A cold breeze fills the air,
The smell of blood and metal overrode my senses as I gripped my sword tightly, glaring at the enemies before me. I stood alone, against five members of the Heart Military. I was outnumbered, but not outmatched, my skill level was far above theirs. Despite being a rookie , I had quickly made a name for myself on the battlefield, taking a generals head in my first battle, this however lead to me having a bounty on my head. Now I end up in fights where I am outnumbered, but that has only made me stronger so far, giving me a reputative name, WarHound.
"Today I will take the bounty on your head, WarHound." A soldier shouted. I looked at him, nothing but pity in my heart for the men who believed they could take my head.
All five charged me, looking to overpower me by numbers, however this was a grave mistake-a mistake that will end them.
Quickly I moved, weaving and ducking through swords and spears, gliding through like a snake in grass, closing the distance with each step. Before they knew it, they had lost their heads. It all happened so fast, their bodies reflexively still attacked even after their heads dropped to the ground.
I turned my back on their bodies, and walked away with no remorse for my actions. I never felt any guilt for killing , never felt anything at all. I never winced at the sight of death or curled at the sound of flesh being torn apart. A characteristic that made me the perfect soldier, partnered with my unnatural athletism.
"No please, no….." I heard the sounds of soldiers begging, pleading to be spared, they attacked us and are now pleading, such pitiful action. I walked by as my unit finished the remainder of our enemies.
"Mason, Mason." My name was called by a familiar voice, a soft timid voice always filled with energy. Code . I let out a sigh, as I expected to get annoyed . I turned to face the voice.
"What is it Code?" I ask, my eyes meet a young woman in her early twenties, her fair skin glistened in the moonlight, devoid of scars despite her being on a battlefield, her red hair perfectly rested on her shoulders, a perfect contrast with her amber colored eyes.
"Wow, is that how you greet a friend?" She said, a hint of humor in her voice.
I let out a sigh, turned my back on her and began to walk away.
"Wait, wait," She said chasing after me, "I'm sorry, I was just joking."
"What do you want Code?" I said, irritation gradually creeping in.
"The captain wants to see you. He said it's urgent and to not keep him waiting." She said her tone now serious.
I let out a sigh, never been a fan of meeting our captain. He had a reputation for being blunt to his soldiers, well at least to most of his soldiers. You see the captain was also my father and while others hated him being blunt, I hated him being too proud.
I approached the Captains tent, I wonder what he wants.
"Captain!!" I stand outside the tents entrance, standing at attention, my hands placed on my chest in salute.
"Ahhh, Mason come in." He said. The captain was a tall man with a rather athletic body, his full beard acted as a frame, hiding his facial features, his bald head gleaming under the top light.
"You are looking well." He said, a proud smile on his face.
"I am not here to catch up father." I said, rather harsh, even for me.
"Yes,yes I know." He said. "Have a sit." He gestures to a nearby wooden chair stationed by his desk.
I take a seat. I noticed the joy usually on his face disappear, replaced by worry. He let out a sigh, followed by a deep grave of breathe.
"We are losing this war," he begins, "we might be holding out now but there are rumors-rumors that the Heart Kingdom will be sanctioning units under the four emperors."
I was not one to show emotion, but this news puts me on edge, my face replicating the worry on my fathers face. The four emperors were awakened individuals, who had broken their limiters and received the blessings of gods. They were almost never used in battles due to their sheer destructive power, but if they are being released now then this is the endgame.
I seat in silence with the Captain, the weight of the news thickens the air around.
"What do we do then?" I ask.
The captain lets out a sigh, his expression the same.
"Nothing, we can only withdraw from the frontline and give up this fight."
I stand furiously, angered by my fathers words,
"What do you mean withdraw? Give up?" I asked. "They attacked us, came for our land and we should give it to them? Where is your pride? The pride you taught me all my life."
"Calm yourself boy," the captain said , "pride has nothing to do with this. You will be willing to sacrifice your unit, kill your brothers even for pride?"
His voice now raised, rage filled his tone. He slammed his fist on the table,
"You know nothing of the chaos those emperors can cause, I do. I have seen them level entire armies in mere minutes, we do not stand a chance." His eyes narrowed in sadness. "As captain of this unit, I am ordering our retreat. We leave tomorrow at dawn."
In my standing state, I stormed out filled with both rage and frustration. I had been on the battlefield for three months now, but I had been part of this war since my nineteenth birthday. I always believed we would win, not retreat like cowards.
"Mason?" Code called my name, her eyes reflecting my rage. I walked by her, not acknowledging her in anyway. I stormed out of the camp and into a nearby forest, a place that had acted asa point of ambush against our enemies, the place I became known as the WarHound. It had always felt like home to me, and in my times of frustration I went there to calm down.
I walked through the forest, my mind wandering as I tried to calm myself. The words of my father being replayed in my head as my rage stirred up.
"Let go of me!!!" A voice caught my attention , sounded like a little girl screaming at the top of her lungs. I swiftly climbed up a nearby tree , my eyes scanned for the source. I caught sight of shadows, a small figure struggling to break free from some men.