You Know It By Now
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88 Katytans
63 On the Attack
12 Supporting Troops
9 in Nanae's Expedition
4 Elsewhere
23 Human Refugees, Task: Supporting Troops
In preparation for the war with the goblins, Oici retells the children the story of Akena the Demonslayer--it's highly appropriate and informative propaganda. Still, they are assured of the patheticness of goblins, even while being warned of the dangers of dealing with them.
The only Katytans who would be unsettled by the sudden nigh-betrayal of the Monoglain mercenaries are away, though they return by month's end to survey the situation at the enemy settlement. No one is around to note the strange gathering to the northwest.
Emergency Meeting
Forward positions had already been attained, but communications were at less than 75%. Masi pondered the situation alone. That had to change. The leaders of the Katytans, such as they were, had to meet.
They gathered as the long summer ended at last, Ringa and his lieutenants on one side of the table; Masi's and his chosen equivelents on the other. Oici sat at the end of the table. Integration had begun, the meeting format was something of a step backward. Still, Masi was confident that after fighting together, it would not be difficult to build a new and seamless community.
Having called the meeting, Masi opened. "Katytans, we have a situation. Not far from here lies the beginnings of a dark fortress, one we have seen the likes of, before. Some of our foes are familiar, others unknown, but demonic or not, their flame must be extinguished.
"I see there is no question over whether action must be taken, you all began your own preparations as soon as you read the reports. Still, we must coordinate our efforts."
Ringa asked the first question. "Where's Icand?"
"He has undertaken a deep scouting mission. Do not be alarmed, we arranged a meeting place and plans-of-action of various priorities before he left. So long as we hold these hills and their mission does not go awry, they will aid us in whatever foreseeable capacity we require upon their return, scheduled by the end of this month."
Oici spoke. "Thank you, quite a nice summary, Masi. I have already arranged lines of supply sufficent for all our forces, so there is no need to remain exposed in this valley any longer. We are all ready to move into the hills. What are our troop dispositions?"
The files were presented and studied carefully. 63 Katytans. Some had been career soldiers for decades, some were less than a year old, but all were battle-ready, at least in an ambush or skirmishing capacity. They were organized into teams, lines were drawn, and battle plans written.
Ginya explained as her maps unfolded. "In the first stage of our assault, our primary objective is to secure positions that will last us in the weeks to come, even should our enemies prove usually fierce. We can fall back to the west if a hasty retreat is required, or northward if our enemies seek to overwhelm us with mere numbers."
Those around the table nodded. As Ginya's 'lieutenant', Tytia continued. "Phase Two: Here, here, and here are our supply points. They are sheltered, defensible, and provide excellent opportunies to lay traps, if required. Lines of supply will lead southwest after entering the area, this region will be the backbone of our forces, with 'arms' extending here and here, once we lay on sufficient pressure to ensure that they buckle up tight."
Oici gestured in invitation to Kara. "And of the fortress itself?"
"Ya, I've created plans for that. Phase '3a' is our 'assault'. Ratherth'n invade directly, which'd be dumb--even assumin' they don't lay traps--we'll hit 'em with fire and death. Between starvation, disease, and chokin' to death, we'll have 'em done."
Masi laughed lightly to himself. Oici shook her head and spoke up on her behalf. "For clarification, Kara means we'll be using flaming material and carrion. The engineering skill of our enemy is unclear for now, so the utilty of such an attack is as well, but it should be demoralizing nonetheless. I suggest we put on some demonic airs in order to further reinforce our efforts on the psychological front."
Many around the table were apprehensive of the suggestion, but there was some agreement. The details could be worked out later. Masi went on quickly, as a change of subject. "Phase 3b occurs if we find significant constructions barring our progress. This plan demands much work from sappers to undermine such fortifications--and while we're at it, we'll get to perform some nasty works, perhaps using the local water supply, on the enemy cave complex itself. In the case of either version of 'phase 3' failing, we will default to the other."
Ringa slapped the table. "Sounds good to me! I'll let you handle the siege work. C'nya help me out here, though? This ain't the way I'm used to conductin' wars, the humans just use us as shock troops."
