The war between the dark elves and the elves will go down in history, in more than one way and in more than one meaning.
"Are you seeing this you two? Watch closely, this is what war looks like. I hope you are ready for it, because if not, your lives will soon come to an end."
Leo had seen many such battles. His experience as a former commander allowed him to keep a cool mind. Connor tried to stay calm too, but the sight he saw frightened him a little. His mother always told him that war is very brutal. In this situation, this could not be more true. Leo and his comrades found themselves at the back of the army. Many of the elves who had been arguing a few minutes ago now lay pierced with arrows. The ones who survived were crying for their friends or were very frightened. All had suddenly lost all hope, even though this attack was unlikely to stop the entire army. The ground was quickly soaked with the blood, the metallic smell lingered in the air. As Leo was about to call Dallan, he saw him throwing up in the back. The sight of the corpses and their punctured bodies was too much for him.
"Listen to me, we are at the rear of the army. My guess is that the hail of arrows was intentionally fired at the position.
"Do you think they knew there were far more inexperienced soldiers here?"
"Either that or someone knew exactly where we were. Look at how far forward combat machines is positioned. It takes experienced troops to use them effectively, it' s likely that these troops are on the front lines with them."
"That still doesn't explain why these soldiers are positioned back here."
"You saw how they acted, how they spoke, too, didn't you? Their leader never said anything about the front line. Look at their superior numbers, in theory they can't lose. Because of this certainty, this group of disciples has been staying here."
"Because they can't fight properly? That' s still very risky. What about the mages?"
"That's exactly the point. If they were placed on the front lines they would most likely die, thereby reducing their numbers. They would be pointless sacrifices that would boost the enemy's morale. If there is really a god backing them up, he won't act so foolishly. My guess is that they are supposed to gain the experience of war."
"Gain experience? What experience are you talking about?"
"In exchange for increased safety, they should watch and toughen themselves to the cruelty of war. Once they are used to that sight their complete talent and potential can be utilized. It's a very unusual strategy that if it works out could end fatally for the enemy in the future."
"It sounds stupid, in that case they will also witness the death of some of their men in front. You can see for yourself how their fear grows through death."
"Death is part of the routine of war, it is immeasurable and ever-present on the battlefield. The more you confront it the more familiar it becomes. Even if they are afraid, they have no choice but to fight and face this life-and-death challenge. For among pain and anguish, there is no forgiveness."
Leo showed him what he meant by that. He himself knew this method only too well, he had both personally experienced and witnessed it. The panicked elves, who already had tears in their eyes, were shattered by the pressure. Their instinct left them only one option: run away!
And exactly this thought will be the last one they will ever have. For those who chose flight and surrender were immediately punished by death. There was only one fate for deserters: death. One by one, they were pierced by an arrow of their leaders or destroyed by their magic. Watching their screams only caused more terror in Dallan's eyes.
"There is no way out of this situation. Either you choose battle or your own doom. If things go wrong, it results in both. Moreover, even if they were successful, there wouldn't be a single victor among them. In their first battle, all they can do is lose if not their bodies."
"Have you witnessed all this as well? Did you have to undergo all this and get close to death?"
Connor asked these questions with a sense of excitement and slight panic. Leo remained very calm and answered.
"Of course, ultimately it made me a commander. I've never been a real winner and lost a big part of myself too but here I am. I think my mind is still working to the point where I can act like a normal human being. Now, enough with the questions, we're about to move out."
"Are you insane, what do you mean by moving out! Are you going to walk to your death?"
" I hope not, but you should also realize that we can't just stay here any longer. I got us something that will give us a fighting chance."
Leo showed them two bows and quivers he had stolen from the camp last night. They were of good quality, each weapon having exactly 5 arrows as ammunition. He placed one in Connor's hand and the other in Dallan's.
"We will move around sideways to the front, stay in cover and try to attract as little attention as possible. Even if they hear sounds coming from the woods they probably won't have time to focus on it."
