The background is in confusion as a guard of the city barges into the council room stares with dirt covered all over his cloths. The meeting suddenly ends as the individuals in the room try to fathom what was exactly the matter as the city guard drops coughing on the polished floors of the council's room. Counter Paulini in awe as the trembling soldier spoke:
"Sires,they are coming!"
"Who is coming? Why all the dirts on your body?", asked Counter Paulini.
"The scavengers are here. They are about to attack the city!", replied the soldier hastily.
The council members all in confusion looks down at the grumbling soldier. Onuga, the chief of the Council member reaches out for this master as he spoke up in fear: "Zarmin province has never been breached. The walls were constructed of steel and iron concrete barricaded with alson's stones".
"My lords, The so-called precious walls is about to be in ruins if we don't alter to this situation, Sire", the soldier instantly spoke up without any hesitation. It was due to fear that caused this. Well, Fear turns scared people into crazy beings. Soon, Counter Paulini joins his council members as they try to reason with their nemesis.
Noises ranted to and fro from each corner of the room with each individual addressing his own deliberate solution to the matter at hand. Tley were all still confused about the idea of the unknown threat standing against them.
"Counter Paulini, how about Cladus city treaty? hasnt it been paid up?", Said the Council members.
"It has been paid in full, three moons ago. This is a surprised visitation, I think, from someone out of the unknown", replied Counter Paulini.
"Sire, the man on the horse, the attacker's leaders gave me this. He said it meant something to you only if it is seen", the soldier moves forward to Counter Paulini who was now presenting Intel about the threat. Counter Paulini held on to the strange package.
It was nothing more than a scarf to the prying eyes of the Council members but some else was involved – for a dark feeling surrounded Counter Paulini's mind.He leaned forward. He opened it only to find nothing but a drawn-out symbol at the middle of it with some strange unknown inscription below. He froze in terror. His past finally met up with him. At that moment, he knew hell broke loose.
Immediately Couner Paulini revolted. He calls for the High Guard whom quickly ran to get his master's command: "Gather the soldiers outside. We will be heading for the city gates immediately!".
"Yes, My liege", the General replied as he ran out of the room as quickly as he could. Though, Counter Paulini was set for what he knew of but it his fellow comrades, they were still left in the dark.
"Sre, What's going on? What's was in that package?" Onuga, the curious Conucil leader asked still waiting as his master reaches out behind fir his sword and battle armour.
"You don't need to know. All you need is that the people out there ain't human, deadly abomination whom ain't merciful. Please, for my sake and the city's, Get every man, woman and children ready to get off this land as quickly as possible when I command. The city Guards will be of help" said Counter Paulini hastily.
"But Sire.."
"Do as commanded, Onuga!", said Counter Paulini angrily. He runs out of the council room as he stares at the soldiers as they look in confused faces at one another.
He could see fear in the eyes of his own soldiers. Though, as he felt his hand shaking phenomenonously on his sword, he had to speak to his beloved troops: "My league of the brave, hear me!. The old days are still living amongst us. The darkness have returned to haunt us once more. They are out there in our very city gates, standing on our holy soul, ready to devour our souls without no remorse or anxiety. They do not agree or hinder to anyone's favour but with faith,all i need from you, my good welders of metal is to try to make our city stand. No matter what happens, to protect and guard your city with all your life. Remember, the night shall eventually turn to day and with our vigour, faith and the sword, we shall rise oncemore with the sun!".
There was a loud cheer by the Zarminite warriors in total accordance as Counter Paulini continued with his speech, bringing life and lights into the minds of his soldiers.
"To the city gates!", shouted Counter Paulini. Soon the warlord, Counter Paulini and the Zarmin soldiers rode forward into the dark with his soldiers behind him with the preying eyes of his citizens looking in pandemonium...