Masi frowned. He'd has this conversation with Ringa before, but apparently it was being brought before the full table for reiteration. He indulged with the redundant explanation. "We lack a very important component of tactical warfare--we can only create an 'anvil' to work by using the terrain, we cannot form a mobile line. As a result, using your men as 'shock troops' would be a waste of resources and would mostly fail to serve its purpose.
"Without human allies, we must fight asymmetrically and cautiously, disfiguring the enemy, bleeding them to death and then leaving them to rot. We cannot afford the risk inherent in giving them a swift death and an honourable burial--not that these foes deserve either."
A somber silence, but an accepting one. Ringa clapped his hands together, suddenly. "Time for a break! Let's eat. I'd love to here some more of those nasty ideas you've got swimmin' 'round in there, Masi. It's the next best thing to actual goblin mashin'."
Oici stood. "Fair enough. Come on, kids! It's chow time!"
The Quest Continues: South
Nasha led her followers--such as they were--deep into the heart of the jungle. The journey was perilous, and all three of them accured numerous wounds from the great beasts that laired there. All of them had to endure poison and diseases never before encountered by a Katytan, and their survival was tenuous, but Nasha was a pillar of support for them--poisoned or not, she could still fight like a madwoman.
Idly, she wondered how much of her unsually strong performance truly was the result of Katyn's 'adjustments' to her body, and how much was from the sheer stress of her situation. Obviously, she could not endure it forever.
It was with these thoughts iin mind that she broke out of the jungle at last, avoiding the dangerous and muddy river to her... left. Normal rules for direction-finding did not seem to apply here. The sun appeared to be directly overhead, and the moss grew on every[/i side of the trees. More moderately forested hills rose before her. At last, good hunting grounds! In the jungle, her only sustenance had been slain predators. Perhaps some more familar edible plants would be available here, as well.
"C'mon, kids. We're out of the woods, literally. It'll be smmoth sailing from here on." They did not appear to understand the words, but they did relax somewhat from the tone. One child was helping the other, who was staggering and limping along due to her wounds. Nothing that she couldn't walk off.
They continued for many days, their strength returning. The children even began to laugh and smile, after a time. New sensation welled within Nasha, as well, enjoyed the night sky on cool evenings. She felt like a child again, herself, and remembered what Katyn had said about 'a second chance'. Her eating habits were changing, and she was sleeping longer each passing day, her nights filled with vivid dreams. With these, sensation and control was coming to her third eye, although the ability to use it actively still eluded her.
The terrain became mountainous and the rivers narrower, faster, and cleaner. The cool air was refreshing. It was easy to find fish to eat here, and it was a good place to rest. But where was she, and where was she supposed to go next? It was impossible to say. All she could do was pray for guidance.
The Quest Continues: North
Nanae was in awe. "This is all I could ever hope for--all we could ever hope for."
Ison didn't see it her way. "It's just mountains. The land isn't very fertile."
Sighing, the Divine Katytan drew out a map. "See here? We didn't go that way, but there's a river source to the northeast."
She looked around again, breathing the fresh mountain air, enjoying the wonderful view. Had any Katytan ever been this far from the land below? "Look. These endless peaks spanning in all directions--it's the perfect cradle. And we can use the river for all the food we need. This is why we set out. This is what we have been searching for all these years--just a cradle, but one our Goddess created for us alone."
The other Katytans looked around as well, the glimmer of a hope Ison had never seen before in their eyes. She felt it too, as much as she didn't want to admit it. "Perhaps you are right. Let us recuperate and survey the area. There don't seem to be any giant eagles this far north, or much of anything, really, so each of us can explore alone and bring back your own reports to Nanae while she plants the firestalks."
Nanae laughed. "Of course. You do enjoy that, don't you, Ison? Go northeast and sea for yourself. Kasa, north. Selna, northwest. Asti, west. Shosa, southwest. Ikari, south. Maguo, southeast. And Nalal, east.. Take our food, string your bows and go. Return in one month. I will have all the supplies we need ready upon your return. Perform your duties with faith and diligence. We lay the foundation for the lives of a hundred Katytans to come."
