Emerius and Charon stepped out of the APC, the sun’s light bearing down on them with intensity.
’I never thought I’d miss the moon so much.’
The Panoplians were waiting for them at the bottom, their metal frames scanning the nearby chaos.
Hundreds of soldiers ran across an open grass field, tents sporadically placed between more APC’s, trucks, and tanks.
A few men strolled past, their arms wrapped around massive guns far too large for a normal human to carry. The added strength was only obvious when they turned to salute the Panoplians, their steel arms gleaming in the sun as they raised them to their brows.
Nodding at the salute, the Panoplians shifted their focus to the duo.
One of them reached behind his back and grabbed something, jerking it out and extending it to Charon.
Taking the onyx blade, he sheathed it back into the chains across his chest and waited for the tome, his eyes narrowing when it wasn’t provided.
"You will get your book after the battle."
Without another word, the Panoplians turned and began to march, leading them across the field and into a large central tent.
Pulling open the flaps, they entered a spacious area with a central table. Light blue holographic lights flashed across the surface, as a handful of men gestured and discussed specific locations.
"If we approach from the South, we can throw the infantry at the center while pincering them from the sides with both the Panoplians and the armored vehicles. We would secure the hill, allowing us to shoot into their command center to burn them out."
Another man shook his head at the suggestion.
"You’re forgetting their earth mage. Records indicate he reached the rank of Journeyman; he could terraform the hill in an instant."
The first man who spoke, a young-looking officer with a handful of medals pinned to a neatly pressed green jacket, rubbed his chin.
"Then we need the mages to attack first. If they can eliminate him as a threat, we can follow up with an armored spearhead, while the infantry relieves the weakened magi."
The man he was arguing with, a middle-aged officer with gray stubble and a persistent frown, nodded once.
"It could work. What do you say, Journeyman Thraugn?"
A man wearing ocean blue robes pursed his lips.
"We could get it done, but casualties would be high. Most of my men are at the rank where mundane weapons can’t harm them, but the last report out of the town indicates that the Claytons have assigned several high-tier relics to this offensive."
The three glanced at each other, a quiet coming over the tent.
"Very well then. The mages will attack in two hours time. Major Itkis will then proceed with an armored thrust, while I will organize a tactical withdrawal for the mages as part of the infantry."
As the conversation wound down, one of the Panoplians stepped forward and announced himself.
"Panoplian 24, delivering two officer trainee magi under High Elder directive."
Everyone in the tent turned to stare at them, mostly in annoyance, but the young officer held a smirk.
"I was just reading that report. Journeyman Thraugn, I believe these two are yours. Might as well get them to camp and suit up, I’m sure they heard enough of that to have an idea about what’s going on."
The robed man nodded, offering a salute before walking past the two and out of the tent with a single word.
Charon immediately turned to listen, but paused when he saw Emerius hadn’t moved.
Grabbing his friend by the shoulder, he gave it a shake, hoping to get his attention.
Emerius didn’t respond, his eyes locked on the young officer.
Growing unnerved, Charon shook him harder and dragged him out of the tent, the tall man surprisingly easy to move.
With a start, his friend wheeled on him, his breathing heavy.
"Did you see who that was?"
Frowning, Charon shook his head.
"The young officer... that was General Mongrave."
Emerius’ eyes bulged, while Charon was slightly amused that he was the one being told about someone famous for once.
’Usually I’m the one sharing heroic tales.’
"He led the First Imperial Expansion, the war that pushed humanity out of the Sol System. Over the span of four hundred years, he conquered a thousand planets, securing humanity’s position as a galactic power. He is one of the most legendary military leaders of all time."
Emerius froze and released a shuddering breath.
"And I just saw him in that tent."
Charon grinned, this possibility having come to him over the past few days.
"It’s the realm of the dead, we are going to see some famous people mixed in. I wouldn’t be surprised to meet former emperors, let alone great generals."
Realizing his friend was too star-struck to be of much use right now, Charon grabbed his arm and led him after the blue-robed mage, who had already crossed half of the camp by the time they caught up.
Without turning to look at them, the man spoke.
"What are your ranks and elements?"
Seeing the state Emerius was in, Charon answered for them both.
"I’m Novice Two in the soul element, and he is Novice Six in the shadow element."
The mage stopped mid-step before continuing, a sigh leaving his lips.
"Great, Novice mages being sent to war. Just my luck. I’ll make sure your friends get your payment, at least. Gods know you won’t be needing it."
Tilting his head in confusion, Charon responded.
"What do you mean we won’t need it?"
The man shook his head.
"Your bodies won’t have any protection against mundane weapons until you rank up to Acolyte. Laser fire will chew right through you, and we will see a lot of laser fire. If you want my advice, do your best to hide the moment the battle starts. No point in forcing you to charge just to die."
His statement hit Charon hard and fast.
’Die? He is saying we will die?’
Before he could ask anymore, they reached a different part of the camp full of more medieval-looking individuals. Robes, plate armor, and chainmail were all common, as well as swords, shields, axes, and bows.
The blue-robed mage whistled, and the mages quickly gathered in a large circle, Charon and Emerius getting lost in the ground.
Peering over a shorter man’s shoulder, Charon watched as the officer spoke.
"Suit up and load into the APCs. We are heading to the front in five. We will have about an hour from arrival before the attack begins. As the vanguard, expect stiff resistance. Our objective is to eliminate their magi, especially the Journeyman fire mage. He will be wearing bright red; he is hard to miss."
With a cheer, the men started running around, entering different tents and grabbing different items.
Some even reached into empty space, weapons and armor appearing out of thin air.
It was jarring how quickly the army camp moved, the number of men dwindling as APCs were loaded into.
Within a few minutes, Charon and Emerius were left standing in an abandoned campsite, the blue-robed mage standing off to the side while talking to a small collection of other robed magi.
After a second, he seemed to remember the two of them, waving them over and pointing at one of the last APCs in the area.
"You two will load up in that one with the officers. They will explain everything to you."
That was all he said before rushing off back towards the rest of the camp, leaving the duo to rush into the APC behind the other magi.
Once seated, they were met with a barrage of orders.
"We are hitting them from the South. Groups Alpha through Theta will clear the first few buildings, while Iota through Xi secure the roads. Omicron, Pi, and Rho will serve as reinforcements wherever we meet the most resistance."
Nothing of what they were saying made sense to Charon, a fact he tried to bring up but was instantly hushed by the glare the others gave him.
It did, however, cause the officers to explain one thing to them.
"You two are part of Group Rho. When you see someone in trouble, it’s your job to get them out. You’re backup. Do whatever you want to advance the mission goal, that’s it."
Initially thinking that wasn’t such a bad job, the man capped it off with one last sentence.
"It’s all you Novices are good for, distractions."
A sourness settled in Charon’s gut.
’So that’s it. The High Elders gave me this position so I could earn experience, and that winds up meaning I’m thrown into hell and told to survive.’
If it was supposed to reveal some key trait about himself, Charon wasn’t seeing it.
’This doesn’t make sense. Why would the High Elders risk my life so carelessly if they think I’ll solve a big problem for them?’
The answer was all too obvious.
’They want to make sure I’m even capable. If I can’t survive this, then I won’t be of any use regardless.’
A sick smile crossed his lips.
’Very well. I’ll pass their stupid little test and make it back to the Fort.’
His smile grew wider.
’And then I’ll start giving tests of my own.’