Another Golden Army/Sons of the Earth Fanfiction

For Del Toro and his creative genius…Thank you so much

A Sleeping Army – A Golden Army One-Shot

And so, it came to pass the Golden Army was created; mechanical, clockwork, acorn-like soldiers created from the fires of the Earth and the Goblin blacksmiths. When this army was unleashed on the world again it would push humanity into retreat and allow the Children of the Earth the space to be free once again. Many Children of the Earth had suffered and died at the hands of humanity and this army would insure their survival. It was the only way. Yet when the elven king called the truce and divided the crown of Bethmoora in three the mechanical army went silent, sleeping in their ageless, golden slumber, stored deep within the Earth's core until needed again. Balor, sealing the army away when he'd first witnessed their destructive power; the ability to crush every human in their path, not distinguishing from mother or child, soldiers of magical ore and metal with no remorse, no judgement. Destruction had raged on Earth during the ancient war between the Children of the Earth and the humanity. Even since then a truce had been struck with humanity and the army fell into silence along with the halls of Bethmoora, which became desolate over time. Since man broke the truce and refused to keep their promise, continuing their path greed of destruction, consuming all life and natural resources in their path, the Sons of the Earth had to leave the surface, the land they loved behind. They were forced into the far reaches of the underworld, left to be forgotten about, the Children of the Earth and all they had thrown away by humanity left to rot. Eventually the fey fell into the annuals of myth and folklore and were forgotten all together by a human race that had disregarded their words and turned their backs to them. Yet one elven woman, at least her spirit felt the pain her people endured every day. Earth was now a concrete, metal jungle, pollution choking the air and seas, lush green forests burnt and chopped to the ground, acrid fumes burning the skies. It hurt her heart to observe man in all their lust for power and the yearning to stuff more into the black pits of their hearts, never satisfied, never having enough. Witnessing this made her wish she was alive now so she could leap to the rescue and ease the suffering of her people. She could bring calm and respite, comfort those who needed it most and stand beside the one person who cared and fought for them and the world.

Bamba Arealia, the love of the elven prince and the milk of Earth's kindness had been murdered by humanity in cold blood. She remembered the day all too well. On the field of battle, the war raging between the two sides as she sacrificed herself to save him, taking a knife to the chest. He was the most powerful warrior of his age but even he was blind to this threat and the only way her people would survive was if their leader did. It was the ultimate sacrifice as she'd broken his heart by leaving him but at least he could fight for their cause another day, be the burning flame of hope that kept the Children of the Earth and their will to fight alive. She knew without her a piece of him would always be missing, a space in his heart that only she could fill. It hurt her to know the prince would always have an empty space in his heart, no matter what he did to fill it.

Her spirit had been observing man ever since, the way they initially kept their promise to them but then overtime resorted back to their old ways, destroying all life around them, beating green grass lands to the ground to build haphazard, ugly constructions. It wounded her and her people deeply every time another tree was felled, and the rivers ran with toxins. Earth was dying and if nothing was done soon, it's children would to. Her spirit often wondered through the ruins of Bethmoora and today seemed like a good day to explore the only part of the grand structure that was still intact. Bamba remembered this place fondly in its zenith. How beautiful and powerful Bethmoora was, how at home she felt and how peaceful it was, full of color and beauty as she attended the elven court. Now it was torn apart, hollow, no natural life present in these halls at all, just a vast cavern, a black, dusty pit that stretched for miles. Even as a spirit her beauty had not diminished, her fair facial features always lily like and captivating as she managed to summon enough energy to become a physical spirit and not a ghostly form, seemingly appearing as if she was alive. Long locks of her silky white-blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, deep golden eyes shimmering with an amber luster, lips full, the tips of her pointed ears showing beneath her hair. Bark like chips were etched onto her face while the royal Bethmoora birthmark stretched across both her cheeks and nose, denoting her heritage and as a daughter of the Earth. She was dressed in a floor length ivory gown, slender waist synched with a highly decorated golden belt as she stepped lightly on the dusty ground, the hem of the garment trailing behind her. Being here invoked many memories, where she and her people used to dance and sing together, reveling in the joys of the changing seasons, praising the gods for what they'd been given and now those times would never come again…But perhaps with his help they would.

