The Anomie of the Nightmare Anew, a Living Hel [Skarnfel v. Aphros]

[Daeut]

On the eve of the demonic Archon's declaration, there was silence. A stillness and panic those of the Twilight City knew all too well, as though they had rehearsed for this eventuality many times before. Inculcated in the collective consciousness of the Asperan many was their role and duty as a bulwark of flesh and steel against the inexorable tides of Man's manifested sin.

Yet this silence was not one of resignation, or an acknowledgment of the darkness that would soon beset the people of Dawn and Dusk.

It was the silence of focus and preparation. Anticipation in the light of enemy initiative stolen from under their noses, well armed towards a single undertaking of their own. Luminaries of every nation showed themselves in the War Hall of Aphros, the selfsame chambers in which the Empire of Vdalion once conjured its plan to vanquish the demonic threat, to reach a unanimous agreement:

The Enemies of Man must die.

Unity, the likes of which had not been seen since Jokul's reign--and perhaps beyond it--found ground during the Summit. A Crusade comprised of every possible nation in Meranthe, with the single goal of quashing the organized forces of Helheim from its borders once and for all.

Aphros provided the staging point, and its Bastion a spearhead into the encroaching shadows.

Delphina committed itself to its single stated goal of removing the taint of demonkind.

The Enclave set aside its differences, giving its all as Pylae's lightening arrow to pierce the storm, and act as both a blade and aegis under oath.

Audhild put the past behind itself with the determination to see the lands expunged of its most imminent peril.

And the mercenary group Goldlight to render its services free of charge.

Each and every one of them sworn to the defense of the Asperan Church, and to stave off the main bulk of Skarnfel's army with numbers and strength to eclipse those of Helheim. To preclude them from any greater foothold than they have already achieved. A united front of nations to protect Meranthe's main bulwark, while the rest of Meranthe embarks elsewhere on a campaign to retake from the divided and diverted enemy few.

The forces of Helheim would soon be reminded the might of a united Meranthe.

...

A single psionic message returned to the Archon in kind.

It relayed with the static scrape of the Warden's Aether only few had the displeasure of experiencing.

How curious that you would wish harm upon me knowing the consequences.

I suppose Palade snuffing Eranath didn't send the proper message.

My Heart has been sundered and stabbed into a patchwork of steel; my Mind has been distended and warped into something you cannot comprehend; my Body is little more than a vessel for the Heavens to use and discard as they deem proper.

You cannot break me in a way that matters.

So should you break me, ensure I stay dead.

You won't like what you see on the other end.

Objective: Destroy the Enemies of Man