Battle for the Winter Plains

Contains MAJOR spoilers for Soul Bound, book 3 of the Bound Series.
If you plan on reading the series, do NOT read this article unless you're a SC 2022 judge. ;P

With the Itude Empire declaring that the Winter Plains Region kidnapped Crown Prince Kěith Cheonsa, the empire began searching the plains tirelessly until Duke Heir Tzylay Justice came across the prince and tried to convince him to return home. As Kěith sided with the Winter Plains Region and ran away again, the empire continued their search for him until they found the Winter Plain Region's capital, the Winter Moon Pack, for the first time. Tzylay continues to beat down upon himself for trusting a werewolf near the prince. All that the empire and Tzylay care about is getting the prince back by any means necessary!

A loud boomed across the pack, startling many. Kěith glanced up, his eyes flashing red with silver flecks. He knew that voice best; the booming only meant it came from a speaker crystal. If only Kěith hadn't been grilling dinner.

Vladimir Tepes: "Those of the Winter Plains, return my son, Crown Prince Kěith and we won't be forced to use deadly means."

Grumbling to himself, Kěith wiped his palms on his pants and turned to look at Jack, who glared at the sky, a cold beer in hand.

Jack McClain: "Kěith, get Aubern and head for the bunker. I'll deal with this fucker!"

Kěith Cheonsa: "Like Hel, I'm leaving you to face him. That's my father, and if he has what I think he does, you won't survive. I am not dealing with that, Terrance."

Jack McClain: "You are my mate. As an Alpha, I'm giving you an order to get to the bunker! Austïn, you go with him. Make sure both he and Aubern are in there when you lock the door."

Austïn nodded.

— Soul Bound, book 3 of the Bound Series snippet

Prelude

The event leading up to the final battle began on Tilelt 2, 1492 EoL, the evening Empress Sin-Yeona Cheonsa was slain by the four reigning Alphas - Alpha Axel Croix, Alpha Herrick James, Alpha Lysander, and Alpha Matrius Connor. The Retribution Alliance ultimately sided with the Moonlight Expanse, claiming the empire attacked for no reason, such as the Alphas having alibis to cover their tracks.
As a result, the empire declared war on anyone who dared to interfere with their war against the expanse. On Icogh 6, 1493 EoL, the Winter Plains Region was formed and dragged into the war due to being another werewolf pack, even though the Winter Plains - at the time - didn't agree with the four original Alphas did to the Empress.
524 years after the war began, Kěith bought Alpha Heir Jack McClain at an Exotic Pet Auction in Zarahk'n, Sheltered Inlands Region, Itude Empire. For two weeks, Kěith tried to take care of Jack until White Mountains Region wolves abducted them. If it weren't for Jack, Kěith would have died at the White Mountain Pack, leaving the Winter Moon Pack without an Alpha Heir.

Deployment

Around the time of the capture, Duke Heir Tzylay panicked, unable to locate the prince or the wolf that kidnapped him. Tzylay was the first to set up a legion to search for the missing prince. By the time he came upon Kěith on Kruqesk 17, 2016 EoL, the pack had managed to "brainwash" Kěith - in Tzylay's words, even though Kěith is Jack's mate and Lunar of the Winter Moon Pack.
The empire searched the Winter Plains Region for weeks, hoping to locate their prince. Eventually, after discovering the prince wandering through the Howling Woods, Tzylay sent a letter to Emperor Vladimir Tepes. Vlad showed up a few days later.

Table of Contents

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Titles/Nicknames

Death of the Emperor

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Quick Facts

Conflict Type:

Battle, Duel

Battlefield Type:

Land

Start Date:

Kruqesk 25-27 2016 EoL

End Date:

Same day

Conflict Results:

The Crown Prince won, ending the war for the Winter Plains and Itude Empire, but not the Chymoús War.

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Other Notes

Location:

A field in the Winter Plains, between the Winter Moon Pack and Howling Woods.

Location Type:

Plains / Field

Related Conflicts:

The Chymoús War

Related Technologies:

