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Snipe

M4gic_Sold13r
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Synopsis
In a world of magic and war between races, how do humans manage to keep up? Pitiable and weak due to their species being lower in terms of magic, how do they stay alive when several superior species are pitted against them? This is the story of how humanity, pushed to the edge with constant warfare, managed to make a comeback. This is the story of the Shadow Soldiers

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Chapter 1 - Prologue

//Itll seem choppy and weird at first as I work on bettering my writing, but I'll get to the point were it becomes fluid so just hold on for a while.

This prologue will be short and I'll probably come back to it some other time to revise it and expand, but for now Imma post this and get on with the rest of the story.

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It was chaotic. Sounds polluted the air in an unceasing torrent, endless gunfire and explosions bashing against the eardrums as five lone figures trekked onwards, undettered by the mountain of bodies scattered amongst the ruins. Fierce flames raged around the small group, threatening to devour them whole as the fire swelled to unnatural heights, tendrils of orange and yellow whipping about in the night sky.

The ground shook gently every so often as screams and moans of pain echoed through the once thriving city, now a rugged wasteland filled with ashes and the remains of the dead and dying. Smoke filled the area, making it hard to breath and even harder to believe there would ever be any survivors located in the charred husk that had once been considered a paradise for humanity. If not executed by the foul elven race that had passed through then surely dead via smoke inhalation, an arguably worse way to go as it was much slower and much more painful. It truly seemed like a situation with little to no hope of survival, where the only way out of the suffering was through deaths merciful embrace.

From Jyn Mato's perspective, a high ranking soldier belonging to one of the armed factions of humanity, there was little possibility for any life to still remain within the raging inferno sea that he and his fellow squad were hiking through.

Whenever the Elven race went on the attack and managed to win, the filthy magical race would always take the the time to slaughter and maim any survivors for their own selfish pleasures. The despicable creatures cared naught for their fellow living beings and sought only to rip apart mankind with their overwhelming magical superiority. It was very rare for regular citizens to cling to life in most regular attacks performed by other species, let alone the elves, and even then it was nowhere near as bad as the one Jyn was pushing through. Sad as it may have been, the routine of searching for potential survivors was pure formality for the small group and something they all did halfheartedly as they waded through the carnage, the fire licking at their boot heels. The destruction was far too great and the flames engulfed everything in sight, covering the landscape with its reddish glow.

The group had been scouting the area for quite some time despite the lack of salvageable human life. Everyone was either obliterated, burned, or dying, far too gone for anyone to be of assistance, leaving the squad members to personally put the victims to rest. It was a grim atmosphere, but sadly, it was something all of them were relatively used to.

"Is it safe to head on back then Stripes?" One of the men asked, proposing the very same question that Jyn had wanted answered. "A single look tells one all they really need to know about the chances of survival. There's no way the Elven army would spare anyone apart from taking slaves and potential hostages. We'd be wasting our time searching every nook and cranny in this sort of wreckage."

The one called Stripes, a rather buff man in his mid to late thirties, slowed to a stop, his eyes fixated on something in the distance. With the light from the surrounding flames and the smoke blowing past, the leader of the Shadow Soldiers Squad #1 cut quite a striking figure, looking the part of General without even meaning to. Jyn had the utmost respect for the elder gentleman and couldn't help but wonder what his rebuttal to Red's comment would be. Stripes had never really been one to terminate a search no matter the circumstances, but even Jyn had to admit that this one was beyond brutal, leaving little room for doubt.

"Red. Come and stand by me and let me know if you see what I see. I need to be sure I'm not being lead on by smoke and mirrors." Stripes sounded genuinely confused and oddly hopeful, an emotion that resonated within his very words.

It was strange. None of the other four, all of which were long time comrades of Stripes, had ever heard the man sound so perplexed despite the numerous operations and stakeout missions they had been on. No matter the task, as the leader of one of the best squadrons within the Shadow Soldiers and the pride of humanity, he had always been confident and efficient whenever duty called. Normally, if confused, he would keep silent or try to piece things together instead of decreasing moral for his unit by showing his confusion and wavering belief. He always remained steadfast and unfaltering the moment he adorned his soldiers uniform, ready to carry out any and all tasks without hesitation.

Jyn half wanted to step up and observe for himself the cause of Stripes's bewilderment, however he refrained from doing so as Red made his way forward, climbing up to stand on the same ledge as the leader.

"Thats.....f*cking impossible," Red muttered as the wind started to pick up. The roaring flames began to dance and flicker as the gusts drastically increased in intensity. "That cant be right!!"

Wanting to get a good look at what his compatriots were gawking at, Jyn attempted to climb atop the giant rock that Red and Stripes had positioned themselves on. If two of them most stoic people Jyn knew were dumbstruck and in disbelief then he absolutely HAD to see for himself what was going on.

After hoisting himself up, Jyn walked forward, his hands tense and ready for a scrap should the need arise, fingers wrapped around the hilt of the giant Orc Cleaver strapped to his back. He half expected to witness an enormous army approaching them, coming back to wipe them from existence or check for any survivors to capture. The initial impression was that of shock and apprehension, the emotions resonating within their voices as they stared at something Jyn had yet to see. The only thing the young soldier could think of was that of imminent danger, enough to make the mind go numb with fear and wipe away all logic.

However it was neither of those things, but rather a sight that made no sense whatsoever.

An elf carrying a human child was casually strolling towards them, flames parting as she walked, a relaxed expression on her face. In her left hand she clutched a staff made with some kind of white metal and tucked in her right arm was a baby wrapped in blankets, fast asleep and unbothered by the noise going on around it.

"Humanity is on the brink of defeat and the balance is threatened," the elf woman said as she approached, her voice somehow reaching the Shadow Soldiers who were now taking up arms. "However, dont be afraid of being outnumbered. A lion walks alone while the sheep flock together."

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!" Red shouted as he pulled out a double sided axe. "STATE YOUR BUSINESS!!"

Without even waiting for a response, the remaining three soldiers readied their weapons and immediately pointed it at the approaching lady. They were always ready for a scrap, even if it meant they had to forgo saving the child in the process.

"Theres no need to panic my dear warriors of humanity," The elf replied as she stopped in front of them, holding out the child. "I have merely brought you a lion."