[tetsuochii]

Fall, 2182 AC

For countless years the shadow of the Crusade and its relentless pursuants has loomed over the blighted heart of Meranthe; an ever‑pressing storm seeking to snuff out the last stubborn embers of defiance. Once, the Hydra stood unflinching, its coils wrapped tight around its dominion, bold enough to meet the Republic’s gaze without fear. But confidence, like a flame, can flicker; and even the Hydra must reckon with the gathering tide.

The First head..

The Second head..

The Third head..

All fallen, one after the next. Leaving only one head of the Hydra to remain. Viritas. Openly have they absorbed the remnants of Monolith, The Nameless Circle and Pscaela and become the reprieve for the fallen. They continue to defy the Light in Meranthe with efforts and crimes against humanity and thus, as promised as the Dawn, the Republic has spurred into response.

Sometimes I wish this was a different world. A world where your ink could be used for art that fills the soul instead of tearing it away, twisting it into forms unnatural and strange. A world of which there would be discussion of what benefit the reformation of this angel could do, and there would be good answers. But we do not live in that world, and there is nothing to discuss. There is nothing to discuss from the whispers of missing citizens, stolen out of homes in the night to never be seen again. There is nothing to discuss of Sabbath’s, held in the bloodthirst of humanoid sacrifice, for causes that will hurt the world itself. There is nothing to discuss in monstrosities, strung together from the hearts and bodies of innocent men and women, suffering even now.

If this is what your angel wants, if this is what you want to bring to my land, then I want nothing of it. Let this cycle finally end, for good.

The time has come to finish what we started all those years ago, beneath the wise light that has long guided me. Efforts toward reprieve or understanding are a waste, for what is known does not need be explained. Opportunity for redemption was provided, and time and time again did the people of Viritas call for the spite of Meranthe. With the failing of the Ritual of Rafael, the last straw was drawn. The embers of the Hydra live within the walls of Viritas, and it has come time to extinguish that flame for good. With a final push, the Republic will put an end to our Crusade, for a better Republic, for a better Meranthe. We move to finish this.

Soldiers, Ad Arma.

---

The eastern militia rouses like a slumbering giant. From the ramparts of the Republic, the banners of black, white, and gold snap and crack in the rising wind. War drums thrum low, echoing through corridors and across plains, calling every sworn blade to muster. The Republic Army assembles in grim order. Word spreads through the camps like a spark to dry tinder, the time has come. 

With solemn vows and drawn steel, they stir into motion; to march against Viritas, the Crusade seeking an end. To an era, freed of their despair.

OBJECTIVE

Raze Viritas

DATE

[ Saturday - August 9 - 5PM EST ]

[ExaByte]

Asked and Answered.

It need not have even been a question.

Almost immediately after this, a statement from the Goldlight Order is put out in conjunction. The two leading figures of the Republic's super powers in close communication, troops beginning to make their way to Viritas once more. The forces once stationed near the Tower of Aetius steadily having been moving their camps on a forward march, supply lines established. Armed with the finest of Martyr's Vigil's artifice, the Goldlight Order slowly establishes itself more and more through technological supremacy.

Anya Theodosia Talalt, Vicar-General of The Tribunal Wrote:

---

There is little to say and much to do. We've all been waiting for this moment, the Viritasi wretches included. For this is not just an act of judgment, it is one of mercy. A state that exists on perpetual self cannibalism, its citizens abducted and tortured, their pain offered to a wicked patron. Even still, there have been those within Viritas' walls who have resisted this madness, and paid the ultimate price. May their sacrifices not be in vain, and may we hold even a single shred of their bravery as we finish the work they boldly started. 

I have but one edict to all in the Republic who read my words now, as we look to their last bastion- Atrellya's chapter long finished.

Excise the rot. Burn the canvas.

{Following the defense of the Tower of Aetius, the Goldlight Order will be joining Gloomlight in the razing of Viritas.}

[solarnoon]

Thorncaptain Zenith Eisande wrote:

---

"...it's been many a year since that fateful first moment; where the people of Viritas made their sins and sorrows known with an act of perfidy. A mass ambush, against those that visited their new city of art with the expectation of hospitality. Since that moment, they have continued to fight, continued to resist every offer of aid, every word of guidance, every attempt to drag them off their path of bloodletting and self-destruction. Their victims must be mourned. They must be mourned, for that they could not be saved from themselves.

But, if it is too late to save them, then the world can still be saved from their ill-omened efforts. The fallen angel they are bound to can be kept sealed. They can be stopped from hurting any more people. No one else must be seduced into suffering from honeyed words of mock-progress. What is right is obvious, here. May we all pray for the people of Viritas, and for their patron's faithful--their own prayers will only bring them ruin."