She thought of him, her prince, the elven prince whom had her heart. She still sensed he twisted with grief at her death to this very day but wondered why she had not seen more of him. At first, he'd attended to her spirit every minute of every day, never leaving the spot in that glade of green where he'd laid her before she turned to dust, returned to the Earth upon her death. Every time she felt his pain, tried to send him all the comfort she could from the realm of the dead but sensed it was not enough. She could sense he wanted justice for her and yet felt an irreplaceable anger in him, a determination strong enough to fight for her and push back the whole human race himself if he had to. Gradually he attended her less and less until the grief seemingly grew less and he was able to stand tall and strong again. Yet she sensed he was still in pain. The two were bound by body and blood in the eyes of the gods and therefore he was a part of her and vice versa. Since her death, the prince had lost a piece of himself that he could never recover and therefore was not the same person. She longed to see him again, even if it was for one final time to lend him whatever strength she could. Bamba wondered into the heart of the sanctuary and stopped dead in her tracks. Ominous, shelled, metallic shadows crept up the walls and along the floor as she blew out of her breath, walking to the center of the chamber. She knew of the army that had been created but knew little of its scale or scope until now, until she had stumbled upon its resting place. Her heart spiked in her chest, almost freezing over with horror and she realized this was it. This was the army she'd seen in her dreams, the force responsible for all the destruction and blood: The Golden Army. Her blood ran cold as she knelt on the ground leaning in closer to inspect one of the golem like constructions, their innards hollow, faces expressionless and cold.

What in the name of the gods…Bamba whispered, fear striking close to her heart as she got to her feet and gazed around her in disbelief at the endless rows of mechanical, golden soldiers all around her, not being able to see an end to them. I warned them…I warned the king and my Nuada against this and they ignored me…I told them not to…Did the war really come to this? Why? Overwhelmed with a sudden sense of despair she fell to her knees and burst into tears, just seeing the heartless, terrifying, Earth created soldiers before her whittling away her resolve until she couldn't control her sadness. The sorrow bit at her heart as the cavernous chamber filled with her crying, a daughter of the Earth grieving for the pain and loss they all felt. Why? Why my lord would you do this? You promised me, you promised our people. Why did it have to come to this? I warned you against this and the destruction it would bring and you didn't listen to me…I can't believe you would…Bamba began but the normal flower like, kind thread of her patience snapped as she did anger then, ire rising within her at this terrible force that could be created and could never be reversed. She slammed her slender hands again and again at the metallic ribs of one of the mechs, trying to deal damage to it but a flower no matter how beautiful and fair was going to be no match against a supernatural, goblin-built warrior. She tried again and again, crying with frustration until her fair white knuckles screamed in pain as she keeled over in shock and despair, endless rivers of tears still flowing down her cheeks, giving up, realizing they were invincible and there was nothing she could do.

Footsteps…Suddenly Bamba snapped out of her saddened state as she realized she was not alone. Someone else was hear, walking in her direction. Bamba walked with an ambling grace away from the approaching clacking sound, back turned to whoever would find her, her lost spirit that had wondered upon the resting place of the most powerful fighting force that had ever been created. Of course, she admired her people's craftsmanship and talent but not like this…not to be used to create weapons of such devastation. She continued her soft step towards the lofty staircase that lead to the central chamber before her until a voice stopped her in her tracks. That voice warming her heart and saddening her heart at the same time.

"Bamba…" the voice said in surprise it's tone strangely soothing as she kept her back turned to him, lowering her head, locks of her silky hair falling over her shoulders, the temperature in the room dropping by nearly a degree. It made her shiver, her pure heart of goodness and light standing in a place rotting and consumed with creatures of destruction. It was not the place for her. "Bamba…What are you doing here?" the voice said in the native tongue, Elvish as she sensed the tremble in his voice, immediately sensing him twisting with grief, stomach knotting and he hadn't expected to see her here, even if she was a spirit. She looked so realistic as if she'd come back from the dead. Bamba was too pained to respond as she shook her head before continuing her amble away from him, spine straight, poise in her step head lowered. Infuriated she had not answered his question the elven prince stormed up to her and attempted to grab her shoulder, but his black gloved grip went through what should have been her physical form and at this his heart dropped like a stone of lead. She was a spirit, she was dead. Her murder hadn't been a dream. Humanity had taken her from him, the one source of happiness and kindness he'd had in all the world ripped from him in one moment. Yet to see her standing before him, the image of her beauty so vivid and clear it sparked a mirage of memories in his mind; a time when they were both happy, when they shared the same existence, when they'd confessed their love for each other. The memory of her murder was too painful, caused his heart to splinter as he drummed the images of his past from his head, but always wanting to keep her there. She would always be a part of him, always remain on his mind no matter where he was: His strong, loving Bamba who had laid down her life to protect him. She sensed his mind posed many questions as to why she was here, why she had stumbled upon the army, but this was insignificant now. What was of significance is that he had found her. He only sought to reconnect with her soul even if it was just for a fleeting moment. He was indeed as handsome and as strong as when they had first become friends on this world, fair face a stern mask, dark eyes and lips matching, bark like chips more vivid than hers engraved onto his skin, golden eyes shimmering with expression. His long white-blonde hair fell to his waistline, pointed tips of his ears showing beneath, dressed in his customary, ornate black tunic and shirt underneath it with the royal crest of Bethmoora emblazoned in gold on the red sash he always wore around his waist. "My Bamba…I apologize for the time that has passed us by. I should not have left you alone…I'm sorry…" Nuada's voice chimed in Gaelige behind her as on the one hand she wanted to express how happy she was to see him, but she needed to let him know how she truly felt. This was not just as simple as two lovers reuniting again. She wanted answers and despite her flower like disposition she didn't care how long it would take. Since the war had raged on and her tragic death, she knew he had mourned her loss, was at her side without fault or failure but even despite his undying love and affection for her he had some explaining to do. She crossed her arms across her puffed chest, golden eyes still pearly with tears.

