As Zhong-Gou descended upon Mataram, the Coalition Forces prepared to reject them. Zhong-Gou wanted the land and the Coalition Forces wanted to return Mataram to its rightful owner. Both wanted to stop the Dark Kami. The Coalition Forces were weakened, their troops decimated from the last war. What they lacked in numbers they made up for in experience and determination. Once rivals, Nippon and Mataram have joined forces to retake Mataram from the Dark Kami and to keep Zhong-Gou from gaining any more territory. With knowledge of the land and guerilla warfare, the rag-tag army was prepared to fight a long and brutal war. Too long at rest, Zhong-Gou’s armies ached for battle. Nippon’s soldiers were winning glory and power across the globe while Zhong-Gou only watched. Their general had drilled his soldiers to near perfection, but he was going to fight battle hardened experience with parade field practice. Landing their ships on corrupted shores, Zhong-Gou disembarked its troops prepared to win a war of attrition. As both armies waged a pitched battle, the Dark Kami of Madness sowed his dissent. The beasts of the land, along with what civilians survived the initial corruption, assaulted the warring soldiers. Their wounds festered, slowly driving the victims mad. Soldiers turned against their comrades and the Dark Kami laughed. The Kabuki Theater hosted the Dark Kami and their vile rituals. Possessing both the Elemental Books of Water and Void, the Kami held power of Mataram and its master RyuSui. Realizing this, both armies decided to work together against the dark beings. With their armies slowly dwindling, both Zhong-Gou and the Coalition put their war aside for the moment. Taking up arms, the combined force assaults the Dark Kami and RyuSui. Defeating a Kabuki Dancer at great cost, the combined force secured the Book of Water. Drawing out the Water Dragon, its corrupted and bloated form slew many soldiers before finally falling dead. RyuSui’s death came as a boon to the combined force. This new boon gave them the tenacity and drive needed to go against the Dark Kami. As the mortals attempted to subvert the Kami of Madness, Hastur worked to turn them to its cause. Kabuki Dancers were dispatched to draw the mortals in. They wove tales of rewards for recovered artifacts, giving reason for the soldiers to come to the theater. When the soldiers arrived, the Dark Kami gave them a glimpse of what they wanted. Hastur, the Dark Kami of Madness, offered the mortals their prize. If they would only come and play a game with it, Hastur would give them the Elemental Book of Earth. Many soldiers came to the Kabuki Theater and played Hastur’s game. Many soldiers lost their souls to the Dark Kami. Dozens of lives were claimed before one soldier succeeded and walked free with the Book of Earth. Possessing both the Elemental Books of Earth and Void, the combined armies could start the ritual that would cleanse Mataram of the Dark Kami taint once and for all. Five soldiers prepared their minds and souls for this task. As they cast the ritual, Hastur appeared to each of them. The combined forces of Zhong-Gou and the Coalition watched in horror, for they could do nothing. The powerful energies that emanated from the ritual could not be stopped without causing untold damage. Appearing inside of the ritual circle, Hastur whispered promises to each participant. Unimaginable power, everlasting life, and even a place as a Kami were offered to the member. Each was tempted. Each stood resolute. Seeing its error, Hastur grew enraged. It thought to bring man to the brink of success, then drive them over the edge and into the abyss. Hastur underestimated the stubbornness of mortals, misunderstanding their nature. The mortals wanted nothing more than to save Mataram from the Dark Kami. Failing its gambit, the Dark Kami and the corruption it had spread across and through Mataram was cleansed. The ritual sent forth a wave of light and burned away the darkness. Mataram was cleansed and the Dark Kami banished, for now. With Mataram free from the darkness, there was no need for alliance. Zhong-Gou and the Coalition Forces made war once again. What remained of both armies crashed against one another like a wave against the rocks. All five Elemental Books were brought to bare. Devastating magics were used as soldiers died and the ground ran red with blood. When the smoke cleared and the screaming of dying men ended, Zhong-Gou stood victorious. The Coalition Forces had fought bravely and with great tenacity, but their numbers were too few. Without their vast numbers, the Zhong-Gou troops did not have the necessary resources to hold Mataram. What forces were left would be needed to guard the mainland from any retaliation. Zhong-Gou sent its troops home. As the survivors of the war buried their dead and treated their wounded, they found the Elemental Books missing. Zhong-Gou had secured all five. Though Mataram was back in the hands of its rightful owner, the generals of the Coalition Force did not rejoice. The books wield incredible power. With that power in the hands of a single nation was a terrifying prospect. Zhong-Gou boasted the largest territory in Engoku. Their armies dwarfed what any single nation could muster. The Coalition Force was devastated, but Zhong-Gou’s army had lost many troops and would will be sorely pressed to defend its great territory. It would take time for both militaries to rebuild. Zhong-Gou would prepare to resist invaders as the Coalition Force would prepare to attack each of the five Kingdoms of Zhong-Gou.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 03:12:29 +0000
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