Should you ever donate, please comment a fake name or RRL account name with the donation so I know who to credit for it!

I have a feeling that a lot of people are going to enjoy this one, get ready for some cruel killing and tactical slaughter!

-----

Chapter 54: Second Gate

Unable to answer a question like that, the entire platoon remained silent until Falknir let out a short snort and ordered them to follow.

Bharfas still had the same dark expression on his face but complied and soon enough they reached the Stronghold's Barracks.

Makoto saw countless Asurian Soldiers running around in all directions, some carrying wounded allies, others dragged screaming Sarachec Soldiers to the dungeon.

It was complete mayhem.

Bharfas quickly judged the situation and barked orders.

"To make things easier I want that you split up into rows of 5 and then make a Squad of 125, every Squad will be assigned with 2 Mages.

That should give us around 40 Squads.

Each Squad will be at different locations so don't expect any backup, you are to hold your position with any means necassery, we can not lose this Stronghold!

All Nobles or Knight Officers step forward please!"

The entire Platoon quickly complied, Makoto soon enough found himself with Acerbus on his shoulder between other young men.

"As Nobles of Asuria you will have certain responsibilities and one of them is to lead the Country to a better tomorrow, each and every one of you will be the Captain of a Squad so make sure to bring them back in one piece and hold your positions, understood?"

"Understood, Sir!"

Shouted all the present Nobles, Makoto included, even if he was unsure why he was even here as a player.

Soon enough the entire Platoon was split into 40 Squads and Makoto found himself with 125 foreign faces looking up to him.

It was good fortune that his party was not included in the actual Platoon so Lilliana, Sharon and Sanja joined his Squad somewhat unofficially together with Farabello and an unknown older Mage that had both been assigned to him.

Makoto was the Captain of Squad 40, the rest of the bunch, containing the last few stragglers that no other Squad wanted.

To put it into perspective, he had gotten the worst of the worst.

Feeling countless stares on his person he cleared his throat and spoke somewhat nervous.

"My name is Makoto Forrowfell and I will be your Squad Captain for the time being.

You might not know me but I assure you that I plan to keep each and every one of you alive as best as I can so you can all go back to your families after this is over."

Quite a few expressions all around softened and the grim mood quickly dissipated.

It was obvious that his short speech had managed to take away a bit of the tension in each and every one of them.

Happy that his plan to make them less on edge worked, Makoto turned around to Bharfas and the other Squads that were gathering around Falknir.

Motioning his people to follow, Squad 40 soon enough joined the mass of uniformed people.

"Alright, listen up!"

Falknir shouted, clearly telling them to stop the chit chat when he was making an announcement.

"I will now put each Squad where we need it, some places will have less problems while others will be swarming with Sarachec Soldiers so don't except an easy time."

Within 15 minutes only Squad 40 was left undecided.

After glancing at the Crimson Spider Crest on Makoto's Chest, Falknir showed a rather sinister smile as he spoke.

"Squad 40, you will help defend the second gate at the South-East side, one of my Knights will guide you there and you will be responsible for holding the damn thing. I wish you good luck and may the Divines watch your step."

Concerned about the strange smile that Falknir had shown him, Makoto nodded and followed the Stronghold Knight.

Throwing a glance behind him every so often to make sure that no one was left behind while walking through the maze-like structure of Kernum, his men embarked on their first Defense.

After only 5 minutes they passed the inner wall through a thick gate and continued on the dirt path with hastened steps.

The surrounding screams and the sound of metal hitting against metal increased by quite a lot, drowning out even their loud steps.

Without even being able to help it, an unusual tension creeped into Makoto's body.

Until now he only ever had to worry about himself or maybe 3 other people but now it was different.

He was the Squad Captain of nearly 130 people, their lives depended on his actions and even if they were just code, in a game as realistic as this and knowing how some NPC behaved just like real people, it put a lot of stress on his mind.

Glancing over his shoulder he could clearly see how Sharon nervously checked her arrows, Sanja grasped her staff with both hands and he could clearly see the white of her bones while Lilliana was pale as a wall.

Each and every one of them never before fought in a battlefield or against NPCs, it was quite terrifying for most and he could see the same unease in all of his Soldiers.

They are not ready...

This single realization made him nearly stop dead in his tracks as the Knight of the Stronghold led them to the last bend and then disappeared without a word.

None of them were eager to engage in a fight like this, they were all scared and probably felt like running away but because the lives of their family and loved ones were on the line they now stood behind him.

