The Martial Unity

WHOOSH…

An eerie dread hung in the air as the defense line of beasts and monsters was set across the east coast of the nation, along with the siege weapons drawn away from the other battles and focused on the distant horizon.

RUMBLE…

Warships were ushered to ports where reserves and off-shift Martial Artists quickly boarded them, filling them to the brim as two separate fleets were formed to deal with the incoming assaults.

Different regiments of MECHAs from the Kandrian government and the Martial Union were also docked aboard the ship, as every available MECHA Martial Artist was deployed to intercept their enemies.

The two war fleets would intercept those of their enemies and slow them down even further in their attempt to reach the Kandrian Empire, along with the projected attempts of the elves to try and slow down NOVA’s war fleets.

The more time they could delay the enemy from reaching the Kandrian Empire, the more lives they could save, and the greater the probability that they would find some miracle of a solution that would protect the Kandrian Empire from their enemies.

“War fleet A-36, preparations complete! Ready for dispatch!”

“War fleet C-67, preparations complete. Ready for dispatch as well.”

“Dispatch order confirmed.”

“Deploying.”

RUMBLE…

Two massive war fleets took off from the Kandrian Empire, heading towards the North-East. The North-East already had a battlefront and war ongoing between the original tekvore force and the Panamic retaliation, and now the two war fleets rushed to fight off the two enemy war fleets amidst the darkness of the night.

“This does not bode well.” Matriarch Nephi was calm, yet grim.

WHOOSH

The ocean breeze brushed past her as she stood at the very forefront of the warship sailing north through the Great Nam Ocean.

“This entire thing never boded well,” Sage Zentra replied with a remarkably composed voice. “But it has truly degenerated to a much, much worse situation.”

“Rui messed up this time,” Sage Ceeran admitted as his grip over the railing at the sides of the ship tightened. “We will have to pay the price for his actions. I love Rui but…”

His words trailed off.

The other Martial Sages gathered around at the front of the warship largely remained silent.

“His Highness is in pursuit of greater power,” Sage Sayfeel calmly remarked. “People of his caliber and destiny are not ordinary. Everybody who is destined for greater power must seek power at all costs, even if it means being… selfish. However, His Highness growing stronger will ultimately benefit all of us.”

“…I’m not surprised that he’s still stuck in training.” Kane heaved a sigh as his hands rested on the hilts of his twin daggers hanging from his belt. “Once Rui gets invested in a project, there’s almost nothing in this world that can move him. It’s what makes him as amazing as he is, but…”

He scratched his green hair with a pained expression. “It can be quite annoying for those around him.”

“Forget about His Highness,” Sage Vericita remarked as she maintained a fixed gaze at the horizon. “What has happened has happened. There’s no point in thinking about it. For now, focus your attention on the incoming war fleets. It will take us everything and more if we have any chance of holding back these war fleets for an extended amount of time to give the Emperor of Harmony more time to perhaps forge an alliance or find some other solution.”

Even as she said that, she was unable to hide her lack of conviction that such a thing was likely. The Emperor of Harmony had been immersed in gathering more and more allies over the past year, and things had stalled as the power blocs and interest groups remained in a deadlock. None of them could bring themselves to believe that the Emperor of Harmony would find a new ally at the very final moment that would send emergency reinforcements.

“We will just have to pray for a miracle.” Matriarch Nephi’s grim voice grew increasingly grave.

The others turned towards her with a pointed expression. “…What do you see in the future?”

Her expression darkened. “…I don’t.”

The others frowned at those words. “What do you mean you don’t?”

“I mean exactly what I said.” She directed a glance of irritation at her peers before turning to gaze back at the dark seas and sky. “I… I am unable to get a proper read on the outcome of this conflict.”

Her words stunned her peers.

They knew, having worked with her for many years, that she was usually invaluable in times of emergencies, able to offer great clarity on what was to come.

Very rarely was she completely unable to get a read on the future.

The only times such a thing happened were when there were forces at play that exceeded even her comprehension. Events of great impact and information that were beyond even her ability to divine. These often involved things like the Unfolding, or Martial Transcendents.

“There is something unfathomable in the future.” Matriarch Nephi declared with a solemn tone. “A force so extraordinary that it defies our ability to parse.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“A being of unparalleled power.”

Her words were ominous.

“…Is it or are they on our side?” Kane gulped nervously.

She shook her head. “I cannot say. All I can tell you is that the future is being blocked by an entity of extraordinary power and impact. The consequences of this entity will be wide and far-reaching.”

“…Could it be Jormungandr?” one Martial Sage suggested. “It’s the line Transcendent-level entity in the world.”

Matriarch Nephi stirred at those words. “…No, it is not. I can recognize the signature of fate that corresponds with Jormungandr. The World Serpent is not responsible for the complete obscuration of the future. This being…”

Her expression grew heavy. “…may very well be of the same caliber. I sense that this entity is so powerful that it may… completely change our understanding of the limitations of power. The only question is…”

Her eyes sharpened.

“Who could it be?”