Tribulations, p.17
Tribulations, page 17
With that completed, Xeal returned to the capital and refilled his inventory with the spikes, as he repeated this action on four other battlefields, needing to use yet another bottle of the waters of youth as he did so. Still, he was able to hinder at least two ships in each battle, as he returned to the capital once more and looked at the ten remaining spikes that were far more expensive to make than they looked. While each of them was formed around an extremely heavy and densely packed rock, the shells were made out of adamantium. Just to make the 60 that had been here had used up the entire strategic stores of it that the Huáng empire had in reserve. As expensive as it was to make them, it was the only option that made any sense either, as other materials would distort too much under the force that they were being put through. This would have drastically lowered the force they were able to focus on a single point as they acted to break through the airships’ shields. Had they used 500-pound logs, it would have likely taken around six just to break through the shields, even if they could somehow get them up in the sky and even then they would have been easier targets to destroy.
With the ten spikes loaded up, Xeal paused before he set out as he waited to see which battlefield needed him, as none of them were hopeless struggles at this point. So long as Xeal arrived while there were still two Huáng empire airships remaining, he knew that he would be able to take care of the weakened enemy. At the same time, he was reading the report on the status of the naval battle as he weighed his options, as the void mines he had on him could also quickly sink, or disable, most ships. Though, Xeal would need to be careful when placing them as they were delicate instruments and coming in contact with the water would be enough to disable them. As Xeal was thinking about this, he just smiled at reading the report as while it was clear that the battle was far from won, over 70 ships had been captured. Still, five of the boarding ships were all that was left, and when all of the disabled and sunken ships were accounted for, Paidhia had 45 ships in the fight while FAE only had 18 of their original 30 combat-focused ships left. Still, the 20 cargo-style ships were quickly becoming prison and rescue ships, as they fished both sides’ forces out of the sea and the captured ships were being pressed into service. Though only 12 of them were currently active, making the fight essentially 30 on 45, as the balance slowly tipped in FAE’s favor.
Like this Xeal passed the time over the following hour as he watched the number of airships and ships drop one by one. When it became two-on-four in one of the air battles after two hours of battle, Xeal finally made a move as he activated lightning form and flash stepped back to that battle, prepared to engage all four enemy ships if needed. When he arrived, Xeal took in the situation as all six airships were damaged, and their shields were going in and out as they struggled to protect their crucial components. Xeal sighed as he shifted to his physical form and reequipped his gear once again, while pulling out one spike and started to fall while holding on to it. Due to the state of the battle, Xeal knew that he would need to time things carefully as he quickly grew closer to the first enemy ship and when he was about 100 feet above it Xeal threw the spike. At the same moment, he shifted to his lightning form and flash stepped to the side, as he saw the spike pierce right through the shield and through the deck of the ship and out the bottom.
Seeing that ship starting to lose altitude, Xeal smiled as he repeated his attack on his second target with a similar result, except it was intercepted by a mage’s force shield that broke instantly. Thus it failed to pierce all the way, but the ship was still losing altitude. Unfortunately, one of the Huáng empire’s took a hit at the same time and started to go down as the battle became a one-on-two match. Thankfully, Xeal was able to finish off the other two with one more spike each, as he returned to the Huáng empire’s capital and checked the current situation at the other four battles. One of them had the Huáng empire with two on two, while the rest were three on two, as Xeal looked at the six spikes he had left and sighed. Making a snap decision, Xeal visited all three battles where it was three on two and was able to make two of them two-on-one in the Huáng empire’s favor, while the last became a one on one that could go either way.
Out of spikes and with little MP left, Xeal just hoped for the best as he once more returned to checking on the naval battle. It seemed that something had happened as while no new ships had sunk, it seemed that Ihyi had ordered all of the captured ships to withdraw, along with almost all of the cargo ships. All that remained were the 12 ships of the original combat fleet that were still fit for battle, the two remaining boarding vessels and one cargo vessel. While the other side was still at 18 ships, sighing, Xeal made his way back to Anelqua and quickly headed to the area where the naval battle was raging.
Upon arriving, Xeal could see that the captured fleet and cargo ships were a good five miles out from the battle, and the sea around the battle was full of sinking and half-sunk ships that were limping along. Besides the Siren’s Revenge and the four ex-pirate ships, Xeal doubted that any of the other ships left on his side’s combat fleet would survive the day though a few of them still had a chance to make it. Beyond that Xeal could see the scars on the Siren’s Revenge that would have sunk a lesser ship. Yet the double hull that utilized an iron plate four inches inside of the wood had done its job, though the outer hull would need to be repaired before it fought in another battle. Xeal just wished he could have seen the several other surprises that the ship held and had likely used while he was away. Especially the enchantment that would allow it to dip below the waves and reemerge after reaching the optimal position. Even if it required a massive amount of MP from its crew to use it, it was a real trump card that Xeal had been happy to plant the idea into a few enchanters’ heads after hearing about it in his last life.