They went, and Nanae unpacked Ison's luggage. It would do for her living, for now. She'd have to dig hermit's lodgings and find what food she could. She was somewhat surprised as she came to consider this solitary toil to be the greatest part of her adventure.
Nanae looked down into the caldera. "I've never fought elementals, before. You bunch seem like a lot of fun. Only five of you, though? I think I'm gonna have to do this slow and painful, for you." Her narrow staircase broke in to the edge of the relatively cool but gargatuan volcano, and the imps were upon her, beings of living flame and molten rock slowly advancing behind them. Nanae threw down her pick--no need for a weapon. Oh, yeah. This was going to be fun.
Ginya in War
Tytia and Sala followed Ginya through the brush swiftly. They'd been chosen to perform one of the first strikes, having spotted goblin woodcutters at work hours earlier. It was a low-risk mission, despite being performed under broad daylight, and so she had accepted.
The lumber camp guards squawked and screamed as imapaling bolts soared out of the woodlands, flashes of colour seeming to approach them from all directions. Work stopped in a panic, and they cried to one another, attempting to gain some semblence of order in the makeshift camp.
The bolts came again in a flurry from uphill, then down as they searched for cover. They saw Ginya standing behind her tree as she reloaded, her companions inaccessible. Surely they could fight past her?
The bravest of the goblins charged down the slope, holding their axes high. Ginya fired her last bolt and missed, then hurled her crossbow at the nearest of the charging enemies, crippling his leg. The others were put off-balance by his fall, and the Katytan was able to draw her war hammer before they were upon her.
VOOM-voom-voom, a patterned swing and she crushed one into another, causing the second goblin to leave the ground momentarily and tumble down the slope as she broke the remainder of the bones in her body. The axes crashed against Ginya's legs, hips and shoulder, some crushing links of steel chain and denting her leather pauldron, but none drawing blood.
The hammer came back again and smashed another goblin squarely into the hillside. Before she could raise it again, another goblin had climbed onto her back, and she could only shield her eyes with her hand before a bolt from above pierced him clean through from lung to kidney, bloody entrails scattering alone the slope.
The first goblin struck stagger upright, slashing at her leg with a fury, and drops of blood scattered onto the snow. Overborne, Ginya took a step back before sweeping him aside with her hammer's edge, leaving his already broken body to tumble down the long slope. She heard the sounds of more screaming as the less courageous goblins found it their time to flee, and felt the Katytans' fire.
Another goblin was clinging to her now, but she could scarcely feel it. With an upward smash, another charging opponent was swept upward, face ruined and neck broken full backward as his body tumbled in a high arc. The blood spattered upon all who were present.
Ginya felt a blade strike her forehead. Her reflexes had barely saved her an eye. She tore the goblin away with an iron grip and stomped on it, as though it were a mere tarantula. Her last opponents were fleeing.
Although Ginya's energy had begun to wane somewhat by now, more due to a psychological tiredness than a physical one, she charged down the slope and broke yet another goblin in two. The last was too fast. She hurled her hammer, missed with a clamour, and finally picked up a small stone, flinging it with a backhanded flick of the wrist to lodge in the goblin's back. Her last opponent fell and convulsed momentarily before a bolt buried itself into her lower body, and she soon ceased her struggles.
Ginya stood motionless, listening to the sounds of the forest, suddenly beset by a strange silence but for the pounding feet of her companions. Tytia was the first to catch up to her. "Ginya! Are you alright?"
"No... significant damage sustained. We are... decisively victorious, all objectives held. I will need minor repairs. Let us leave before a patrol arrives."
The others nodded, and seeing that Ginya still wasn't moving, quickly gathered her weapons for her. Tytia tugged at her arm to get her moving. Ginya finally snapped out of it. "Yes, let's get moving."
Sala plucked out the goblin arrows Tytia pointed out to be embedded in her torso, barbs and all, and thanked her companion for her good eye. They quickly left the scene. How many goblins had been slain here, today? Ginya hoped someone else had been keeping count.
