The day bled into a fiery sunset as a band of mercenaries cut a path through the unforgiving terrain. Led by a weathered figure, known only as the Captain, they were a diverse lot, seasoned warriors hired for a singular purpose—escorting a merchant to the nearby town.
The group of mercenaries was evenly scattered to encompass the area around the 3 wagons full of goods. They all looked tired, but the town was close, soon enough they would reach it and get their well deserved pay.
"Captian, we should reach the town before nightfall if we continue at this speed."
A young man with a bow tied to his back spoke clearly while scouting ahead, he looked rather young for this job but skills mattered more than age.
The Captian only gave a nod of understanding and continued walking forward, despite being the oldest one among the group members his presence was by far the most intimidating, a living testament to the destruction war could bring upon oneself. His form seemed to carry the weight of countless trials, each serving as a harsh lesson, imprinted as deep scars on his rough face.
His garments told tales of the cruel campaigns waged across distant lands, but his eyes were still full of vigor and wisdom acquired through years of command and conflict.
The Captian scanned their surroundings as well, the forest seemed quiet, almost too quiet. Maybe it was a feeling he developed after countless missions, a paranoid mindset that expected the worse to happen, still, he could not disturb the course of the trip simply because of his gut feeling so he kept quiet about it.
Soon, his premonition came true, the silent atmosphere was broken by the sound of rustling leaves and splitting air, as if a projectile was shot at fast speeds.
A swift arrow suddenly penetrated the helmet of a mercenary clad in metal armor, the man fell down without any chance to fight back, the moment his steel armor touched the ground all hell broke loose.
"Bandits!" The Captian shouted for the 11 remaining merchenaries, announcing them of the incoming danger.
More arrows flew down, threatening to wound the remaining survivors of the group, but they did not manage to hit anyone this time, being either deflected by steel swords or dodged by the ones swift enough to do so.
"Charge! Kill them all first!" A loud voice was heard as a great number of bandits revealed themselves and shot towards the group of mercenaries, engaging into bloody battles as if crazed by the greed they possessed.
Although they were outnumbered, the mercenaries did not show any fear and met the bandits with whatever weapons they held. The difference in skill was very seen as for every wound a mercenary would take, 3 bandits would fall to the ground.
Suddenly, the Captian's straight sword shimmered with ethereal blue light, it exhibited a powerful aura that seemed to be able to cut through the very soul of living beings, Sword Aura.
His movements quickened as he slashed and slashed, massacring the incoming bandits and dodging whatever arrows he could dodge, his movements seemed more like a deadly dance, with each spin more enemies fell.
For a brief moment, it seemed the mercenaries might hold their ground, but the bandits' sheer numbers overwhelmed them. In the fray, the Captain fought with a practiced grace, but even his skill couldn't halt the tide turning against them.
"Focus the one at the front!" The leader of the bandits yelled and dashed forward, unleashing chaos admist the battle with his battleaxe.
Reacting to their leader's command, more and more bandits focused on the captian of the group, the man was slowly being overwhelmed and it only took one minor mistake for a sword to wound him deeper, and then another, and then 3 more.
He could not handle it anymore, falling to his knees he supported his body with the help of his trustworthy sword, the figure of a warrior presented itself before the bandits, but what did they know.
The moment of weakness showed by the man was all they needed, arrows and swords shot towards him, different kind of wounds appearing on his already battered body. Blood splurted out from his mouth, he lost, it was so sudden, he realised this would be his end but something deep in his mind refused to admit defeat.
'My God, bestow your follower power, for he shall bring you... eternal glory...'
His eyes went hollow the next moment, only an empty recipient was left behind, admist the chaos of a bloody massacre.
***
A young boy with inky black hair opened his eyes and raised his torso in confusion, he looked inside the cosy room with great perplexity written on his face, his eyes seemed lively but devoid of understanding.
"Where... Where am I?"