New Lore: Anton Suppression

The soldiers stood there in shock as heavy rain poured down on them. It was a moment of disbelief as the land and mountains trembled. Boom! The loud sound that came from afar, felt like it could shatter all the bones in a human body. Then they realized it was the sound of Anton’s blood moving through his veins. Hopelessness fell before the soldiers who witnessed Anton’s massive form rising from the ground. Of course, this was not the first time they saw Anton move. However, they have merely seen a twitching of a finger or a turning of the head to breathe out fire, until now.

Boom! The deafening sound could easily have popped out an ear drum and make a brave man go insane. Those who say that there is nothing to fear but fear itself clearly have not seen Anton. The weapons the soldiers carried felt insignificant compared to the size of Anton and just seeing it stretch can bring chills down a man’s spine. How can anyone possibly fight against this behemoth? No amount of courage and determination seemed enough.

Boom! All the surrounding area was filled with sound but everything seemed silent at the same time. It was like the silence at the end of a sword or an overfilled balloon that is about to explode. Yet, in that near climactic moment, a man spit and cursed out loud.

“Trying to lift your heavy ass? Hah! Stop trying so hard!!!”

He definitely wasn’t faking it. He sounded more irritated than anything else. Like a person frustrated at his loud and noisy neighbor. This was enough to lift the tense atmosphere around the soldiers. It wasn’t something that anyone could just do. This was only possible because he was Jakter the Eagle Eye, Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Army and standing silently beside him is his loyal and trusted young adjutant, Lieutenant Woon Lyonir.

“It looks like Anton has started moving. Thank the heavens! If he didn’t, I would have died of boredom” he said.

A man with long silver hair walked up to Jakter and giggled. 

“Ah Hiram what have you got there?” asked Jakter.

Hiram is an Empyrean Coast Guard Captain who volunteered to be part of this mission. He flicked his hair back and spread the blueprint he was carrying in front of Jakter.

“This is just in, it’s not perfect but it may just work” replied Hiram.
“Then I will leave it to you Captain. Please discuss it over with Naen on when to use it and let me know immediately after you have decided” said Jakter. “Oh! I just received a report that the upgrade work on the ship has been finished. Please go check it right away”
“Yes, sir!” replied Hiram.

After giving out his orders, Jakter took a walk not minding the rain that is becoming heavier and heavier. His thoughts were filled with what has already happened and what was about to transpire. His adjutant followed closely.

Woon had wanted to give an umbrella to the Commander but knowing his temper, the young Lieutenant stayed silent and thought “Damn it old man, are you just going to get yourself drenched in all this rain?”

As Jakter kept walking, a middle age man with a brown umbrella stepped in front of him.

“Oh sir Jurgen, why haven’t you left yet?” asked Jakter.
“Although I may not be of much help, I’m still a member of a Noble family. I cannot simply runaway when the enemy is right before us” replied Jurgen.
“You’ve already shown your loyalty by allowing us to use your ship in this mission. So please head back and let the army handle the rest” said Jakter.

“Actually, I have a request” replied Jurgen “I would like to come along with you, when you head out to sea to pursue Anton”
Jakter frowned and said “This is not a game”
“I know this task is of the highest importance. This is why I’m asking you to take me along. I simply cannot allow the ship I gave you to breakdown while pursuing Anton. I would feel terrible, I can’t let such a thing happen. So please let me come with you, I know that ship like the back of my hand” pleaded Jurgen.

Jakter knew this was not an ordinary request. The ship was never formally taken under the Army’s authority but rather it was lent to them and since Jurgen is a nobleman of the Empire, he keeps full authority over it. Besides, Jurgen’s presence in the ship should not affect the overall mission objective. So he thought he didn’t have any reason to stop him. Jakter stared intensely at Jurgen and shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m not sure army meals would fit a nobleman’s tastes but do as you wish” said Jakter.
“Thank you. I will head back and prepare for the voyage. I will see you on the ship” replied Jurgen, as he bowed politely and left.