AT THE OTHER SIDE OF ZARMIN
EDWARD
I woke up quite late, preparing for another day at the farm. My boots were laid disorientatedly, all wet and moldly from the combination of clay and raindrops from last night. Nevertheless, I wore my jacket and my goddamn moldy boots, with my axe on my shoulder towards the front door. I opened the dusty old door, looking up at the decaying room tops of my neighbour whom were busy closing up their windows rapidly.
The next thing I saw was the fish monger closing his shop on the left hand side of the street while his wife took his little children into the city. No one closes up his wares at an early hour, especially when the sun was up. Something odd was happening could guess that but come to think of it, was I the only one left out of the box?
A distance of 175 steps of walking took me towards the heart of the town. It was here the atmosphere gave me the creeps. What I was was much more distinct than closing windows.
Movement was everywhere!!
People; men, women and children, both old and young, timid and swift ran rapidly at different directions with their belongings containing in baskets and trinkets. No one waited for anyone. It looked like they were all on the run from something or someone.
The guards helped the people out of the roads.
My super hearing picked up someone's comment from behind, telling his comrade that the City soldiers are at the gates. I sure I was totally outta the box. With much more curiosity, I went up to a random guard to inquire him to me the absolute truth.
"Sire, What's all the stampede all about?"
"Master carnon, we have orders from Counter Paulini to get all the people to safety", said the lanky soldier. Now, I was filled with surprise. "Why is that?", I asked.
"The reason are still unexplained. Sire, you really need to get your belongings right now", replied the Soldier rashly but I was indeed stubborn. I was not going to leave there without any vital information.
"What about the Head?", I asked the Soldier who was now looking more annoyed than friendly.
"Counter Paulini is leading the troops to the gates"
"Troops? What is going on over there? Tell me, how does the safety got to do with the gates?", I threw another question to his face.
"I really have no idea, Sire"
I watched as the guard leaves my presence as he was called upon by another guard. I felt broken. No qualified answer to my unknown state. I had no regrets. I pray I don't regret ever stepping foot on Zarmin soil. Some sort of puzzle just don't fit right.
A swift reaction without no proper information. My super hearing made me believe that the citizens were filled in confusion and fear and I was in the middle of it.
I couldn't get my answers here. The hell I was and so, I initiated the next plan into action- To go up to the council...
THE CITY WALL
Outside the great Zarmin city wall lies the Zarmin head, Counter Paulini with his troops behind him while on the other hand lies the outnumbered legion of Scavengers.
Zarmin soldiers now in high spirits as the wall is arranged in an orderly manner of archers and soldiers ready to defend their city from every angle. The grass is indeed to suffer a great deal of horror in the hands of these two battalions.
Down from his stallion came Samson, the leader of the Scavengers walks towards Counter Paulini as the Zarmin Head moved towards the coming storm even though fear was totally gripping him. The wind blew with thick dust on the field. Finally, the two warlords came to an intersect...
"We meet again, Paulini", said Samson smiling under his thick voice.
"it's actually a Head, Counter Paulini to be corrective. It not a king sized authority but it has some certain privilege but still got a nice ring to it", replied the Zarmin Head.
"Counter Paulini... hmm. It does has a certain ring to it, if only not that made you an actual person from a farm boy", responded Samson hilariously. In rage, Counter Paulini replied in outbust: "it's Zarmin for Pete sake. Everything has a ring to it, my beloved Samson. We also tend to forget the past, my friend".
"Does that include been a shepherd of a profound killer in your herd? caring and providing for a mass murderer?" asked Samson. The Zarmin Head now stares in confusion. He couldn't understand what the hell Samson said.
"What do you mean by been a shepherd? Sheep are herd by..".
"There is a murderer inside your city and my master requires of him", Samson instantly cuts Counter Paulini's comment whom stiol stood curiously at the fact.
"Hold on a sec, Samson. Master? What are you talking about? Who? So the Great Samson of the East now serves another soul! This is like a comedy on a platter of gold! Who is this Master that sent you?", asked Counter Paulini anxiously for answers.