"Why my Nuada? Why have you done this? Why?" Bamba's voice choked with sadness, clenching her slender hands into fists at her sides, just waiting for his answer, golden eyes blotchy with tears. Shocked by her sadness he tried to approach her, but she distanced herself from him shaking her head.

"This army is the only chance we have Bamba. Our warriors have all died at the hands of the humans. We have nothing left…This was the only choice…" Nuada explaining the situation with all the understanding he could but she angered at him then, an anger and a strength she had within her when she was alive, but always in reserve, never like this. Perhaps her spirit being locked away down in the ruins of their kingdom was taking its toll on her.

"My lord, please enough lies! You mean to tell me our finest warriors were cut down by the blades of humans? That's impossible…I don't believe you!" Bamba burst out, still refusing to give him eye contact as Nuada stormed in front of her, arms folded across his black armored chest in a powerful stance, not letting her get away from him. She saw the familiar fire in his eyes and knew he was serious. Even seeing the destruction of his people and the Earth could not whittle down his resolve. He would fight for them until his dying breath, if it meant their future, their survival.

"I speak the truth my Bamba. The army is all we have left. It is the only hope for us. I would have thought you of all people would understand!" Nuada shot back fiercely, tone quipped with anger as Bamba shook her head again, backing away from him, amber eyes still pearly with tears.

"You lied to me!" Bamba burst out, lily like face ever beautiful in her sadness, heart riddled with pain at the fact even her closest friend could be dishonest with her. "You and your father promised me this would not happen. I warned you! Just look around us! What you have created will cause more death, more destruction. We cannot win this war with more bloodshed…These soldiers will tear this world apart…I trusted you my lord, I trusted you…" Bamba's voice died down to a weak tremble as feeling a fire spiral through his chest, as he tried to grip onto her shoulder again but remembered she was not truly before him. She was only an apparition, a spirit wondering the ruins of their world and it saddened him on the inside to know she had been alone all this time. Still what Bamba refused to acknowledge was that this was a desperate time for their people. They needed to act. With the humans taking over the Earth and the numbers of their people dwindling fast, Earth and it's children fading away they needed to act and the army was their saving grace, the chance to provide them with a future, a chance to heal the world after the destruction; he just needed to make her see that.

"I know I failed you in one respect Bamba…I have left you alone for too long and your spirit has languished here all this time…You are in my heart and mind every day, no matter the war and troubles that plague the world…You are the light of my life and even through death you still are…You are still my Bamba…Never forget that…" the prince murmured softly as Bamba was momentarily taken aback by his words, to know that he still truly cared, that he thought of her but this was deviation from the true matter at hand. He still hadn't given her answers and she wanted them, wanted to know.

"Then why…?" Bamba responded in a voice like silk as she closed the gap between them, golden eyes soft and warm. His dark rimmed eyes engaging with hers. When they were within an inch of each other he reached out a hand to touch her cheek but of course felt nothing. More memories came to the surface, but he pushed them away. When she had died, he had lost a piece of him, the kind, gentle side she had given him and now without her light and love to keep him pure, his actions would still be stoic and strong but the path marred by violence and death.