No one wanted to kill another intelligent being with a family, they knew that killing would just bring more hatred and grieve but in war there are no real winners, only losers and those that try to survive it all.

This was not a fight for honor or glory, it was simply surviving.

Realizing this sudden truth, Makoto could feel how the beast inside of him roared in agreement as a new surge of energy accompanied the silent cry.

He could feel how his emotions swelled up and his nervous walk turned into a stride with a sinister smile appearing on his lips.

The Beast inside of him was pure Instinct, emotions and desires all mixed up into one fucked up bundle but in a situation like this it complied with him for once and left him the control while giving him newfound strength.

Survival no matter the cost.

Reaching the end of the black cobblestone path, his eyes already started to glow in a dangerous light and a heavily damaged gate appeared before them together with Asurian and Sarachec Soldiers fighting for their very lives.

It was an intense battle and already countless lives ended right here and there but his Squad had not been discovered yet.

Watching the situation for a few seconds, Makoto developed a plan while his bloodlust once again billowed deep inside of him together with a lot of other emotions.

Even now he was struggling to keep control over his actions while holding the Beast on a tight leash.

Finally, with a truly evil smile similar to a serial killers sweetest grin, Makoto turned to his Squad and he could see how each and every one of them was shocked about his sudden transformation.

"All of you listen to me when I say that this is not going to be an easy or nice fight, most of you will be wounded and some very well killed, that is without question.

Your loved ones are going to be left behind, families torn apart and your parents are going to be an empty shell after your passing.

Your death will not only end your life but also theirs, it will create a hole that can never be filled again and that is all your fault."

Stunned by his cruel words, the surrounding men lowered their weapons as all strength left their arms, they were completely terrified by the picture he was painting them and fear creeped into their little hearts.

Noticing the change he paused for a second to give them time to reflect on his words and continued.

"Now tell me, is that what you want?

Are you going to let these half breeds trample all over you and slaughter your families?

Are you going to run and hide, knowing that your cowardice killed every person you ever held dear?

Is that the kind of person each and every one of you is or are you Soldiers of Asuria?

Don't fight for peace, don't do it for me or for any king, fight for your life and the lives of your loved ones!

Show them what happens when they try to take everything you hold dear from you!

Make them bleed, make them cry and scream your name as you slaughter each and every single Sarachec pig there is!"

With a thundering roar from his entire Squad that made the earth beneath their feet tremble he could see a crimson light appear in the previously fearful eyes of his Soldiers, similar to his own.

Their faces had turned into masks of terror and looming evil.

Killing intent wafted around his unit as each and every one of them changed from a scared Soldier to a cornered beast.

The only ones who were not affected but rather shocked by his speech were Sanja, Lilliana and Sharon and a part of him wanted to ask them what was wrong but a bigger part of him that was so very eager to bath in warm blood shoved those concerns aside.

Looking back at the 125 Soldiers that stood before him with the same wicked smile on their faces as him, he could feel how an evil giggle escaped his throat but a system message kept him from truly laughing out loud.

For successfully rallying your troops with unconventional means and making their loyalty reach a maximum of 100% you have unlocked the stat, Authority.

Authority:May your subjects prosper and flourish while your enemies perish and die, only one true king has the favour of his people!

Increases the stats of all that follow your lead by 0.2% for every point in the stat. (also includes Parties, Armies, Cults, Countries, Continents etc.)[tr]Current Authority:5 points (+ 50)= 11% stat increase for those that follow your lead.

Happy about this incredibly useful stat, Makoto could only thank his good fortune once again.

Thanks to his advanced Class the stat jumped from 5 to 55, increasing his Squad's overall stats by an incredible 11%.

It was unclear if the others noticed the change but that was not important right now when he quickly explained his plan to his loyal Soldiers and Acerbus crawled down his back to climb on a nearby wall, he had noticed the change in the surrounding air and was unable to join in any combat for now.

"Everyone get into position, seems like they managed to overwhelm them just like I thought."

Makoto said and just as he finished talking, the last Asurian defender was impaled by nearly 4 swords.

It was already looking pretty bad when they arrived and he had judged that it would only be a matter of time until the gate would fall if his Squad was unable to make the difference.

More and more Sarachec Soldiers appeared through the damaged Second Gate and searched for a way on the walls, that was the exact moment he had been waiting for.

Makoto used the Skill 'Memories of Carnage' to boost the Damage of his Squad before giving the signal.

With a single motion of his hand, Sharon readied her bow and aimed high into the sky while activating the Skill 'Scatter Shot'.