"That's a word I can't utter out in the open", replied the Scavengers leader negatively. Samson turns his head behind, looking at his fellow warriors and then, back at the enemy who was now drowning in his own well of laughter.
"Give me a break,Samson. Your master doesn't have a name? Come on, man. Tell me your heavenly Lord's name. He must have a name. Let me guess... hmm... Mister county, Andres cyin, or is it Capton markcos, The Great donkey of the West? Come on, it should be one of them", said Counter Paulini in laughter.
"You are testing my patience", said Samson angrily as he slowly draws his words from his belt but still, the Zarmin Heas didn't seem to be in a rush for quick dismissal of his enemies. It was quite a scene when the next thing happened as Counter Paulini replied in outburst.
"You think you can just come to my city after all these years with all your high and glory behind you just to take charge of my subjects? I remember the battle of Dushi river made you victorious, great and all powerful but also a pain in my butt. I thought you were dead. You left me all alone. I can see now you have upgraded to l become a dirt up psycho shit!", said Counter Paulini in anger.
Samson could see the sadness underneath the anger in Counter Paulini's voice but unfortunately, the rage Samson felt at the moment made him walk hastily to the Zarmin Head and grab his neck.
"You haven't changed one bit, not at all. Still the same little fucking cowboy talker of yesterday. If not for my selfless act, you would be standing here with an attachable name", Samson replied in anger still holding the Zarmin leader up high.
"Oh, yes, a smart talker I was. I left you to build my name and you left to build up your biceps. We all decide our fate someday and mine became a blast. Head of Zarmin now I am and you… you became a another man's lap dog", replied Counter Paulini as he tries to laugh under his chocking breath. Samson looks at the young man in shock due to his words.
"You don't know who you are dealing with at all, do you?", asked Sameon in awe.
"Well, yes,of course and the cover-up says it all. Where is the shady, nameless, scrumbag of a Master? is he behind your soldiers?dWhat an expectation from a powerful bullshitter you call your master!",Counter Paulini openly for all to hear. Bow, all was certain the the Scavengers leader.
He laughs and drops Counter Paulini back on his feet as he replies to him: That nameless scrumbag you say is the killer of killers, The sword in the heart of the Dark souls, Conqueror of the Moon itself. He is the..."
"Yeah, long story short. He is a bragging war hero. Hilarious. What's more dangerous than a hiding leader?", Counter asked as he immediately cuts Samson quickly on his comments. Laughing hard and wide, the Scavengers leader lets up in his horse still laughing hard in the open which made Counter Paulini really uncomfortable and annoyed.
"You will see danger soon and that will surely send your body to the eartus.I have an order to give you, indeed Zarmin Head. You have been given six hours to register out a man with the name "Edward Carnon" to us. You have six hours, Paulini", said Samson with smirking his lips.
"And what if I respond negatively to this?", asked Counter Paulini in response. Samson made a loud laugh as he shows out his wife lips. He looks down at Counter Paulini again.
"Maybe you will get to see your dead parent at last", replied Samson. This made the Zarmin Head pissed.
"Real funny, Samson. Look ,I am the man of the people of Zarmin city. I am to protect and to lead my citizens and not to hand to killer of killers so until i see your glorious hiding master face to face, no man shall pass out my city gate", shouted Counter Paulini in anger.
"You have grown guts, farm boy. Well Then, get ready to prepare a million caskets today including yours", responded Samson as he slowly stir away from the Zarmin leader whom was now laying words of shame and began to gallop away.
"We will see about that. I have made up my mind. If any soul gets out of my gate, smoke me up!", said Counter Paulini who began to depart to his army.
As he left to rejoin his troops, he could hear the fading voice from Samson in a distance: "You really don't want to do this, Paul. You are still the scary mouse I know. Even with your fake powers and authority, you are still a scared little ranch kid in that emerald robe of yours and we both know this. You just have six hours less, Paul. Six hours, farm boy. Your time is ticking and your city is crying!".