The Tide of War

[Prince Jason]

Prologue – The War of Ages

The Empire of the Aztecs – a rough beginning, breeding an unimaginable people addicted and assimilated by war. Throughout the history of the Aztec Empire there has been war. Tenochtitlan, the center of the great nation, once raged a war upon the Russians, beating the Russians back in a century-long war that would finally lead the Russians to a bitter defeat, gaining for the Aztecs the fertile lands of Cihuacaotyl. The Russians would never again rise to question the authority of the Aztecs.

However, the northern lands, gone unchecked from Emperor Moctezuma, have grown civilized and powerful. Berlin, once a small, petty village compared to the behemoth of Tenochtitlan, now is the center of the whole empire of Germany, almost twice as large as Azteca. It was only a matter of time before the Germans marched south. Soon all the separated Germany from Azteca is the Alpine Range and Chantico Desert. The Germans were determined on settling this strategic, yet desolate region and quickly attacked and annexed the small Aztec settlement of Tamuin. Thus began the War of Ages; the struggle between Azteca and her ally against the German war machine.

When Aztec forward forces were defeated in Chantico Desert, the Germans launched a new attack which captured a prime mountain city of Xochicalco. This city would soon serve as the main supply route and base for the constant flow of German army units. The next city to fall would b the premier port city of Tlatelolco, the finest Aztec city on the east coast. Moctezuma sent as many reinforcements as he could, but they were no match for the endless supply of German troops. The city fell.

Rallying for support across the whole empire, and signing an alliance with the beaten Russians, Moctezuma summoned an army worthy of Tenochtitlan, and, leading it himself, marched to Tlatelolco. After a grueling, bloody, and costly battle, the city was recaptured, the Germans retreated to Xochicalco. However, it would only be a short time before another German army, one double the size of the last, would attack once more. All that stood in the way of Xochicalco and Tlatelolco was the highlands range called Bloody Hills. These lands would soon give witness to the most fantastic and horrifying battles in history.

Note: This is based off yet another game between me and EQ. It will be solely based off of this war, which was very exciting. The next part is going to be posted by myself, and then EQ will take his turn, and then me, and so on. Hope you enjoy it. This prologue was just to help you get the history of the background of the war. Comments are appreciated. By the way, I am playing as the Aztecs, and EQ as the Americans. Also, the story will be more character-based, in contrast to the prolouge I just posted.

[KuriousK724]

looking forward to this... the title reminds me of a book i read... TIDES OF WAR.... by steven pressfield... the book is about a general in the pellopenesian war... Alcibades... kinda his story through out the war till his daeth... a very interesting read....

[Prince Jason]

perhaps, becuase of the similar plot we plan to write on, EQ knew of this and chose the title for this reason. Afterall, he was the one who thought of the title.

[EQandCivfanatic]

actually i had no idea of the exisitence of that book. I was just thinking on one of the parts of the story, when that came to me.

[Prince Jason]

Chapter I: Tozani

The sky was gloomy, covered by dark clouds and lost dreams. Tozani was walking through the main street of Tlatelolco, his feet in an empty unison with the rest of his regiment. On both sides of him, ravaged walking piles of carnage kept in pace with him; just days ago they were men. The war had an effect on people, on the men who fought in it. It robbed them of their personality, of their sentiments, of their soul. Tozani was lucky enough to have survived such a battle, both physically and morally.

The regiment was soon broke up, each man taking up a separate street of the city to patrol. Reluctantly, Tozani was assigned to the main street – a relatively calm sector of the city. Upon arriving, Tozani observed the remains of what used to be a sprawling metropolis, full of markets and consumers. The street stretched for many, many blocks until at the very end stood the temple house, and the last structure of the street. It was made of pure stone, a pyramid that stretched to the sky to meet Quetzecotl. The once sharp, modern, and vibrantly painted structure was little more then rubbles. Much of the stone had been taken by the fleeing Germans; the paint was faded and sometimes gone all together. Steps leading to the top were incomplete, and the door way was caved in.

