My eyes snapped open as I felt a hand grip my shoulder.
'Attack!'
Scrambling away, I rolled off my bed, searching for my sword.
'My bed?'
It took a moment before I realised I wasn't being attacked. That I wasn't lying on the battlefield, but in my bed.
'Oh I'm an idiot.'
Groaning, I stood up, feeling the wave of weary protest from my muscles. Bruises mottled my body, their deep purple hues each serving a vivid reminder how brutal yesterday had been.
"Get up. It's almost time" the one who woke me up said, turning away before I had the chance to reply.
'My life's a masochist's dream' I sighed bitterly, running a hand through matted hair.
When I turned to retrieve my armour, it took another moment of muddle thought before I remembered I was still wearing it. Dispiritedly, I looked down at the rags that had once been my armour.
"Shit." Rubbing my temples in frustration, I tried to think what I could do. No armour was death, I wasn't anywhere near the skill needed for my sword to charge in fighting without armour.
'Wait….my sword…I don't have that either.'
Shoulder sagging, I collapsed back on my bed.
'What the hell am I meant to do now?'
"Here" a voice called, interrupting my despair.
A hand proffered a set of fresh armour to me.
Turning, I locked eyes with the person who had spoken to me. He was young, mid-twenties perhaps. With piercing grey eyes and dark hair.
He stood silently, still proffering a fresh armour set and sword. His face was an unreadable mask, but his tone wasn't unkind.
I took it silently, refusing to thank him. His kindness meant nothing. It didn't change the fact that they had left me to die…all of them. Well all of them but Noah, but I wasn't exactly friendly with him either.
The man nodded curtly, maintaining an almost professional demeanour. "I'm Felt, second in charge here. If you need anything, you come to me."
Then, without another word, Felt walked off, leaving me blinking in confusion.
Pushing the sudden introduction to the side, I changed into my new armour, sliding into it with a gratified sigh.
Despite the absolute crappiness of the situation, a soft smile touched my lips. Even though I was in a different world, in a different body, with a different name, it all felt nostalgic.
It reminded me of Merlin. My closest friend back then. He had been older than me, much older.
When I arrived, fresh from training, he was the one who took me under his wing. He helped me, saving me a good couple of times.
Of course, that was only at the beginning. Afterwards, it was me saving his lazy sorry ass.
'Those were good times.'
It was funny how nostalgia worked. Back then, I remembered thinking how the army was the worst time of my past life, and yet looking back, I couldn't feel anything but fondness.
Shaking of the memory with a soft smirk, I adjusted the armour.
This one was better reinforced than the other one, containing more Aresium plates. It made it slightly heavier, but I didn't mind the trade off.
The sky was a grim shade of grey as I stepped out, the clouds swirling in a melancholic spiral. The air rank with the smell of rotting corpses, smoke and iron.
Making my way with my unit, we moved outside the city for the next confrontation.
"Stick to me" said a voice from next to me.
Turning, I saw Noah, eyes still fixed on the battlefield where the enemy was assembling. "That way" Noah continued, "I can show when and where to rotate."
I nodded. "Alright." For now I'd listen. Whether I liked it or not, I needed Noah to show me how rotations worked, otherwise I wouldn't last a week. After I found that out…well that was a decision for later.
Only surviving mattered right now.
Frowning, I joined Noah's gaze over the battlefield. The sheer loss of life didn't affect me as it should've.
But then again, I wasn't exactly an ordinary person.
Killing was a dirty business, a dirt that clung. But I managed that weight once, I'd do it again, so it wasn't that death that affected me right now.
No, it was the sheer incompetence of the battle that pissed me off. Yesterday had not been war, it was mindless slaughter.
No formation, or overlying strategy.
Just one desperate charge right after the other.
"Is there no such thing as flipping tactics in this damn world?" I muttered, kicking at a loose piece of rubble.
Unit 7 took the short straw today.
Frontlines.
This time, I had a clear view of the battle. The enemy lay in the distance, a wall of shining metal. The commander rode in front of me, on a steed.
It wasn't an ordinary horse however. It was carved from fire, its eyes glowing red as it tossed a wave of scarlet flame out of its eyes.
That same beautiful spear glimmered in his hands.
It was dark, like midnight, however, small white runes were emblazoned upon it like spider cracks, glowing with a captivating power.
'Beautiful.'
Before I could appreciate it further, the commander's voice shattered the stillness.
"ON MY COMMAND!" The booming voice carried the force of magically enhanced authority. This time he wasted no time on a speech.
"MAARCH!!!"
The army lurched forward, a slow, grim advance. The sound of thousands of boots stomping in unison shook the earth beneath them. Unit 7, bruised and bloodied, marched at the front.
The army lurched forward in a rage full advance.
Some screamed war cries, others laughed madly, and some…
Some stayed silent, making no sound beyond heavy breathing and the sound of their boots upon the earth. I was one of those men, my eyes fixed forward as the gap between the two armies closed.
We collided in a thunderous crash.
I didn't think, I just…moved, dancing the fine line between composure and desperation.
