Brave New World

by Ulquiorra9000

Chapter XXVII: One Way

Morning mist still hung low over the ground as Anna marched toward Passeleus' border with thousands of her fellows. Thalai League soldiers in white and gold uniforms marched in squares of a hundred soldiers each, muskets raised. Platoons of Dassos Combine troops walked alongside them, dressed in their usual purple uniforms. They pulled the four gorgon crates along on wagons, the wheels creaking over the bumpy ground as the soldiers advanced. Furthermore, Akti Union troopers brought cannons and a few cyclops knights as backup weapons, not to mention squads of sorcerers like Anna's.

Up ahead, Passeleus looked so ordinary and sleepy to Anna's eyes. Just a proud port city waking up to a new day. The bay was empty except for Federation warships that bobbed in the waters, bristling with cannons. The sun had just barely peeked over the ocean's horizon, but its warmth was slow to catch up. Anna and the other shivered in the damp morning as they pushed on.

Up until now Anna felt eager to fight this final battle, in order to take down Elias Xanos and reunite with Chara. But now, all Anna could think about was succumbing to enemy fire or sorcery. She had survived battles before, but that was no guarantee, and this was the best-defended city in the world.

"Just treat this like any other mission, Anna," Hera said gently as she clapped a hand to Anna's shoulder. "You'll see your sister again. I'll make sure of it."

"Yeah, just keep coddling her," Leon Savas sneered. Although he now wore an Akti Union uniform, he still had his usual slicked-back hair, earrings, and sneer.

Anna ignored the former crime lord and smiled. "Thank you, Hera."

"Hold!" cried a Combine officer. "Positions, everyone."

It was time; Anna stood there with her squad while the other sorcerer squads took up positions on the hilly road just outside Passeleus. The Union, League, and Combine soldiers locked and loaded their muskets and prepared to fire at the enemy.

For a moment nothing happened. Then everything happened.

In the distance, Anna heard repeated booms of ship cannons and she knew that both fleets had engaged. Meanwhile, countless green-uniformed Federation soldiers poured from the city's gates. They brought cannons and cyclops knights with them, and both sides exchanged cannon fire to open the battle.

Chunks of earth exploded upwards as cannonballs flew everywhere. As the two sides drew nearer, crackling musket fire filled the chilly morning air and clouds of gray smoke blocked Anna's vision. She heard everything, though: the roar of cannons, war cries of men, and soldiers falling as they were shot by indiscriminate fire.

A breeze wafted away the smoke as both sides reloaded their muskets. The cyclops knights took their turn: they marched in formation, helmet visors down and swords raised. With unbelievable clashes of metal on metal, the ten-foot-tall humanoids began their ritualized combat. Shiny silver armor dented and creaked as the giants strained to gain an edge over each other.

The muskets and cannons reloaded, and as both sides opened fire, sorcery entered the fray as well. Sheets of flame, twisting currents of water, volleys of icicles, and lightning bolts lit up the battlefield in a terrifying, multi-colored display. Anna soon saw the results of Elias Xanos' sorcery roundup program: there were more sorcerers in this Federation army than she had ever seen in any one place. A sheer tidal wave of supernatural power raged its way toward the invading army, and Anna wasn't sure how they'd survive. She, Vangel, and the others gave it their all just to keep the Federation sorcerers at bay.

Leon had the solution.

"Now!" he shouted, and he, passed a few thick roots to Hera and Phillip while keeping a few for himself. All three psychic sorcerers quickly ate the plant roots, then stiffened as super-charged psychic power blasted from their heads.

Now Anna realized what was happening. Hera had told her about the root of the gevaski flower, which could increase a person's sorcery to an impressive but dangerous extent. Most likely, Hera, Phillip, and Leon only had hours to live. They had saved this trump card for the very end.

Whatever was needed to defeat Elias.

The Federation sorcerers and soldiers alike wailed in shock as the three Union sorcerers applied their power. A sheer web of mind-altering sorcery radiated across the battlefield and turned the massive Federation army against itself. Sorcery, cannon fire, and musket shots all rippled across the Federation army. Then, the firepower of the invading army pushed the Federation army back, further and further, back to Passeleus' gates. Many Federation soldiers and sorcerers lay dead, most killed by their own fellows.