The structures on the sides of the city were rubble, more or less. Piles of stone resemble the structures that once stood, and Tozani was taken back to a time of prosperity. The streets were lined with markets and people, the structures fully painted in a golden glow. In the distance the temple sprung up in a beautiful eruption towards the brilliant sun, a symbol of Aztec superiority and influence. Beyond this, the harbor was full of merchants from the entire world; Russians, Arabians, Mayans, and even sometimes Americans were seen here, in their gallant ships and noble carriages.

When he opened his eyes, Tozani was hit with the reality of the situation. It was a grey evening, the rubble-lined streets were as they were before he closed his eyes, and the temple was still little more then rubble. He was sitting now, on some of the rubble. He had with him his Franklin Infantry Musket, an American design. This musket was top of the line, a great advantage over a spear. Tozani fumbled the musket as he thought about the Great Rumor, the rumor that American troops would soon land at Teotihuacan to help directly the war effort. Most believed that as soon as the Americans would land, the war would be over. This gave the men hope, hope that was the only thing keeping them fighting.

“Tozani, Klahoya!” The voice penetrated the dark silence that had invaded Tozani. Turning around, he was greeted by Centeotl, a short man upon a great stallion, holding a blade that was yet another product of America. Pulling the reins to turn the horse, he smiled and waved at Tozani.

“Klahoya, Centeotl. What news from Tenochtitlan?”

“News is light, Tozani. I have come to keep you company,” he said smiling and at the same time dismounting his horse. He was a knight of the Imperial Mounted Forces, knights upon horses that were trained directly by American generals, and equipped with the best American armor and weapons. He climbed over the rubble to reach where Tozani was sitting, leaving the horse on the other side.

“What is this about, Centeotl? Do you not have a sector to patrol as well?”

“Good to see you too, Tozani!” he mocked and patted Tozani on the back. “I have a leave; tomorrow I am returning to Malinalco, god willingly.

“So you decided to annoy me before you leave, eh?” Tozani joked.

“Jokes, Tozani, are the only thing that keeps men sane in this war,” Centeotl replied, suddenly setting a mood of seriousness. “The Germans are again massing, Tozani, faster then we can fortify this city. Spies in Xochicalco have already confirmed nine new infantry regiments, all equipped with the modern German weapons and trained to fight. Tozani, you couldn’t hope to defend this town with just two Musketmen regiments, and a few regiments of the Imperial Mounted Force. Tozani, leave with me, I can sneak you out with my luggage.”

Tozani was hit with a surge of excitement, the feeling of leaving the war spread throughout his body, a warm sensation. He hated this man now, he hated Centeotl. Tozani was a loyal man, and he knew where his duties lay. “Centeotl, and if the defenses do not hold? Do you think that the Germans will stop here? Do you not think Malinalco, however isolated it may be, would be exempted from the Aryans?”

The smile and hopeful face that Centeotl had was soon wiped clean, an expressionless face replaced it. Standing up and grabbing the American long sword, Centeotl spoke, “you can make it not your problem, Tozani. Sometimes you must do things for yourself.” And with that, the knight crawled over the rubble, mounted his steed, and was soon in the distance, gone.

The next day, yells spread across the city.

[EQandCivfanatic]

American Episode 1: Preparations

The chandeliers glistened with the continuous shine of the lights. The numerous diamond rings and necklaces of the women in the room sparkled, the combined effect of the diamonds and the chandeliers nearly blinding anyone who would have been watching. In the corner, on the ballroom’s great stage, the orchestra slugged its way through a waltz, keeping the people dancing and moving across the dance floor. Occasionally servants would attempt to navigate their way through the spinning and twirling of the guests, to offer champagne and fine wines from the vineyards of Washington.