"And what should we do then? Distract them with bows and arrows? Or lure them into the forest? Or then surprise them from behind with close combat? Sorry Leo, but this time I absolutely don't see any way we can win and survive like this!"
"You're right Connor. That' s why I may have an option that will really surprise even you guys. Take a look at this."
Leo showed them a jar full of a sticky transparent liquid. It was a secrete that individual trees produced and released at this time of year. Still, even with this jar, his two companions had no idea what he wanted. Their opinion did not change a bit.
"And what are you trying to tell us? Shall we smear our weapons or ourselves with it? Are you actually insane Leo?"
"Maybe if my plan doesn't work, however, there is still a possibility. We' ll just rub the arrows with it, I' ll take care of the rest if I' m still able to."
"So you're not even sure yourself if it will work?"
"Correct, yet we have no choice but to try something. You see for yourselves that the full battle is about to begin. They are almost at the walls and their projectiles have also been launched. We are nothing more than spectators in our position. I am not asking us to go directly to the battlefield. We will keep a distance from the enemy and then strike. I have no other ideas left. Once that is done, we can only hurry to join them and hope that as few enemies as possible have invaded the fortress. Either way, dark elves are about to die, but we might as well decide how many enemies will make it in."
"You honestly are completely delusional...but it sounds better than the other choice. Leo said it himself Dallan, we might be able to hold off the enemy a bit. It's not like we're going straight into battle."
"I won't stop you if you want to make decisions on your own from now on. You've been helpful so I won't force you any further. You have the choice but decide quickly, your people are in great danger."
He grabbed the bow and quiver and stood right in front of Leo, looking him in the eye.
"If you can promise me that we can succeed I will support you."
Leo could not simply back up these words but he needed this lie to have a better chance of success.
"...I promise you. We will succeed and we will keep our lives-
"I don't care if I keep my life. As long as I can keep as many of my brothers and sisters alive as I can. One life is nothing compared to hundreds, I am not that strong but as long as my sacrifice has worth I will go along with you."
Dallan changed completely, his attitude altered when he saw what was happening in front of his eyes. Due to the seriousness of the situation, he realized what determination he must have.
"So be it, then we shall launch the operation decimation. You can see the combat devices, we will place ourselves on its line. Then follow my orders, although they may sound ridiculous, I am completely serious. There is a lot at stake here, we can wipe out a part of that burden. So, let's go, move fast!"
The three of them hurried as fast as they could around the edge of the forest until they were close to these fighting machines. For Leo they looked very strangely built and used, but their function was the same as the ones he knew from the Middle Ages. Ultimately, it was two catapults and a large movable tower that was in charge of the siege against the wall. This made no difference to the young man, no time to be amazed. He took the jar and gave Connor as well as Dallan some of this sticky stuff.
"I know a liquid that is very similar to this one. It's called resin and it has a special function that will benefit us. Hopefully, the same effect applies to this fluid and it is of a similar composition. Carefully lubricate all arrowheads with it so that you can still use them. It doesn't matter if you've ever held a bow or not, this isn't particularly about precision. You just have to shoot far, hopefully the projectile will take care of everything else."
Without argument, they followed his order and covered the arrows with the sticky substance. After signaling him that they were ready, they should tighten the strings.
"Remember, you don't have to be particularly accurate. As long as you hit close to the range of the equipment. Even if you don't manage it, the arrow will hopefully have the same effect. I'll prepare everything, so don't hesitate and keep your concentration. You will not be harmed by this, so stay calm."
He closed his eyes and opened his palm.
("Please work one last time. I don't care if it exhausts me, so go ahead and fucking work!")
Leo started breathing heavily, pain ran through his body and he grumbled in agony. However, after a few seconds, he had achieved his goal. A small black flame emerged from his hand and grew larger. Dallan was shocked, never before had he seen someone use black magic. Leo reached out his hand and touched the arrowheads. Just as he had planned the projectile ignited through the liquid.
