The old construction of Fort Haigh seems to have obtained a second life, whether it is the internal structures or the external courtyards, both areas are full of movement and activity nowadays.
In the rustic interiors and quite worn by the passage of time, one can see troops more of the logistical type than combat, making it clear that the occupation will not be only momentary.
On the other hand, in the outer courtyards full of garbage and clutter, troops can be seen marching in perfect order towards the outside of the walls, as if it were a professional army.
"Why, because I have to go to the support wing, Aldrich!"
Shouting skyward in pure exaggeration and grabbing the leg of the one she calls Aldrich, a young dark-haired brunette girl makes a fuss, thus attracting the attention of the nearby soldiers.
"You are the only person of trust and strength here, Nepheli."
Looking down from the heights with her golden eyes that are equal to those of a dragon, Aldrich expresses herself slowly and clearly, making it clear that this decision has already been made.
"So what about me!
"That's right, there's her too!"
Lifting her body off the ground at a surprising speed, Nepheli runs up behind the white-haired woman with dragonic features, then carries her in hands, finally setting her down in front of Aldrich.
"Lansseax... Are you kidding me?"
Speaking with a tone that doesn't hide his doubts at all, Aldrich is immediately forced to dodge a blow coming from an angry Lansseax, though that mishap doesn't seem to matter to him.
"You see what I'm talking about, it's impossible for her to lead something as surgical as encircling the Caelid beasts from behind, then finishing them off with the help of defensive troops."
"I understand... Wait, there's also Max, that minion of Kristoff's! I'm sure he'll be able to carry out the strategy in detail!"
Pointing to one of the main army leaders, who is giving orders to all sides, Nepheli's smile grows in size along with her hope not to be separated from Aldrich.
Nepheli's search for excuses may seem extreme, but she doesn't want to be separated from Aldrich, not because of anything sentimental or anything like that, but because he is going right into the burning wall erected by Radahn.
Basically Aldrich's plan is to advance with the full exercise to the burning wall, then separate his forces into two wings. The first will advance into Necrolimbo, surrounding the Caelid beasts along with the defensive troops, while the second group stays on the wall to prevent the arrival of more beasts.
"Max can certainly take charge of leading the exercise, but he doesn't have superior strength to counter any unforeseen events... Plus he won't be able to control Lansseax."
"Aghh, well, well. looks like there are no more options!"
Accepting the cold reality after shaking her hair vigorously, Nepheli lets out a tired sigh and walks off defeatedly towards her horse. Such a melancholy appearance caused several soldiers to guide their gaze towards Aldrich, though a single glance from Lansseax silences them.
"Nepheli's charisma... It truly is a frightening thing."
"Now, now... Now let go of my head!"
Roaring in pure fury, from Lansseax's white hair, red lightning begins to emerge, but they all fail to pierce Aldrich's gloves.
Obviously Aldrich was prepared for his outburst since he put his hand on his head, as it is too obvious that using force to stop his blows was going to get some reaction.
"That's enough, transfer we're leaving."
"What, what... What!"
Yes before only Lansseax's lightning bolts seemed dangerous, now everything about her gives off that same vibe, be it the sharp eyes, her scaly white tail, or her gnashing teeth.
"Aldrich."
"What is it, Lansseax?"
With an oddly sweet tone to his words, Aldrich reaches his hand out of Lansseax's head and grabs one of his lightning bolts, then twists it until it disappears.
There is a language that every dragon recognizes, a simple, barbaric language... The force, something Aldrich is currently using. He's basically shown her that his lightning is useless, of course, unless she's willing to fight for real.
"Tsk, I wouldn't be surprised if one day I wake up and you're a magma lizard, Aldrich."
"Oh, not a dragón?"
"Hump, no matter how many dragon hearts you've devoured, in the end you're a mere..."
Hesitating to finish the sentence, most likely because she doesn't know how to pigeonhole Aldrich, she just lets out another snort and returns to her natural form.
Of course, Lansseax's sudden transformation scared more than one, but everything went back to calm when they saw Aldrich appear over her head.
"On the double!"
"At your orders!"
"Everyone, advance!"
Under the resounding shouts of the squadron leaders, the entire army begins to advance in perfect formation under the afternoon sun.
...Aldrich pov...
The more we moved towards the place in question, the burning wall, the more stray Caelid beasts we encountered along the way.
There were the Caelid tyrant-dogs, a name I give them because of their strong resemblance to the tyrannosaurus, also those dark crows appear from time to time, and a few times, the halberd-wielding pests can be spotted.
Even though all these scattered remnants are easy to defeat, they make it clear that all the Caelid fauna is migrating... As if they felt a strange attraction.
"Malenia... That madwoman really is alive, though it was obvio us considering the possibilities."
Clicking my tongue, something I don't normally do, I recall the multiple battles against her and her scarlet rot during the first game, and the fourth.
I've basically completed this story quite a few times, as I recall, but I've only fought Malenia in the first and fourth, all due to her extremely insane difficulty.
"What is this I smell... Aldrich, Lord of the Circle, ruler of Leyndell and the Midlands, are you afraid?"
Snorting at the childish taunts coming from Lansseax, I apply a little more force to my right foot and shut her up with an obvious threat.
Fear? No, what I feel is pressure from her, because it won't be just another fight, but that will be:The Fight!.
Fixing his eyes on the horizon that seems bathed in clouds of blood, he lowered his gaze and observed how a reddish territory stretches ahead.
It is Caelid, and the only thing that separates that territory full of monstrosities from Necrolimbo, is the burning wall built by General Radahn and his troops.