The Red Lynel stood silhouetted against the dawn, a crimson statue carved from muscle and fury. Its mane, the color of dried blood, rippled in the light morning breeze. A massive, gnarled club rested on its shoulder, and its eyes, burning embers in the growing light, scanned the Rosain ochre plains with predatory intensity. It was a king in its domain, a terrifying predator at the edge of the Kylian forests, daring anyone to challenge its reign.
But majesty, it seemed, had no dominion over the cold arithmetic of war.
A distant, muffled boom echoed across the plains. Then another, and another, each sound a percussive tremor in the already nervous earth. The Lynel, momentarily startled, turned its massive head towards the source of the disturbance, its nostrils flaring.
Above, the colossal form of the 100-tonne hydrogen-hybrid airship KAS Korona, the 2nd Brigade's mobile command center and bombing platform, hung silently.
A moment later, the first shell landed.
A blinding flash, a furious eruption of dirt and rock, and where the crimson king had stood just a breath before, there was only a smoking crater. The air crackled with the scent of ozone and burnt flesh. A few mangled, unrecognizable pieces of the Lynel's immense body rained down, pathetically insignificant against the vastness of the plains.
The Kylian artillery barrage continued its relentless rhythm, guided by the airship above, heralding the arrival of the Kylian army to reinforce their Rosian allies. The KAS Korona glided forward, keeping pace with the ground troops below.
Lieutenant Colonel Yuter wiped the dust from his binoculars, his gaze fixed on the horizon. He was a man built for endurance, his face weathered and lined, mirroring the harsh landscape they were traversing. He commanded the vanguard of a battalion, one thousand Kylian troops marching towards New Rosa City to bolster the Rosian defense against the relentless Hylian advance. The rest of the 4,000 army was spread out behind him in a line.
"Report, Kovalenko," he barked, his voice rough.
Staff Sergeant Kovalenko trotted up, his face pale despite the sun. "Artillery reports confirmed target elimination, Colonel. Red Lynel, estimated size… substantial."
Kovalenko grunted. "Good. One pest less to worry about. Focus on the objective, Kovalenko. New Rosa needs us."
The journey from Kylia City had been grueling. The transition from the familiar Kylian Plains and forests to this Rosain expanse of ochre plains and scattered tufts of hardy grass felt like a slow descent into a furnace. The land was a tapestry of rolling hills and rocky outcrops, dotted with the sparse green of drought-resistant shrubs and the silver glint of distant streams winding through dry gullies. Occasional stands of wind-bent trees clung to life in sheltered hollows, and the morning sun painted long, stark shadows across the undulating terrain.
The geography was a constant drain on their resources. Their wagons, though rugged and well-maintained, struggled with the uneven ground. Water was carefully rationed, and the men, well-equipped and supplied as they were, were constantly plagued by thirst and the gnawing fear of ambushes lurking behind every rocky outcrop. The KAS Korona provided support when needed, dropping supplies and scouting ahead, but even its presence couldn't alleviate all the hardships of the march.
Suddenly, a sonic boom ripped through the air above, even louder than the artillery fire. All eyes turned upward, shielding themselves against the sudden gust of wind. Queen Kylia herself descended from the sky, her four wings extended in a majestic display. She landed just ahead of the marching column, kicking up a cloud of dust as her boots met the Rosian earth.
"Your Queen is here!" a soldier shouted, his voice filled with awe.
A cheer erupted from the ranks. "Your Majesty!" The weary soldiers, their spirits momentarily renewed, surged forward, eager to catch a glimpse of their leader.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Kylia calmed the riled brigade, her voice amplified just enough by electromagnetic fields (SASER) to reach the back ranks. "At ease! We are still on a mission. No time for fanfare." Her gaze swept across the assembled soldiers, lingering for a moment on Yuter, before settling on the landscape ahead. "New Rosa needs us, and needs us now. Let's keep moving."