"Go on, shoot it already before it's too late."
Both arrows shot in the direction of Leo's mark and landed in the ground. As hoped, the flame itself persisted on the ground and continued to burn. Seconds passed but nothing happened.
("Did I get it all wrong after all? Did Zaphiel lie or is my magic not good enough anymore. Does black magic really consist of several elements? I misjudged it, I was too arrogant.")
"A-again, it was just a test, now it will work. We will be successful!"
However, even after more attempts, nothing happened. The flames still glowed in the ground minimally but were barely noticeable.
"Fuck, fuck fuck fuck! I have failed. Blame me for wasting so much time. Shit, let's rush, there is no other way. Bring the bows with you, we might need them for-"
All of a sudden a boom resounded in the air. Several explosions occurred on the battlefield, which merged and grew larger. The blast wave that resulted slightly damaged the wall, but also killed off a lot of opponents. The smoke clouds that arose turned dark red.
"Heh, so the flames reacted with blood. Out of all things, the sign of death eventually leads to all those killing. Hahaha, damn that was close, I almost got devastated."
The explosion caused the flames to expand. The flames reacted on a large scale with the blood of the battlefield and infested the bodies of the elves. Their skin was burned until eventually the blood was exposed. What followed were gruesome sights that had never been seen before. As the body was also made of blood, it reacted aggressively with the flames. Their bodies blew up like Leo saw it before with mutants. Their torn body parts flew through the air. What was left of the body sank to the ground or coated the person next to them. It was the most horrific sight of war any soldier on either side had ever seen. Morale was completely destroyed, their minds shattered into a thousand pieces, and their strength severely diminished. Their catapults and tower were inoperable and no longer usable.
"W-what did you just do? E-everywhere arms and legs, e-everywhere heads, e-everywhere remains of shattered soldiers. Y-you're a monster."
Dallan was rigid with fear and could barely speak as he looked at what was happening.
Even Connor was speechless and looked into Leo's face. Leo did not turn his face away, he was watching everything that was happening on the battlefield and the consequences of his cruel contemptuous plan. But it was only the beginning, the beginning of this mass killing. Due to all the blood, the flames spread and the chain reaction took its course. Dallan turned around and covered his ears while the smaller explosions of the enemies took its course.
"Make it stop!"
Connor was about to walk away when Leo suddenly spoke to him.
"Who am I to you? Now that you've seen everything...what am I?"
Connor found it hard to answer these questions right now. He knew Leo had good intentions and had accomplished his goal. Though he had told him that there were no winners in war, he had never counted on such huge losers. Not only had he destroyed their morale, but he had killed the survivors on the inside. Although many dark elves died, it could not be denied that Leo had at least saved the lives of many of them. Throughout his life he always heard of similar deeds, of similar people and of similar battles. For all of these scenarios, only two words came to mind for the man in charge.
"A necessary evil...that's what you are right now."
The screams didn't stop, they begged their God for their life but it was futile. One moment they closed their eyes and prayed as the next moment they were trapped by the flames and blown to a thousand pieces.
"A necessary evil I see...I can deal with that."
The truth was that Leo hadn't expected such an outcome. Zaphiel had made it clear to him that black magic consisted of several elements. Assuming that water was also part of it, he intended to start the fire through the sticky liquid. The water in the black magic was supposed to react with it and create an explosion. However, what he did not consider was that he was not able to control all the elements from the beginning. There was a reason why his body was overstressed and needed to protect itself from further damage. Already inwardly given up, there was another means, which also consisted of water: blood.
While he had not anticipated this, the success was more than he had ever imagined. As a result of this action, hundreds of elves were killed and hundreds more were broken. Those he wanted to protect had lost a part of themselves at these sights. He would go down in history as the savior of the dark elves, but also as the most cruel commander there would ever be.