Death needs not be cruel, to take a life is more than enough.... unless you want to send a warning.
The day of the first battle was an endless one. Minutes felt like seconds, hours felt like minutes. It was not because of the few survivors of the enemy who were captured or killed. It was not the losses they mourned. It was solely because of the canvas, the gruesome image in front of them. If you didn't know what was happening here, you wouldn't think that it was elves who were fighting here. The flames that marked the demise of the enemy were burning all the way to the edge of the forest before dying out in time. It was not the smell of blood but the stench of burnt skin that was all around. Outside this painting stood the artist, who took no pride in this work. Leo never turned his eyes away, the screams and cries of the enemies were still heard. More explosions and cruel fates still occurred, the battlefield was still filled with gore and smoke. As it finally stopped, Leo became reflective. Not only had he achieved his objective, but for the most part he decided the battle himself. Outside the fortress the dark elves were almost non-existent so their losses were limited. The only thing that had lost stability was the fortress itself. On that day there should have been several hundred deaths, but in the end it was a thousand. This was a victory on full scale, although this line was fighting a battle with itself.
"It's finished guys, the battle is over. We achieved the objective, thanks to us most of the dark elves survived."
"What do you mean?! You did all this, you caused all this! And I was a part of it too! If I had known you were going to do something like this, I would have gone running a long time ago!"
"Dallan keep it together. Look, we saved your brothers and sisters. They' re safe, most of them survived in the fortress. They could keep their lives and have peace for a while even if...even if it came at a cost...In the end victory is what matters, although it's hard to see it right now. Regardless of what you may think of him, it was through Leo that you won this battle."
Dallan looked frightened in Leo's face. Yet he showed neither remorse nor pity. This only made Dallan more afraid; he no longer could see him as a human being. A first experience in war like this shook him to his core.
"I know what you are going to do now. Just think about what we have gone through, do not just let a single feeling guide you. If you do, you'll only ruin yourself even more..."
" All that comes out of your mouth are cursed words y-you monster. Don't tell me what to do. Connor, you feel the same way d- don't you?"
"...sometimes it takes a monster to win Dallan..."
"Y-you're both insane."
Those were Dallan's last words before heading towards the fortress and his people. Leo remained on the spot to think further. Gradually he realized just what had happened, such a response was what he used to fear the most as a commander. Because of this failed and yet successful method it brought him more dread than appreciation. To a certain extent, he had become what he used to hate.
"...you can join him if you want Connor. From the way he reacted, I don't think he'll speak ill of your name. When you see that person just tell her that this was just the start of it, and that I will assist her in the future... but in my own way..."
" What about you? Are you just going to sit here like this? Well, I don't know what you're feeling right now, yet because of you, they have benefited in whatever way possible. You may be a monster in the eyes of others right now, but I still see a human being in front of me. Things didn't go according to your plan, am I right? In case this is true, I see only my partner in front of me. So, am I correct?"
"...who knows..."
"...Too soon for an answer huh... alright then, hopefully I'll be able to sleep in a normal bed tonight. Will anyone really want to miss this opportunity, this once in a lifetime luxury that we barely get?"
"...just go Connor... such things don't work on me...In any case, I don't feel like having any more trouble. Some peace and silence would be best right now"
"Suit yourself...but don't you dare move on without me, we had a promise. Besides, even a monster or demon would fulfill such words..."
After saying that, Connor headed in the direction of the dark elves. He himself didn't even know if words alone were enough to be welcomed. However, the name of Leo did indeed have great meaning, an even far greater one after this battle.
Leo retreated a bit into the forest but only as far as he could still get a clear view of the battlefield. Not even horror movies could equal what he saw before him. Normally he would be cheering, he succeeded, he saved everyone, he is a victor...but Leo felt very much different. He suddenly began to struggle with himself, a thing that had done nothing but harm to him in the past. On top of that, the exhaustion caused by the magic was getting worse and worse. Although he was physically drained he was able to sense one thing clearly: that there was no longer any magic in his body. He was back, back to his former self who had won the battles with his head, except that this time he could actually hold a weapon and control it very well.
("Was I the same before? Why does this sight not bother me? Why do I feel no remorse or pride? I've far surpassed my objective, that's all that matters, isn't it? Man, I hate these headaches. What's the point of thinking about such things? Okay, so I'm not normal, I never was, was I? Ha, who wants to be ordinary in this world? It would be way too boring wouldn't it? Will it?")
Leo was split inside. After all, what is normal in this world? If there is such a term then he was always far from it. He came to this world without anything, he has become one of the greatest commanders without the help of magic. Through the help of a higher being he has returned with enormous power, has overthrown a king, has saved humans from their own forces, has defeated the strongest mages and in the end was betrayed due to his abnormality. His eyes were open but still he still could not see clear enough.
