Hitirus marched before his men, moonlight cast his frame in a celestial blue. The tight-packed muscles on his body seemed like fine plates of armor under the light.
Warriors struggled to stand properly under the gaze of their leader, making it difficult to dawn their red and purple with pride. However, they could not step out of line.
Because if they would, a short-tempered warmonger would make them pay. So they looked forward, keeping their gazes tight on the narrow world through their helmets.
Tonight was different than most nights because Hitirus was inspecting battalions. He marched before them, picking small groups apart and getting rid of those that did not impress.
So far this battalion, Frontline-7, passed. Their warriors were disciplined, physiques were broad and powerful, weapons were kept in their sheathes, and each fighter was young.
Every lining warrior had the age title of great in their name, marking them younger than three hundred and seventy-one. Hitirus knew great age'd warriors were best.
Deafening silence broke apart at the sound of Hitirus letting them all go, which prompted the entire battalion to get on one knee then fade from his sight. While they marched away, Hitirus' features changed.
Orange changed the color of his hair, violet tainted his eyes, the skin on his body turned a grayish tone. Even his Variant type changed from Zegus to Feral, more specifically, Mountain Climbers.
Another battalion marched into Hitirus' sight. They planted their shields on the ground before them, reflecting the moon's heavenly touch in a more orange taint.
They had a small window of time before the judgement began, not wide enough for everyone to settle in. Hitirus began to march from the front to the back, keeping his devilish eyes on them.
When he reached the last row, he leapt over the entire battalion. Taking a view from above, where he noticed his first mistake.
Like a diving Sky Beast, he crushed a warrior beneath his knee. They tried to crawl away but the attempt was futile, Hitirus already had them pinned down.
"I never recall telling you shields had to be on your foot. Why were you doing it?" his voice was raspy.
"I - I'm sorry, please. Sir, I was just - just trying to fix the bottom before -"
Hitirus angrily sighed. "You damned soul! If it wasn't fixed at first, why did you bring it? Listen to me, if you brought that shield out to war. Would it be broken? Answer me, yes or no."
The warrior silently wept. "Pl - please, sir. I swear, I did not mean to place it the-"
"I said YES or NO, not an explanation. Now answer me properly before I drive that damn thing through your gut," Hitirus pushed.
"Y - yes, it would have been broken. A - and it was because of my fault, I am sorry. Please, sir, let me off with a warning."
"How cute," Hitirus mocked. "You know how this Legion works, don't you? If I catch your mistake, I catch your life. Unless you want a chance of redemption inside of the pits."
As the warrior struggled against his emotions, those surrounding them only stood in formation. Keeping their heads straight and backs flat. No one was allowed to watch, only listen.
If they did and Hitirus caught them, they would suffer the same way as the warrior. No one wanted that, so they were forced to stand by and listen.
"A shame to your skin, do you not feel it? Disgusting critter. Tomorrow, you will run the gauntlet and your men will strike you with no mercy. If you can't make it to the other end... just hope you do."
"YOU HEARD THAT?" Hitirus continued, this time sounding more aggressive than before. "He broke order, he is less than you. Show your eagerness to punish, do not hesitate. If he cant survive, then he is not worth your mercy."
Hitirus threw the warrior aside like a useless sack of meat. The lunar reflection off his body made him seem like a paranormal being among his men.
During that moment of silence, the battalion returned to formation. They stood shoulder to shoulder in perfect rows of thirty over the marble platform.
Once they got situated, Hitirus resumed his rotation. He marched around his men once more, keeping his stance akin to his current Variant type.
There was a lean as he walked, tilting forward to keep his jaws the closest to any potential victims. By the end of he march, he stood back up to a straight position.
"Go," Hitirus finally said. "Bring that useless warrior with you, drop him off by the pits."
Just like obedient animals, they listened. As the group hurried down the nearby stairs out of sight, he could hear them weep about the potential death march of their own ally.
But Hitirus was as cold as ever, keeping his stance neutral while another battalion marched into the platform. This one was full of distance-focused warriors.
Quivers decorated some of their backs, holding bolts, arrows, and spears alike. Meanwhile, other warriors dawned red and purple belts full of explosives all over their bodies.
They sat in complete eerie silence, listening to the ambient sound of two heavy footsteps echoing throughout the mountain they were on.
Hitirus made it from front to back, everyone was perfectly lined up. Bows lined the first three rows, crossbows the next three, and explosive straps the final three.
Just like before, Hitirus leapt over the battalion. Noticing no mistakes as he landed down on the other side. He allowed the impact to linger in his bones, making him feel alive.
After a short few seconds, he slowly lifted himself back up from the ground. Warriors continued to stare forward, careless of what they were listening to.
"Go," he ordered.
Relief washed over the warriors as they hurried towards the right side of the platform where the stairs were. Then they quickly and quietly descended as fast as they could.
Winds started to bellow as they passed through the open platform, catching Hitirus in its wake. Yet he was careless. All he could feel was his features changing to adapt a Thawed's body.
Footsteps tapped away behind him, alerting the warrior of someone being behind him. He turned around, waiting to see who was feeling lucky.
But before him was Niro in her cyan dress made from furs. "Hitirus, we need to talk about future planning."