Chapter two begins with a flashback from Daniel's past, and his experiences from the Crusade.
About this creation
First off I just want to apologize because this chapter is long (nevermind that, actually it's VERY long, but well worth it!).
I didn't want to split it into two parts (or mocs), for that would ruin my story.
So turn off the lights, grab lots of popcorn with some soda, and have fun!
--WARNING--
Excessive amounts of Blood and Gore will be present. Turn back now if you're uneasy of such violent images..
(In Lego form of course, not real).
Dialogue will be posted at the bottom of image.
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(Gates of Pearl - City of the Fallen)
-3 Months Ago-
The year is 1347, around the time when the English has become a super-power. Set in the middle-east near Antioch, Daniel and his loyal companions are under the command of the Lord Duke, who has them stationed in the wilderness near the deserted ruins lying in ambush.
Daniel crouches in the battlements with his men.
Soldier: "Feels like we've been waiting here for hours sir, are they close?"
Daniel: "No, not yet. Stay to your positions, so the enemy scouts don't see us"
Another Soldier:"So what's going on again?"
Lord Duke "Reports show that a large Turkish army is moving northwards
to reinforce their main army near Antioch, before they begin besiege the city."
"Our goal is to stop them, at any cost if nessessary."
Lord Duke: "Thankfully we are up to the task. Nothing is too big or impossible for us.
We have Daniel with us, and that has to count for something"
"We've been through much worse. Hopefully we'll have little casualties if all goes well."
About an hour ago, the Lord Duke has ordered Daniel's finest experienced Knight, Mark, to take a third of their forces and to try to force the enemy to pass through the ruins, which was perfect for an ambush.
Daniel's close friend, Brother Fredric, has taken charge of other half.
He resides on the other side of the ruins, and once the enemy is
in range, Fredric will signal Daniel and charge.
That is the plan, however. If something were to go wrong, they could all perish.
Even though Daniel's forces are small, they have all been with
Daniel throughout the Crusade, making them battle hardened warriors.
Now Daniel believe's they're ready and experienced enough to
take care of themselves in combat.
Everyone was excited and thrilled for the hunt as they waited
for the incoming enemy to pass into the ruins. Many hours passed by.
Sometimes Daniel was fearful that a passing crow might give away their position.
Suddenly, a faint sound of something light tapping the ground was present.
Soon the sound of marching became louder.
Soldier: "Sir! They're coming!"
The Turkish army finally arrived, but much smaller than Daniel previously thought.
They looked as if they were in a fierce battle some time ago.
Daniel: "There's alot less of them now. Good job, Mark!"
Soldier: "Does that mean we have a chance to stop them?"
Daniel: "No, we should not be idle about their size. Even a small wounded beast can inflict alot of damage.
The tension quickly became unbearable for Daniel's men once the
enemy started to get closer to their position.
There was no suspision of their presence yet.
Fredric and Steven's men got prepared to strike.
Then from a distance, a blue flag came swinging into view,
signaling Daniel to do the same. The battle has begun.
A mighty battle cry was let out as Fredric and his men came charging out of the ruins towards the enemy with great speed.
(Clash of Empires - Two Steps From Hell)
Daniel charged out to meet the enemy head-on, as Fredric was pushing forward from the other side.
Before the Turkish army had time to react, the two sides crashed into them creating utter carnage.
Daniel and his men first began the fight by clashing into some heavy infantry.
As Daniel dealt with the more experienced soldiers, Fredric and Steven tried to flank the enemy to reach the Turkish Captain, while encountering the large mass of troops.
Thok!
Little does Daniel realize that these Turkish troops are not just mere infantry, but well trained and experienced soldiers.
They were almost as good as Daniel's knights, maybe even better..
Some his men were holding their own...
... while the others were getting slaughtered..
It soon became a bloodbath. Daniel has now lost more men than he wanted, and tried to find a decisive way to end the battle. If he could find and kill the Turkish Captain, then surely the rest of the enemy would be broken and rout.
But first Daniel would have to contend with the enemy's heavy infantry, who were slowly hammering away his foot soldiers.
The Lord Duke and Brother Mark has finally entered the fight, and Daniel is encouraged from their company for they both were masters of warfare.
Mark makes the first kill as he swings his mace and takes out an enemy soldier in one blow.
SPLAT!
It has now become the near end for the Turkish Captain as Daniel and his companions closed in on the last of his soldiers.
Crunch!
The fighting has now become more fierce and frantic as ever.
After several hours the fighting slowly ended. Daniel got the upperhand and beheaded the Turkish Captain, causing the rest of his men to flee.