As Jakter watched Jurgen get further and further away. He turned to his adjutant and angrily shouted. “Why you little… Why do you always keep your mouth shut at a time like this? You always voice your opinions but when a nobleman pressures your commanding officer, you stay quiet. You could have said something… like ‘Please stop with your absurd request’ and then I could have replied with something like ‘Ha ha, sorry about his rudeness but the young man is right, the battlefield is no place for a civilian”
“Since I do not have any experience when it comes to politics, I thought watching a seasoned officer do his thing would prove to be a learning experience” replied Woon.

Jakter sighed as he looked at his cool and composed adjutant.
“What can I say… my orders can get people killed, that goes for soldiers and civilians alike” said Jakter “Come on, let’s get going”
“Where are you headed sir? Your tent has probably been taken down by now” asked Woon.
“So you just want to stay here and continue to get soaked in this rain?” replied Jakter “Come on already, let’s get dried up”
“Alright sir, then let me prepare the ship for you” said Woon, as he moved through a group of soldiers and towards the ship.

As Jakter watched his adjutant disappears into the crowd. He looked towards the direction of Anton and thought “It’s been a long ride”

Jakter touched his wrinkled forehead as he remembered the moment that Anton, the Great Destroyer appeared near Power Station.

When he heard the news, the Empire was in the middle of a fierce conflict with the Kartel. Jakter believed that Anton was a bigger threat and wanted to gather the Imperial Army to fight it but the nobles did not share the same view. They wanted the Kartel eradicated, post-haste.

Without the support of the nobles, Jakter knew he could not use the Imperial Army against Anton. So he did the unthinkable, he abandoned his post. Knowing that his action amounted to treason; Jakter only accepted volunteers into his ranks. He was able to gather a small army and headed towards Etten to face Anton.

Furious, the nobles of the Empire called for his arrest and execution but the Royal Princess intervened and calmed their anger. She believed that Jakter has a good reason for his actions. 

This made the events that transpired even more painful.

Without Jakter to lead them the Imperial Army’s command structure was in chaos and disarray. The Kartel taking full advantage of the situation was able to infiltrate the capital Gent and kidnap the Princess.

Hearing the dreaded news, Jakter could do nothing but beat his chest in agony. He could not go back since Anton has already absorbed the energy of Power Station and is making its way to Gent. 

A lot of people believe that Anton is just a force of nature, a natural disaster without a purpose but Jakter thought otherwise. His instinct tells him that Anton is an intelligent being that is doing everything on its own free will. Jakter knew the only way to stop Anton from reaching Gent was to keep him at Power Station. It was a tall order but he was prepared to risk everything in order to achieve victory. 

The time has come. Jakter and his volunteer army are finally ready to attack.

“Sir, the preparations are complete, we are ready to depart” shouted Woon near the entrance of the ship.

Jakter moved towards the ship. He stopped in front of his adjutant and asked “How old are you, Lieutenant Lyonir?”
“I’m 24, sir” replied Woon.
“A fun age to be, I think my daughter is around your age but I could be wrong… I can’t remember the last time I went home to see her” said Jakter somberly “She probably hates her old man?”

Woon didn’t respond. He knew it wasn’t a question but rather a sad realization of the sacrifices this man has made for his country, even at the cost of his own happiness.

“What is with that serious face?” asked Jakter “You are not feeling sad for this old man, are you?
“No sir, I…” but before Woon could finish, Jakter gave out a big and hardy laugh.
“Seriously kid, you need to loosen up” said Jakter “You don’t want to end up alone like me, do you?”

Woon sigh on how silly his hot headed commander could be sometimes. Woon looked up to Jakter and asked “…Do we have a chance?”

Jakter did not respond to such a somber question. He shook his military cap rather roughly and slowly put it back on.
“Do you believe in me?” he asked.
“Yes, sir!” said Woon without a hint of hesitation.
“Then let our hunt begin!” said Jakter in boastful voice “No matter how big our prey maybe, we will show how sharp our Eagle claws can be”
Jakter smiled confidently as he looked at Lyonir and all the soldiers who gathered around him and nodded.
“Follow me! We have an Empire to save!”