That evening he went back to their old camp to sleep in peace. He had no desire to watch the reactions of the dark elves and be judged. It was already too late for that anyway. It was best for him to operate in the background. Leo himself wasn't sure that his methods or plans might become too deviant and too brutal. The opinions of the others couldn't matter to him, he had given himself this task. However, his thinking made it all the more difficult now. Around dusk, Leo noticed that something was wrong, something he had a strange feeling about. Even before he could react, a dagger was held against his neck. Instead of being startled, he remained completely still.
"It's also nice to see you again Lynia. Since you seem to hate me so much now, let your feelings run wild. Only keep in mind that you will lose a part of your support."
"That's it? How come you're not begging for your life? Has the great Leo completely forgotten everything?"
" That Leo doesn't exist anymore as you should have noticed. Plus, this new Leo didn't really inherit the abilities from the old one. Right now you're the one whose magic has to make the difference. Still, I haven't lost everything."
Leo always had a dagger of his own ready. While he talked he took it out of his pocket, managed to disarm his attacker and put his dagger to her throat himself.
"You let your guard down mighty leader."
"Who says I didn't do it on purpose?"
" Well, enough of this playing around, why are you here? Has Connor told you?"
"So he really is your friend. I wasn't sure when he got here. As soon as Dallan started talking about a cruel person with black flames I knew it had to be you. And you should know Leo that no one is safe in the woods especially not in these ones."
"So he hasn't called my name? That idiot, it makes him suspicious."
"Why suspicious? I wasn't even certain he'd come back alive."
"Whatever. Then why are you here? Is there, like, a punishment for such acts, or do I have to expose my identity to everyone?"
"Haha, you have quite the wrong impression of us. Me and most of the others don't care about how we will win. Most important is that as many of us can stay alive for as long as possible. If we weren't so desperate it might be a different story. Still, it was an unpleasant show to watch, but not something that would make anyone run away in fear. Dallan has been a messenger for most of his life so he hasn't seen most of the suffering that has been inflicted on our people. It's natural that he would go crazy seeing this."
"So you're telling me that none of this matters much?"
"Oh boy, you really think our people are wimps. Leo, you' re forgetting that our people have been hunted and enslaved by the elves for a very long time. It is truly tragic and despicable but most have experienced such sights if not worse. Had we not stood together and struggled together they would have been broken inside long ago. It is an ugly sight, but it is even more ugly when you are used to it.
"There's no denying that..."
" Now what is it? Connor practically begged me to drag you along whether you wanted to or not. Do you want to do it the hard way or are you willing to come along?"
"If there's really no one running screaming from me then I'm good."
He gathered his stuff and together with Lynia entered the fortress. As he walked through the gate Leo was very surprised: the fortress was much larger than he expected. The interior of the fortress looked very different from the way it is usually portrayed. Rather, it was a small city surrounded by walls. He saw that the wounded were still being treated. Some had serious flesh wounds, others burns or stab wounds.
"You know it could have been much worse. Though they can't show it, they' re grateful to you."
"How do they know I'm the one responsible. Why are you so sure?"
"How can I be so sure? There' s only one person I know who uses black flames in such a way. And such a crazy and unconscionable plan can only come from yours truly."
"I don't know if I should be flattered...did everyone believe those words from you just like this? I mean they didn't even see us do anything."
"My word is perfectly good for most of them. You have missed a lot in the last few months. Even I have some questions for you, so follow me, I'm sure this will be a long conversation."
On his left and right he saw the men and women greeting Lynia. Some of them even greeted Leo while others looked at him with fear.
("Nothing that I'm not used to...")
Standing outside a small house was a tall dark elf. He had a muscular build and his body was completely covered in scars. His eyes were completely black with yellow pupils and his hair was long and gray. For weapons he carried a long thin sword similar to Leo's and a bow on his back. He pierced Leo with a stern look, a fight against him now would be nearly impossible for Leo to win.
"Ryu, we need some quiet and time. It is very important, no other ears must listen to these words."
"So be it sovereign, I will stand guard until then."
"I told you I don't want to be called that, call me Lynia, just Lynia. We're all the same here, just that I am in charge."
Ryu's aura was tremendous however in front of Lynia he showed great sense of loyalty.
"You must be more aware of your responsibilities. You may not like it but soon you cannot avoid using this title. The fidelity and allegiance of our followers must be preserved."
"When the time comes, I will act accordingly, but until then I am free to consider myself a part of everyone. Even you should use your own freedom Ryu, you are more than just a soldier."