But the Turks were too much for Daniel's men and he sustained alot of casualties.
The Lord Duke was severly wounded shortly after.
Out of vengeance, Mark and Steven slaughtered the rest of the Turkish troops before Daniel could take prisoners. The killing was immense...
SLASH!
CLUNK!
The battle was finally over, and the men cheered out in praise for their close victory
(even though only a handful of the soldiers survived).
(White Plains - Two Steps From Hell)
All except Daniel..
What happened on that day changed him forever, as he saw his own men and friends butchered and dismembered into pieces. They were so disfigured he couldn't recognize them anymore.
Daniel might have been a veteran Knight, but even he hasn't seen such blood shed and slaughter in a long time. What also shocked him the most was that some of the enemy were just young "boys".
Daniel looked over at Fredric and Mark, but they didn't seem to notice the gory battlefield.
Brother Steven understood Daniel's distress, but told him to toughen up lest he should look weak in front of the men.
Daniel did lead his men into a hopless battle and won, but the cost affected Daniel greatly and haunted him rest of his days..
Several weeks later, Antioch was saved and the Crusade came to a close.
During that time some of the English troops that were stationed in the city were needed no more and they went back home to their country.
While the rest stayed and continued to protect the city from evil hands.
Meanwhile, the everyone celebrated their victory by going to the tavern, and there was much drinking and song.
(Heavenly Lights - Two Steps From Hell)
It was Daniel's soldiers that made the most of the noise. They drank spirits and spoke loudly about their finest moments in battle.
Mark and his servant, Richard, were at work to help their men get back home. There were not many ships coming out of England these days.
The fireplace was warm and welcoming. It reminded Daniel of home, or at least some of it for his memory was still fuzzy.
Daniel sat in the corner with some of his buddies, Fredric and Steven. Even after the last battle (which was three weeks ago) Daniel was still quiet and deep in thought.
He was waiting for news of home, since he has not heard back from his family for over a year now.
It was normal for Daniel to be isolated from his men. But ever since his breaking point, he has become more distant.
The soldiers under his command however, sees Daniel as a hero and praises him. Sometimes Daniel would entertain them by retelling stories of his dangerous adventures.
Fredric ordered for more ale and wine to be served, much to the joy of the soldiers (and to the annoyance of the locals).
At one corner of the tavern, a group of men were in a deep discussion.
Soldier: " ... I'm telling you guys, there are strange tidings happening at home. It's unnatural!"
Another soldier: "Oh please, you've had too much to drink."
Soldier: "Maybe so, but I don't like it. It's the devil's work I tell you.."
Meanwhile...
Daniel: "Any word from home yet?"
Steven: "None. I too think it's strange too that there is nothing."
Fredric: "Perhaps it's pirates waylaiding our ships? You can never tell these days."
Mark: "Sorry to change the subject, but I just got word from Lord Duke.
Looks like he'll be OK."
Daniel: "How is he?"
Mark: "He's lost an eye, but to him that's hardly anything. You know Duke, it'll take more than a missing eye to bring him down."
Mark: "However, he won't be here for a while."
Steven: "Looks like you're in charge, Daniel."
A stumbling soldier came up to the lone knights.
Mark: "What can I do for you?"
Soldier: "My lords, why do you not drink with us on this fine day?
Come, Daniel! We'll throw another round in your honor!"
Steven was annoyed at the loud and drunken soldier.
Steven: "He doesn't want a drink, you smelly bunch of magg-"
Daniel: "Relax Brother Steven, of course I'll have a drink with my men. Must you take everything so seriously?"
Steven: "Grr....."
After a good while Daniel went back to the table after drinking with his men.
Fredric: "You sure looked like you were having fun. Careful that you don't end up like them, they'll sure be a mess to clean up later."
Daniel: "Well, we'll see.. Anyway I've been carefully thinking, and I've decided to go back home."
Mark almost choked on his wine when Daniel said that.
Mark: "What! Have you lost your mind? Why leave?"
Mark: "This place is your HOME now, maybe even better. You ARE drunk aren't you?"
Daniel: "No, I'm not. I haven't thought so clear in such a long time. All this war and bloodshed.. it's getting to me, and I have to leave."
"I have to see my family again."
Mark: "You'll be abandoning us, Daniel. Remember, we're your family too."
"But I guess you're right in the end... You think you will come back for a visit?"
Daniel: "One day.."
Fredric suddenly got up.
Fredric: "Your absolutely right. I'll come with you, Daniel!"
Mark: "Oh no, not you too..."