"We have no other choice Bamba that's why…the humans have taken everything from us. They have forced us to build this weapon…It is man and their endless quest to conquer the Earth that has lead us to this point…I will fight on Bamba and our people will know peace once again but I need to know you're on my side…" the prince's words making her feel hollow on the inside as she leaned down to examine the face of a mech nearest her, almost feeling its cold mechanical eyes glaring into her soul, making her feel cold.

"Of course, I am…" Bamba trembled slightly as she tore her eyes away from the cold metallic structure before her. Looking at it chilled her to her core. "How long do we have left?" she asked sadly, starting to realize that if this mechanical menace was their only hope then her leader would do what must be done and of course stand by him. This was the difference between the two. Nuala opposed the awakening of the army at all costs, not seeing the long-term goal of their creation whereas Bamba saw different. She too abhorred violence, the destruction and all the beauty fading around her, weakening her people and their resolve but she knew one thing. The humans had taken over the Earth, spread over the surface and spread pollution and devoured everything in their path like an infectious disease. Bamba knew if they were not quelled soon and brought to heel, Earth would have no life and her people would have no future. Therefore, with a heavy heart she knew there was only one course. She realized that now. The elven prince sighed, placing a firm grip on the handle of his spear before answering her question.

"Not long my Bamba…We do not have much time left…We only have one choice and I wish it were otherwise" Bamba was surprised to hear remorse and regret echoing in those words, expecting him to be twisted with grief and hatred. However, she realized her voice would surely reach out to him less and less. When he drove himself into exile in the wake of his father's decision to call the truce with man he'd become filled with a new fire, watching his world and kin being destroyed at the hands of humanity. It would make him act, make him awaken the army again, to save the Earth and his people while his sister and father were happy to accept humanity's control of the planet, letting them continue to plunder and pillage until they had nowhere to go…until they have devoured everything…until nothing was left…The prince vowed on his conscience he would never let that happen and the Children of the Earth would have a future. Maybe not today, not tomorrow…but one day. The Earth would be beautiful, and her children would know peace one again…Bamba dared to dream this was possible. She thought back on when all her kin, elves, trolls, fairies, ogres and goblins roamed free and lived in harmony, away from man in their settlements and life was perfect. Now it seemed as if that future was a long time away.

"I understand…" Bamba breathed out slowly as she got to her feet, giving him her attention. "They are our only hope, aren't they?" she asked with regret as seeing Nuada nod made her blood run cold again, but she accepted the truth. The army had been built as a last resort but as man's domination of the planet grew there would come a time when the army would have to be awakened, in order to secure the future of the fey, to heal the world as it once was. "The path of destruction is not over and I know the road is long and tiresome…I wish I could help you" she sighed solemnly, the prince watching her spirit pace back and forth until finally she stood still, face always filled with expression, eyes dancing with the light of hope. "If our situation is dire and these creatures are our only hope to survive then let it be done…Let the army purge the Earth of enough humans so we can rebuild our lives. You have my support whichever path you choose to take. I know destruction will cloud the beauty of this world for some time…but when the army has cleared that path for us we can rebuild…I want our people to live on…I want our legacy to survive…Our people will know the life they once knew…I am with you…" Bamba murmured sweetly as he tried to sypher more from her but Bamba's energy was draining, not being able to stay on the physical plane for long as it was taxing for her to return from the dead. She began to fade away, his golden eyes fixed on her, warming her heart as she knew with her lord carrying the cause her people would be save. "Be strong my Nuada…You are the only one who can save us now…Our future and the future of this world are in your hands…I'm with you always…Look inside your heart should you need and I will be there…Always…" Bamba's voice a whisper as her spirit completely faded away the prince reaching out for her but she'd disappeared, vanished into the ether, leaving him to ponder his thoughts. Yes, the road would be long and full of pain, but his people would have a future, with or without the help of his family. He would see to that. Just gazing at the spot where she had been filled him with a new-found strength. Fighting for his people and his home yes, but to keep fighting for her. He'd made a promise to keep them safe and he'd promised her. He would never go back on his word. His voice trembled slightly as he pushed the impulse to shed tears away. Yes, he still desired more than anything for her to be with him, but this fight was his, he had to carry it on alone…Yet he realized her words…He was never alone…She lived in him.

"Thank you my Bamba…Thank you" the prince hoped she could hear his words as knowing he had her support, affirmed his actions. He knew what he had to do. He continued his inspection of the golden mechanical ranks, knowing when the time was right, they would save his people, all he'd ever loved and cared about.

Soon the golden army would march to Earth as soon as the crown pieces were assembled. A day of reckoning was upon them and soon he would be the one to bring that about. Prince Nuada…Savior of the fey and their future.