Parrying one blow, I retaliated with a thrust, running it through the soldier's body. Two of them lunged at me, faces twisted into a snarl.
Roaring back, I charged forward, taking them off guard with my aggression. Parrying again, I pivoted to the side, angling away from my second enemy, allowing me to focus on just one for a moment.
Wasting no time, I unleashed a heavy barrage of blows, forcing the soldier to stagger back, his spear splintering into two from my unyielding strikes.
I didn't hesitate, my sword finding his throat as blood arced into the air.
The second soldier seized the opportunity, lunging at my exposed back.
I spun around, deflecting the blow just in time, but the impact numbed my arm, weakening my grip slightly.
The soldier spun, the but of the spear cracking me on the side of the head. I staggered, stumbling to the side. I could feel the killing strike about to be landed, but instead…
CLANG
Turning I saw Noah, sword held firm. Unlike me, Noah had been a marvel during training, the sword came too easily to him, as if he wasn't learning how to wield, but remembering.
He parried the next strike, stepping in. Blocking another, he performed a remarkable backstroke, decapitating the second enemy,
"I thought I told you to stick by me" he growled.
I gave a short laugh, and stepped in beside him, preparing myself. Inwardly admonishing myself for getting lost in combat, I made sure to not go too far this time.
'He's adapted to fighting quickly' It had taken me much more than one day before I got used to killing when I had been Reshi, it seems Noah was made of sturdier stuff.
Minutes blurred together. I hacked, slashed, and ducked through the chaos, my muscles screaming in protest. I shoved, tripped, threw mud.
Anything to give me an edge. Not like the dead could complain against dirty tactics.
Nearby, Noah fought like an artist painting his masterpiece—elegant, precise, untouchable. Even surrounded, he moved with an effortless grace, as if he were dancing.
I couldn't help but develop a grudging respect as we continued fighting together, protecting each other's blindspot. He was a good fighter. Very good.
'Named characters and their talents' I sighed sadly. Stepping close I kicked forward, causing a soldier to stumble back, his hands clutching his pair of balls, which I had just crushed with a metal foot.
'Rookie, always keep the Crown Jewels safe.'
Stepping in, my sword ran him through as I mercilessly took advantage of his momentary distraction. Turning away, my eyes widened as they spotted a spearman charging towards Noah's blindspot.
"No!" I bellowed.
The spear was mid thrust when I tackled him, sending both of us crashing to the ground. We grappled, fighting for the advantageous position.
Gaining the top position I strained against his attempts to stab me with his dagger, he must've pulled out during the tumble.
Slowly, excruciatingly slow, I pushed down, using my weight.
The dagger sank into his chest, slipping in between the ribs. I heard a faint gurgle, as his grip weakened on the dagger.
I pulled it out with a grunt, my eyes grimly watching the blood pooling around his chest.
Noah turned, expression unreadable, and nodded.
I nodded back.
From that moment, we didn't fight covering each other, we fought as one. Noah's speed and precision engaged the enemies while I delivered the killing blows.
Together, we were culling through men.
Many times, we spotted a MageKnight and turned away.
Compared to MageKnights, we were like ants scuttling around. Even being near them meant not so instant, incredibly painful death. I doubted my luck could survive another one.
Many we fought were able to use magic, able to reinforce their bodies.
But that didn't matter with Noah now. He was also able to use mana to reinforce himself. After all, it was the most common skill to awaken after completing the trial.
Noah was more than enough to absorb their concentration while I killed them from their blindspot.
After a while, I heard the short burst of a horn that I had heard yesterday but ignored. Noah grabbed me.
"That's the sign, we need to retreat."
I nodded, breath ragged and worn. We ducked back, retreating as safely as we could. I could see a fresh wave of soldiers step out onto the field.
I layed on the ground next to Noah still gasping for air as we tried to recover.
"Fuck…sake…you're good" I gasped.
Noah smiled. "Your telling me. You can't even use mana yet and you're fighting as good as I am.."
"Fighting dirty you mean."
Noah shrugged. "Don't think that matters here.."
I paused, then nodded, "Guess nothing does."
We stayed silent after that. It was strangely awkward. We had saved each other's lives, fought together. And yet…he hated me.
'Or does he not anymore?'
After some time, the horn sounded again, and with a sigh, I tucked away my thoughts for later.
"Come on" I sighed, getting to my feet.
Noah nodded, joining me as we made our way back out there.
We advanced more slowly this time, not wanting to venture out too far where we could get surrounded.
Again I felt myself become swallowed by the beating heart of war.
I pivoted to the side, cutting the spear's shaft in half, then stepped in further, running my sword through his stomach.
Then another one came, and another. I fought as hard as I could, trusting Noah to watch my back.
I parried a strike from another soldier. He was more skilled than me. Grizzled, with a scar over one dark eye. I tried to flick up dirt with my sword, but this soldier had experience, barely flinching from my underhand tactic.
'Shit.'
The rebel soldiers snaked through my defences, breaking them down with a skill that surpassed anything I saw before.
From the corner of my eye I could see Noah behind him, running forward in a mana-enhanced charge.
