The evening had fallen, and the darkness of night was slowly covering the sky.
The huge hall was full of people, all of them busy watching the dancers dance. Melodious musical instruments were playing in the background.
The dancers were elves and Amazonians. They were slaves, who had been purchased from various places. They were very popular for their beauty. Because of this, only people of high Status could afford to buy them. The owner of these slaves was Cassius, the current leader of the Elysian Archipelago’s navy. He sits on a large velvet chair in the centre of that hall.
Cassius took command of the navy when Strom had removed the previous admiral from power. Cassius had once been a notorious pirate, whose name would turn merchant ships off course. But now he held the legal reins. Not only he but most of the current crew of the Elysian Archipelago’s navy had once been pirates. After Strom’s illegal seizure of power, those who rebelled against him were dismissed from their jobs or imprisoned. Strom then recruited these pirates into his navy. However, these people, especially Cassius, spent most of their time drinking and having fun with slaves. Since they can do whatever they want now.
Cassius held up a goblet of ruby-red wine in one hand. Two elf slaves sat beside him.
He then looked at a dancer—a tall elf.
"What is your name?" he asked.
The girl paused for a moment and replied in a low voice, "Liriana, Master."
"Your dancing is wonderful, Liriana," Cassius smiled. "But the look in your eyes says you can’t accept being here."
Liriana pursed her lips, stopping to speak. The Amazonian slaves standing nearby looked at each other with worried eyes. They were warriors in the past, but now they are seen only as luxury goods.
Just then, the door opened and stepped Cassius’s close aide, Captain Draven. He walked straight to stand next to Cassius, whispering something in his ear. Cassius’s face hardened.
He stood up slowly, the dancers stopped dancing and stepped back. An eerie silence fell over the hall. Cassius kept his voice firm and said, "The sea breeze has brought something new. Our enemies are rising again."
The sailors present became curious at his words.
"There have been many unknown ships appearing at our territorial water. There is a possibility of a major attack."
Cassius placed his wine glass on the table and said, "Tell everyone to prepare for war. Those who wish to challenge our might will soon realize who is the true ruler of the sea!"
In his words, everyone present shouted in unison, "Victory to Admiral Cassius!"
A roar of joy filled the air of the hall.
♦♦♦
06:00 Hours, Isla Dominus –
"All flights, this is Vanguard Actual. Weapons free. Commence attack."
The static-laced command from Vice Admiral Helena Voss crackled through the cockpit radios of the incoming strike force.
The Bernard Empire launched its invasion of the Elysian Archipelago. The operation codenamed Iron Tide.
The first phase of this campaign, Operation Sea Hammer, aimed to destroy the Elysian Navy and establish naval dominance. The success of this phase was key to ensuring the subsequent land invasion and the capture of strategic Elysian territory.
The Elysian fleet, consisting of 50 wooden battleships and 20 support ships, was anchored in a defensive formation, using ballistae, cannons, and fire arrows as their primary weapons. They were in defensive positions near the Elysian main naval base of Isla Dominus, ready to repel any attack.
The 1st Naval Strike Group of the Bernard Empire, led by Vice Admiral Helena Voss, was tasked with conducting Operation Sea Hammer. The strike group included:
1 aircraft carrier: The centrepiece of the strike group, armed with F/A-18 Hornet and A-6 Intruder aircraft.
2 guided missile cruisers: Armed with Harpoon anti-ship missiles for long-range precision strikes.
4 destroyers: Providing anti-aircraft and anti-submarine support, equipped with Phalanx CIWS (Close-In Weapon System) and 5-inch guns.
The first wave of F/A-18 Hornet aircraft streaked across the sky. Each carried a lethal payload of AGM-84 Harpoon missiles and MK 82 bombs, primed to annihilate the Elysian Navy.
Beneath them, the warships of the Elysian fleet floated in rigid formation. Ballistae were loaded, cannons aimed skyward, and archers drew their fire-tipped arrows, their eyes locked onto the ominous metal birds above.
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"Viper-1, Fox Three!"
The first Harpoon missile detached from the lead Hornet, its engine igniting as it cut through the air. Within seconds, dozens more followed. The missiles streaked toward their targets, their advanced guidance systems zeroing in on the largest warships. The first impact came with a deafening explosion as the flagship, the Elysium’s Wrath, erupted into a column of fire. The force of the blast splintered the massive wooden hull, sending debris and bodies hurtling through the air.
Across the fleet, similar scenes played out.
As the Hornets completed their initial strike, A-6 Intruders moved in to deliver precision bombing runs on the smaller Elysian ships and coastal defences. The Intruders, equipped with state-of-the-art targeting systems, dropped MK 82 bombs with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the smaller vessels to splinters and silencing the coastal artillery batteries. The Elysian sailors, caught off guard by the speed and ferocity of the attack, scrambled to mount a defence, but their efforts were in vain.
