" Zack," Reha called out to a somewhat delirious Zack who was staring off into the battlefield he had fought in. " Hey." She reached out and grabbed his shoulder firmly bringing him back.
" Huh?" His silver eyes met hers. Full of worry and understanding.
" I saw what happened. You hesitated. . .I understand that taking a life is extremely difficult. it was for me two and I'm sure Brandon struggled with it just as much." Zack saw she had de-summoned her scythe, the blood of the man she killed still stand her hands.
" Reha" Brandon apperd jogging over. He had finished his battle His hands were also dirty, but the blood on them was much thicker due to the amount he had killed. ' What happened?"
" I'm fine." Zack pulled away from Reha's grasp on his shoulder and turned away looking back at his fellow soldiers who were slowly making their way over.
" No. . .You can't lie to me or your brother."
" I said I'm fine-"
" Zack" Brandon jumped in with a commanding loud voice. He had caught on to the problem. " Taking a life is difficult. I just had to do it multiple times so I understand., but hesitating cost you your life... It's not easy, but we must find a way to push ourselves through our moral barriers in order to survive in this war."
Zack remained silent for a moment before clicking his tongue. He squeezed his right hand into a tight fist causing his veins to pop out some. . .He thought he already understood that. He thought that when the time came he would-
" I understand. I thought when the time came I could do it. . .I was wrong but now I understand that if I don't. . .Someone will be killed."
His gaze drifted back to Reha who had likely saved his life. . .If he hesitated again and forced Reha to get involved like that. Or his brother.
[" I can't be the reason for one of their deaths."]
" Thump"
A heavy pair of feet landed next to them. Their squad lead Caldo had appeared from the sky next to them. His face was slightly battered but no serious injuries were visible. .he was victorious in his battle with the enemy's captain.
" Caldo," Brandon called out. They had apparently dropped any formalities earlier in the battle. " What happened?"
"Their squad lead is neutralized." He spoke with hast in his voice. All three widened their eyes in slight surprise, as to be frank. . .They didn't believe in Caldo all that much. . .Especially Reha who conceded her self average. When she saw Caldo had less total mana than her. She limited her expectations. " With him gone the enemy is in complete panic."
All of them looked around the battlefield. Most of the major engagements were being dealt with. The majority of them were being won by the Emerald Kingdom. Plush with the rested reinforcement moving in. This battle will be over shortly.
" I just received a transmission."
" Transmission?" All three mumbled silently.
" I am to report to sector one. The lead point of the invasion. . .You all are supposed to head that way two supporting any units you find in their battle. Meet up with me after this is all over."
" Wait Caldo," Brandon called out stopping Caldo in his tracks. " What do you mean by transmission?"
" Tch." Caldo turned seemingly slightly annoyed. Not at them but at the fact no one had taught them this. Though it was only a thing used for war. " I'll make it quick. Since you'll be the new squad lead once I go." Zack and Brandon both widened their eyes in surprise.
" M-me-"
" Listen!" He didn't give him time to be surprised. " Did you see those guys with the hoods back in the front gate? " They all nodded. " There none as the 'R' family. They were first used in the first magical war all that time ago. But since they've sat in silence."
"What is their purpose?" Reha asked.
"Their ability allowed for them to speak directly to someone minded in a certain range. One of them is on every battlefield, and they are all connected. Plus one at-home base with the king to receive orders. They then transmit those to their family members on the battlefield who are connected to all the squad leads in that sector."
". . ."
They all turned their heads in confusion. As he spoke his voice spread up as his hast to get to the battlefield increased.
" Ah. . .Just no Brandon that if you hear a voice in your head it's not you going crazy, Understand?
". . .Uh I think-"
" Okay then let's get moving."
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Galleird pulled away from the grasp of Tsucko his wrist guard falling apart in the process. Tsucko staggered slightly due to the pain being suddenly relieved.
[" Dam he's strong. My ribs. . .One's fractured."] He brought his hand to the spot where the punch landed. ["That's okay. I can enforce it with mana within my body limiting the pain. I should be able to move freely without limitations."]
Galleird lifted his right hand and saw as a few remaining pieces of his metal wrist guard fell to the ground. His eyes widened slightly at the realization of a new dangerous factor added to this fight. One that directly corresponds with his fighting style.
" I see. . .I understand how you became king so quickly." He brought his left hand over to his right which bore a glove. Slowly he began taking off the glove lifting it one finger at a time.
" Well, thanks for the compliment." Tsuckos lips curled into a cynical smile. . .This is what he wanted. Fighting these strong opponents allowed him to learn more about the fighting styles of this still rather unknown world to him. . .It will help him grow stronger.
" Don't get it twisted. I was simply commenting on your unique abilities. Not your strength." He lifted the glove completely off. Only to reveal a regular, bare hand with nothing special on it leaving Tsucko slightly disappointed. " The king you fought was weak and foolish. . .I will assure you I am no fool! Nor am I weak."
His words were powerful. Encouraging even to Tsucko. Feeling this he knew the others would feel that courage and began to rally together once again. The words weren't directed at anyone but himself yet they carried such a powerful presence that the surrounding soldiers couldn't help but get riled up.
Tsucko was still surrounded but the number had dwindled slightly. It was something he could probably handle, but that would require trying a bit more than he would like. Especially on people who would simply get in the way of his true opponent.
[" Perhaps If I reveal more of my strength. He will understand."]
With that thought in mind. Tsucko suddenly opened the floodgates to his mana output.
" Feww!"
What felt like a gust of wind overcame the surrounding area. Galleird's eyes widened completely now his pupils shrinking out of pure surprise. The surrounding soldier's spirits all plummeted as they already knew that Tsucko was way out of their league in terms of skill and mana. Now that was an even wider gap than before.
[" He has this much. . ."] thoughts ran through Galleirds head, but not of doubt. ["If these soldiers get involved I won't be able to match that level in the slightest. . .The only chance of victory Is if I take this guy on myself at full strength!"]
Suddenly a black mist surrounded Gallierd contrasting Tsucko's yellow. Tsuckos lips curled into a smile of excitement as Galleird-
[ " He's Matching My Output!!] HaHa. Okay, Let's Do This!!"
" Everyone." Galleird suddenly whipped his right hand back his palm facing the group of soldiers behind him. " I need to fight him alone." A strange material began to surround his hand. An all-black metal. . .After looking at it longer. Tsucko could tell it was mana-made. but what is it?
The material began to float and cover his hand and up his wrist stopping at the sleeve. The metal then glowed a bright purple pulsating every couple of seconds. Tsucko could tell that there was a different type of mana within this new material. One that Tsucko couldn't wait to see in action.
" I will end this war. And send these pigs back to the sty."