Hidden in the underbrush, with a few of only Katytan feet, a lone goblin cowered, the sole survivor of the ambush. Who were they? Why did they attack? How were they so strong? ...Was it safe to leave yet? These questions plagued him until nightfall, when the flickering light of a forest fire approached his hiding place. Scared, tired, hungry, and covered in blood as he was, it was time to leave.
Coastal Meeting
Katyn sensed the presence. Yes, that was her alarm... Nothing to truly be alarmed about, however. It seemed Ukko's tantrum had some far-reaching, side effects, minor as they were. She formed her avatar and set to work, the cause of the alarm clearly highlighted on the horizon of her vision as she approached, skimming across the calm ocean as though skating across perfect ice.
It was a dark night, and pleasant, at least for Katyn. Most beings would find it frigid. She spotted her target with normal vision and deactivated the beacon, slowing to a walk as she approached.
A Hitengu of slender build stood there, possessing an ageless look familiar to Katyn herself. Even in the darkness, his bright yellow eyes were clearly visible, nested in a pointy face. His hair was long and smooth, some shade of blonde, though not looking so keen after the long ocean trek.
He wore a pale jacket with detached sleeves, cotton balls attached to the front. Dark short pants were held up by a white rope, showing signs of amateurish repair. On his belt rope was a flute, slung like a sword, made of thick bamboo and heavily worn.
His legs were covered in light scales, presumably yellow, as they were much like those of chickens. He wore a sort of wooden sandals bearing as much resemblance to stilts as to shoes. An old bronze demon mask was attached to the top of his head, a pale cape covering his hair behind it.
Though his flute appeared to beyond use or repair, he seemed to be able to play it just fine. Katyn noted a tattoo in his hand, the depiction of a sun, as he played. Splish, splash.She approached and greeted him. "Hello, there. Fancy meeting you, out here."
The Hitengu played louder, apparently trying to drown out the sound of Katyn's voice. "Ahem." She poked him in the belly.
Her pokee flipped out, jumping several meters to the left, aiming his flute like a flashlight. Katyn circled around, but the searching light soon spotted and blinded her. She hissed almost inaudibly as she shielded her eyes. The Hitengu caught his breath. "You startled me there."
"Ssorry. You didn't seem to be paying attention." Katyn continued to shield her eyes, unable to get a good look at the speaker.
"So, where are you headed in this awfully cold night?"
"Ah, yes. I am simply out on patrol. I felt Ukko's infleunce here, you see." Katyn squinted. She wondered when he would get the point and stop shining the light in her face.
"Well, I have looked around. Whoever Ukko is, he doesn't seem to be around."
Katyn winced as she tried to scan an outline. "Yes. Of course, his infleunce is right here." She managed to point at Uchiwaka.
Uchiwakamaru first looked down into his shirt, then into his pants. Then he lifted the mask on his head and inspected the underside. "No Ukko here."
Katyn shook her head, chuckling. "Now, I wonder. Why would the Storm God send a sworn enemy of his to the coasts I protect? Perhaps he simply wanted to get rid of you. Let's continue walking." Seeing that he did not intend to stop pointing the flashlight at her, she turned and started heading toward the shore, expecting him to follow.
Uchiwakamaru followed behind her at a slow pace. Looking back, she could see that he was tired beyond belief, though he somehow managed to keep it out of his voice.
Katyn sought to comment. "I see your journey was rough even before the more abrupt section of it."
"Oh, I've had rougher. At least the sea is calm."
"Yes. Well, you're welcome for that."
Uchi did not reply. Upon closer inspection, Katyn saw he was sleepwalking. There was no need to disturb him. Katyn focused on her workshop, and her designs. Her avatar could rest as Uchi did as they walked together.
Morning came at last, and Uchiwakamaru awoke. Still drowsy, he mumbled to himself, not noticing Katyn's continuing presence. "What a dream. Damn, this person sure looked silly."
"It's the hat, isn't it?" Of course, Katyn was not wearing a hat, but she was confident it would look silly if she were.