"If I am really allowed to choose, then I will still take this role. It's the only way I can keep
all my memories with me."
" However you like Ryu. Orders aren't all there is to it, you have yet to learn that."
Lynia and Leo entered while Ryu stood guard from outside.
"Are you sure he can't overhear anything?"
"I'm not sure of anything about Ryu. Well, even if he can overhear such secret words, he won't do anything. He doesn't judge based on the past times or past personalities. Besides, he trusts me like no one else."
"Well, you've found a powerful guardian. The aura he has is immense, I assume his talent is just as strong if not greater."
"Ryu has many secrets of his own. The only thing known about him is that he was a vagabond. Then one day he suddenly came here and pledged eternal loyalty to us all of a sudden. We all were puzzled and cautious but with time he has really shown himself to be one of the best warriors I know."
"Such a backup certainly gives some assurance if there is any left at all."
"There hasn't been one for a long time. After you vanished, I headed to our territory as soon as I could only to learn that my mother left on her own to gather new forces. I would have followed her had there not been complete chaos here. Less than two days after I arrived, the first minor battle took place. They had no order, no strategy or tactics, no nothing. Had they been properly organized, the casualties would never have been so high. Because my mother is treated like the greatest leader, I was accepted without hesitation. Why did she have to reveal my name to everyone? Anyways, despite my reluctance to take the command position, I accepted."
"And that's not bad at all. I've seen the defense from afar: a double lineup in teams, a row of backing. You guys limited yourselves to counterattacks once they got past the walls. Due to the strategy many could survive, the number of casualties should be relatively low considering the number of the close enemies."
"We lost 20 men, including two soldiers who were actually still kids.Normally, I would never have accepted them volunteering, but our situation and the voices of the others made me change my mind. That's why I hate being a leader, having to watch all your brothers and sisters die while keeping a cool head. That' s something I'm hardly capable of, if it wasn't for the support of Ryu and Bastiar I would have lost my temper dozens of times.
"And who is Bastiar now? Another elite like Ryu?"
"Oh, I suppose he'd like to be. Bastiar is my sister's husband and the most bullheaded man there is. He constantly overestimates himself, putting both himself and my sister in danger. He' s never considered the word safety. On top of that, he inspires other soldiers with this attitude. Their passion as protectors makes them become overconfident. Plus, there are issues with supplies. The rations are running low and desperation is growing.
"So you guys have even more troubles than I had suspected. Nevertheless, none of them are impossible to solve, with a few tricks and empty threats, a lot of stuff can be fixed."
"That's easy to say for the former leader of the Yakura squad. At least you had more time and fewer problems due to your constant travels."
Leo was confused. Lynia knew more than he had told her.
"Wait a minute, how do you know about that name? I don't remember going into that much detail."
"From an elite warrior who served similarly to you. With her by our side, we'd have a much better chance. Still, the risk of leaving her city unprotected is too high."
"Then I take it Carleen has told you all about me?"
"So you've met her, too. She's pretty strong, even stronger than me. The only one who would stand a chance against her is Ryu. Before I got here, she spotted me and demanded a talk. The conversation suddenly turned into a fight that I was not prepared for. In the end I lost, her skills are on another level. When we started talking after that, your name came up. Since I didn't know if you would be an enemy the next time we met, I wanted to know everything. Everyone was desperate after the first battle, no one knew where to get support. Suddenly I had the idea to mention your name and hope for an answer. I didn't expect one, especially in your condition, but in the time of need you try everything. However, when I see you here in front of me, you are only a shadow of your former self, even your aura is hardly noticeable. What happened? Did that great master drop you or did you come back to your senses yourself paying a price?"
"It's a too long and complicated story but at last he is my savior even if his powers within me slowly vanished after he released my body. I don't think he knows why it happened either. At first I was still capable of using magic but over time it faded away. Whenever I used it, I suddenly felt pain all over my body. Those black flames you observed were the last of the magic I could use. And then I have this white rune that rary shows itself...man, everything is so fucked up."
"Does that mean-?"
"Yes, I don't carry magic inside me anymore. Sadly, I am now nothing more than a soldier good with weapons."
"Heh, the bad news never stop. Even still, Carleen has assured me that such people are sometimes even more threatening than mages. So? Are you one of those people?"
This question was made for Leo as if his past was personally asking it. The whole time he was not sure, not sure of his abilities, and not sure of his experiences. Lynia's words were a wake-up call for him through which he could achieve truly impossible things in the past.Is he also this time able to change the fate of others as well as his own and prevail in the very face of death?
"Who knows? Let's find out!"