Men ran for cover as metal bits spilled down from the heavens onto the battlefield. Soldiers fell to the metal splinters, full of holes out of which blood ran.

Above it all, a flag of blue and white waved as advancing forces proceeded to advance on the camp, no doubt intent on looting it and taking all women and children as slaves. The white parts of the flag were shrouded in a reddish orange light, that from the fire that raged around, reflecting the inner anger and rage of the advancing army.

One man, Count Formal of Italica, looked on in horror as he watched one of the iron elephants belch fire from its long trunk. The spell impacted his troops with a large explosion, sending debris and men everywhere. Even the horses were not so fortunate.

"Oh Emory above..." He murmured to himself. Was this what his people deserved after heading through that gate?! What had they awakened?! He winced as another explosion, from one of the iron pegasi this time, was heard not too far off. He didn't need to look back to know that several of his men were in pieces.

The count wondered what his people had awaiting them now. Would he be sent to work in the mines of their empire? And would his daughters be made into slaves for the royalty? He wished it wasn't so, but it appeared it was. And this all happened because of the emperor's desire to claim more land for his empire, no less.

A glance back at the flag again sent chills down Count Formal's spine. He looked away from the flag and shuddered. The count looked up again, only to see something off with the attacking invaders. Each of them, from what little he could see of them anyway, had a different flag on their outfits. That confused him to no end, but he cold only conclude at that point that these were soldiers of vassal states. It would explain the large number of mages and soldiers these guys had.

But if that was the case, then why would this empire attack them so needlessly? Couldn't both the empire he served and this one get along and share resources, not to mention the slaves? He was brought out of his musings by another explosion from the iron elephants.

Count Formal had the feeling that this was not going to be a good way to go out.

But he had no idea on how wrong he was...