It's working! Anna felt a thrill as the Federation army grudgingly shrank back, melting into the city limits. Many Union and League soldiers lay dead, and two of their cyclops had succumbed to the other side's knights. But still, the first stage of the invasion looked like a success. Musket and cannon fire tapered off as the Federation army completed its tactical retreat.

"Hold!" the Combine officer shouted, and once again the invading army re-organized. This time, the cyclops knights and sorcerers moved to the front of the army and led the invasion. Soldiers and cannon crews followed them through the gates, through Passeleus' wall, and into the city proper.

Not a soul was in sight. Anna swept her gaze through the brick streets but saw only barricades and unlit buildings. Anna dearly hoped that all of Passeleus' citizens had either evacuated the city or hidden themselves deep in shelter. No innocent life should have to pay for Elias' downfall, Anna reminded herself.

Slowly, warily, the army pushed through the wide streets toward the city hall, a massive, beautiful complex situated on a hill. Plenty of roads lead up to it, allowing soldiers and sorcerers to split up into groups and make their way toward their goal. However, a Federation ambush could happen at any time and Anna never stopped checking around buildings and down alleyways. Meanwhile, Hera, Phillip, and Leon scanned the area with their psychic power. All three of them looked exhausted: they trembled as sweat ran down their faces, their eyes screwed up in concentration.

Finally, the Federation defenders emerged from the woodwork, this time with allied soldiers. The green-clad Federation troops rushed out to flank the invaders, allied with platoons of Corosa Protectorate soldiers. Once again musket fire raged between both sides, and the cyclops knights, after reciting their battle prayers, marched into the fray with swords held at the ready.

"Release the gorgons!" the Combine officer bellowed. The invading army was again slowly pushing back the Federation defenders, mostly because the Union psychics had turned the Federation sorcerers against each other. And now, once the Combine's four gorgons were strategically released (whatever that meant), the Federation would be finished. Within minutes, Anna heard the chilling cries of the gorgons.

But something was wrong. The Combine troops had retreated suddenly into cover, taking up positions in alleyways and behind buildings. At the same time, the four gorgons stepped out of their crates and wreaked havoc among the Union and League soldiers. All over, Anna saw men turned to stone while the survivors scattered.

The Combine soldiers were careless! The gorgons are tearing us apart! Anna fell back with her squad as Hera led everyone into a dark alleyway. Caught between the Federation soldiers and rampaging gorgons, the Union and League soldiers could do little as they were alternatively shot and petrified.

Then it became clear that the Combine had released its gorgons by design. Carefully emerging from cover, the Combine soldiers took aim and helped the Federation pummel the invading army with musket fire. Before Anna's very eyes, the invading army crumbled.

"They betrayed us!" Phillip hissed. He clenched his fists. "Elias' psychic power goes even further than we thought. He infiltrated the Dassos Combine's leadership. It's the only explanation."

Anna had to agree. Those captured gorgons weren't meant to help conquer Passeleus; they were meant to help cement Elias Xanos' military supremacy by ravaging the Union's army. Anna felt numb on the inside, like her strength and hope were draining away. Elias had won. This assault was intended as the final push against the Chrysos Federation, and now, one by one, the new world's nations would be brought into Elias' fold.

And I'll never see Chara again...

"We're going," Hera said abruptly.

"Where?" Nick asked tensely. He stared at the hopeless battle that unfolded on the streets.

"To the city hall to complete our mission," Hera said, her eyes hard. "If we can break his control over the Federation, his war machine will crumble and the Federation's leaders will regain control of the country. Then the war just might end our way."

Anna peeked out of the alley and up at the waiting city hall. There just might be a way after all. Just one way. "As long as we can get past that army."

"We can't take them all on," Hera panted. The root's power was clearly draining her very quickly. "But we can get past them and confront Elias in person. I can sense him up there in the city hall. Let's move out."