In The World Of Sword And Magic As Space Marine - Chapter 140: Fire and War

“It’s the wings and the tails you really want. If it can’t fly, it can’t get away. A downed dragon is a dead dragon.” By Gobber the Belch

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The Frontline,

Dozen of dragons flew in towards the Guadsmen with mouths open, ready to unleash the elemental breath attacks. Meanwhile, multiple frontline guadsmen open fire up towards the sky with lasguns and other anti-air weaponry to bring down the winged creatures. With all the efforts and massive firepowers, the dragons managed to continue their flight towards the frontline as they are protected by the magical shields and other protections.

A lasgun shots simply dissipates after hitting the invisible shields, the anti-air weapons either explodes before hitting the targets or completely goes around them as if something was interfering with the targeting system. Until now, standard weapons of the Imperium worked in the New World against the natives of this world but now, enemy of ferocious and seems unstoppable appeared to stand against the might of the Imperium soldiers. An enemy that guardsmen are more than familiar with as they face the coming death.

Just as dragons are about to reach the frontline, mixture colors of various chromatic dragons suddenly stopped by expanding their wings wide open. The abrupt halt of massive creatures in the midair created a blast of winds while many of the guardsmen continue to fire their lasguns and other kinds of weapons with no sign of stopping. It was at this moment, the sign of Emperor’s protection came as Knights and Titans open fire their massive weapons of war.

Freeblade Knights, Scion of Wrath and Spear of Olympus are the first to open fire with wide shots as Knight Gallant and Armiger Warglive step forwards. Behind them, two large Warlord Class Titans also fired as their two massive weapons such as Mega Bolters and Gatlling Blasters as it took little bit longer to fire upon. Still, with dragons more focused on wiping out the frontline and believing that Knigts and Titans are simply a walking golems, they completely ignored them, which will cost them their very lives.

The massive barrage of heavy weapons and bigger anti-air guns of all kinds pierced the dragons’ magical defense and shattering it completely. More than half fell from the sky, just few distance away from the frontline as very few managed to survive using their brethren as meath shield. This moment of extra life didn’t help as more attacks came from the iron giants of the unknown origin. In a matter of few minutes, all dozen dragons fell from the sky, all dead and leaking various chemical fluids that would have been their ignition of breath attacks.

The firing stopped and just as everyone was about to take a slight breath of relief, a darkness covered the entire battlefield. A shadow that was getting darker and darker as something above is coming down with speed and mass to block the sun itself.

Looking up, a one single gigantic crimson red dragon is making a dire skydiving directly above the army of the Imperium. The wrath of the Kayrvyrry, also known as Crimson King came from the above high up in the sky as dragon of ancient knowledge and power release his 7th magic spell upon the invading army. In the middle of formation of the Astra Militarum, massive storm of fire appeared, killing and burnig men and women of the Imperium in large numbers.

Just as spell was casted, the Crimson King expand its wings to glide over the dying army, leaving huge wind blows, causing fire to spread and throwing guardsmen from the ground. The Knights and Titans redired their weapons onto new target but just as they are about to open fire, a new problem appeared. In a form of dragon simply disappearing in a mid-flight.

“The target vanished.” A Spear of Olympus said and quickly scan the area to find the target.

“It must be using some kind of warp magic. Open fire, rapid random sequence.” One of the Warlord Titan gave command and fire an anti-air cannons randomly and wide as possible. Others followed and just as they are about to give up, one of the projectiles hit the target and Cromson King reappeared in the air. The problem was that massive dragon reappeared on side of the frontline, ready to unleash a massive breath weapon.

“Take it down!” Take that thing down before…” Knight Gallant said in panic but it was too late. The massive fire ball of dragon’s breath engulf the Knights and Titans in one massive wave. Thankfully, the void shield of the metal giants held against the dragon’s fire breath but to the surrounding soldiers in the other hand couldn’t survive the vicious flames as many who survive the fire storm are now engulfed by the second fire attack.

The total number to Imperium guardsmen dropped drastically as battle only started just few minutes ago. By the time second fire attack died down, the battlefield is smoked with burnt smell of human flesh and destroyed equipements. It is living hell incarnate as survivors drag injured ones or attempt to take whatever cover they can find. With frontline decimated and in shock, frontline collapsed and no condition to hold any line against enemy forces.

This was the moment Crimson King waited for. To bring down the enemy forces with heavy strike before sending armies of Dragon Queen. Sure enough that dozen of his minor relatives are dead but to then end, more of his kind will rise to replace the lost ones when his mother, the Dragon Queen rise from the Nine Hell.

The thought of bruning the world to the ashes made the Crimson King distracted in which it didn’t see a massive plama beam in time to dodge completely. The beam of massive plasma didn’t hit the dragon’s main body but hot plasma managed to hit the dragon’s right wing, wiping out its entire section of the wing into nothingless.

Crimson King roar in pain and immediately use its one of magical artifacts to teleport away from the danger. The ancient ring of teleportation lost its glow as dragon is now safely away from the battlefield but injured, unable to fly ever again. After exming its injury, Crimson King rediret its attention once again towards the frontline.

Beyond the frontline and secondly force, a single giant big as mountain slowly walk towards with two massive arms aiming at the hoovering dragon. The Imperator-Class Titan, Apostate’s End recharge its Plasma Annihilator while its other arm, Hellstorm Cannon raise its cannon and begin to fire in full force. Boulder size projectiles fly over the army and into where Crimson King is.

The dragon quickly cast protection spells to protect itself from the unknown attack and to its own satisfaction, dragon was the only thing that survive while entire terrain turned into wasteland.

Meanwhile, Knights and Titans emerge out from dying fire and begin to move foward to cover the retreating first line of the guardsmen. With first line nearly wiped out, second line of guardsmen and heavy armor units join the walking giants to reinforce the frontline. The entire battlefield begin to change its shape as if someone is moving chess pieces.

“One regiments is down. Any survivors are retreating to the rear line to regroup.”

“Second line of four regiments are now ready for combat. Eight combat tanks and artillery unit are ready for combat.”

“Knights and Titans are reporting a green light for combat ready. Supplies of missiles and ammunitions are ready for deployment on your command.”

Various reports came into Lord Creed’s vox box as he and his battle tanks get ready for new second line. With massive loss of military forces, Lord Creed initiate one of his backup plans to reinforce the entire line for all possible outcomes. The loss was heavy but the result was acceptable as dozen massive beasts are down and main target is injured beyond recovery in short time.

“All artilleries, begin bombardment. Have our new unit on stand by. We don’t have to reveal all out hand just yet.” Lord Creed gave further instructions to the battle commanders. In a matter of few seconds, the Krieg artillery regiment begin their work as multiple shells begin to fly over the battlefield. For the death of sons and daughters of Krieg, and their sacrifice to expend the enemy’s initial strike against the forces of Astra Militarum, the artillery shells lands on where Crimson King is located as their vengeance echo through the mountain valley.

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Battle report,

Death Korps of Krieg: 111th Infantry Regiment

1st Company: Deceased

2nd Company: Deceased

3rd Company: Deceased

4th Company: Deceased

5th Company: Deceased

6th Company: Deceased

7th Company: Deceased

8th Company: Waiting for redeployment

9th Krieg Troop Transport Company: Deceased

Total Loss: 3,814 our of 4,200