Mid-November, Imperial Calendar Year 2513. 350th year of King Finubar's reign, 5235th year of the Dark Elf Witch King's era.
A massive combined fleet of Dark Elf warships and Undead pirate vessels advanced toward the seas off the coast of Ulthuan.
After a division of forces, the Dark Elf fleet retained approximately twelve ships, including the flagship Black Ark "Tower of the Blessed Scoundrel," hailing from Lokhira-Fallen Heart and commanded by its most elite Black Ark pirates.
The Undead pirate fleet, also reduced after splitting forces, had around thirty-six warships remaining, including the flagship "Bloody Reaver," a vessel crafted from the remains of countless funeral ships and the entirety of a von Carstein castle, led by Count Noctilus.
Lokhira-Fallen Heart was a seasoned Black Ark warlord, born into the infamous Fallen Heart pirate family. He had raided High Elf ports multiple times in his youth, razing many to the ground. Under his command, he returned triumphant amid storms and lightning, announcing the resurgence of the Fallen Heart family. His first act in power was to sacrifice all the Black Ark officers left by his father to the god Khaine.
However, this was not the battle that brought the Fallen Heart family true renown. The Kraken Lord's fame truly spread when he defeated Luthor Harkon and his Undead fleet off the Vampire Coast. Continuing southward, he looted some abandoned Lizardmen temple ruins, then descended into the sunken city of Chupayotl's ruins at the ocean floor. There, Lokhira amassed an incredible fortune. He hired seven Dark Elf sorceresses from the Sisterhood of the Sorceress, assembled by the Witch Queen Morathi, providing his troops with magical protection and the ability to breathe underwater. Under the sea, the Black Ark pirate army fought many colossal marine beasts.
Neither mutated squid, sirens, killer whales, Leviathans, nor hydras could curb Lokhira's greed. Ultimately, he emerged victorious, returning to the surface with chests of treasures and gold. His haul included magical artifacts and ancient stone tablets; among them, the legendary Kraken's Mask allowed him to commune with the gods. Since then, he had waged war, pillaged, and sacrificed in the name of the sea god Mathlann.
His crowning achievement was his victory over the High Elf Sea Lord Aislinn on the open ocean in the 254th year of Finubar's reign. In contempt, Lokhira cast Aislinn into the sea, expecting him to drown, but six months later, Aislinn miraculously washed ashore in the kingdom of Eataine (where the High Elf capital Lothern is located), fully healed and with no memory of the last six months, as if revived.
There was only one explanation—Mathlann, the sea god, had intervened.
But that didn't matter to Lokhira. He would simply kill Aislinn again. What could be more thrilling than to kill the High Elf Sea Lord right before their eyes?
Now, the disciplined Black Ark pirates boarded the Undead flagship, the "Bloody Reaver." In front of the castle on the Bloody Reaver's deck, a unit of Deep Sea Guards and Black Ark pirates stood apart, with Lokhira and Count Noctilus in the center, discussing their next tactical moves.
"This is the High Elves' battle plan. They intend to face us in open waters off the coast of Tiranoc." Lokhira's face was obscured by the golden Kraken's Mask, with only his red eyes exposed. He handed the plan to Count Noctilus.
Lokhira, in truth, held no regard for these skeletons and the necromantic cadavers. He was convinced that only the Druchii were destined to enslave the world.
For the Druchii, defeating the High Elves, reclaiming Ulthuan, and eliminating the treacherous kin were paramount. Other matters could wait. "What insights does the Pirate Count have to offer?"
Noctilus noted the mocking tone in Lokhira's words but remained composed. He could forsake the von Carstein name and his lands in Sylvania. Enduring a little disdain for the sake of an alliance was trivial. Victory and revenge were what truly mattered now. He took the plan, studied it, and shook his head. "We can't allow your kin to realize this battle plan. Our ships are more powerful, but they're also slower. If the High Elves control the battlefield, their superior speed will allow them to dictate the fight, dragging us across the seas."
Lokhira nodded slowly; the Pirate Count's insight impressed him. "So, do you have a counter-strategy? If not, I will take command of the fleet."
"We will intercept the High Elves en route." Noctilus pointed to a location on a sea chart covered in algae and moss. "Right here, in Dragon Fjord."
"Dragon Fjord?" Lokhira glanced at the chart.
Ulthuan formed a ring-like landmass, but the journey from Lothern to the western kingdom of Tiranoc required circumnavigating a prominent peninsula. This peninsula was home to the famous Caledor Volcanoes and Dragon Spine Mountains, where many dragons slumbered.
"Yes, Dragon Fjord," Noctilus explained. "We'll engage their fleet here."
"And what's your specific approach?" Lokhira's tone was almost mocking.
"When the High Elf fleet passes Dragon Fjord, we will strike their flank from the south!" Noctilus tapped the southern part of the fjord on the chart. "We'll split their forces!"