Next, the Bernard Empire’s guided missile cruisers launched their own Harpoon missiles, which targeted the remaining ships of the Elysian fleet. These missiles, flying through the air, destroyed enemy ships one by one. The already damaged Elysian Navy could not survive this massive onslaught. One by one, their warships were reduced to flames, and the surviving sailors jumped into the sea or sank with the wreckage.
The destroyers of the Bernard Empire provide vital support. When the Elysian forces attempt to counterattack with fire arrows, magic and cannonballs, the destroyers’ Phalanx CIWS system is activated and the high-velocity Gatling guns destroy the enemy attack in midair. The destroyers’ 5-inch guns then opened fire, delivering devastating broadsides to any Elysian ships that managed to survive the initial onslaught.
From the shore, Elysian artillery crews scrambled to adjust their cannons. The defenders fired blindly into the sky, their outdated weaponry unable to lock onto the fast-moving jets. Ballistae loosed enormous bolts, but the aircraft was too swift, too manoeuvrable. Some desperate mage unleashed fire spells, their flames even unable to go near the aircraft
"They’re gods of war! Nothing can stop them!" a panicked Elysian officer shouted as another Harpoon missile found its target, detonating a nearby warship and throwing men into the sea.
---------------------
On the command deck of the Bernard flagship, Vice Admiral Voss watched the destruction unfold. "The sea is ours. Begin land assault. Deploy special forces."
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0645 Hours – Amphibious Landing Begins
"Landing teams, execute," came the order from HQ.
From the decks of amphibious assault ships, landing craft hit the waves. Simultaneously, CH-47 Chinook helicopters soared toward the coast, carrying elite special forces.
...
The Elysian soldiers were very scared. The officers were giving panicked orders, but their morale was broken.
"Hold the beach!" a knight commander roared.
The Elysian infantry raised their spears and shields, forming a shaky line at the shore.
The Special Forces soldiers started shooting from the helicopters. This broke their line. Many started running away. Everyone scattered.
Commandos dressed in black threw ropes from the helicopters. They attacked the naval headquarters. Some guards shot arrows at them, but they missed their marks. The Special Forces responded with relentless gunfire, felling the archers one by one.
Captain Morgan’s voice crackled over the comms. "Alpha Team, secure the command center! Bravo, take the barracks! Move fast, no delays!"
"Roger that, Captain," came the response from team leaders.
The Bernard commandos began to eliminate the defenders with ruthless efficiency.
They used thermal scanners to see that there were some soldiers hiding in the corridor ahead.
"Three targets, corridor right," an operator reported, his voice calm.
"Prepare breach," ordered the squad leader.
Two soldiers swiftly primed stun grenades. *Click. Clink.* The metallic spheres bounced once before erupting in a blinding flash.
*BOOM!*
The corridor was filled with disorienting light and sound. The Elysian soldiers stumbled, clutching their ears.
"Go, go, go!"
The commandos moved in, weapons raised. *Pop! Pop! Pop!* Suppressed gunfire ended the fight before the enemies could recover.
Suddenly, a burst of fire and crackling lightning erupted from further down the hall.
"Magicians!" someone shouted.
The Elysian magicians attempted to counterattack. However, the special forces used anti-magic shields developed by the ARI ( Arcane Research Institute).
A shimmering blue energy field absorbed the attacks effortlessly.
"Snipers, take them down,"
From concealed positions, Bernard’s sharpshooters took precise shots. *Crack! Crack!* The magicians fell.
Meanwhile, the Bravo Team was advancing rapidly towards the barracks. The two guards in front of the barracks were shot dead before they knew it. The team then entered and dealt to the defenders inside. Some of them tried to escape but were shot down.
Alpha Team advanced carefully through the main corridor. Suddenly, a loud *BANG!* echoed as a musket fired. The lead commando flinched but remained unscathed—his bulletproof vest absorbed the impact.
He raised his weapon. *Pop! Pop!* The trembling musket-wielding man—fell lifelessly to the ground.
"All clear. Keep searching," said the team leader.
Door after door swung open, revealing abandoned offices and empty rooms. But the last chamber was different—a massive storage area. Inside, dozens of frightened Elf and Amazonian slaves huddled together, their wide eyes filled with fear. At the centre of the group, a quivering man in ornate military attire tried to blend in.
A commando stepped forward, scanning him.
"Target identified. It’s Admiral Cassius."
Cassius’s face turned pale. "P-please, I surrender! Don’t shoot!" he begged, hands raised.
Ignoring his plea, the soldiers arrest him.
Captain Morgan addressed the slaves. "You’re safe. We’re not here to harm you."
Still hesitant, they slowly relaxed as the commandos lowered their weapons.
Morgan pressed his comms. "HQ, this is Alpha. Target secured. The area under our control."
"Copy that, Alpha. Proceed with extraction," came the response.