Mini Nukes

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Belligerents

The Winter Plains

Itude Empire

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Notable Commanders

Jack McClain

Kěith Cheonsa

Vladimir Tepes

Tzylay Justice

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Strength

227,000 WMP Army

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# Warriors

• 77,537

# Hunters

• 73,612

# Scouts

• 75,851

199,317 Itudean Army

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# Nobles

• 2

# Soldiers

• 108,658

# Medics

• 90,627

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Losses

Bryant McClain

Vladimir Tepes

Emperor Vlad then used a speaker crystal to gain the attention of the Winter Moon Pack, asking for the return of his son, or deadly force would be used in retaliation for kidnapping him. Tzylay stepped in and pleaded for Kěith to return home, that the empire needed him. Jack, balking at Vlad and Tzylay's audacity, Alpha Ordered Kěith and Austïn to get to the Luna Bunker with Aubern Eld.
Jack immediately went to confront the empire at the edge of the capital's border while keeping a 1,000-yard (914.4 m) between his home and the Itudean Army. Vlad opens with the threat of mini nukes unless Kěith is brought out. With the lives of thousands of wolves resting on Jack's shoulders, he was forced to comply and have Kěith brought to his side.
Kěith arrived after a few minutes, shooting a daggered glare at Jack. Ignoring Kěith's anger, Jack turned to face Vlad and offered another way out; Kěith is happy living in the pack. As Vlad contemplated Jack's offer, he revealed he had an ace up his sleeve. A few soldiers bring forth a bound and hooded person. Jack squinted his eyes at the culprit, waiting impatiently until the hood was yanked off, revealing Bryant McClain. The pack instantly erupted into an uproar, calling for Bryant's release. Jack shushed his pack members down. Asking Vlad what he planned to do to Bryant, he gestured to the pack. Vlad chuckled and waved for the soldiers to release Byrant, calling it good faith.
Bryant stumbled across the field, panic flooding his eyes. Secured around his neck appeared to be a silver collar, steam billowing into the air. Jack took a hesitant step forward, hands outstretched, eager to catch his adopted brother, but a loud click echoed across the field, alerting Jack to a trick from Vlad. The collar around Bryant's neck let off a few quick beeps before one loud beep shrieked and a massive BOOOM with bright flashes. It all happened so fast that Jack and everyone else didn't have time to register the scene in front of them.
Collapsed on the ground in the middle of the field laid Bryant's body, blood, flesh, and brain matter scattered all over the place. Vlad ultimately called Bryant's death a "warning" if Kěith didn't return right at that second.

Engagement

Kěith Cheonsa: "I challenge you, Father, to a Şansă Challenge!"

Silence washed over the field as Vlad seemed to study his son. With a smirk, he replied...

Vladimir Tepes: "Very well, son. But know that you'll return to the palace when you lose and reject that mutt without question."

Kěith Cheonsa: "Request accepted."

Jack McClain: "What? You can't- Kěith, you're not serious! Think of what that undead corpse of a bloodsucker-"

Kěith Cheonsa: "Stand down, Alpha. The challenge has been made. If you don't want the pack to die, I suggest keeping your nose out of this."

— Soul Bound, book 3 of the Bound Series snippet

Now filled with rage, Kěith took a stance and challenged his father to a Şansă Challenge. No longer could Kěith stand by and watch as the innocent people of the pack were slaughtered by his father and empire. Vlad accepted the duel, giving Kěith a punishment if he were to lose. All stakes were on the table. Jack begged Kěith to reconsider what he was doing, yet the Kěith warned Jack of what would happen if Jack were to step in and stop the fight - Kěith would automatically lose and many people would get hurt as a result. Either Kěith completed the challenge, or everything they held dear would end right then and there. Reluctantly, Jack backed off, and Syus Nightingale handed Kěith one of his swords.

by Amelia Nite (Hero Forge)

Kěith walked in silence toward the middle of the field, keeping a close eye on every movement his father made. When they stood facing each other, the fight began. Swing after swing of their swords, biting into their flesh and splattering blood across the grassy plain. At one point, Kěith dropped to his knees, blood coating his face, arms and torso. The sword he used was the only thing keeping him upright, as Vlad mocked him for his weaknesses.
The pack muttered amongst themselves, wondering if their Alpha's mate would die in the battle. Kěith's eyes looked over each member before landing on Jack's face and seeing his Alpha pale with the look of pure fear and trauma pushed Kěith to stand up and swing his sword one more time. Jack immediately called out, having to be pulled back by his father, Lucian McClain and Syus. Slowly, Jack dropped to his knees as Kěith swung the blade, slicing through sinew deep into Vlad's neck.
Vlad choked, coughing up blood as he slumped to the ground, his hand pressing to the wound. He looked into his son's eyes and choked out a weak apology that Kěith found ironic for everything Vlad did to him. With one last strike, Kěith slammed the blade down onto his father's neck and finished cutting his head off. He reached down and lifted his father's head up high, for all to see. The battle for the Winter Plains Region had finally concluded!

Vladimir Tepes: "Thank you for freeing me, my son."

Kěith narrowed his eyes. With a half-growl, he raised his sword.

Kěith Cheonsa: "You were never my father."

— Soul Bound, book 3 of the Bound Series snippet

Aftermath

An eruption of howls and hollers broke from the pack while the empire stared in silence, some with their heads bowed. The battle was over. Kěith had made it possible for peace to begin. All he needed was to return to the empire and complete the promises he made to end the Chymoús War once and for all. Kěith looked at Jack and explained to him through their mind link that there was still much to do, but that he'd have to tell Jack about it later. He then followed the army. The pack could finally rest as Kěith's leadership and quick demand caused the empire to have no claim of threatening the Winter Plains Region anymore, even if their Lunar left with the Itudean Army.

Kěith looked back at the pack, his eyes struggling to locate Jack. When they finally landed on his Alpha, the sight he saw ripped at his soul. Jack kneeled on the ground, eyes wide in terror as his wind-tousled hair blew in the wind. Kěith lowered his gaze and looked at his hands. Blood soaked his sleeves and the front of his shirt, or what was left of it. With a sigh, Kěith mind-linked his mate as he raised his gaze to meet Jack's form again.

Kěith Cheonsa: I love you, but there are a few more things that need to be done. I'll tell you everything later.

With a bow of his head, Kěith turned away and followed the last of the soldiers and Tzylay into the woods.

— Soul Bound, book 3 of the Bound Series snippet