A month of preparations they had passed. Brandon, Zack, and Reha were walking through the currently bustling streets of the capital city. Soldiers were dashing around gathering weapons and reporting to their squad leaders.
Civilians were also gathering supplies in order to reinforce their homes and were preparing for food shortages as most of the common supplies would be diverted to the soldiers. The civilians had mostly been kept in the dark about the war. All they know is the opposing kingdom is starting it. The king has all their support.
Zack and the others were on their way to Caldo who was already at the exit gate with all the other squads. Brandon was taking the lead weaving in and out of foot traffic and creating a path for Zack and Reha.
" Brandon slow down!" Zack cried. He had noticed Reha had been dragged back by the foot traffic. While Zack and Brandon were used to this speed, Reha not so much." They're not going to leave without us."
" Tch. Alright." Brandon slightly frustrated slowed up allowing Reha and Zack to catch him. He understood they didn't exactly have a reason to hurry, but he didn't want to stand out from the others who were being pushed by their superiors to be quick. He doesn't want special treatment.
" Jeeze bro." Zack voiced his complaints. " I know this is serious but slow up."
The kingdom of Aces has moved into a prime invasion position. Just on the other side of the mountains that made up their border. 10s of thousands of troops lined up across the entire border. It took only seconds from the king to receiveing this information to mobilize all troops.
" Watch it!"
" Ah!" A random soldier caught up in all the excitement and tensness of the current situation bumped into Reha causing her to lose her footing.
She extended her hand as she fell. Suddenly a firm hand grabbed her wrist and hoisted her to her feet. As she regained her footing she found herself next to Zack.
" Tsk. Some people need to calm down." He watched as the dude who did it jogged off. " You good?"
" Yea. Thanks."
" Ha! Were all supposed to fight on the battlefield together. Don't get lost in the crowd Reha." She shot him her usual annoyed look.
" Come on. We still need to get there in a respectable time don't you think." Brandon continued but walked at a slower pace this time allowing for Reha to keep up.
As they were walking they couldn't help but feel an increased number of eyes were on them. While it wasn't unusual for Zack and Brandon. Due to their fame and boosted by their looks. An unusual amount was also on Reha.
" Guess even in a thick crowd we still draw attention," Zack spoke.
" You two have always been popular." Reha followed up his comment with her own. A teasing smile crossed Zacks's face as they continued through the crowd.
"Actually. I think this time they're on you, Reha."
" Huh. Me?"
" Yea. They saw me reach out a grasp your hand. Now their jealous." He exaggerated his words in a testing way. Emphasizing the word hand.
" Uh. Shut up." Reha paid it no real minded. If he was trying to fluster her it wouldn't work...She was already used to these attempts of his.
"They are probably thinking about how lucky you are." He continued with the teasing.
" Lucky...Ha! If only they knew." She shot back.
" Uh... I didn't like the tone in your voice just then. What was that supposed to mean?"
They paused for a moment. Then broke out into a short laughter. Brandon who was leading the charge didn't seem to pay them much mind, but he was currently hiding a wide smile from them as he listened to their banter.
Actually. He was smiling because of his brother. Zack and Brandon weren't nervous heading into this. They have only known victory after all. Reha though, was clearly nervous. She had been practically drenched in sweat the whole time, and not just from their rush earlier.
Zack noticed this and decided to talk to her casually. Not about the current situation but teasing like he had done to her before, and she responded in kind...Just like always.
[" Good job. Brother."]
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The kingdom of Aces' capital city had been mostly cleared of any military presence. Leaving the Civilians confused as they had not been informed about the upcoming invasion, not even from their own children. Due to their fear of Tsucko and the consequences he would bring down on them.
Only Tsucko and his personal unit were still in the city. Kacli was included in this unit along with many other elites of the Kingdom of Aces military. Thasher and all the commanders had reported to the invasion base near the border mountains. Where the commanders took their regiments and placed them in position along the base of the mountain awaiting the invasion order.
Tsucko was preparing to join them momentarily. Currently, Kalci and Tsucko were looking over the members of the squadrons and awaiting letters from other major cities that the troops they had reported to the correct locations.
" Xuldiouses' troops have arrived. That makes the last one." Kalci commented placing down a recently received letter.
" Good...Kacli. I need you to write and send a letter for me."
" Me?[ You can write just fine."]
" It'll help you improve." Kalci narrowed his eyes at the teasing smile across Tsucko's face.
[" I swear he can read my mind.] Fine. What do I write."
Tsucko sat on his throne legs crossed. Kacli stood only feet in front of him with no writing material, but Tsucko knew that while he wasn't good with words, he had a good memory. He placed his pointer finger along the bottom of his chin and began to spell out the letter.
" I need you to send a letter for a regiment change. I want Fikell from the eastern 2nd advance unit placed into mine upon my arrival."
" Fikell?[ I saw that boy's name in the registry...There didn't seem to be anything noticeable about him. He actually seemed rather ordinary. His combat record was decently expansive but nothing appeared all that impressive."]
"Your face is really easy to read Kalci."
" Tsk. Then answer my question if that's true."
Tsucko uncrossed his legs and stood up from his throne. He looked to the far right where a massive window sat overlooking the city. Placing his hands in his pockets he began to move with short strides.
" While the boy doesn't stand out at all. Is below average in basic magic use, and has only slightly above-average mana. He also carries something special."
" And what would that be?" Kalci followed Tsucko asking this question while trailing him.
" He is quick to evolve." Tsucko stopped at the window and Kalci soon caught up next to him. " In every battle he's been in. He's fought tougher opponents...Sure most of them were criminals who weren't that good with magic either, but they were fierce and fought to kill."
" So you've researched this kid." That's one thing Kalci has noticed. Tsucko seemed to study his allies a lot and get to know them. Especially the ones he's interested in like Thaser, and now this boy. Along with Vice Commander Liza on the eastern front.
" It's important to know your weapons. This boy can grow. Right now his mana and magical use are basic as I said. But put into more stressful situations fighting elit units."
" ...I see." Kalci understood what he was going to do. Though he didn't agree with it.
" In my unit, he will be in the front. Fighting the toughest the Emerald Kingdom has. If he survives. He will grow into an elite unit...[ An incredibly useful tool."]
" ...And if he fails...He dies and you wipe your mind off him."
Tsucko knew what he was doing was pure selfishness. For the boy, it would seem like he was being given the chance of a lifetime. A chance to become an elite soldier who stands next to the king. He will be excited...He won't be standing next to the king. He will be wielded by the king like a sword...Or he'll be carried on the battlefield covered in blood.
" He will either grow into one of my greatest weapons. Or be a lifeless nobody on the battlefield."