"I suspect every Aecian knows their name, from children born in the Heartlands, to those born in the Night Lands beyond Thalacena, the Seven Heroes of the Blade who rose above the rest to fight with Sunborne as equals."
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Ataris carefully surveyed the map in front of him, detailing the surrounding terrain, troop composition, and deployment, and the presumed whereabouts of the enemy. Drops of sweat from his brow occasionally dropped onto the parchment, sullying it. Tarala would let him have it later, he was sure. He reached up to wipe the sweat off his brow; he couldn't be seen like this. Not by the men, and certainly not today.
"Your Grace!" said a familiar voice beyond the tent, walking in, Ataris recognized the man as his most trusted captain. Davaryn. His uniform was as pristine as always, though it was clear from the dusting of dirt on his face and trousers, and the sweat coating his jacket, that something was wrong.
"Speak, Dav," Ataris replied coolly, pushing aside his anxiety. How could he call himself 'the Anointed' if he shuddered at every battle report from his officers? Though he suspected even Faucht himself would cut him some slack today.
"The enemy has penetrated our lines, the left flank has been routed! The charge on the center by the Azarians was a feint!" Davaryn said, "..They say he is there, sir. The Sunscourge." He added, seemingly frightened to even mention him, the one who had killed the Sunborne Valorian. The Sunbringer.
"Animus? Here? That cannot be, Loukillian reported Animus was fighting in the Triwaters against him, and Aram confirmed that."
"The Nightbeacon isn't entirely accurate, sir, by His Grace Aramedes admission himself."
"Sun above..." Ataris said, gingerly.
'Are you afraid?' A voice said inside of his head, who had long since stopped being frightening or shocking, Ataris had come to love Solcrist, as the one person he could talk to without reservation, even if he wasn't actually a person.
'It is not fear that makes a man weak, it is cowardice in the face of that fear that does.' Solcrist said resolutely, Ataris liked the way Solcrist was always so sure. It was nice to have someone who you could always trust to steer you on the right path. He had heard from the other Seven that all their Hero Blades similarly talked to them. But Ataris liked to imagine he was the only one with a relationship with his Blade this deep.
"I know, Solcrist, I know," Ataris said warmly, then realized Davaryn was still in the tent. He looked over and saw that Davaryn was not surprised in the slightest.
"What did venerable Solcrist say this time, Your Grace?"
"Do I really speak aloud that much?"
"Yes, Your Grace. The men find it inspiring, though. They say you speak to the Great Radiance directly."
Ataris winced slightly, but pushed it aside; he couldn't tell him. Not yet, at least. That revelation would likely tear the whole Human-Sunborne Coalition apart.
"Gather every sword, spear, and axe you can. And tell them to form up, retrieve my standard from my tent."
Davaryn's eyes went wide, "The Dragon Banner, Your Grace? You will join the fight? What if we need to retreat?"
"As is my duty, or else I could not call myself the King of Heroes."
Davaryn saluted and rushed out of the tent to relay his orders, he could hear Davaryn faint shouts throughout the coalition camp.
Ataris let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding, leaning against the table, despite Solcrist's words, despite his apparent bravado, he was still afraid.
'It is okay, Atar.'
"I..I shouldn't be like this, shaking like a man gone mad."
'You are ready for this. I have seen it firsthand.'
"The Sunscourge has never lost a duel.. will I.. will I survive?"
'I cannot say, but I can say this. You have walked the long road and have at last come to your destination. Whether you live or die, know that I cherished our journey together, and I would choose to bond with you each and every time if we had to repeat it all over again. Let us do our duty, no matter the result.'
Ataris felt his face expand; he was smiling. A true smile, tears even forming in his eyes, how good it felt. He heard the faint marching and sounds of boots hitting the ground when Davaryn suddenly entered the tent,
"Your Grace? The men are assembled, I was able to rally most of our camp guard, though the camp will be exposed of course."
Ataris didn't respond, still relishing in the euphoric smile from earlier. Solcrist's ability to make his fears wash away was still a mystery to him,
"Your Grace? Is everything all right?" Davaryn questioned,
Ataris wiped the tears from his eyes, steeling himself, looking Davaryn straight in the eyes.
"Yes, I am fine. And I shall see my duty fulfilled."
Davaryn smirked, turning about and leaving the tent oncemore. Ataris heard him yell 'Attention!' outside to the gathered men.
Ataris looked at the map of the battlefield one last time, he had intentionally left his left weakened to support the center, thinking the mountains of the Stormveil would stop the Lunarite forces. And they did, but Animus Sunscourge was no ordinary Lunarite; the King of the Moon could not be stopped by mere mountains.
Looking away, Ataris turned towards the exit flaps of the tent, and made his way. Pushing through the tent to the warm, humid, outside air. Ready to lead the counterattack, no matter what may come.