The Ascent of Kalidor

It is year 1500 A.D. and the Greek capital of Athens was reeling. Greece had lost their hold on the southern part of South America to the Kalidorians, who were natives to the central region. With the aid of Rome in the North, Kalidor bore down upon the high walls of Athens with their cannons and muskets. The commander Huren Sukan, the Christian commander of the Kalidorian forces, called for a total surrender of the Greek Empire. The South American continent would soon be in their hands.

Arabia was pushed back into Central America and their ally Rome was conquering North America. It would all soon be over. Lord Alexander the IV, the ruler of the faltering Greeks, looked over his wall at the surrounding area. His lands were now occupied. The proud Greeks now know a new ruler. The commander of the Kalidorian Forces rode forth on a majestic black steed along with his elite bodyguard unit, hoping to parlay with the weary defenders.

"LORD ALEXANDER!" the burly commander yelled, "Come forth, let us speak as men and put away our swords!"

Alexander the IV did not come forth. The Greeks were traitorous people. Long ago, the Kalidorians tried to live in peace with their expansive neighbor to the south until the Greeks tried to enclose them and cut them off from much need resources. Once, the Greeks controlled most of South America and now they were reduced to simply their capital city of Athens at the base of the Alps. Their former city states, Quebec City and Morgudishu were firmly under Kalidorian control centuries ago.

The Greek messenger came forth before the commander, "Sir Huren… my master refuses to surrender to you and you know that each Greek citizen would gladly lay down their life for the cause of a free, noble nation."

Huren dismounted his fair steed and stood almost seven feet off the ground, staring down at the messenger but a smile came across his face. The messenger looked up, drops of sweat fell down his face, his legs quaked, he was highly intimidated.

"Boy… I have fought the wars in the north against Arabia… they are bloodthirsty and will stop at nothing to see their enemy killed… sometimes the wisest move is to live and fight another day."

The messenger took a long gulp and the large commander continued, "If you value your life, we will let you run and even join us in peace. You will see we are not as your false king accuses us of."

Taking a few breaths, thinking of his situation and then his family, he said, "What about my family?"

Huren called over his servant, who handed the messenger an emblem, "Go back to your family and stay in your home. Have this emblem when we come in. We will not harm you or your family." The messenger took the emblem and went back into the city. The commander and his guard turned back to join the rest of the troops. Huren was an old war veteran who had fought Venezuelan wars against Arabian Empire, who invaded from Central America in millennia ago.

He was big and rough with a big grey beard. He wore his medallions of honor with pride with a large flowing cape behind him. He wielded a giant two handed axe and a powerful blunderbuss. He feared little, death was actually a comforting thought to him. There were few in life that had ever given the man a real match. It all actuality, the Greeks no longer stood a chance against the superior Kalidorians who had muskets and cannons versus longswords, spears, and the bow. It would be dishonest to suggest the Greeks were a push over. It took a good seven years to push through to the city of Athens because of the rough terrain and surrounding forests, ambushes, and ships.

Desra, one of the army's best marksmen, came forth with a battalion of his musketmen and archers and positioned them to the south of the city, along with the cannons to pummel the walls until they crumble. The battle was surprisingly fierce. The Greeks refused to go stop with their defense. Arrows rained from above and gunfire from below. Many Kalidorians were being hit by this height advantage. The shore was too close to the battle ground and the Greek, outdated but yet powerful ships, came from behind and fired their arrows from behind. For a brief moment, it looked like they may have a relief for their southern wall defense until the musket battalions of Quebec City came and fired upon those same ships, which were hit by a barrage of bullets. Men screamed and dived off the ship.

From the north of the city came the main force, which also pummeled the walls and fire upon the defenders, who literally were being ripped the shreds. Evenutally, the walls gave way. Men, stone, dust, blood, everything fell to the ground that stood upon the once majestic walls of the Greeks and the Kalidorians quickly stormed through. Lord Alexander the IV waited in his throne room. This was the palace of his forefathers. Alexander the Great founded this city, this empire, he wasn't willing to back down now. He drew his sword and Desra, along with his younger brother Kael, came forth into the room.

"Lord Alexander, lay down your arms... enough blood was shed this day, come peacefully." Desra said in the low tone.

Alexander was a proud man, as were all Greeks, he responded with a crazed glare, "You take over my cities, you slaughter my men, and you expect me to surrender?"

Kael came with his large sword at hand, "Well, since you put it that way, I guess it is a bit much to ask."

The two brothers started circling around the young lord, "I have no desire to kill you."

"GOOD! THEN JUST STAND THERE AND DIE!" Alexander charged, landing a powerful blow upon the blade of Kael.

Desra quickly charged from behind with a side swipe with his own blade to which Alexander quickly blocked, kicking Kael away. The blows were fast and fierce between the two, the skill of the young lord was undeniable. The older brother smirked, enjoying the fight that was ensuing. He parried the next blow and quickly tried for the sweep kick to which Alexander jumped over. But just right then, Kael came flying into Alexander, knocking him off his feet, landing on his back. Desra quickly followed up kicking the blade from the lord's hand and Alexander stared at two blades at his throat.

"No honor to fight me alone?" Alexander grimaced.

"This is war... I want to go back home with my brother instead of risking all in a duel with you."