A once glorious and bustling city now lay in ruins. The cries of people from different walks of life permeated the air. With fire blazing through the once beautiful streets and squares, the dire situation could be felt.
Nobody had the time to rescue the survivors. They had been left to succumb to their fates. Only they themselves could save themselves. After all, demons lay siege to the city, and all available manpower had been allotted to the city's defense.
Rather than a glorious fight, it was a final struggle before drawing their final breaths. All the armor-clad soldiers stood firm, but their eyes were empty. A losing battle was still a battle, and fighting it was their duty. Deserting would only delay the inevitable; after all, the situation was beyond saving.
In this flaming region, a soldier strode through the ravaged streets of the city. He still remembered the liveliness of this place just yesterday, but in the blink of an eye, everything was lost in an instant.
He and his two companions were wounded. He had to support one of his colleagues in walking, while the other kept guard. The smoke from the burnt city had already blocked the sun, making it difficult to spot hidden enemies. Even though his sword was already unsheathed, he knew that if any sneak attack befell his comrades, it would be his responsibility. To calm his nerves, he spoke to the person behind.
"Hey, Cedric, do you think we would be able to meet survivors in this area?"
Cedric, who was supporting his injured brother-in-arms, halted his steps. He glanced around at the place and let out a resigned sigh.
"Gareth, I have already told you to focus on your surroundings. Do not speak casually in a battlefield."
His words were stern, but his voice was resigned. He was already tired and didn't want any more responsibilities. Except for Gareth, none of his squadmates had survived the earlier battle. It was when they were falling back that they met this comrade from the regiment. He was seriously wounded but had the capacity to walk.
Cedric approached a wall and helped his friend sit down, leaning against the wall. The wall was charred black but still sturdy. Examining his friend, he said to Gareth, "Our friend here has already reached his limit."
"Should we get some water for him?"
Cedric didn't answer. Gareth too looked at his squadmate's numb face with complicated eyes.
Cedric might be the last and closest person he would see before his death. They didn't exchange any more words. They just stood there, taking in the serenity in this chaotic situation.
After a brief moment, Cedric said to Gareth, pointing to a place, "There is something I want to see with my own eyes before we move on."
Gareth remained silent. Instead of speaking to Cedric, he took a medical pill to administer medicine to their injured comrade.
Cedric went his own way. Clearing the rubble, he passed through the corpse-littered street. After coming in front of a completely demolished house, he stopped. Even though it had a sorry appearance, how could he not recognize it? It was his house where he was born and grew up, where his parents and all kinds of memories resided.
He stood there. He did not go and check the rubble, nor did he emotionally break down. He just stood there in silence.
"I will have to go now, but I would be returning and joining you all soon," he said in a soft tone. Gripping his sword, he unsheathed it and threw the scabbard away, not like he was going to need it anyway. Preparing himself for his final fight, he moved with strong strides. He had only one regret: he wanted to see his mother one last time before his death.
But it didn't matter now. He was going to unite with her very soon. Now he would meet up with those two for their final battle.
But fate had other plans for him. On his way back, he encountered someone whom he least expected to meet in this place.
An old man wearing tattered and bloodied robes stood there, gesturing his hand to call him.
Cedric furrowed his brows as he neared the old man. With a serious tone, he asked him, "Grandpa, what are you doing here? Are you here to accompany me in this fight?"
Even though he said those words, he knew none of those questions had an affirmative answer. The old man didn't give Cedric a reply. Rather, he let out a soft sigh and looked at Cedric with gentle eyes.
"I am sorry, son. I don't want you to forgive my selfishness but to lead a fresh and better life."
The calm and serene expression that Cedric maintained for so long disappeared in an instant. With an ugly expression on his face, he shouted at the old man.
"DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? YOU WANT ME TO BECOME A DESERTER?! I AM READY TO DIE FIGHTING, AND YOU SAY SUCH BLASPHEMOUS WORDS TO A SOLDIER!"
The old man did not even pay attention to his words. A blue light started to engulf Cedric. Cedric's expression mirrored that of a demon from hell.
"HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO ME!!" He had never felt so angry and humiliated in his life before. Did he not have respect as a soldier? Was he a liability who needed to be evacuated? Did the person in front of him think his resolve was a joke?
Cedric furiously swung his sword at the old mage. The sound of the blade hitting flesh rang out, blood spurted out. At the same moment, his figure completely disappeared from the place. The mage, too, fell down on the ground in fatigue; he had used up too much mana. He lay there in a pool of his own blood. Though in pain, his expression was relieved. After a brief flash of his life in his mind, he finally drew his last breath.
Cedric found himself in a forest completely alien to him. He realized he was no longer on the battlefield. With all the frustration built up, he could not help but let out a roar. His roars soon became cries of anguish.