The Heart: Part One

La'an is not in the best state as it is.Many of its nations have declared war upon the High Kingdom of Avernia, a war that spans from the Rhine River to the Carthaginian Sea. Some fight this war for diplomatic reasons, burying hatchets in the embattled High Kingdom. Others fight to crush the growing Republican movement gaining more and more prominence by the day, 'The Convention of Humanity' which is slowly consolidating power over the state, and threatening to spread its ideas across the continent of La'an and beyond. Most however, fight this war for plunder, to steal the ultimate treasure, 'The Heart'. Whatever their reasons, they send young men by the thousands to die to crush the High Kingdom, turning the continent into a corpseyard, a feast for the trolls who serve the god Wool, and the ghouls who serve the goddess Leather.Things look bleak for the High Kingdom, and yet Avernia has one great hope. Antoine Pollineux, 'The Messiah of Steel', the progenitor of maneuver warfare and a genius with artillery. A brilliant young man who has never lost a battle, who has staved off The Coalition of La'anian Nations, earned the love of the Avernian people...And left his little sister Serena with some big shoes to fill.Having been drafted to the Officer's Academy of Alesia due to the Queen's mustering of Witches from across the High Kingdom, Serena must leave her far-off island home of Kerska and become a military leader worthy of her brother, and a consummate servant of Steel, God of Warfare and Majesty. Steel is a hungry god, one whose adherents are expected to sate him with powder and bullets on the battlefield, and with skill and steel in the sacred groves. Unbeknownst to Serena however, she too is a hungry girl, a hunger more sinful to the gods than simply killing beings. She hungers for love, from beautiful women, ones as sinful as herself.