As the orchestra finished the round of Bach’s Waltz No. 3 and the guests gave a round of applause, a small old man proceeded onto the stage. “Gentlemen, ladies, if you’d please turn your heads this way,” he said, barely heard by the guests in the huge ball room. A larger man, with a tri-cornered jeweled cap, and so many rings it seemed a miracle he could lift his hands, jumped up on the stage and shouted, exaggerating his New York accent, “Y’all settle down! Th’ mayor is ‘bout to tell y’all sumtin!” As the crowd laughed, a reluctant silence eventually fell, and they turned to face the small old man. “Thank you, Mr. Gatsby,” he squeaked and turned to the crowd.
“First of all I’d like to thank Lord John Gatsby for use of his manor for this evening’s event,” Applause came from the guests, acknowledging the tall man besides the mayor. “Second, as Mayor of New Orleans, I’d like to announce great news from the capital. President Lincoln has agreed to send our armies, fresh from the Iroquois War, to the exotic land of Aztecea to assist our lost Aztec brothers in fighting the unholy German demons!” The crowd fell into a great hush at this announcement, the only sound a brief coughing in the back. Suddenly, as one, the guests rose into cheers, joining a growing chorus across America.

As the guests began calming, the Mayor said, to those who could hear over the ruckus, “Finally, I’d like to introduce Sir Theodore Roosevelt, who served with the famous Knights of Dallas in the Iroquois War.” A new man, tall and straight, vibrant with health and youth jumped up on the stage, to the ongoing applause that the audience seemed unable to stop.

“People of New Orleans! My name as the good Mayor said, is Theodore Roosevelt. The Mayor also mentioned the minor matter of a war in the east,” Began Roosevelt to the contagious laughter and clapping, “I am calling for volunteers, any man who would like to serve under my command to go East and kill German heathens has only to come to Miami and enlist at the Temple of Artemis. We will be departing in a month or so, so make sure to come quickly. God bless America!”

As Roosevelt jumped off the stage, the mayor nodded to Bach who turned back to the orchestra and began conducting the dance once more. The glittering party went on late into the night.

-Miami-

The Temple of Artemis was an ancient place, built over three thousand years ago under the dark ages of the Emperor. It had been built as a great temple to the old pagan gods, beginning a competition of temple construction in every American city. Each city kept trying to match the rest in temples and have the most spectacular one of all. In the end though, not a single temple matched the beauty and magnificence of the Temple of Artemis.

Now though, it was somewhat in ruins. Over 500 years of monotheism had forced the temple to succumb to the Miami heat and fall into disrepair and ruin. Of course, the merchants which now called it home kept it somewhat repaired, and with the movement of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders training camp into the area, the temple had become in essence a small city. Everywhere a potential recruit turned, there was another merchant, offering quality swords, food, or services of local girls.

In the center of the chaos was a somewhat orderly line that was constantly under siege by the aforementioned merchants and moving quite slowly. The line led straight to a door hastily marked with a sign proclaiming, “Recruitment”.

Inside sat Theodore Roosevelt and his close friend, Sir George Custer. They were taking a break after a great amount of candidates had already applied and been accepted. Theodore was sipping on a goblet of fine wine, while George sent fumes into the air from his cigar, produced from the best Chicago tobacco.

“So George,” Roosevelt began, “How long you think the Germans will last after meeting with the stalwart American blades for the first time?” “I bet we’ll be in Berlin in a month at worst. The kraughts don’t have the guts for a war with us. They’re soft, fat people; look at Bismarck for god’s sake!” exclaimed George, setting off a round of laughter. The German general was well known for his obesity and was the butt of several amusing jokes involving multiple chins. “So what do you think Teddy?” “I fully agree, we’ll show those Germans what soldiers really are. The war will be over as soon as we arrive practically. My only real fear for the war is that it will be over before we can fight.”

Thus was the opinion of America, as soon as the boys arrived in the East the war would end, and the Germans defeated. The caravels would soon leave, and the world braced itself for the greatest conflict ever known.