For the first time since acquiring his 'Blood Cult Gauntlets' did he activate 'Nightmare Manifestation', the special Buff that would increase his chance to fear his enemies by 90% and would also increase the effective fear by 30%.

Right after that he used 'Blood Rush' to run out of the small alley that his Squad was still standing in and pulled 'Quelligan's Splinter', his trusty sword.

Finally letting the beast inside of him off the leash, his blood lust more than tripled and a blinding red light shot out of his eyes.

Right after reaching his first enemy did Sharon's 'Scatter Shot' finally descend from the sky and on the nearly 200 enemy Soldiers.

Quickly disabling 'Blood Rush' and instead activating 'Aura of the Beast' and his 'Willpower' stat, he grasped his sword with both hands and slashed horizontally at the shocked Sarachec Soldier that was currently shielding his head from the rain of arrows and noticed him a fraction too late.

Together with increasing his own stats drastically he also lowered the man's stats at the same time, allowing for an inhuman difference as his sword cleaved right through his middle section and completely neglected the armor that he wore.

He had not even seen the NPC's Level and still cut him in half like he was made out of butter.

Right away a system message notifying him about the 'Lethal Hit' appeared but that was not what he wanted, instead he looked at the shocked enemy Soldiers all around him and finally he got the system message that he had been waiting for.

You have put a status effect on your (189) enemies!

Fear: -25% stat reduction until the battle is finished.

Makoto had naturally feared monsters before with his 10% chance to inflict the fear effect when attacking and engaging into combat but it had always only been either 1 or 2% of stat reductions.

The only times were he actually inflicted a real difference was when he had done either shocking or cruel things so together with boosting his chance to 'Fear' is enemies above 100% with 'Nightmare Manifestation' he also came up with a plan to show his enemies true terror by killing one of them in a crude and inhuman way.

He also was only slightly affected by the Scatter Shot as his passive Skill 'Realm of Madness' reduced the speed of all arrows that were aimed at him, even the ones that dropped from the sky.

It was still a bit unpleasant when arrow after arrow found a gap in his armor and got stuck in his flesh but his regeneration allowed him to simply not care about it.

After successfully laying the ground work, his Squad came rushing out of the small alley with a cry that seemed to swallow up everything.

Each and every one of them had red glowing eyes and a mad look as they practically threw themselves at the feared and stunned Sarachec Soldiers.

It was an absolute massacre and after killing half of the enemy force they tried to quickly retreat back through the gate but a smiling Makoto was blocking their paths.

Only screams of absolute terror could be heard behind the second South-East gate which sent shivers down the Sarachec Soldiers backs that stood outside the walls as they had previously planned to take this route but abandoned the idea right away.

Makoto finished off the last Sarachec Survivor with a level of 28 at the second gate by finding a gap in his armor and ramming his sword into soft and important inner organs.

With screams of pain and agony he twisted his blade in the man's wound as his Soldiers watched with the same happy expression on their faces that he had and only after 20 seconds did the enemy Soldier die.

Wiping away the blood on his blade he quickly surveyed the surrounding area.

His Squad had already formed into tight ranks and awaited his next order, he could see relieve on their faces and only a few of them had light injuries.

Not a single one had died during the previous skirmish and all of them knew that it was close to a miracle as they gazed upon Makoto with newfound devotion and loyalty.

"Secure the gate and find out if we can close it again, see if we can bring a few Archer on those walls and keep an eye out for enemy movement, my guess is that this is not the last time that we are going to see them today."

Saluting once, his Squad quickly dispersed and went to work, soon enough Farabello returned with news about the gate together with 4 other Soldiers.

"Makoto, it looks like the iron hinges took some damage and we are unable to close the Gate fully for now, what do you want us to do?"

Contemplating on the matter for a few seconds he saw a Sarachec body being transported and a cruel but effective idea appeared in his mind.

"If we can't close the gate we will build a temporary wall and we have around 200 bricks lying around.

Make sure to pile up the bodies correctly so they won't fall off.

Let's see if our enemies are willing to climb over their dead comrades to get into the Stronghold."

Showing a truly wicked smile on his face as the beast inside of him purred in silent agreement he could see the Soldiers and Farabello go pale but they still did as he commanded and rallied up more men.

"Let them come and join their fellow friends as a wall that protects the Second Gate."

Makoto whispered to himself and once again the crimson light in his eyes increased...

-----

Well and that is todays Chapter :P

The Siege is far from over so don't worry, Squad 40s adventures have only begun!

See you all tomorrow and if you have any thoughts or find mistakes comment bellow :D