The end or the beginning? Numbers or Power?

The afternoon sun was high in the sky, coloring the battlefield into warm gold. Birds were singing and a peaceful silence lay over the landscape. A trickery silence, because there was nothing peaceful about this. This was a war, just a pause in the ongoing fight for buildings, villages, honor and the final victory. And in less than an hour blood will cover the grounds, smoke will fill the air and the screams of dieing soldiers will echo over the field of All out war. Ages faction, led by Jul and TgL had made an amazing race towards the Large Industrial City, gaining important points for their progress, after Longreach on the other side locked them already in. This was the only way they could go to stay in the war. But on this side of the map they had to face Lordsbane faction, who had some really impressive warriors in their ranks. Jul was tense, if they loose this building, nothing would protect them from being locked in. Their whole faction would suffer, barely being able to do anything than gathering and building useless wagons. Not a future she wanted for them. Restlessly they have prepared, stuffed healer wagons full with supplies, brought as many soldiers over as possible. Now all they could do was wait, watching the clock ticking down. Will this be the end or the beginning?

God Broly was hiding in the trees. He saw the armies approaching. Little armies, compared with his impressive force that was waiting just a few meters away in the hills. Soon he will start to stop them, making sure, that there is no way Ages would keep that building. He still could not believe, that this little faction was able to race over quicker than them and that even with trying, they were not able to stop them. This would not repeat today. Today they will hit with full force not letting any doubt that they are here to win not only this battle, but the whole war! And with that he gave the signal to his army and the earth started shaking when millions of soldiers started to move. 

Jul saw the dragon rising and a knot build in her throat. This was on the wrong side of the city. Someone managed to get between them and their reinforcement. Someone very strong, if that mighty dragon was any indication. Seconds later she heard the war cries, steel clashing on steel and the horn sending alarm. There was nothing she could do but hope, that other armies of her faction got the warning in time, chosing another way while whoever was there slaughtered the army he just found. Her anger increased the longer the battle sounds were to be heard, but this anger also fed her determination to win this battle. On the other side of the city the full force of Lordsbane gathered. It was easy to outrun them, when they were catching the city, but this was different. Orange banners flapped in the wind as far as she could see. Horses , wagons, spears and shields. An unbreakable wall. But looking in the faces of the soldiers around her, she saw the same determination. Many have come, many were ready to fight, to die to make sure, this was not over yet. Not even a week has passed since the old gods put three alliances together. Days she has tried everything to make them work as a team. Today was their test, will they be able to fight inunity, despite language problems? A massive horn sounded and the orange mass moved towards the gates. Seconds only until it was down and they had free way to Juls forces in the middle of the city. Way too fast the Municipal Center was burning. Now it came all down to numbers. 

God Broly moved quickly back to the real battle. He killed important reinforcement and was sure with them the moral of Ages faction. But when he arrived, he had to face an unexpected bloodbath. Higher numbers than expected made it to the city and his faction was clearly outnumbered. Instantly he started attacking, his sword cut through flesh, his shield blocked stroke after stroke. For every fallen soldier on his side he killed 10 on theirs but there was barely any progress. The ground became slippery from blood and lost armor parts, making it hard for both sides to stay upright and fight properly. Over and over Lordsbane tried to pull the strong fighters out of the center to easier target the weaker ones, but Ages was concentrated and focussed on not leaving any ground. This was much harder than expected and planned. Have they underestimated this faction again? Will their goal of reaching the middle and today against a group of untrained and unexperienced warriors just because of numbers?

“Hold the line” Jul commanded. Again and again, she saw warriors of her faction leaving the city. Healers have been waiting outside, but it was taking way too long until they came back to fight. She was happy, that Lordsbane did not even try to kill their healers, they fully focused on their low marches, cutting down their numbers more and more. They have started with almost 3 times the armies, Lordsbane had brought into the army, now numbers were even and every second the bar would start advancing in the favor of Lordsbane. Jul was desperate. This was a typical symptom of forming a team from 3 different alliances. All had their different way of fighting. The TgL warriors were fighting all around her. Not caring about their losses, relying that someone would heal them eventually. But all their own healers were already dead and LBE had put them all outside, forcing their warriors to move away from the battle decreasing the numbers even more than the slaugther of Lordsbane. She had to block another blow, forcing her another step back. They needed to get everyone inside, but how?

Finally the fight turned into their favor. God Broly took a satisfied look on the scoreboard. They had worn them out and reinforcement from their Hall was slow to arrive. They could finish them off one by one now, an easy task for warriors of his power. It would not take long anymore and they will finally have this city, ready to move on. With the resitance decreasing the called his soldiers back. Together they finished off the last warriors inside the city and when the signal finally ended the fight he sank to the ground, catching his breath. He was exhausted, but satisfied. He prefered a real battle more than people not daring to face him. And this little faction had put a lot determination in, to keep this city. Perhaps they should think about allying with them? In his opinion Longreach was the third strongest faction on the field. If they get the chance, they will have endless battles with them, always threatening their progress towards the city. Allying with Ages, will put a puffer between them. They will have to sacrifice some of the buildings, but Ages had shown determination and they will fight Longreach until the end and will only need little support to emerge victorious. He needed to talk to his leadership about it. 

Covered in sweat and blood the soldiers of Ages faction arrived back in their Hall. Silence hang in the air, no one spoke. They have given everything, they have pushed above the limits and it still was not enough. Jul was torn inside, so many times she called the other warriors to get into the city, but she knew blaming them would not help and make any future cooperation even harder. And now they needed it even more. With Longreach in the south, defenitely totally overpowering them and Lordsbane in the North, perhaps defeatable, with even higher numbers and more teamwork, but only at really high costs, the situation of Ages faction was really bad. Within 2 more days their biggest fear might come true. But what could they do to not been locked in?