The cheer subsided, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. The soldiers straightened their backs, their movements crisper, their expressions determined. Discipline, instilled through years of rigorous training, kicked in. They knew their Queen was unwavering in times of war, and that her presence was a symbol of her commitment to their cause.
Kylia strode towards Yuter, the dust swirling around her polished boots. "Yuter," she said, her voice softening slightly. "How is the Second Brigade? Will they reach New Rosa in time?"
Yuter snapped to attention, his gaze unwavering. "Your Majesty, the Second Brigade is on course. We project arrival at New Rosa around the end of winter, barring unforeseen… inconveniences. We are pushing hard, but," he hesitated, choosing his words carefully, "the Rosain terrain is proving… challenging."
Kylia nodded, her expression unreadable. She knew the challenges of this land all too well. She had poured over maps and strategized for weeks before deploying the Second Brigade. "And yourself, Yuter? Any…difficulties in my absence?"
Yuter squared his shoulders. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, combat effectiveness dipped slightly. While the chain of command was followed, no one, except me, could truly take over the role as leader of the Second Brigade. I know that I requested this position, but I would never usurp the role of First Commander of the entire force."
Kylia's lips curved into a small, almost imperceptible smile. She remembered the intense rivalry between Yuter and Odin for the position of General of the Blue Army, a coveted role leading the entire Kylian military. Odin, ultimately, had won, commanding the First Brigade up north. "Odin is a capable general, but Yuter is the leader I need here. He might not be fit for the top, but he certainly is one hell of a Colonel," she thought.
Right now Kylia was not too concerned about the Blue Army being unable to defeat the General Hylian Army in battle. The Blue Army can mow down most enemies that come in its way as shown by the battle against the Red Lynel. What Kylia was more concerned about was the high end power of the Blue Army. Of the entire Blue Army only can Kylia confront small yet dangerous threats, which was not ideal.
She thought of her father, Vladislav, a towering figure in Valor history, now weakened and bedridden after the fall of Pavo City. Over a thousand years old, his strength was legendary, but even legends could fall. Kylia believed she possessed the raw power to surpass him, but her combat experience paled in comparison. She needed a field commander she could trust to hold this line, freeing her to seek out more… direct engagements. She needed to face real threats to hone her edge.
"Bold words, Yuter," she said, her eyes twinkling. "But honesty is valued, especially on the battlefield. You requested leadership of this Brigade, and for good reason. You believe you can make a difference here, in Rosa."
She paused, her gaze hardening. "I am hereby promoting you, Yuter, to the formal rank of Colonel of the 2nd Brigade of the Blue Army. Your leadership is needed here. It's time you moved from the title Lieutenant Colonel."
A visible shock rippled through Kovalenko. The other nearby soldiers were clearly surprised as well.
Yuter's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. The position of Colonel of a Brigade was a powerful one, almost equal to General Odin, who commanded the First Brigade. It was a testament to Kylia's trust and a clear signal of her intent for the Kylian forces in Rosa.
He bowed his head, his voice thick with emotion. "Your Majesty, I am… deeply honored. I will not fail you. I will not fail Kylia."
Kylia placed a hand on his shoulder, her grip firm. "I know you won't, Yuter.
Kylia removed her hand, a glint of steel in her eyes. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Colonel Yuter," she said, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "I have… appointments elsewhere."
She turned towards the vast Rosain plains, her four wings shimmering in the morning sun. A moment later, with a thunderous beat, she launched herself into the sky, accelerating with impossible speed. The wind howled in her wake, leaving only the faint scent of ozone and the sight of a lone figure disappearing into the horizon.
Her destination? Not New Rosa. Not the Hylian front. But eastward to the New Rosian Mountain Range, where rumors spoke of numerous beasts of immense power such as Lynels, Taluses, Hinoxes and even Gleeoks roam. This was where she could truly test herself, where she could hone her skills and unlock the full potential of her abilities.