Sand swirled around the new encampment, gradually making its way to and fro, passing crates of armaments and ragged bands of cursing soldiers. The war had dragged on for far too long, and discipline was wearing thin-- even in the armies of Darkness. A great cheer had risen up as the central pavilion billowed outwards, roars of approval at the the mark of darkness flying proudly in the desert sky. However, two weeks spent in the desert had dampened such enthusiasm, and mutters filled the air as the black tents began to writhe and open. Patrols of pests assembled at the gates, venturing out on yet another scouting mission. The Kingdom of Time was defeated, and now her enemies made to absorb the remnants. There had been no signs of resistance-- only ghost towns and scattered gossip shared under campfires.
Arriving at the rally point, General Physsion took stock of his troops. They were tired and thirsty, unused to the harsh desert sun or the itch of powdery sand. Worst of all, the last scheduled convoy had failed to appear, and supplies were running low. The desert was notorious for waylaid caravans; for now, they could make do on scavenging. But the enemy was out there, he was sure of it! Perhaps today, he'd find them-- and finish this arm of the campaign once and for all.
"Patience, soldiers of Darkness!" He called, and the mutterings stopped. Morale had to be kept up, even if the supply chain was behaving oddly... "This desert is wild and untamed. The sand makes it difficult to burrow and to scavenge water. Our supplies run low, and the land itself is against us. But know this, comrades! Know that the enemy hides and flees, for they fear our strength! We are unmatched in this war, undefeated in any battle! When we are finished here, this desert will belong to our dominion, bound to our will! Hail Darkness!"
"HAIL! DARKNESS!" The response came, and Physsion raised his fist.
"Hail Aether!" The call came, and Physsion turned to the speaker. There, alone at the gates, stood General Zawadx of Aether. Wait.
Alone?"Here to surrender, General? No? You appear to be missing something important. Where's your army?" taunted the Master of Darkness. Inwardly, he suppressed a flicker of unease. What was he doing here? There had been no evidence of
this enemy...
"I need no army, my dear Physsion. You'll find that your little play-fort here is locked by my dimensional barriers. And who
RNG do you think has been thwarting your supply runs and denying your scavenger parties? You have what, a day, maybe two's worth of water? Patience
The RNG is on
my side, friend. But if you insist..." He gave a casual wave, and then a ghost appeared. Then another. And another, until the rally point was filled with them. "These fine fellows are looking for some revenge."
Blasted Time! Ghosts of the Past! Panicking, the army of Darkness fell into disarray, the pests failing to burrow, the voodoo dolls falling limply to the side. Desperately, Physsion raised his dagger and issued commands-- but it was of no use. Patience
RNG had no power for him on this campaign.
"Now, I believe you mentioned something about surrender?"
----
RIP Physsion's undefeated streak. We'll get it right next time! Pain is only weakness leaving the body! *Aves beckons towards a primordial blob of darkness*
Edit: Semi-continuation
posted!