Realm soldiers begin a new muster, green-cloaked and green-cowled columns marching across Delphinan roads, and sailing down Delphinan rivers. The existing outposts and defenses in the Arcadian hinterlands are restocked with men, as newly uniformed Elzara recruits and chime-bearing veterans alike stare across the meadows towards their distant opponent.

Beyond the proclamation of deployment, flyers and notices are plastered on walls, trees, and particularly sturdy bushes across the larger cities of the Realm, beckoning citizens to do their duty and enlist. After all--

Experience has taught Meranthe just how harsh it is to assault the City of Fel Art.

[Delphina will participate in the Crusade assault on Viritas.]

[Astronomical]

Indeed had it been a plentiful amount of years since the genesis of the Crusade against the forces of the Fel.

Three heads removed.
Monolith.
Nilhirra.
Pscaela.

And yet.. One remains.
Viritas.

Standing proud in the midst of opposing forces preparing the finality of their expedition to fall the last,
the City of Art's defenses comes at the ready; the coils of the Hydra's Fourth Head remain tight-knitted,
bold, confident, and unwavering in their convictions against the Republic and their comrades, defying light.

"Congrats, Republic.
One head.
Two heads.
Three, and now the fourth.

Don't you know that when you cut off one, many more grow in its place?
You may not know or understand yet what it is you've truly started.

Do you fools believe anyone deemed Fel would surrender themselves to your ways and perception of how anyone should live their life?
Never.

Viritas, do not let the drive of man match the unrelenting force found without yourselves.
It doesn't matter their might, their strength, their numbers! Their weakest soldiers or their strongest commanders-
They will all fall and be burned to ashes in the same baptisms of our conjoined power, so use your blades that defy falling.


they will all fall and be burned to ashes the same in baptisms of our power, your blades that defy falling. Let your dignity be raised as the poison on your armaments to wound your enemies."

OBJECTIVE OF THE CITY OF ART'S POPULACE:
DEFEND VIRITAS

---

...meanwhile?


Viraliche has her focus upon another objective, it seems?!

"But you, Tahuwa Kitalan, will be the catalyst for me to kill the Pantheon Ualdir, and see Felfyraxes' war against humanity thrive.
Your special power-

I want it, and I want to tarnish your heart where you dared to try and stain mine."

OBJECTIVE OF VIRALICHE AVINTESS:
DEADLY 3 VS. TAHUWA KITALAN

August 9th
Saturday, 5 PM EST

[awwlie]

Fall of the Year 2182 AC

Betwixt with the Devil.

Two years have passed since the leader of the City of Arts, the Martyr of Mydaea was placed under capture. Even amidst such chaos, the City has endured and pushed forth. The mourning period for the faithful has been painful, yet even more so: Cut short. Sky Lanterns float on top the Cathedral as a reminder for their sacrifice, their actions as the Martyr.

May She See,
May She Hear,
May She Speak.

‎ 

The Priestess of Mydaea speaks for herself, as the named Priestess of Her Grace. Sending an envoy carrying letters onwards to the offices of the Gloomlight's Oracle, and the Vicar-General of the Tribunal. Each contain a seal carved out of blood itself, with an singular wing imprinted in the middle to act as symbol.

Ayse Shizuka Akatsuki, The Priestess of Mydaea Wrote:

---

The words written bear weight-- Not just in judgement, but finality: It is clear, the misguided of Eternia lack awareness. A canvas to be burnt, anew will be found. Flames of the Republic will burn bright that is for certain, yet, how many are you ready to sacrifice to the kiln. How many are willing to burn up their faith, their ambition to reach this madness? Will you be able to look upon those soldiers in the face, calling this an act of amelioration.  

You can destroy all you see, but, what you can not see. You are unable to grasp: Exorcise the rot from within first, so you may be able to remember what it looks like. If you must pretend redemption comes through the flames you oust as mercy, then let yourself burn first. The ashes of your ambitions will remember the truth.

You will find yourself to wonder once you cross in to our holy lands, what has the truth of your lies been. 

May She See,
May She Hear,
May She Speak.

Yaeka Akatsuki, The Viceroy Wrote:

---

Once again, our home is set upon by the righteous and the just. They who write history. They who look ever forward, towards a bright and blinding future.

We, who have only defended ourselves against these onslaughts, have only stood to lose. Our Vicarian was taken, and killed. Those that I provide for, are only killed without mercy. We attempt to free Her Grace from a terrible fate, right a wrong on a divine scale, and Aetius sought to lay us low. Not once have we marched on others for disagreements. Not once have we done anything but leave the world to its own devices.

If you wish to see the beautiful streets of Viritas so badly, then I welcome you. The last time an army walked upon it, the ashen streets were painted red with blood. Uralai was granted peace. What shall happen this time, I wonder?

Remember, O noble warriors of the Republic:
The brightest lights cast the darkest shadows.