Fredric: "The fighting is over. Many knights like myself are leaving. We are not abandoning this country, Mark, but completing our work that was given.
"By the way, where will you go now? To look for more battles?"
Mark said nothing and looked away restless..
Daniel: "Richard, when will be the next ship be coming in to go home?"
Richard: "There is a trade ship coming in from Cyprus that will be here in two weeks. I could try to convince the Captain to carry you off.. I'll see what I can do."
Daniel: Well Fredric, I'll see you there."
Daniel and Fredric left the tavern, which was slowly quieting down now.
However, Daniel did not seem notice that he was being observed by a mysterious old traveller...
________________________________________________________________
(Walking to Damascus - Two Steps From Hell)
Two weeks later..
Daniel stood on the ridge watching the trade ship come into view.
But something was wrong.
Daniel: "Where is Fredric?"
"I thought he would be here already. What is keeping him?"
It was unlike Fredric to break his promise.
Daniel wanted to wait a bit longer, but had no choice once the Captain of the ship threatened to leave Daniel in Antioch.
.. And so Daniel went aboard the trade ship, where a month later he would be shipwrecked to an unknown destination in which he will experience something far worse than the Crusade alone.
Quoting Trybas .
MAKE THE THIRD CHAPTER ALREADY MAN!
No. You need to find something else to do because it's going to be a long time before I touch this again. It's been put on hold indefinetaly until I can come up with a better plot.
A Medal....for shear effort and imagination, please comment on my Kingdom outfit.....all my knights are well pleased with your battle.....very good.....
amazing episode! long, but as you said, worth it. lots of details- very gory, but a very cool gory! also love the mini ships- great job, and can't wait for the next episode!
Nice to see a castle comic not set in a fantasy world. The turkish army, the gore, tavern, the microscale ship, many good details, builds and original ideas. Please continue with the story.
Astounding! This is way better than I ever could have done. :D The action is brilliant and the music really brings out the mood! Great job. :D Make more soon! :D
Great action and gore. Perhaps a page a bit too heavy, my attention level started dwindling halfway through the battle and those awsome, detailed interiors afterwards were almost lost on me. This would have made for 2 cool episodes.
Quoting Timmy Kid
Very, very, very, VERY cool. ... Wait, did you say it won't be historic on some levels? Like, aliens attacking the kingdom? Knowing the other planets in there galaxy of there dimension? War tanks?
Um... No.. Not really historic as in the timeline. This takes place around 1347, and there were no known crusades during that time.
Plus having "aliens" pop up suddenly would really ruin the series (in my opinion).
I'm actually happy it was long :D I loved it! Great work on this chapter Storm! Everything was brilliant! I love your attention to detail, like the winking guy in the bar :P Great work man!
Very, very, very, VERY cool. ... Wait, did you say it won't be historic on some levels? Like, aliens attacking the kingdom? Knowing the other planets in there galaxy of there dimension? War tanks?
If it doesn't serve the story... All I say is that if people don't notice the detail, they just feel like something's wrong and can't realize what. Wich hurts the overall appeal.
Quoting Deus Otiosus
I have noticed a man smoking a pipe there. Not only is it immoral, it is also historicaly incorrect.
Historically incorrect, yes. Immoral, what??
Eh.. whatever. Next time I'll make sure that I won't make mistakes for you to detect. However this series won't exactly be "historic" on some levels.
Wow that took quite a bit of my time but it was worth it! I really liked the first chapter but this ones even better! I like all the MOCs you put into this story and all the cool figs. I hope the next chapter will be even more impressive.
After rereading it (is there anything else to be expected?), and watching closely, I have noticed a man smoking a pipe there. Not only is it immoral, it is also historicaly incorrect.
The epicness of this is impossible to take in all at the same time. I was wondering how you could have made an episode better than the one you did before.
Wow, after the previous chapter, I wondered if the next chapter would be as good as the first one and I'm glad to say that it is.
The quality of the builds is just amazing and the story is even better, even though it was quite long I read the entire thing, something that I usually don't even do with short stories but this series is so well written that you simply can't stop until the end, I'm really looking forward to chapter three, Fantastic work!
An amazing set of builds! I love the story so far too! The gore is not too bad, it makes the fight scenes look realistic. And I love how you include music! I had no idea Two Steps had so many albums, curse you itunes for only having one!
AA's right the last one was better,but this had lots and i mean lots of detail!!!
i loved that tavern and all the gore,the fights good and i love that last hill,well done and i can't wait for the next one!
That's why it's a great MOC. The story is fantastic. Also, I meant to say that your build was great here too, but I liked the previous instalment's build better.