On the other side, they had six ships that were also about to sink, but the rest were going strong and it was becoming a situation where every ship was engaged in a battle to the death. However, it was nine one-on-ones and three three-on-one battles, as Paidhia focused on creating a cascading situation where they could overwhelm FAE’s remaining fleet. The only ship that had a clear advantage on FAE’s side was the Siren’s Revenge, as it was trying to deal with its opponent and aid the other 11 remaining ships. Still, even it had suffered major damage as one of its masts had been lost and the sails on the other four had seen better days.
It was in this situation that Xeal landed on the Siren’s Revenge, as Ihyi was shouting out orders left and right. Xeal saw Daisy and Violet resting as they tried to recover their MP, while the five ex-pirate captains looked like they were at the end of their rope as they focused on maintaining their illusions. It was clear that escape was the right move for FAE’s fleet, but the 100 retreating ships that were already escaping would be caught. Xeal knew the issue right away as he surveyed the signs that a boarding party had tried to take the ship. They had simply run out of manpower and even with Ihyi ensuring that the wind favored FAE’s fleet, the other side would catch up and without a force to man the cannons or thrusters, they were all easy prey. Xeal made his way over to Daisy and Violet with these thoughts as he began talking to them.
“How bad is it?”
“Xeal!” exclaimed Daisy as she stood up and hugged him. “You made it back!”
“Yes, now I think I already know, but how did it get this bad?”
“We ran out of forces,” stated Violet. “While our enemy was able to gain reinforcements from the sea. Our boarding parties focused on securing the ships and too many enemies were able to escape into the ocean rather than being killed, or detained. Though now that you are here you will fix this situation, right?”
“Hopefully, but I think it is going to cost us more ships. Ihyi! Call for a full withdrawal!”
Xeal just smiled as Ihyi finally took note of his presence and she smiled as she signaled for all ships to turn tail and run. Just like that, it became a chase where each ship only had to deal with a few attacks, as the enemy started to try and run them down. The three three-on-one battles were a lost cause already, so Xeal turned his attention to the other nine pursuers. He moved from one ship to the next, as he shifted in and out of his lightning form and targeting the helm on each ship, as he destroyed them using void mines. Like that all nine lost the ability to steer easily and with it they failed to be able to keep up. At the same time, the other three ships that were being pursued received Ihyi’s order to surrender as they gave up. That tied up three of the remaining nine pursuers, as the other six altered their course to aim at the cargo ship, which was the slowest of the remaining fleet. Still, it would be at least a half-hour before they could catch it. As such, Xeal entered meditation to restore his stats.
When Xeal’s stats were full, it was obvious that the enemy only intended to capture the cargo ship and allow the rest of them to escape. It was clear that they were taking the minor victory of driving them off. If Xeal had to guess, they hoped that it would buy them enough time and goodwill to restore at least part of their fleet in the 60 or so salvageable ships that were floating around. Many of these were manned by FAE’s members, who were currently stranded and unable to effectively resist being captured without sinking their ships. Still, Xeal had no intent to even let them enjoy the belief that they had won the day, as he gave Ihyi a nod and she ordered the nine remaining ships to turn around and return to the fight. At the same time, Xeal entered his lightning form and flash stepped onto the ship closest to the cargo ship before returning to his physical form.
Xeal just smiled as he drew both of his swords the moment his reequip was finished and started in on the crew that was made up almost completely of players and lacked any tier-7s. The gap between Xeal and the crew was so wide that it was hardly even a struggle, as he cleared the deck and steered the ship into the path of another one, and he made his way on to the next one as they turned to try and escape. What followed was one quick battle after another, as the following two hours saw the rest of Paidhia’s fleet fall as the cargo ships returned and Xeal left just as the salvaging work began.
As he arrived back in Anelqua, Xeal just sat down and breathed as he thought over the situation. He knew that Nium’s navy would take over the area as it would likely take two months before the heavily damaged ships would limp back into Anelqua’s port. The losses that were sustained on both sides would cripple Paidhia, but rather than the two months that Xeal had hoped to take to be ready for the next naval major battle, it would likely be six. At the same time, he knew that he needed to cut that time down, as he sent Taya orders to send all available tier-5 and up players on any ship that they could hire to rendezvous with Ihyi’s fleet. If they could combine these players with the players who would be reviving in Nium after dying in the battle over the next few days, it would allow them to man all the ships that were in fighting shape. At same time, FAE could plan a naval strike against Paidhia in three to four months and hopefully win another victory. At that point, if they still had a decent-sized fleet, it would be possible to secure almost the entire coastline of Paidhia for possible invasion points. The ability to raid and plunder port towns would also generate plenty of funds to secure FAE’s finances.
After Xeal sent his message, he once more checked the status of the airship battles and sighed as he saw the results. The Huáng empire only had three airships left while their enemies had two and they were all headed to clash with each other as it felt like the day that would never end, and Xeal returned to that battle. Five hours later, Xeal could only sigh as his efforts had only allowed two of the Huáng empire’s airships to survive and they would need extensive repairs before they were ready to face a city’s defenses. At the same time, the ground battle had shifted to recovering the 48 wrecks, as any components that were still functional could quickly be used to get another airship in the sky. Both sides knew that the winner of this struggle would gain a major advantage and the Huáng empire could only dominate two of the six battlefields, as the other four would be without air support.
