citadel, the world would remain the same under their banners. For millenia, I have watched empires rise and fall, and I have seen the rot that takes hold, trying to learn from the past to solidify their strategy. But, not to pursue the future. They fancy themselves gods over insects. Let's show them what we 'insects' can do when we have the advantage." The elven sage starts walking back towards the control room, and her last words on the topic are a cold and distant, "... For once…"

Ryuogriar looks at Reignleif and says calmly, "Go, Sister. Let me know when you are ready. I shall route the forces as much as I can from maximum range."

"Be careful," states Aramellianna. Reignleif bows and follows after Senn, while the brunette continues speaking. "I have never had to defend from enemies having us surrounded, but I will provide what oversight I can from here. The Citadel may not have much mana remaining, but we do have the advantage of defense for now. We also have another advantage."

"What's that, Mother?" asks Yanidere. "The dragons?"

"Well, yes, unless there are enemy dragons among them. But, we have one more important advantage, from what I understand. Daniel is not here."

It takes a moment to sink in, but Gwenesphia is the one who actually knows this. "Because the Citadel can't be turned over unless he's killed."

"Correct." The Grand Duchess Senior looks to Xyreko, who nods in agreement. "I will dedicate the last of my mana to storing away anyone wounded or… worse for when Daniel returns."

"What is the range of this ability?" asks Sundenelle, the newest member of the Fievegal.

"The Citadel's true influence reaches to the walls," replies Xyreko. "I don't think I have enough mana to transport anyone further than that."

"Very well." The albino Empress looks to Ryuogriar. "Empress Ryuogriar, with your permission, I'll take direct command of the wall's defense."

"Sun-!, er, Your Majesty!" exclaims Byleathea, having remained respectfully quiet until now.

For her part, the young Empress holds her hand up to quiet her and Sir Ecklevon. "Mother, I appreciate your concern, but I trust our new allies. There isn't enough time to retrieve the Imperial forces and march them here, even if we wanted to. It'll take weeks. That said, Sir Ecklevon, I'll send you with a message."

"Your Majesty,..." starts the gatonine knight. "Permit me to fight by your side if that is the choice you're making."

"Did you not pay attention to the walls?" teases the teen ruler. "If they're able to attack me, we've already lost a lot of ground." She then looks at Byleathea, "Mother, please remain with the Stalvaltan Grand Duchess Senior and advise her. Empress Ryuogriar, if you have someone who you can send with a message to the Imperial Palace and the ability to communicate with us, I will send a message to Duke Walliskah and King Vubenclef, who are reliable allies of mine. Mother will help coordinate their deployment to secure the borders of the Fievegal."

"I'm afraid not," replies Ryuogriar. "You have my guarantee that you will be sent to safety if we lose too much ground, but I can't allow you to deploy the Imperial Army in this matter. We have too many enemies in every faction, it seems, and the Grand Prince is involved with inciting violence and malicious rumors about us. We can't allow others outside of the Fievegal to know about the Citadel right now."

"But, if this turns into a siege and the enemy establishes defensive positions to protect their supply lines and rear…" counters Sundenelle.

"If we must, I will summon Hekate and Doephluev back. Hekate alone should be able to turn the tide in a worst case scenario," replies Ryuogriar. She adds under her breath, "... And, in an even worse case scenario, Mukori probably has another Godkiller hidden away."

There is a grim silence over the whole group.

"If I may, your Graces," starts Sir Ecklevon.

"Go ahead," replies Ryuogriar.

"Before it comes to worst case scenarios, the battle has to start." He gestures out over the army encroaching. "They're still about a day's march from actually attacking the walls of the Citadel, and it's mid afternoon. They'll almost certainly spend the rest of the day staging for the battle, and then launch a vanguard attack sometime shortly after clockset. Most demon-kin have excellent night-vision, and some are even nocturnal." He looks at Baeka, the dattakorien. While gatonines like Ecklevon share many similarities with the slightly more feline dattakoriens like Baeka, they have ended up on different sides of the mountains, which determined their allegiances for a long time. "I know from experience that dattakoriens have better night vision than gatonines. And, better natural camouflage." He scoffs, looking at his own gloved and armored left hand. "I may regret saying this, but your extra fur actually does a good job of hiding the natural mana glow of even powerful dattakorien mages."

This doesn't surprise the three dattakorien women, but Baeka does add, "There shouldn't be many dattakoriens among their troops. Most of the tribes pledged non-aggression if they refused to move to us. Regardless, Sir Ecklevon is right. Speaking only for the dattakoriens, that is exactly what I would do."

"There will undoubtedly be goblins and dumgobs among their troops as well," replies Vaergraes. "Can we deploy Grendel Six?" "Grendel Six is on another mission, with my approval," replies Ryuogriar, shooting a glance at Xyreko. "And, to preserve mana, they will be operating with minimal operational support from the Citadel. If anyone wants to take charge of the goblins being rallied by Shek and Skloe, we will want to have the night shift ready for the coming attack."

"If we do so, your Grace, I would recommend a pre-emptive strike that hits hard while they're establishing their siege line. And, I would also recommend holding fire on the wall's defensive weapons until the bulk of their forces are in range."

"Yes, I am thinking the same," replies Ryuogriar. "Our enemies are brazen. To prevent further attacks, we need to break their morale." She looks at Sundenelle. "Perhaps we will have use for the Empire's military after this attack is dealt with." The dragon's entire aura shifts to anger, and she growls, "They have obviously come here in hopes of becoming a part of the Fievegal. We shall oblige them." She looks at Gold with a smirk. "What's left of them."

The golden dragon grins. "We really should retire the Harbinger, shouldn't we?" teases the fiery blonde.