I needed to draw his attention.
"Wait…I'm your son!!!" I shouted, taking a shot in the dark.
The man hesitated only for a moment, before continuing with a growl. But that's all that was needed.
There was a gurgle. The soldier looked down, eyes widening as he saw Noah's sword poking out of his stomach. Then the dark eyes met mine.
Then the dark eyes stopped seeing anything, as his corpse dropped to the floor.
"What a bastard thing to say."
I looked up at Noah. "Gotta do what you gotta do."
He smiled. "I'm going to save that one for later."
I snorted. "If anyone thinks you're their son, they'll try and kill you quicker. Ugly bastard."
We laughed. It was odd. Worrying even. Around us men died, crying their last tears. Saying their last words. And here we were…laughing.
BANG!!!
I didn't even see it. One moment Noah was standing, the next moment he was on the floor, a white shafted arrow embedded in his shoulder as he screamed in pain.
I turned trying to follow where the arrow might've come from. That's when I noticed her. A flying MageKnight.
She hovered above the battlefield, already moving away as she picked off soldiers. Each arrow loosed let out a sonic boom as if heralding their impending doom.
I watched with horror as they tore through soldiers armour like paper.
"Shit." I grabbed Noah. Dragging him a bit further in where there were less rebels.
"How bad is it."
Noah grimaced. "It's got some sort of anti-mana properties, It ain't good."
BOOM.
The ground wrent apart, and I was sent flying off balance, crashing hard onto the floor. For a second I thought she had released another arrow.
But no.
Another MageKnight. He was dressed in resplendent green armour, a sword of crackling energy gripped in one hand. But his focus wasn't on us.
I turned, following his gaze.
There I saw him. A golden aura of power shimmering around him, making the runic serpents on his armour seemed almost alive.
The commander had arrived. The spear gripped in one hand. His expression was one of pure and utter fury.
I damn near became a patriot out of relief.
.....
"Romulus….it is you" The commander growled.
The rebel MageKnight sighed sadly, his face twisted in a sad smile. Yet the expression never reached those cold blue eyes. "Vedici, it's good to see you."
Vedici smiled darkly. "We were brothers once."
...
I turned away, my eyes scanning for Noah. I spotted him, a couple metres away groaning. Around us the ground was a shattered mess of earth and fire.
Ducking my head, I moved slowly, trying not to attract any attention to myself.
...…..
The rebel MageKnight, Romulus, nodded. "Yeah…nicer times weren't they? Out of respect for that, I'm going to ask you once. Turn away…please."
Vedici shook his head, hefting his spear. "I was looking forward to my sister's wedding. I think…it would've been the best of times, you always suited married life."
"We were brothers" Romulus repeated, his voice cracking with frustration.
.....
I reached Noah. His shoulder was bleeding badly. "Noah?"
"Yeah?" he rasped.
"Bite down firm, and hold in your screams."
"…why?"
I smiled grimly. "We need to stop the bleeding." I placed my sword in a nearby fire, allowing it to heat up.
...
"You threw that all away when you became a traitor" Vedici growled.
"Because the Empire is wrong Vedici" Romulus shouted, his voice exasperated. "Anyone who isn't a noble is nothing better than a dog. We were just scum…nothing more."
Vedici shook his head. "I never made scum my brother. I made you…You should've kept your loyalties Romulus."
Silence stretched for a moment before Romulus sighed, his blue eyes portraying a deep sadness. "We're going to have to kill each other, don't we?" He asked, his voice resigned.
Vedici advanced slowly, holding his spear firm.
"I am Vedici Redorist. 1st son of Redorist. Wielder of Ascension, graduate of the Royal Thoracen Academy…and I fight for my oaths, sworn by my father and his father, and their fathers before them."
There was a moment's pause, then a powerful golden aura erupted from Vedici, oppressive and strong.
Romulus sighed. He had spoken the words, there was no going back now.
"I am Romulus, 3rd son of nobody, I wield my honour, graduate of the Royal Thoracen Academy…and I fight for what is right. As what all men have fought for, since even before the time of the one true king."
As soon as he finished the words of rite, a green aura exploded from his body, raging against its golden counterpart.
....
I froze after hearing the words.
'Fuck no.' My body was trembling, fighting to stay conscious under the two trembling auras. Each one felt like a hammer to my soul.
But I fought nonetheless. It was that or dying.
'This ain't good.' I glanced over at Noah, he wasn't doing much better. He had become pale and gaunt.
Those words. If they had spoken the rites, we needed to get out of here fast. This entire area was going to turn to a war ozone unparalleled by anything they had already gone through.
The rites were a noble tradition, and it always meant one thing. A fight to the death.
Hurriedly I took out my sword, it was glowing hot. "This is going to hurt" I warned.
In one movement, I pulled out the arrow and pressed the flat of the blade onto the wound.
Noah screamed through gritted teeth as his flesh melted, burning the wound closed. It would hold for now until the medical ward could do something better.
I supported his weight, trying my hardest to get away before we got caught up in the battle.
But it was far, far too late.