CHAPTER 106: WITHOUT DREAMS

The army moved.

Not chaotically. Not in rushed confusion. But with disciplined precision that demonstrated three months of unified training and preparation.

Legion One stepped forward in perfect formation, their column beginning the long march south toward Radiant Empire territories.

Legion Two followed at prescribed distance. Then Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven.

Two hundred thousand demons flowing out of Eldhar’s marshaling grounds like tide that couldn’t be stopped.

The ground trembled with their passage.

The sound was thunder—boots striking earth in rhythm that echoed off buildings, armor clanking with synchronized movement, supply wagons creaking under loads of essence-powered equipment.

Liam watched from the platform as his army began the march toward apocalypse.

Citizens of Eldhar lined the streets, watching in silence as the largest demon military force in living memory departed their city.

Some looked proud. Others terrified. Most just seemed resigned to watching history unfold without ability to influence its direction.

"Beautiful in terrible way," Lilith observed, watching the legions march. "Two hundred thousand demons united in purpose. However suicidal that purpose might be."

"Think they’ll actually stay unified for seventeen days?"

"Legion commanders are competent. Soldiers are professional. Supplies are adequate." She considered. "Yes. They’ll stay unified because alternative is chaos that dooms everyone. Fear of collective death is powerful motivator for discipline."

Koth approached the platform, mounted on what looked like demon equivalent of war horse—larger, more aggressive, with scales instead of hair.

"My lord. Brigade command is established. I’m ranging with advance elements. You’ll ride with main army?"

"I’ll march with Legion One for first three days. Rotate through other legions after that." Liam had planned this carefully. "Soldiers need to see me present. Not comfortable in command tent but walking same ground they walk."

"That’ll earn respect. Also exhaust you completely." Koth’s voice carried approval mixed with concern. "But it’s good leadership. Shows you’re not commanding from safety while they face danger."

"I’m commanding from front because if this fails, I want to be among first casualties rather than last." Liam’s honesty was brutal. "If we’re marching to collective death, I lead that march personally."

"Very inspiring in a morbid way, but i don’t think gods can die." Koth saluted. "I’ll coordinate advance elements. See you at first night’s camp."

He departed, and Liam descended from the platform to join Legion One’s command group where Torven was managing the disciplined advance.

The march had begun.

Two hundred thousand demons moving south.

Seventeen days to Sanctum Lux.

Then apocalypse.

---

The first day’s march covered twenty-three miles—slower than optimal but acceptable for force this size.

The army moved through demon territories where civilians watched with expressions between hope and horror.

Villages that had been slowly dying from war’s economic impact suddenly filled with soldiers who needed food, supplies, temporary shelter.

The legion quartermasters managed it efficiently, ensuring civilians were compensated for resources while maintaining supply discipline that prevented chaos.

By evening, the army established camp in designated staging area that Fourth Order scouts had verified was secure.

Seven legion encampments arranged in defensive formation.

Command tents established. Perimeter guards deployed. Medical stations prepared for injuries that thankfully hadn’t materialized during first day.

Liam walked through Legion One’s encampment as soldiers prepared evening meals and maintained equipment.

The atmosphere was subdued but functional. Veterans who knew that first day’s calm wouldn’t last.

"Lord Azra." A young demon soldier approached nervously, then knelt. "May I... could I ask blessing before campaign continues?"

Liam hesitated. The religious devotion still felt uncomfortable despite months of experiencing it. But refusing would undermine morale unnecessarily.

"Stand." He placed hand on the soldier’s shoulder. "You march with courage. You serve with honor. That’s blessing enough. But if you need words—may your blade stay sharp and your mana strong. May you survive to see empire saved. And may every other god recognize your sacrifice, because I already have."

"Thank you, my lord."

As word spread that the Primordial was walking through camp and offering blessings, more soldiers approached.

Liam spent two hours providing religious comfort he recognized as necessary for morale.

By the time he reached the command tent, exhaustion had settled deep into bones despite demon physiology theoretically not requiring sleep as frequently as humans.

Lilith was waiting with reports from the day’s march.

"No significant incidents. Advance scouts report no Radiant Empire military presence within three days’ march. Civilian populations are cooperative or at least not hostile. Supply consumption is tracking projections."

"So first day went better than expected."

"First day was easiest day. It gets harder from here." She set down reports. "Fourth Order eliminated three Radiant Empire scouts who were observing our advance. Kael’thra wants to know if she should begin more aggressive counter-intelligence operations."

"Tell her to maintain defensive posture unless threats become active. I don’t want Fourth Order starting wars with populations we’re passing through." Liam rubbed his temples. "How are the legion commanders handling coordination?"

"Professionally. Torven is meticulous. Kael’dris is efficient. The others are competent enough." Lilith pulled out different report. "House Morwen’s supply trains are performing adequately despite Lord Arcturus’s betrayal. Either he’s genuinely cooperating or he’s very good at pretending while planning something worse."

"We’ll discover which during assault. Until then, we use his logistics because alternatives don’t exist."

They reviewed additional reports—minor disputes between legions, equipment issues being addressed, intelligence updates from Fourth Order scouts ranging ahead.

Everything tracking projections. Everything proceeding according to plan.

Which made Liam nervous.

Military operations that proceeded perfectly in early stages tended to develop catastrophic problems later when guards were down.

"Get some rest," Lilith advised. "Tomorrow we march deeper into territories where Radiant Empire presence increases. You’ll need energy for managing complications."

"You’re not resting."

"I’m queen. Rest is luxury I sacrificed years ago." But she smiled slightly. "Though I’ll try to sleep tonight. Setting example of self-care and all that."

Liam left the command tent and found his assigned quarters—modest tent that was larger than common soldiers’ but not ostentatiously so.

Inside, simple bedroll and basic equipment. Nothing that suggested supreme military commander deserved special comfort.

He lay down, expecting his mind to race with tactical concerns and strategic calculations.

Instead, exhaustion claimed him immediately.

And for first time in weeks, he slept without dreams.

[Day 1 of March: Complete]

[Distance Covered: 23 miles]

[Casualties: 0]