"Our ships are slower, but we have greater firepower. By taking this approach, we can prevent the High Elves from capitalizing on their strengths, while our cannons deliver maximum impact." Noctilus's expression turned savage as he outlined his plan. "We'll divide into two columns, attacking the High Elves from the side. Once we close in, our heavy cannons and mortars will inflict decisive damage."
"Close combat, and then what?" Lokhira brandished his dual crimson short blades. The Fallen Heart seemed convinced by Noctilus's strategic logic. "Ramming? Boarding?"
"No, the fate of the Dreadfin serves as a warning. The enemy ships have strong boarding parties. We'll avoid that." Noctilus elaborated. "Instead, we'll rely on firepower to keep them at bay. I'll spearhead the central assault, splitting their fleet in two. You'll lead the second wave of attacks."
Lokhira's caution grew as he assessed this skeletal strategist. If executed as planned, the Undead fleet would neutralize the High Elves' advantages, exploiting their own strengths.
"Sounds good, but what about their two ironclads?" Lokhira asked coldly. "Do you understand their destructive power?"
"Ironclads? Hah! Don't worry. I brought the Queen Bess Cannons." Noctilus laughed chillingly. "Even ironclads will be torn to pieces under these guns!"
The Queen Bess Cannon was the Undead's secret weapon, an 800-millimeter super-cannon.
Few knew this massive cannon was originally an Imperial invention, created years ago by a mad alchemist named Sigismund. After numerous failures, dwarven engineers had finally brought it into limited production. However, the cannons were too unwieldy for field use, relegating them to fortifications. Eventually, Imperial engineers mounted Hellhammer cannons on ships, though they were dangerous for both foes and allies.
Several Hellhammer ships were lost, and many Hellhammer cannons sank into the ocean, where they fell into the hands of the Undead pirates, who enhanced them with necromantic magic, transforming them into Queen Bess Cannons.
For this battle, Count Noctilus brought out all his Queen Bess Cannons.
"Excellent. My Black Ark will also provide supporting fire," Lokhira concluded. Secretly, he thought, "I'll let my kin suffer first, then handle you later."
"And I've prepared another surprise for your kin," Noctilus said with a vicious grin.
Amid Lokhira's astonished gaze, a massive undead Leviathan emerged from the waves. The colossal sea creature's corpse had been reanimated and converted into a gruesome warship. A Skaven banner fluttered atop it, alongside a screeching Death Knell made from warpstone.
"It's my pleasure to introduce our Skaven allies, the Undead Leviathan warship Scabrous and its captain, Warlord Skoritch." Noctilus laughed.
A half-rotted Skaven warlord, its flesh oozing a noxious yellow-green fluid, appeared alongside an undead Skaven engineer on a dilapidated warpstone flying machine.
"yesyes~ Ace pilot, ready! Pointy-ears, die-die!"
--Pointy-ears-die-die Division--
The next morning, off the coast of Ulthuan.
The High Elf Star Dragon fleet, led by Sea Lord Aislinn, sailed across the vast ocean. This fleet of thirty-three High Elf warships included two ironclads, with Aislinn's four-decked flagship, the "Mathlann," carrying three regiments, a blazing sun dragon, two phoenixes, and ninety-eight Eagle Claw bolt throwers.
The Star Dragon fleet advanced through Dragon Fjord in two staggered lines, their formation forming a faint curve. Despite weak winds, the Star Dragon fleet managed to outpace the ironclads trailing behind.
Onboard the Enterprise, Ryan, standing with Sulia, Olica, and Bertran
, looked out at the High Elf fleet. Casually, he remarked, "Controlling the seas means controlling the world."
"Your Majesty, it seems the High Elves still don't trust us, as they've left us behind," Juan said in dissatisfaction.
"Our speed can't match the Star Dragon fleet anyway," Ryan replied calmly. He noticed that the St. Sophia was moving even slower than the Enterprise, while on deck, the Alabian Janissaries sang their marching song, their harmonious voices drifting across the sea.
"ceddin, dededen, neslin, baban~"
A while later, the Enterprise's crew joined in a marching song of their own.
"I love fried onions, yes, fried onions are great onions~"
The proud High Elf soldiers, not to be outdone, soon began singing "The Phoenix Flag Never Falls."
By nine o'clock, with thick fog on the horizon and lightning flashing in the distance, the outlines of an enormous enemy fleet appeared.
The High Elves were the first to spot the Undead-Dark Elf alliance. Sea Lord Aislinn was taken aback but showed no sign of panic, immediately ordering battle preparations.
"Enemy fleet spotted! Twelve nautical miles out!"
"Prepare for battle! For Ulthuan, the Phoenix Court, and Mathlann!"
Thus began the largest naval battle since the reign of Finubar—the Great Naval Battle at Dragon Fjord.
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