Though it would take others at least half a day to reach any of the wrecks, so the very crews of each ship were the ones most likely to salvage the goods. The key was to either protect your side’s crew, or capture the other side’s crew when possible. However, there was an exception that came in the form of Xeal and he just smiled as he set up a teleportation gate at each site, as FAE’s tier-6 and tier-7 members flooded the area. What followed had been FAE salvaging enough components to construct ten complete airships and six partial ones, as 85% of all usable materials had been stripped before others arrived. 40 of the 60 spikes had also been retrieved that were more or less undamaged and could be used right away if needed. FAE had also rescued, or captured, the survivors of the downed airships and all five other nations had already begun sending forward delegations for peace.
Xeal just hoped that the talks wouldn’t drag on, as peace in the Huáng empire would allow him to shift focus to the Muthia empire. Under Takeshi’s leadership, FAE’s forces had allowed Muthia to not lose any significant amount of territory and they were still holding on to the slime dungeon area that they had captured. However, the losses and costs were starting to pile up. Even if it would still be months before things became strained, Xeal hated even approaching that point. Also, like with the Huáng empire, FAE’s goals in Muthia had little to do with territorial expansion in the current war. So it was that day 261 turned into a massive administrative day for Xeal. Though with both battles tipping in his favor and having reached level 206 at some point in the chaos, Xeal was in a rather good mood as he did so. This included finishing the prep for the high school presentation, that he hadn’t finished earlier, due to the interruption of his ED session’s sudden start.
(*****)
Morning June 12 to Evening June 17, 2268 & ED Year 6 Days 264-279.
Alex smiled as he stepped out of his VR pod with Kate doing the same, though the other four were already offline. So, after a quick kiss, the two of them made their way to the rental house’s living room, where they were all playing with the children. Alex made the rounds as he gave them all hugs and kisses, before sitting down next to Sam and snuggling into her as he wished her a happy birthday. She just smiled as she handed Moyra to him and gave him a quick kiss, before heading to the bathroom to finish getting ready, as the morning to lunch had been set aside for a date. 20 minutes later, Alex just smiled as he bid those in the house farewell, as Stacy acted as their driver for the day.
The first stop of the day was a cozy breakfast diner, where the highlight had been the giant fluffy buttermilk biscuits served with either gravy, or raspberry preserves. Alex and Sam had tried both ways and had agreed that both were great, and it would just depend on the mood they were in. Next, they enjoyed just walking on the local pier and doing a bit of shopping in the tourist trap-style shops that were not far from it. All the while they enjoyed themselves as they talked about everything and nothing all at once, at least until it was time to head to the high school for the last presentation. It was then as they were seated in the middle row of the SUV as Stacy drove, that Sam shifted to a more consequential subject.
“I am done with trying to avoid you in ED. I thought I could handle it, but I can’t.”
“Alright, I have been thinking the same thing since I gained access to my lightning form, but I am still worried that one of us might not be able to find the time once in a while.”
Alex paused for a second as he tried to find the right words before just sighing and continuing to speak.
“I am not sure how to ask this politely, but did you find a solution to the intimacy issue with Ava and Mia’s help?”
“No, it is just way too awkward once you leave the room and I don’t know if it would be any less awkward if you were there. Even if it was, that would kind of defeat the purpose, or why we would be exploring it right now. Perhaps things will develop like that one day, but for now I would just say that it is a door that is best left closed from what the three of us discussed. I’m sorry, but while I find myself attracted to both you and them physically, I have no passion, or desire for that kind of intimacy with them on their own at this point. As such, I still want to walk the Odr path, but I can’t stand us purposely avoiding each other when we could see each other and enjoy some time together.”
“You are asking me to give you a child in ED.”
“I will avoid you for Ellis’s birthday, but the next time our paths should cross in ED, yes I am asking to be able to remove the need for avoiding each other once and for all.”
Alex sighed as he looked from Sam to the ceiling of the SUV as he responded to her.
“Fine. If no other solution can be found before then I will give in, but I am not getting you pregnant in ED before the wedding in reality and holding a ceremony in ED for Kate, Ava and Mia as well.”
“Sounds like we need to set things up for you to marry us in reality and them in ED back to back then, because I am not willing to wait any longer than that.”
“And here I thought I had already gotten past needing to hold another spree of weddings. Though I suppose just doing something like I did with Eira might work in ED.”
“Better make the one in reality really good then, though they might agree if you add a bit of flair to the one in ED.”
“Fair, we are talking about Kate after all. While she won’t care about the actual size, she will care about the optics and making sure everyone knows that we are married.”
“While Ava and Mia would be fine with a 24-hour chapel wedding, if it was with you.”