Uchiwakamaru slowly turned his head to her, tiredly, then looked front again. A few seconds later, he turns the head again, more rapidly. "Gah, where did you come from!"
Katyn smiled and shrugged. "I've been here for the last twelve hours. Feeling better?"
The Hitengu was severely creeped out. "Who the hell are you to watch people who were sleeping for 12 hours?" He shuddered.
Katyn scoffed. "I wasn't watching you, silly. I was watching the sea. Though I suppose it was sleeping, too."
Uchi thrust an accusatory finger. "And who are you to watch the sea sleeping?"
"I suppose we haven't been properly introduced yet. I am Katyn Kolanna Alanitan, creator of the Katytans, goddess of volcanos and sea coasts. Just 'Katyn' is fine."
Uchiwaka gave her a blank look. "I don't buy stuff. If you want something, try asking the fish down there." He indicated downwards.
Katyn laughed, waving her hands for attention. "All I need from you is information. Your name would be a good start."
Uchi inhaled sharply.. "Yamato no Hachirou Yuuma Ken'ichi Uchiwakamaru. Just Uchiwaka for short."
The goddess nodded, both bemused and puzzled. "My, now I'm curious what exploits earned you such a name! Do tell!"
He merely pointed upward. "This one did."
Katyn looked up, half-smiling, half-frowning. There was nothing to see but blue sky and feathery white clouds.
Frustrated, she walked out in front of him and held up her hands to block the way, eyes closed against the sun. "Although you are tired and in no mood for conversing, I do have a job to do, you know..."
"What keeps you from it?"
"You. I need you to explain yourself, your character, your purpose here. There are people I am sworn to protect, at least for a time, even though you are not a willing servant of Ukko's will."
Uchiwakamaru pointed behind him. "In that direction, there are about 30.000 mles of water. In that direction," he pointed in front of him, "There is a coast that even my tired eyes can cleary make out by now. Though it might be a shock for you, I am not a creature of the sea, and would prefer dry ground under my feet."
"I am aware. And it is that very thing that will keep you here, far from home with no way to access it, for some time. I do not know you, and I do not know if to allow you passage would be to break a promise I have made. You must convince me."
Katyn's heart was not in the words. She could have easily ignored the alarm, and the peril was negligible, if it existed at all, but she was curious, and what she'd said was technically correct.
Uchi frowned. "If you are telling me to turn around and go elsewhere, I am afraid I must ignore you. I am tired and exhausted, and even a god should not stand between a man and his well deserved rest on dry ground."
Katyn sighed. "We may continue walking, but you must talk to me. I do not want to stand in your way, but I am bound to until thus satisfied." She moved out of his way, providing one last chance for the Hitengu to express himself adequately.
"I see no reason why you are so determined to shut me out. I am here against my own will, send here by a joke of fate. What is so important at this coast as to turn away a tired wanderer?"
"I cannot divulge the details of my contract. Assure me that you are just a tired wanderer, tell me your tales. I grow more suspicious with each question you ask and each defense you make."
"The tales of Yamato's son are not his to tell. I assure you, I am a wanderer, and have been so from my birth. Being the brother of my kindsmen, and still being the own of my kind, I wander, wherever fate may point to. Until one day, I may understand."
Katyn's expression darkened, as did her tone of voice. It was clear that Uchiwaka was determined to toe the line until the very end. "Very well. I suppose I would not be one to stand in the way of fate. I hope you find some measure of understanding in this new land. "She stopped, pointing toward the shore. "I know you are tired, but make haste. The day is late, and storms will be coming. I suspect we will meet again, before the year is done."
"Then farewell, coastal spirit. Try not to tie yourself by contracts too tightly. They only show you who your master is, and not who you are."
Katyn nodded, smiling at the wisdom of the remark, wondering if the Hitengu had managed to see through her attempt to deflect responsibility for the matter.
Her avatar melted away into blowing sand and a cascade of seawater. Her consciousness returned fully to her workshop. Another month, another Katytan--or two? Practice under pressure might not result in much perfection, but it sure seemed to help with efficiency.
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Topic: Battle of the Gods IV (Read 70249 times)