Chapter 6

"For the Empire!.." a soldier raises his sword high.. his muscles strain, sweat drips onto the rugged soil beneath him.. the glare of sun… the gleam of his blue armor. Squadrons upon squadrons line up before him in formation… the ground trembles.. flying creatures fly over head… and then, with the downward slash of his sword the armored convey start to move out, heading south. Scouts flicker in the forest nearby.. the legion continues forward through the wide green landscape.

A blue shine can be seen… piercing eyes… a heavily scaled creature seems to move within the vast sea of soldiers… 50m long with a wingspan of at least 30m.. the wings overshadow the army.. the creature's head seems to overlook the entire legion of troops. Fighting against such a creature would make even the most courageous warrior falter... however knowing that dragons are a figment of one's imagination I take a closer look.. "ahh I see.." what I believe to make out is a superb dragon-crafted carriage… such masterful craftmanship… even a sliver of a dragon's aura seems to be captured.

Only the most of noble figures may reside within there.. Either warriors who are the pillars of the Empire.. Or Ministers who are outstanding in their respective fields… either way I will most definitely not be allowed to step foot within there.. "Sigh" I munch on some berries I picked up while wandering around the outskirts of the legion… Jack seemed preoccupied scribbling into his notebook so thinking it would be best to leave him to it… Given the military discipline enforced I was slightly surprised that no one stopped me from venturing this far out… but hey I'm not going to point it out… I continue on enjoying the scenery. A figure flickers in the forest nearby… "ah.. just a scout.." walking for a few hours the sun starts to slowly descend..

I notice the legion has started to settle down for the night.. "hmm" I gaze up at the stars.. a melancholically look can be seen in my gaze.. a memory starts to emerge…a wooden sword flashes down.. two young boys.. one attempts to imitate the other… a father's piercing look… "bro-ther.. your so awe-some! teach me some more moves.." "Ha of course, you’re my younger bro after all! Don't worry I'll become a legendary hero and teach you even more godly moves! Just watch me!" "mmh Yes!"… the memories fade… a dark look overshadows my eyes… the surroundings become quiet… taking a deep breath.. "haa.. …."

I figure it's time to head back… the closer I get to the camp the more I start to feel uneasy… "huh.. That's strange" I listen attentively.. "hu hu hu…" cries can be heard in the distance… flames light up the night… clashing of steel rings out.. "should I take a look?... while I ponder my decisions my ears prick up… hearing something move in the forest behind me… a tingling sensation runs down my spine… I start to sweat… before I know it my body starts moving on its own, I'm in full sprint.

I glance behind… three dark figures are now sprinting at me…"How did he know we were there?!" "Enough! Take him down!" one figure stops for a moment as he draws back his arm…a rock hits my foot.. I stumble as the momentum causes me to lean sideways…. "Whizz"… "BOOM!" looking up… trees as far as I can see are gone… the ground blasted apart.. "Is that guy even human!?" I cry inwardly. A javelin appears to be lodged in a distant boulder… it quivers with intensity.

"What?!" the figure behind cries out. "Did you just see that…?! Is that guy even human!?" Seemingly mimicking what I just said. "Number 2 enough with the over-dramatics. Obviously this man is an expert, possibly even A-Class… luckily we've encountered him alone and also unarmed.." Catching their words renders me speechless… of course I haven't stopped running… my legs start to feel like jelly.. I stumble forward… an arrow whizzes by my shoulder. "Number 3 can you shoot properly.. seriously." "Not my fault Sir, did you see those reflexes!?" "Mmh your right this man is a monster.." Number 2 Affirms with a nod of his head. Tiredness washes over me.. my mind feels blurry…then my feet hit nothing. "Wait what..!" I snap awake… "Oh..." I'm in free fall.

***

Three figures appear at the top of the cliff… they look down.. "That guy is crazy?! Did you just see that? He just went "plop" and jumped off, and didn't think twice about it. That’s an expert for you!" "Dammit Number 2, when we get back to base I'm applying for leave.. I can't deal with a chatterbox like you." "C'mon boss without me around, who would you have to talk to?" "No one, exactly how I like it." Number 3 continues to stare down to the bottom of the cliff. He squints his eyes. It is hard to make out the view clearly.. "Uh guys, he seems to be alive, he just dusted himself off and is now casually walking away.." "Like I said, That's an expert for you." Number 2 boldly proclaims. "I wonder if such an expert is taking in disciples..?" Number 2 is about to say something else when a dark aura surrounds Number 1. Number 2's eyes harden as his face becomes solemn. The three wordlessly watch the lone figure disappear into the distance…

***

I walk and stumble my way back to camp. Phew that was a close one. Lucky it wasn't straight fall. I managed to tumble down on some relatively soft soil.. I am not sure on where I am exactly right now though. It's best to find someone and ask for directions. Glancing around I notice a hill in the distance.. A suitable vantage point to scout the surroundings.. I slowly make my way up as I cautiously peer over…

"ARGHHH… ROARRRR! Pu pu.. Twang.." Beasts of colossal heights rampage across the battlefield as the blue-armored legion try to hold their formation. The backline hold heavy hand-held ballistas which are fired in barrages at the beasts. Some bolts pierce through the beasts thick fur, while others are merely deflected…Dark humanoid figures can also be seen on the battlefield. While these foes do not wear full-plated armor they do wear an assortment of other armor and weapons. Their steel-like muscles and pulsing veins are a terrifying display. Glowing yellow eyes gaze out from under their battered helmets. With no fixed formation that charge forward recklessly. A veteran soldier would scoff at such tactics, however their frightening strength proves that such tactics are meaningless.

Noticing a few dark humanoid figures charge forward, the blue armored warriors brace themselves for impact.. however the dark figures pause for a moment.. their legs bulge as they launch themselves into the air over the soldiers.. they crash into the backlines rendering any formation by the blue-armored soldiers useless. Other dark-beings of a slightly skinner stature ride upon the colossal-sized beasts… both sides charge forward engaging in fierce close-combat. Arrows pierce across the battlefield in a disorderly fashion. Squadrons after squadrons fall. My eyes sharpen.. another blue squadron is wiped… clicking my tongue at the sight…

Just when the situation looks dire. ROARRR!! A blue-scaled dragon appears.. the other beasts look like puppies in its eyes. The dragon leaps agilely at a large ape-like creature. Its throat is ripped to shreds and with one swing of its dragon tail and the ape is sent flying back like an artillery shell. A shockwave emnates out.

The blue-armored troops courageously lift up their swords.. "For the Empire!" I can't help but do the same… "For the Empire!" I cry. Unfortunately I do not have a sword so I just fist bump towards the sky. "Dang that was cool.." my blood starts to boil… The dragon raises its head seemingly in sync with the army.. ROARRR.. a dense barrage of ice-fire covers the battlefield.. a few beasts are incinerated however you notice some more agile creatures manage to break through the defensive line… a fierce battles ensues.

As I continue to watch, I happen to glance to the side... three figures appear to be running towards you.. it seems my previous shout caught their attention… "No.. Wait.. What is that..?" Wolves covered in a dark ominous glow with glowing yellow eyes chase behind the figures… of course in my direction.. "Please no.. don't come this way.." I mutter.. Neither the wolves nor the three figures pay heed.. "Terrific.." I ofcourse start fleeing in the other direction…

To be Continued.