Ten years, that's all the time the Ascenti Empire needed to subjugate or destroy every last neighboring country surrounding it.
First to fall were the Elven glades. So sure of themselves, the Elf armies staked everything on the first engagement, and were wiped out in one decisive battle, their entire population enslaved within the year.
Next were the Dwarven highlands. Their mountain fortresses protected them for a time, but within three years, all of Dwarf kind was extinct.
Finally, the human Emperor turned his sights to the western forests, to the kingdom of wolves.
Initially wolven kind took the advantage through a surprise offensive, gaining ground and pushing the empire back to it's own borders.
Unfortunately this did not last.
Through overwhelming numbers, along with their advantage in having the ability to field battle mages, the Ascenti Empire began pushing the lycan armies back. Now, six years later, the only haven of a dying people is their once great capital city of Urbe Lupi.
All of it's inhabitants know that time is running out, many have seen the atrocities of their kind's extermination and have no doubt what shall befall them when the imperial soldiers breach the city gates.
Some have taken to praying to the gods, hoping that the goddess Leona will hear their prayers and save them from their doom.
A few others have accepted their fate, and taken their demise into their own hands to save themselves from the pain.
In the center of the city lies the royal palace. Deep within it's halls, King Rohann Lucoria heads to meet with the last of his generals to plan the city's defense. Beside him walks his long time friend and adviser, Bural Surona.
"Bural, you have always been the one that I turn to when I find myself in need of a solution. Do you believe that there is any way we might come away from this battle victorious?" Rohann asked.
Bural contemplated this as they walked, occasionally stroking his graying beard.
"Honestly my liege, without some way to combat the Imperial spell casters, this battle shall be very one sided. If Lycan kind were anywhere near as gifted with magic as the humans, we could have won this war long ago."
The King let out a heavy sigh. "Then it is as I feared."
As they both finally approached the door to the war room, Rohann turned to Bural.
"My friend, there is something of great importance that I must ask you to do." Spoke the king as he placed his hand on Bural's shoulder.
"There is a boat waiting at the docks, once the battle starts, you must take Shereise and Issac and get as far away as possible."
At first Bural looked at his King with shock, but slowly his face turned to acceptance.
"Of course Rohann, I understand. They shall be kept safe, I swear to you."
Both men saluted each other, their fist covering their hearts.
"May the spirits guide and protect you." Spoke King Rohann.
"And to you as well, my dear friend." Replied Bural.
In the castle courtyard, the laughter of children could be heard among the gloom as two young children played together.
From a bench by one of the walls, a beautiful woman in her mid thirties watched on. Her long silver hair tied behind her head in a bun, and atop her head sat a small crown.
Queen Shereise Lucoria watched on with her deep blue eyes as her young son Issac played with his dear friend Aloise.
'Had things only been different.' She thought to herself. 'Perhaps they would have made a good King and Queen some day.'
The young Prince, a boy of roughly twelve years old, chased after his dear friend. His golden eyes sparkled with life as he played tag with Aloise. His shoulder length, dark brown hair flowing as they ran.
His crown laying beside his mother, forgotten the moment the game had started.
Aloise on the other hand had her long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, her violet eyes sparkling with the same mischief as her life long friend.
"Come on Issac, you're so slow! Don't tell me you're going to let a young maiden run circles around you." Aloise called back to him as she ran, giggling the entire time.
"Just you wait until I catch you 'young maiden', then I'll show you which of us is slow!" Issac retorted.
The sound of the children's game was suddenly interrupted by the sound of large bells ringing. The bells signalling a coming attack on the city walls.
Grabbing her son's crown and standing, the Queen quickly ushered the children back inside the castle.
As they hurried down the many halls of the castle, soldiers carrying everything from swords to halberds were running past them, all hurrying to man their posts.
As the queen finally reached the throne room, they were met by Bural near the entrance.
"My Queen, the King has tasked me with the protection of you and the Prince. Please follow me your Highness." Bural spoke to them.
"Yes, of course. Lead on, Lord Surona." Answered Shereise .
"But what about Aloise?" Asked Issac as his mother took his hand.
Bural looked to the young girl. "Very well, Lady Kiona shall come with us as well." Bural instructed.
The King's adviser then led them through the castle, to one of it's rear entrances.
Outside, fires could be seen starting to sprout up around the city. Most likely either from magic attacks or Ascenti catapults.
"We must move quickly, there is not much time." Bural told them as they began to run through the small side streets towards the docks.
"PEOPLE OF MARULN, HEAR ME!" Shouted the King as he walked along the main street from the castle towards the city gates.
Close behind him walked his heavily armored personal guards, their armor shining like silver, with dark blue highlights and flowing white capes attached to their shoulders.
Once the procession reached approximately the midpoint between the castle and the gates, the King stopped to fully address his people.
"As you all know, time is running out for us, let there be no doubt of that." Rohann said solemnly.
"But let me ask you, my fellow wolves, are you just going to lay there as the axe falls upon the throat of our once great kingdom.
Or will you join us, AND DIE FIGHTING LIKE TRUE LYCANS!" As the King spoke, many citizens started to exit their homes and gather around.
"WILL YOU JOIN US, AND MAKE THOSE ASCENTI SCUM PAY FOR EVERY WOLF WHO'S LIFE HAS BEEN CUT SHORT BY THEIR BLADES TEN FOLD!"
The personal guard began striking their shields with their lances and swords, and many of the crowd began to cheer and shout in agreement.
"THEN COME MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF MARULN! MOTHERS AND FATHERS OF OUR KINGDOM! Let the spirits guide us, AND SING OF US IN THE AFTERLIFE!" Rohann shouted, then drew his sword and howled to the sky, soon joined by everyone else around him.
Together, the city's people and soldiers marched towards the gates. Many collecting weapons along the way, others choosing to go into battle in their beast forms. None who wished to fight were turned away, be they man, woman or even child. Because by the end of the day, the Empire would spare none of them.
Just outside the gate, a battering ram could be heard slamming against the only entrance into the city's walls.
"LONG LIVE THE KING! LONG LIVE MARULN! CHARGE!" Cried one of the king's personal guard as the city gates were finally busted open and Ascenti troops poured into the city. All thoughts of a defensive siege were gone, every Lycan soldier and citizen knew it would only prolong the inevitable. Many citizens had taken up arms, choosing to die with honor instead of cowering. All at once, the entire city's populace surged forward, taking the Imperial soldiers by complete surprise. Those in their beast forms took the lead, eagerly sinking their teeth and claws into the flesh if Imperial soldiers.
Following behind them were the King's guard, their heavy armor, shields and lances crushing and impaling all in their way.
Finally behind them came the hoard of Lycan citizens and soldiers, at their front was King Rohann himself, leading his people in their last great battle.
In the waning hours of that day, a kingdom that had stood for ages was brought to its end.
What would normally be the end of another chapter in history would be coming to an end with the sacking of the city.
Instead it would be the beginning of a new tale, one that would last throughout the ages.