While Geirahoel immediately responds "Yes!", Ryougriar realizes why the golden dragon made the joke. She's playfully calling Daniel weak.

"Perhaps I should add some stipulations to your rivalry with Mukori, Gold," retorts the silvery-white Empress.

"What? Like 'bear his offspring'?" scoffs Gold.

Ryuogriar gives only a smirk as she asks a new question directed at everyone else, "Is anyone unclear on our plan of attack?"

Wenlianna points out, "If I may, um, Mukori…"

This causes Gold to snort and roll her eyes, but everyone else pays attention to the brunette.

"Yes, Wenlianna-Mukori?" asks the eldest dragon present.

"If Great Aunt Reina is going to prepare the Fiendbreaker right now, wouldn't… Wouldn't it be better to use it while they're establishing their… um… camp?"

Wenlianna is chiefly a researcher and a bookworm. She doesn't have any experience with combat, other than what she has experienced since becoming part of the Fievegal, and she neglected her studies on historical battles because she believed she would live and die in her laboratory, even if she fed her mother pleasant promises of marrying and carrying on the Stalvaltan name and bloodline alongside her four sisters.

She's not particularly comfortable with suggesting plans for a battle, since she knows so little, but if they only have one shot with the weapon used to defeat Kernuules, they need to make it impactful.

Sundenelle correctly surmises and answers in place of Ryuogriar, "It's actually not a bad idea to open with a devastating attack, if this 'Fiendbreaker' is what it sounds like. It may deter our enemy that much longer. Though, of course, if the goal is to break morale, taking out as many of their troops as possible with that one attack is preferable. However, no matter what happens, simply the fact that it can be done will have them second guessing, lying awake in anxiety all evening before they can ever even launch their attack after clockset. They either build their camp further back, meaning they have to exhaust themselves just to engage in battle, or they gamble on whether or not we can use it a second time and close the distance." The albino teen gestures at Ecklevon, adding, "Where, as Sir Ecklevon said, our ranged attacks from the wall will tear them apart."

Wenlianna pales at this description, but Ryuogriar agrees. "Yes. I'd rather they not even get the chance to set up a camp, but judging by how large that force is, we should prepare for a longer siege. Veiranoei, Gold, Roeta, let us be off. Aramellianna, Wen-Mukori will assist you with the radio for coordinating defense. Geirahoel, you're in charge as position of authority, but please heed the Grand Duchess Senior's words. Should anything happen to me, inform Hekate and Neith at once. They must return with or without Mukori right away, and advise Hekate to end the fight by whatever means necessary. I will take responsibility for whatever she does."

Everyone nods in agreement, and Ryuogriar starts walking away from the group towards the airship. Or, so it seems. She says over her shoulder, "For those of you who haven't seen it, please do not panic." She casts the spell that transforms her, and the regal First Dragon Empress is suddenly engulfed in a torrent of smoke and magic-light. She grows in size, dwarfing everyone on the flyway. Sundenelle, Byleathea, and even Sir Ecklevon take a step back, while Veiranoei twitches in surprise.

Gold teases, "Is this your first time seeing a dragon up close, Sir Ecklevon?" She follows Ryuogriar, casting the same spell, and Ryuogriar casts the spell for Roeta, so that the pink dragon may conserve her mana.

Ecklevon remarks distantly, "How did we ever think we could win the war…?"

Byleathea scolds him quietly, "Sir Ecklevon!"

"He's right, Mother," counters Sundenelle, who can't take her eyes off of the three dragons and their humongous size. But also, their absolute beauty. Their scales gleam in the sunlight, and pure mana seems to ripple across their metallic horns and through the membranes of their massive wings. It would be fair to say that the legends of dragons collecting treasure is only because at a distance, they look truly adorned in wealth.

In spite of her size, Ryuogriar's deepened voice maintains a comfortable volume. "Remember to use proper communication on the radios. I am Valkyrie One, Roeta is Four, and Gold is Five."

"Right!" answers Gwenesphia, who was part of the last major defensive operation. She adds, "As the Grand Duchess Senior said, please be careful."

Even with her draconic true form, the platinum white dragon's gentle, but confident smile is easy to discern. "Of course. Though, I will not be upset to awaken to Mukori taking care of me."

"Do that in safety," warns Vaergraes warmly, which prompts the dragons to grin at her. "I can't swap death."

Ryuogriar scoffs. They have a couple of revival potations at present, but recklessness will only waste them, and they still need Daniel's way of making 'starfall powder', which will be a long time off with the Citadel's mana depleted.

"Valkyries deploying," states Ryuogriar officially. "Let the battle begin." She spreads her wings, and Sundenelle watches breathlessly. She steps closer, jogging towards the edge of the flyway when the three dragons step off with fearlessness, and Veiranoei braces as she rides on Ryuogriar's back after being given a fire elemental blaster by Xyreko.

She watches the avians take flight, sweeping their massive wings in graceful movements that seem to defy gravity itself. "Incredible…" murmurs the young Empress.

Gwenesphia approaches and stands alongside her. "It's actually a rare treat. Ryuo, Reina, and Geira rarely take their true forms."

"I thought I'd be afraid, but…"

"Inspired, yes?" asks the gatonine, looking directly at the Imperial teen.

"Yes. Inspiring…" She whirls, saying confidently, "Minister Xyreko, grant me a uniform, even if it doesn't fit. Mark my words; I will not allow a single speck of dirt to reach the entryway carpet."

Byleathea takes a strained inhale, fidgeting nervously, while Ecklevon sighs a bit. They know that they can't stop her, but it's clear her mother has something else on her mind.

After all, Sundenelle is the sovereign of the Grand Zenkon Empire, and her extended 'furlough' will not go unnoticed forever.

Rather, wheels are in motion that will endanger her position entirely.

***

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