BloodStar

President Monroe stood at the head of the war council table, “The Holy Light Empire has officially crossed into United States territory with a military convoy.” He then motioned to 5-Star General Marshall Douglas to elaborate.

General Douglas stood and addressed the council, “The Holy Light Empire has a marching convoy of 30,000 soldiers mainly consisting of Holy Knights geared for war. We have attempted to intercept this convoy with full force including special OP teams, tank offensives, and cruise missile strikes; however, none have been successful.”

Senator Hammond shifted uncomfortably in his seat and grumbled, “That can mean only one thing, of course. Pope Gregory, Pope Peter, or Archbishop Michael is leading the convoy.”

General Douglas nodded, “In fact, our reconnaissance teams inform me that all three are present within the convoy.”

Whispers and hushed murmurs swept the room at this news. General Douglas attempted to calm them, “Everyone. Everyone! This does not mean total defeat. Constance Khan has outfitted Houston with a barrier capable of withstanding nuclear blasts. The barrier is battle proven. Our intel suggests that the Holy Light Empire is not keen on destroying Houston either. They seek to conquer it for their own.”

General Douglas continued as he walked over to the map, “We believe Pope Gregory seeks to annex Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico in this first incursion. We have a full military force prepared to meet his army in Houston. We will outnumber them 10 to 1. We will have fighter jets, tanks, and satellite support.”

Vice President Morrow said, “And where is Princess BloodStar? She is crucial to our success. Has she arrived?”

Everyone in the room looked to Senator Davis for an update. He nodded and said, “She is landing in Houston within the hour. She has asked me to meet her after this meeting to brief her on the latest updates.”

Senator Hammond grumpily questioned, “Why Houston? The Holy Light Empire is killing and razing every city between their empire and Houston as they make their way. She could do a lot of good meeting them in the open field.”

Senator Davis replied, “She won’t enter the war until the Holy Light Empire has performed an unequivocal act of war against the United States. She has stated that they will need to attack a large city such as Houston to merit her involvement.”

The council nodded in agreement. Arthur Davis continued, “Furthermore, by staying in Houston, she believes she can draw them in to commit such an act as she believes Pope Gregory is just as keen to attack her personally as he is to take our states. Our intel has found that he refers to her as ‘The Blood Demon’.”

President Monroe nodded in response, “Very well. We can only hope that she is all-in to fight for us. Because let’s be honest. Our military will likely be shredded in seconds against a Master Family ki user such as Pope Gregory. Of course, we could always try to negotiate but the extremism surrounding their religion likely wouldn’t get us anywhere.”

Davis smiled, “If there is one thing we can count on, she is ready to fight at all costs for us. I think she is hungry for war.”

___________________________________________

A teenage girl cried for her parents as she hid under a desk. Outside she could hear screams, yells, and metal clinging. Her parents had rushed to hide her before charging outside to meet the invaders. She feared they were dead.

For nearly thirty minutes she continued to hear what must have been the death of hundreds of her neighbors. She had even become accustomed to the sound of metal thrusting into flesh in what she could only assume were Holy Knights wielding their swords against her friends and family.

Two knights stopped just outside her window and began to talk, “Archbishop Michael says we are camping here for the night in Victoria, Texas. We won’t break for Houston until the morning.”

The other knight responded, “This population has no discipline. Heathens, all of them. It is our duty to cleanse this area before we rest for the night.”

“Yes, I am surprised they haven’t evacuated this area already. Their leadership must consist of fools and jokers.” The second knight quipped.

“Well, let’s get back to work. Help me clear this house.” The two knights then walked around to the front of the house where the girl currently hid.

She held her hand to her mouth in order to remain deathly silent. She heard the door creak open as two sets of footsteps entered her home and began to search each room.

As they finished searching each room, she could hear a loud, “Clear!” from the knights as they moved on to the next room.

Then, she heard and felt the footsteps of a knight entering her room. Luckily for her, the desk concealed her presence so long as no one walked to the other side.

She held her hand even tighter against her mouth as she heard the knight flip the sheets of her bed, rummage through her closet, and ruffle the cushions of her couch.

After the longest minute of her life, she heard the footsteps retreating into the hallway followed by a loud, “Clear!”

Then the footsteps receded down the hallway. She removed her hand from her mouth and took a deep breath before going silent again.

However, to her terror, she heard the footsteps of the second knight enter the room. He had a heavier footstep as he looked around.

She heard the other knight call from down the hallway, “I already checked that room!”

The knight in the room yelled back, “Did you check the desk?!”

“Uh, actually no. Check that for me.” The knight called from the hallway.

The girl knew she would be found and stood up from behind the desk and made a run for it. She was panicked and rushed out of the room past the knight.

The knight called out, “Sinner! In the hallway!”

The girl continued to run as fast as she could. She rushed by the second knight who had entered another room, and she managed to make a break for the front door.

She swung the door open and ran outside. However, she stood in abject terror at the sight before her.

Her two parents were impaled on large stakes through their chests. Their bodies were suspended on the stakes about halfway down the length of the stake. She clasped her hand to her mouth and yelled!

Tears rolled down her eyes as she gave up hope of escaping. She stood there awaiting her fate.

She heard footsteps rushing out of the house behind her. Without a word, she heard the familiar sound of metal on flesh except this time she felt pain along with it. She looked down to see a long silver and polished blade protruding through her abdomen.

Just as quickly as it came, the blade was retracted. She fell to her knees as blood spurt from her mouth.

Her world then began to spin as she was picked up with relative ease.

The knight yelled, “One more for the stake!” He then body slammed her atop the piercing stake as her body was pierced and she slid down the stake until the body of her father stopped her from sliding further.

She looked across to the adjacent stake to see the dead eyes of her mother staring back at her as she faded into darkness.

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