Within the darkness of Askyros' sleep, Adam noticed something unusual.
("Huh? What is this… smell?") [Adam]
Askyros opened his eyes, revealing not the inside of a tent, but a ravaged wasteland.
("Where… am I?") [Adam]
A nightmarish scene played before him. Three armies collided with each other, each brandishing a crest. Flames of Vengeance, a cross of Faith, and a hoarding dragon of Greed. Symbols of their respective countries were flaunted on banners across the battleground, boosting their morale the further they pushed.
"Kill them all!" [Soldier]
Cries of battle filled the air, resonating alongside thunderous footsteps charging past Askyros. Men covered in plated armor clashed with others, both fighting with crests engraved on their chest plates.
"Askyros!" [???]
Ryse appeared out of the corner of his eye, jogging up to him with fatigue written on his face.
"The third battalion has rotated, it's our turn to fight." [Ryse]
"Did you get our orders?" [Askyros]
"Squad Commander Sitros stated that we should flank from the left side. The fifth battalion is in need of reinforcements there." [Ryse]
"How many men did he send with us?" [Askyros]
"...It's just us." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
The command was suicide, but Askyros believed that it was feasible with his strength.
"What about Squad Commander Sitros? What is he tasked with?" [Askyros]
"He's supposed to flank the right side with the rest of the men." [Ryse]
("So they get all the fire power… and we get two people's worth...") [Adam]
"Hm… So they're attacking the Sovereign of Greed's men, while we attack the Sovereign of Vengeance's men." [Askyros]
"Askyros… I don't know about this…" [Ryse]
"It should be fine. I said to stick with me, did I not?" [Askyros]
"You did… but…" [Ryse]
"Trust me." [Askyros]
He looked into Ryse's eyes and gave him a look of determination, somehow clearing Ryse's doubts.
"...Okay. I believe in you." [Ryse]
"That's good enough for me. Let's go." [Askyros]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The two distanced themselves from the battlefield, making their way to the Sovereign of Vengeance's army. Upon reaching their destination, an unbearable stench filled their nostrils.
("...I think I might puke. Can I even puke here?") [Adam]
Before him lay a land covered in blood and littered with corpses.
"...We were too late." [Ryse]
"It does not matter. We still have a command to see to." [Askyros]
Walking over piles of bodies, they scanned the area for any hostiles.
"I don't see anyone." [Ryse]
"...What was the protocol here?" [Askyros]
"I believe… attacking their encampment and slowing down their logistics. There's also joining up with the main force." [Ryse]
"I see... Do you know which direction the closest encampment is?" [Askyros]
"...You're not actually planning on attacking them are you?" [Ryse]
"Of course I am." [Askyros]
"No. No way are you doing it. Please, they probably have armored giants or possibly tamed wyverns…" [Ryse]
"That doesn't seem like much of a problem." [Askyros]
"Then how about that one guy I saw you fight earlier." [Ryse]
"...Which one?" [Askyros]
"The one with that enormous sword." [Ryse]
("Oh, he's talking about Kafma") [Adam]
"...You must have excellent eyesight to see him from that far away." [Askyros]
"That isn't what we're talking about right now. I think we should- huh?" [Ryse]
A low hum reverberated from his chest, interrupting their conversation.
"Give me a sec." [Ryse]
Reaching into the inside of his chest plate, he pulled out a transparent crystal ball. It was consistently blinking with a faint glow until Ryse summoned a magic circle on it.
"Lieutenant Ryse Lionheart speaking." [Ryse]
"Report." [???]
A voice came from the crystal, and a familiar one at that.
("Oh, it's Sitros.") [Adam]
"We arrived too late. We've lost the fifth battalion." [Ryse]
"...Regroup with the main force." [Sitros]
The crystal ball lost its shine, and Ryse slipped it back into his chest plate.
("How does it even fit in there?") [Adam]
"You heard him, let's regroup." [Ryse]
"..." [Askyros]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Moving quickly, the duo charged into the mass of soldiers on the battlefield. Magic spells flew around the area, and monsters attracted by the smell of blood roamed the land. Not only did the soldiers have to fight others, but had to deal with carelessly discharged spells and savage beasts.
"Ryse! Stay near my back!" [Askyros]
Jumping into action, he wasted no time in attacking. He shredded through plated armor, blood spilling on his clothing and leaving the sensation of killing another on his hands.
"Askyros! Watch out!" [Ryse]
Above them glistened an orb of light, becoming larger as it approached them.
"Eld min fren, Barrier!" [Ryse]
A large circle covered them like an umbrella, shattering the orb of light upon impact. It spewed out flames when broken, spilling onto other soldiers as collateral.
"Push forward!" [Soldier]
Accompanied by a battle cry, the soldiers of faith rushed forward.
"I didn't know you could use magic." [Askyros]
"I'm still a noble, you know." [Ryse]
Following the crowd, a voice bellowed in laughter before them. A gust of wind blew past Askyros, blinding him as he heard screams of agony.
"What… was that?" [Ryse]
"Hahaha! Come at me weaklings!" [???]
Dust billowed as soldiers flew through the air, landing with a thud as they lay motionless.
("Thats…!") [Adam]
"…" [Askyros]
He saw an unmistakably large blade slicing through the air, and Askyros knew who would be wielding it.
"...Kafma." [Askyros]
"Oh?" [Kafma]
Their eyes met for a moment, and that was all it took to draw Kafma's attention.
"Oho? Ohohoho? Askyros! If it isn't my good friend!" [Kafma]
"...Huh?" [Ryse]
Surrounded by wary enemies, Kafma paid them no mind. They inched backwards, allowing Kafma to pass through.
"I'm so glad to see you! Are you glad to see me?" [Kafma]
He stood in front of Askyros, looming over him with his astounding height.
"I wasn't looking forward to seeing you again." [Askyros]
"Pfft! Ahahaha! You're the only one I've spoken to that has the courage to speak to me that way!" [Kafma]
"Ah… Uh…" [Ryse]
He hid behind Askyros, unsure of what to do.
"Askyros, my good man. Your allies are too boring for me. How about we give it a go?" [Kafma]
They stared into each other's eyes. Askyros looked at him with an unamused expression, and Kafma returned it with a large grin.
("Uh… What are they doing?") [Adam]
In the blink of an eye, the two lashed out at each other. Askyros had attempted to thrust his blade into Kafma's chest, but it only met the bloodied metal of Kafma's Giant Slayer.
"I knew you would do that!" [Kafma]
Askyros leapt backwards, grabbing Ryse and pulling him away from Kafma in an instance of judgement.
"Woah!" [Ryse]
Throwing Ryse to the side, Askyros picked up a sword from a nearby corpse.
"...Are you going to use two swords? I ask that you don't make this too boring." [Kafma]
"I won't." [Askyros]
Placing his spare sword into his empty sheathe, he approached Kafma completely undaunted.
"...So that's your approach." [Kafma]
Lowering The Giant Slayer, he also advanced forward. They continued until they remained only inches apart, uninterested in their surroundings.
"Hm?" [Kafma]
The sound of an object cutting through the air seemed to be coming closer. With the use of a single hand, Kafma caught the blue object that came towards him.
"What… is this?" [Kafma]
He opened his hand, revealing shards of ice melting in his palm.
"Kafma, wielder of The Giant Slayer! I challenge you!" [???]
Attracting the attention of others, Askyros looked to his right.
("...What is even going on anymore?") [Adam]
A proud figure pointed a sword of ice at Kafma, revealing it to be Sitros.
"Your head will be mine." [Sitros]