Luke walked back onto the battlefield, his steps heavy with the weight of the recent confrontation. The scene before him was a mixture of triumph and chaos. General Elara and the squadron members were rounding up the surviving bandits, their once-threatening presence now reduced to defeated captives. The soldiers moved with practiced efficiency, restoring a semblance of order to the scene of battle.
[DING-!]
Amidst the commotion, the shadow system's voice resonated in his mind, notifying him that he had leveled up. But Luke's emotions were far from celebratory; he dismissed the notifications with a curt mental command, needing a moment of solitude to process his conflicting feelings.
As he distanced himself from the hustle and bustle, Luke found himself a quiet spot amidst the wreckage. His heart was still a tempest of emotions, his thoughts consumed by the aftermath of his encounter with Vice. He felt a sense of emptiness that gnawed at him, a void that the act of revenge had failed to fill.
Suddenly, the shadow system's voice spoke up again, its tone systematic.
[CONGRATULATIONS, INHERITOR!. YOU HAVE GAINED +25(SP) AND +10(AP) FROM YOUR RECENT BATTLE. WOULD YOU LIKE TO ALLOCATE THEM NOW?]
Luke's frustration bubbled to the surface, and he muttered under his breath, "Not now. Just leave me alone."
As if respecting his request, the shadow system fell silent, allowing him a moment of respite. It was then that Roland spotted him, concern etching his features. He rushed over, his worry evident as he reached out to grab Luke's arm.
"Luke, where were you? we were worried sick!"
Luke's gaze met Roland's, and he could see the genuine concern in his friend's eyes. He felt a pang of guilt for causing worry, but his turmoil was too great to be easily quelled. Roland released his grip but continued to study Luke, his voice softening. "What happened out there?"
Taking a deep breath, Luke recounted the events that had transpired after Vice's supposed demise. How he had followed Vice into the city, engaged in a brutal fight, and eventually dealt the fatal blow. The squadron members who had gathered around listened in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
General Elara's gaze was fixed on Luke as he spoke, her features revealing a complex blend of emotions. When Luke finished his account, there was a tense silence that hung in the air. Finally, Elara's voice broke through, her tone a mixture of sternness and concern. "Luke, what you did was incredibly reckless. Vice was a formidable opponent, and engaging him alone was a dangerous gamble."
Luke was about to protest, but Elara continued, her voice softer. "But it seems you managed to emerge victorious, against all odds. Still, I wish you had alerted us before taking such a risk."
Luke's frustration flared, and he couldn't hold back his retort. "I had to do it, General. For my family, for everything that he took from me."
Elara's expression softened, understanding in her eyes. "I know, Luke. And I admire your courage. But remember, you're not alone in this fight."
With a nod, Luke tried to push aside his tumultuous emotions, his focus shifting to the practical matters at hand. Elara turned to the others.
With a nod, Luke tried to push aside his tumultuous emotions, his focus shifting to the practical matters at hand. Just then, General Elara raised her voice to give a command. "Lieutenant Theron, track Vice's trail. We need to make sure there's no trace of his presence left."
Theron saluted and swiftly moved away, his determined stride taking him towards the forest behind the city. Luke watched as Theron disappeared from view, his thoughts still mired in the aftermath of his battle with Vice.
"We're heading back to the capital city. Prepare to leave." General Elara commanded.
As preparations began for their departure, Lieutenant Theron returned to the battlefield. His expression was grave as he approached Elara. "General, I found signs of a battle at the forest behind the city. It seems that Luke did indeed face Vice there but…I saw no body."
Luke's eyes widened in surprise, his heart pounding. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "That's not possible! I watched him die!"
Theron's gaze met Luke's, sympathy evident in his eyes. "I understand your confusion, but the evidence is clear. There was a battle, but there's no sign of Vice's body."
Luke's frustration and disbelief surged, his voice rising. "No, I saw him die! I was there!"
Elara's voice cut through the tension, her tone firm. "Luke, calm down. If you say you killed him, then we'll believe you. But right now, we have to focus on returning to the capital city."
As the squadron members exchanged uncertain glances, Elara's voice carried a note of finality. "We'll discuss this further once we're back. There's more to this than meets the eye."
With a heavy sigh, Luke nodded, his emotions still in turmoil. The journey back to the capital city of Valeria loomed ahead, a path that was now shrouded in uncertainty. As he followed the squadron, he couldn't shake the lingering doubt and the cryptic puzzle of Vice's parting words.
He was determined to uncover the truth, no matter how treacherous the path might be. But for now, his focus was on the road ahead, the questions that had been raised, and the unsettling realization that his quest for revenge had only led to more questions.
….…
The journey back to the capital city of Valeria was a somber one. The squadron members walked and rode in silence, their thoughts no doubt occupied by the recent events. Luke's own mind was a whirlwind of emotions and questions, a storm that showed no sign of abating. The weight of Vice's cryptic words bore down on him, each syllable echoing in the recesses of his mind.
As he walked, Luke's thoughts remained fixated on the inconceivable—the fact that there was no body. He had been so sure, so confident that he had ended Vice's malevolent existence. And yet, the evidence before him told a different story. It was as if Vice had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the remnants of a battle.
His grip tightened on the hilt of his dagger, frustration welling up within him. The memory of Vice's mocking smile, his eerie laughter, and his final words taunted Luke's mind. He couldn't dismiss the possibility that this was all somehow connected, that Vice's words held a clue to the enigma that had unfolded before him.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the road. The city gates loomed ahead, a symbol of safety and familiarity. But Luke's heart remained heavy, burdened by the questions that had yet to find answers.
As the squadron members entered the city, Luke's resolve solidified. He couldn't keep his doubts to himself any longer. He needed to confide in General Elara, share his suspicions about Vice's disappearance, and the unsettling thought that maybe, just maybe, Vice had known something he didn't.
The group came to a halt within the city, their weary forms a stark contrast to the bustling streets around them. General Elara turned to address the squadron, her voice carrying a mix of fatigue and determination. "Rest up, everyone. you've all done well, we had a few casualties but at then end we were victorious."
As the squadron dispersed, Luke approached General Elara, his gaze determined. She looked at him with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "Luke, I can see that something's still bothering you. What is it?"
Luke took a deep breath, the weight of his thoughts pressing down on him. "General, I need to talk to you about something. It's about Vice and what happened back in the forest."
Elara's brow furrowed, and she nodded for him to continue. Luke recounted the battle, the freezing blow of his dagger, and Vice's enigmatic words. He explained his confusion, his certainty that he had witnessed Vice's demise, and the inexplicable absence of a body.
Elara listened intently, her expression a mixture of understanding and concern. "Luke, what you're saying is puzzling, but I trust your judgment. There's more to this situation than meets the eye, and your instincts might be onto something."
Luke's gaze met hers, a mix of determination and frustration in his eyes. "I can't shake the feeling that Vice's disappearance is connected to what he said. That there's a reason he wanted me to question the truth."
Elara placed a reassuring hand on Luke's shoulder. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Luke. For now, rest. Tomorrow is another day. Whatever Vice's intentions were, we'll uncover them."
With a nod, Luke felt a glimmer of hope. General Elara's support bolstered his resolve, and he knew that this was just the beginning of a new chapter—one that would lead him down a path of discovery, no matter how treacherous it might be.
As Luke walked away, his heart still heavy with uncertainty, he couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Vice had taken with him to the grave. The truth lay ahead, waiting to be unearthed, and Luke was determined to find it, no matter where the journey might take him.